Julie has always had a passion for working in the design industry. To follow through on that passion, she dedicated her education to Interior Design and Business studies at East Carolina University. Julie has served many roles in the various Custom Home family of stores throughout the years, and is currently General Manager over Custom Home Furniture Galleries, Custom Home Staging and Designs and niche. Décor and Gifts. 

As a true Carolina Girl Julie cannot get enough of the beach, and has converted her husband, Daniel, into an equally big lover of the coast! On any given weekend you can find them somewhere near the salt water, with their two fur babies Nattie and Minnie.

Originally from Troutman NC, Katie moved to Wilmington in 2015 with the intent of heading back to her hometown after graduation. Her plans slowly shifted as the years passed and she fell in love with our quaint beach town. Katie joined the Custom Home Staging and Design team right out of college; Graduating with an Applied Science Degree in Interior Design. 

Katie is a firm believer that if you love where you live, happiness will follow. She strives to create beautiful, livable interiors that reflect the people living in them. 

When she isn’t designing she can be found spending time with family and friends or snuggling up with her beagle Daisy Mae and aussie Ollie.

Nicole is a Virginia Tech graduate, originially from Blacksburg Virginia. Nicole moved to Wilmington to pursue her passion for interior design and  experience life by the water. Her personal style is a blend of organic modern, and classic transitional elements of design.

When she's not busy staging homes you can find her spending time with her fur baby Penny or watching Hokie sports! 

Riley is orginially from Raleigh, North Carolina. Attending Wake Tech, where she earned her degree in Interior Design. After graduation she made her way to Wilmington to follow her dream of living by the coast while pursuing a career in interior design.  Riley has a love for coastal modern designs. In her free time she can be found at the beach, walking the loop, or trying out new restaurants. 

JoLeigh is a Garner, NC native who after schooling made her way to NYC to pursue a career in acting, but soon after realized she was a southerner through and through!  She then made her home in Wilmington where she went to school for communications; soon after she embarked on her true passion for design and all things home interiors. Having led renovation projects and personal investment properties, she began to design in her spare time as a stay at home mom; cultivating her style and skills. She is drawn most to a Classical modern, Transitional style with a nod to that southern flare!  When she is not staging and designing, you can find her loving on and driving her two daughters everywhere.  JoLeigh never misses an opportunity to get on a good dance floor or stage singing karaoke!

Sarah is a native of our beloved port city of Wilmington. As a third generation real estate professional with a background in sales and valuation, she developed a lifelong passion for the varied architectural styles and aesthetics that our beautiful area offers.

When not in the office, Sarah enjoys attending concerts, exploring nature, time with family, and taking in those gorgeous coastal sunsets!

After years of helping her husband run their small business Laura was ready for a change. She grew up around a family of artists so painting has always been a form of expression for her.   Custom Home Staging allows her passion for design and visual creativity to come through and she loves helping potential home buyers see the potential in their future homes. In Laura’s spare time you can find her hanging out with her 2 sons, husband and their 3 dogs.  A fun fact about Laura is that she travels every year to Colorado with her cousin to hike various mountain summits.

Torie Gray was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina. Currently attending UNCW, graduating in 2024. Torie has always been interested in the furniture industry. That interest quickly blossomed into a love for interiors, and all things coastal/modern,  after having joined the design team in 2022.

In her spare time, Torie loves going to the beach, spending time out on the boat with family/friends, and snuggling up with her pup Max.

From the small town of Rockingham, NC, Payton Whitley has always been captivated by the beauty of coastal living. In 2016, she turned her dreams into reality by making her way to the charming city of Wilmington, NC.

Currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Payton discovered a hidden passion that blossomed into a deep love for interior design. Payton's favorite style is the bright and airy coastal modern aesthetic. Beyond her dedication to her work, Payton relishes in her downtime under the glowing sunshine by the water. You can often find her enjoying the company of her loyal companion, Oaklee - a playful and adorable puppy, and her cherished circle of friends.