Lacey's journey from corporate professional to creative entrepreneur showcases her innovative approach to experiential design. Discover how LM CREATIVE STUDIO, LLC transforms logos into impactful, textural installations that tell compelling brand stories.
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Influential Woman · Interior Design & Creative Arts
Lacey M. Johnson, RID
NCIDQ, RID
Owner / Founder, LM CREATIVE STUDIO, LLC
Charlotte, NC 28226
21Years experience
1Article published
3Awards received
Her Story
About Lacey
Lacey M. Johnson is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based interior designer and dimensional artist with more than 20 years of experience creating thoughtful, visually engaging environments. Lacey is the founder of LM CREATIVE STUDIO, LLC, where she leads creative projects and client collaborations that bring together interior design, art, branding, and dimensional installations. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Charlotte and is a NCIDQ-certified Registered Interior Designer (RID), with additional LEED Green Associate and WELL AP credentials. Throughout her career, Lacey has worked across commercial interior design, project management, design leadership, and creative direction. Her experience includes roles with IA Interior Architects, DLR Group, BSB Design, as well as projects involving corporate branding, design standards, furniture and art packages, and multi-location rollouts. She combines technical design knowledge with strong skills in client interviews, problem-solving, brainstorming, project coordination, and presentation design, allowing her to translate complex ideas into distinctive and functional spaces. Alongside her design career, Lacey has developed a long-standing practice as a dimensional artist, using texture, materials, and objects to create immersive artistic experiences. Her work reflects a commitment to connecting people through art, design, and community engagement. She is active in Charlotte's creative and professional communities, is immersed with CREW Charlotte, and supports arts, education, housing, and other community-focused initiatives while continuing to collaborate with artists, owners, and organizations through her creative studio.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lacey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to over 20 years of experience in interior design, my education, and my commitment to continuous growth. Earning my Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design and NCIDQ certification gave me a strong professional foundation, while working on diverse commercial projects, including Stadium Design and Banking Industries, strengthened my expertise. Starting my own business on December 10, 2025, marked an exciting new chapter and allowed me to build on everything I have learned throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to always work hard for what I want. As a first-time business owner and a one-woman show, I’ve learned to stay disciplined while balancing interior design, artwork, networking, emails, and new business opportunities. My achievements, including having a project featured in Architectural Digest in 2016 and being nominated as one of North Carolina’s 50 Most Influential Women in 2024, remind me that hard work and persistence truly pay off.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to never give up, even when things feel difficult due to personal challenges, family responsibilities, or a slow start. Keep moving forward, stay involved, and continue learning. I’ve found that professional certifications, networking, community involvement, and volunteering can open doors and create meaningful opportunities. With persistence and a commitment to growth, you can build a successful career and watch your hard work turn into success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As a first-time business owner of less than a year, my biggest challenge is building a strong foundation while learning the demands of running a business on my own. At the same time, this is a great opportunity to grow, build my client base, and establish my business in the industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are family, perseverance, hard work, and personal growth. My career journey has taught me to keep moving forward through challenges, from being laid off from a sales position to waiting tables and eventually building a career in interior design. Today, I value balancing my business, creative work, and family responsibilities, while continuing to grow both personally and professionally.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Lacey
How She Did It
From Corporate Career to Creative Visionary: How Lacey Built Her Experiential Design Studio
Lacey has worked tirelessly for various firms, building an impressive body of work over more than 20 years. Although the thought of owning a company was always daunting, she had considered starting an LLC dedicated to her artwork.
Due to family circumstances, she ultimately made the difficult decision to resign from her position and launch LM CREATIVE STUDIO, LLC. Her firm specializes in experiential spaces and enjoys collaborating with clients to create holistic environments.
Through her art, Lacey creates custom installations that can incorporate a company's logo. This approach has helped establish her as a thought leader in experiential design. As she explains:
“Your logo as signage is static and expected. But a textural piece designed specifically for your company that tells a story using your logo will be much more impactful to your visitors.”
She has found success with this approach and considers the work deeply fulfilling. As she always says, “My client is my muse.”
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