We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Shirey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.

Erica, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Professionally, the most meaningful project I’ve worked on was when Home Staging for Houston partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to fulfill the wish of a terminally ill teenager whose dream was to have a glamorous bedroom. I rallied support from generous donors and worked closely with her to bring her exact vision to life. Seeing her joy and knowing we created a space that brought her comfort and happiness during such a difficult time was truly unforgettable.

On a personal level, one of the most meaningful experiences in my life has been my involvement with the Houston Junior League. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a small part of something that makes such a large and positive impact on women and children in our community. This year, I have the privilege of serving as the Head Active for ChinquaPals, a mentorship program for junior high girls. As a mother to a 10-year-old daughter, and having once been that age myself, I know how powerful it is to have a caring adult who believes in you. Working alongside our volunteers and students has brought me immense joy. Giving back not only supports others but also sets an example for my daughter and fills my own life with purpose. It’s truly a win-win.

Erica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello! I’m Erica Shirey, the Director of Design at Home Staging for Houston, one of Houston’s leading home staging companies. For the past decade, we’ve proudly served realtors, builders, and homeowners. We are here to help properties shine and sell faster through the power of thoughtful design.

My journey into this field has been a natural evolution of my lifelong love for creativity and the arts. I’ve always been drawn to beauty, expression, and storytelling through design. I once heard a quote that said, “I’m a woman. I live only for art, love, and beauty,” and it truly speaks to my heart.

I find joy in both staging and interior design projects. Staging offers that instant gratification…transforming a space in just a few hours and witnessing a dramatic before-and-after. I often tell clients that “staging even works on the stager,” because I’ve walked into homes thinking I’d never live there, and by the end, after adding furniture, art, and warmth, I completely change my mind. That’s the magic of what we do, it helps buyers see not just a house, but a home.

On the design side, I love collaborating with homeowners to create spaces they truly adore. Home should feel like a sanctuary…a reflection of comfort, joy, and personal style—and I’m passionate about bringing that feeling to life.

Even outside of Home Staging for Houston, I continue to nurture my passion by working with Tujay Homes, a custom builder, where I help clients design their dream homes from the ground up.

What truly sets me apart is the heart I bring to every project. I lead with empathy, creativity, and connection. For me, design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about understanding people, their stories, and how they want to feel in their space. Helping clients fall in love with their homes is not just my job…it’s my calling.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is that it feels like something that was truly written in the stars. I’ve always believed that our passions are part of our soul’s design, and for me, everything—astrology, numerology, even my human design—points to aesthetics, creativity, and the pursuit of beauty. It’s as if I was meant to see and share the world through an artistic lens.

I find beauty everywhere, even in the simplest or most ordinary moments. The way light hits a wall, the texture of an old building, or the color palette of a morning sky…all of it inspires me. I genuinely believe that life is about perspective, and when you choose to see things through a lens of appreciation and love, the entire world transforms. Everything becomes art when you approach it with curiosity and wonder.

Being an artist allows me to romanticize life…to infuse beauty into the everyday and help others see it too. Through my work, I get to create spaces and moments that evoke feeling, comfort, and joy. That’s what I find so meaningful: taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary, something that makes people feel something.

Art, to me, is both expression and connection. It’s how I experience the world and how I communicate with it. It’s deeply fulfilling to know that my creativity can inspire others to slow down, appreciate beauty, and fall in love with their own surroundings.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creatives sometimes struggle to understand that creativity isn’t something you can turn on and off…it’s a way of being. Inspiration doesn’t always follow structure or logic; it flows when it’s meant to. There’s vulnerability in putting your vision into the world and having it judged, but there’s also incredible fulfillment in staying true to it. Being a creative means trusting your intuition, embracing uncertainty, and believing that beauty and meaning can come from the messiest parts of the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.homestagingforhouston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestagingforhouston/

Image Credits

Cansas Nichols