The Whitley Co.

04/19/2026

Richmond Magazine stopped by my duplex to discuss my design inspiration and photograph the finished product of months of furnishing this historic duplex in the heart of Woodland Heights in Richmond, Virginia.

Now owner of The Whitley Co., her path to interior design zigzagged from stints as Miss Teen USA, an MTV veejay and a struggling actor, yet her love of making spaces better than she found them was the one through line.

"Some designs can feel forced and rigid, but you can tell when pieces are chosen from love and have that intentionality. Repurposing is big for me, so everything I used is preloved and local. I’m on a permanent scavenger hunt, and I showcase my finds in a way that feels fresh and new."

Read the full interview here:

https://richmondmagazine.com/home/house-tours/semmes-ave-duplex-woodland-heights/

01/16/2026

Our Villa No. 1 Transformation was truly something remarkable. Sterile, drop ceilings and lacking identity, charm and a cohesive design was what we walked into one chilly winter day.

What it turned into with some intentional design additions like the built-in banquette for seating, moody paint colors to create a cohesive color throughout the entire space and updating lighting, the bathroom, kitchen countertops and adding layered design pieces to give it the character that this historic property desperately needed is what makes this space look and FEEL totally different.

01/08/2026

Creating is a huge part of what makes my heart happy and my world feel purposeful. Finding meaning in a world of madness is what life is all about. As the new year begins, I am reflecting on the aspects of being a business owner and entrepreneur that bring the joys and challenges of pushing past your own fears and persisting on days when you feel like you can't take on one more setback in the journey. I am proud of persevering despite not having all of the answers, sometimes feeling like a lone ship in a sea of uncertainty and being able to regroup and grow from a designer into a real estate investor in the past few years. This historic duplex is a labor of love and I am honored to have been interviewed prior to my relocation to Texas by R Home Magazine regarding the transformation of my 3rd acquisition of a historic duplex in the heart of Forest Hill. A big thank you to my Aunt Cynthia for supporting my new vision of improving properties and allowing me to try something scary and new.

An early-20th-century American foursquare home is reinvigorated for a new era.

03/15/2025

Search to find pieces in your home that makes you smile, makes you reflect on better days that can be strong reminders of the good in your life. Those are the soul-filling decor items that need to be uncovered, displayed and talked about. Your life is full of stories of former years, past lives lived and perhaps even some crazy memories that make us giggle to ourselves as we reminisce on them. Fill your walls, shelves and hearts with those and make your home truly one-of-a-kind. Just like you.

11/30/2024

Give the Gift of Great Design this holiday...truly a 100% personalized, fully customized gift for anyone, anywhere, on any space!

Easy! Let's make those in your life LOVE where they live. Scan the QR Code for our website/design questionnaire or visit us directly at www.thewhitleycompany.com for more about what we do and how we can help make someone's holiday special. All gift certificates in any increment is available and good for 365 days from the time of purchase for them to utilize!

11/11/2024

Meeting my husband, he was back in Missouri on leave after joining the Navy. Our first meeting we talked about how difficult being a military spouse was like a sort of speed dating topic that we discussed in the first 5 minutes of our meeting that fateful day at the mall. He tried to warn me, let me know what I would agree to. It didn't matter, I knew we were supposed to be together.

From there, we endured 3 deployments as our family grew, one by one almost and our times apart were as much a part of our marriage as the times we shared together. It's a tough aspect of living someone who has dedicated themselves to their selfless service. I can't put into words how much I admire him for the choices he has made, day after day, for a decade of his life turned, our lives.

Without it, he may not know who he was supposed to become. Without it, out family wouldn't be the same as it is today. With all of the ups and downs, changes and moves, sacrifices and opportunities, I can say that we are stronger from each of those days apart, the minutes spent sacrificing for something greater and the foundation we forged with all of the trials and tribulations that took us to 10+ places we made home for a time.

Happy Veteran's Day, babe. Thank you for all of it. We love you. ❤️

10/22/2024

Fall is upon us and we are ready for your virtual/in-person design needs to bring your space to an updated place just in time for the holidays. Discover more than just your style, discover yourself through good design. Design for Real Life, it's what we do.

10/12/2024

Here's a fun game of before and after as we get to unveil the stunning Airbnb that is now ready for guests! Working remotely until the final push to get it staged and styled this past Spring was a testament to the power of imagination and a lot of Zooms with .barchas and her beautiful property. She has truly granted guests a full experience for the outdoor enthusiast in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Fly into Atlanta and drive a gorgeous scenic drive to your cabin that sleeps 10!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1258031031630672736?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

10/06/2024

Our 2nd Whitley Homes & Investments, LLC. property is complete and ready for your stay! Come take a look...

Church Hill CharmerThis one was too cute to pass up! Closing just 2 weeks after our first renovation, we knew we had great bones, a neighborhood that is turning over and curb appeal that we knew just what to do with! As I invite you into our latest completed venture, a journey through history awaits...

10/05/2024

Deciding to make the leap into real estate investing at the beginning of last year saw the creation of Whitley Homes & Investments. Two properties were acquired within 2 weeks of each other at the end of last year, and this one right here was our FIRST. A true labor of love, Halifax will forever be the most special, the largest test of courage and the property that proved to myself that I was living in my passion and my purpose. Every detail was thought through, all of the surfaces were updated and the overall renovation process, like many of my design experiences, have a way of renovating you in a multitude of ways.

Halifax set a new comp for the Mason Park neighborhood and between the lawsuit of the lot neighbor for a bogus encroachment situation, needing half of a new roof, adding a laundry room/panty and moving the primary bedroom to the backroom for the off street parking we added.

This one is the one that brought us Miss Hazel and allowed our soul to see the goodness despite the issues. Lessons were learned and we rose to the challenges. Here's to many more!!

09/15/2024

F A M I L Y
Summer 2024