Tips & Tricks, Interior Design & Staging
Interview with Olivia Kirby Johnson,
-Stylist & Social Media Coordinator at Linden Creek & Interior Design Student, High Point University
Original Content by Carl Johnson
Who doesn’t love a home refresh!? Some new seasonal decor, a fresh coat of paint, new wall art, or island bar stools. . . an amount of time and effort spent updating or refreshing a home goes a long way. Whether you are getting ready to list your home or just want to switch it up, home staging and decor have great benefits.
But sometimes it is hard to know where to start, which is why we sat down with a great friend, daughter of Carl Johnson and local High Point University Interior Design student Olivia Kirby Johnson, to provide some insights in the Home Staging and Interior Design world.
Read our Q&A below to see what tips and tricks you can apply to your home whether or not it is on the market.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
A: My name is Olivia Kirby Johnson, and I’m a freshman at High Point University, majoring in Interior Design with a minor in Business. One of my favorite courses so far has been Design and Society, where we explore key design concepts such as color theory, the Principles and Elements of Design, and iconic spaces from around the world. My passion for interior design began the summer before my senior year of high school when I interned at Linden Creek Home Staging in Raleigh, NC. After graduating early, I returned to the company and worked full-time as a Junior Stylist at their Cary/Apex location. Since starting college, I’ve continued my journey with Linden Creek, now working at the Triad location in Kernersville as both a Stylist and Social Media Coordinator. These experiences have helped me grow creatively and professionally, and I’m excited to keep learning and evolving in the design industry.
Q: Do you learn art/design history? How does it apply to current home designs?
A: Yes, I do study art and design history, which is incredibly relevant because it directly influences the current trends and styles we see in home designs everywhere today. Understanding this background helps me appreciate how historical movements shape the aesthetics and functionality of modern living spaces.
Q: What is your favorite current design trend?
A: My current favorite design trend is the use of color drenching in rooms, where deep, darker hues are applied generously to walls, ceilings, and even furnishings. This approach creates a rich, immersive atmosphere that feels both dramatic and cozy, giving spaces a moody, sophisticated vibe. I love how these bold colors transform a room, making it feel intimate and full of character
Q: If someone is moving into a new home or looking to freshen up their current one, what is one small thing they can do to help make the house feel more up to date?
A: One simple yet effective way for someone who is moving to refresh their home is to give it a fresh coat of Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster White paint. This soft, warm white instantly brightens up any space, making the home feel fresh, airy, and inviting
Q: Where do you see future interior design trends heading for 2026?
A: I foresee design trends in 2026 moving toward warm, neutral tones with strong rustic elements within traditional styles. This shift will bring a cozy, grounded feel that blends timeless elegance with natural, earthy textures.
Q: When staging a home do you take into consideration the style of the home? E.i. if its modern, victoria, colonial….
A: I always consider the style of the home taking into account its color, architectural style, and available space. This way, when selecting inventory for staging, I choose pieces that highlight the home’s best features, creating an inviting atmosphere that helps it sell quickly.
Q: Do you go and do a home tour for each home you are staging? Or do you have a generic staging set up?
A: Yes! We visit the home to take precise measurements and photographs. The realtor provides us with the list of rooms to stage (the scope). Then, review each room, selecting the inventory that will best showcase the space and highlight the home’s unique features.
Q: What is one thing a home owner getting ready to list their home and have it staged can do before the property goes on the market? I.e. declutter, clean, organize…
A: We usually recommend that the seller thoroughly cleans the entire house so we can stage it as a vacant property.
Q: Are there different levels of home staging available to clients?
A: Yes, there are different levels of home staging. You can choose to stage all the main rooms such as the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, office, dining room, drop zone, and primary bedroom or select only certain rooms to stage. Ultimately, it depends on the specific home and what will showcase it best.
Q: Do you see a difference between a staged home vs. non staged home in terms of home value, time on the market etc.?
A: Yes, there is a significant difference between a staged home and a vacant, non staged one. Research by Linden Creek Home Staging shows that staged homes spend an average of just 29 days on the market, and 63% of their staged properties sell at or above the asking price more than double the market average of 35%.
Any refresh, big or small, is a benefit to your surroundings. We value our clients and friends which is why we love to share this great insight with you. When helping to get a home listed on the market, we take this insight into consideration and often recommend staging the home to help you sell your home faster and at a better price. This is why we take our time to work with each client individually to make sure we tailor our marketing plan to you and your property needs. CLICK HERE to read more about Linden Creek the great resources they are to us!
Who doesn’t love a home refresh!? Some new seasonal decor, a fresh coat of paint, new wall art, or island bar stools. . . an amount of time and effort spent updating or refreshing a home goes a long way. Whether you are getting ready to list your home or just want to switch it up, home staging and decor have great benefits.
But sometimes it is hard to know where to start, which is why we sat down with a great friend, daughter of Carl Johnson and local High Point University Interior Design student Olivia Kirby Johnson, to provide some insights in the Home Staging and Interior Design world.
Read our Q&A below to see what tips and tricks you can apply to your home whether or not it is on the market.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
A: My name is Olivia Kirby Johnson, and I’m a freshman at High Point University, majoring in Interior Design with a minor in Business. One of my favorite courses so far has been Design and Society, where we explore key design concepts such as color theory, the Principles and Elements of Design, and iconic spaces from around the world. My passion for interior design began the summer before my senior year of high school when I interned at Linden Creek Home Staging in Raleigh, NC. After graduating early, I returned to the company and worked full-time as a Junior Stylist at their Cary/Apex location. Since starting college, I’ve continued my journey with Linden Creek, now working at the Triad location in Kernersville as both a Stylist and Social Media Coordinator. These experiences have helped me grow creatively and professionally, and I’m excited to keep learning and evolving in the design industry.
Q: Do you learn art/design history? How does it apply to current home designs?
A: Yes, I do study art and design history, which is incredibly relevant because it directly influences the current trends and styles we see in home designs everywhere today. Understanding this background helps me appreciate how historical movements shape the aesthetics and functionality of modern living spaces.
Q: What is your favorite current design trend?
A: My current favorite design trend is the use of color drenching in rooms, where deep, darker hues are applied generously to walls, ceilings, and even furnishings. This approach creates a rich, immersive atmosphere that feels both dramatic and cozy, giving spaces a moody, sophisticated vibe. I love how these bold colors transform a room, making it feel intimate and full of character
Q: If someone is moving into a new home or looking to freshen up their current one, what is one small thing they can do to help make the house feel more up to date?
A: One simple yet effective way for someone who is moving to refresh their home is to give it a fresh coat of Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster White paint. This soft, warm white instantly brightens up any space, making the home feel fresh, airy, and inviting
Q: Where do you see future interior design trends heading for 2026?
A: I foresee design trends in 2026 moving toward warm, neutral tones with strong rustic elements within traditional styles. This shift will bring a cozy, grounded feel that blends timeless elegance with natural, earthy textures.
Q: When staging a home do you take into consideration the style of the home? E.i. if its modern, victoria, colonial….
A: I always consider the style of the home taking into account its color, architectural style, and available space. This way, when selecting inventory for staging, I choose pieces that highlight the home’s best features, creating an inviting atmosphere that helps it sell quickly.
Q: Do you go and do a home tour for each home you are staging? Or do you have a generic staging set up?
A: Yes! We visit the home to take precise measurements and photographs. The realtor provides us with the list of rooms to stage (the scope). Then, review each room, selecting the inventory that will best showcase the space and highlight the home’s unique features.
Q: What is one thing a home owner getting ready to list their home and have it staged can do before the property goes on the market? I.e. declutter, clean, organize…
A: We usually recommend that the seller thoroughly cleans the entire house so we can stage it as a vacant property.
Q: Are there different levels of home staging available to clients?
A: Yes, there are different levels of home staging. You can choose to stage all the main rooms such as the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, office, dining room, drop zone, and primary bedroom or select only certain rooms to stage. Ultimately, it depends on the specific home and what will showcase it best.
Q: Do you see a difference between a staged home vs. non staged home in terms of home value, time on the market etc.?
A: Yes, there is a significant difference between a staged home and a vacant, non staged one. Research by Linden Creek Home Staging shows that staged homes spend an average of just 29 days on the market, and 63% of their staged properties sell at or above the asking price more than double the market average of 35%.
Any refresh, big or small, is a benefit to your surroundings. We value our clients and friends which is why we love to share this great insight with you. When helping to get a home listed on the market, we take this insight into consideration and often recommend staging the home to help you sell your home faster and at a better price. This is why we take our time to work with each client individually to make sure we tailor our marketing plan to you and your property needs. CLICK HERE to read more about Linden Creek the great resources they are to us!
