Alethea Johnson had no idea her passion for interior design would end up being her career after sharing just one TikTok.
In August, the 29-year-old posted a before and after of her sister Athena’s bedroom transformation at Morgan State. The video went viral on the app and racked up more than 11 million views.
Johnson told CNBC Make It that since going viral on TikTok, she was able to quit her job as a nurse and become a full-time interior designer.
You already have several new clients and rooms you are designing.
“I think everything happens at the right time,” says Johnson. “I’m excited to follow a passion of mine that I’ve had since I was a little girl and get paid to do what I love.”
Viral bedroom makeover cost less than $300
Johnson says redesigning her sister’s freshman dorm was always a given. She had successfully completed a makeover of her sister’s bedroom at home the year before.
“She already knew that I was fully capable of giving her something she loved without her being involved. She gave me free rein,” Johnson said.
Johnson didn’t start out with much inspiration or direction for the design, but Athena told him the one thing she didn’t want was a colorful room. Johnson decided to stick with a neutral color scheme.
For furniture and décor, Johnson says she’s turned to Amazon, Dollar Tree and Home Depot.
It took Johnson, her mother and sister about two hours to apply removable wallpaper, install a shelf organizer and create custom picture frames.
The transformation came in at just under $300.
“At first I was pretty unhappy with the end result,” Johnson said. “I changed my mind after seeing how much my sister loved the room.”
Johnson spent less than $300 to transform the side of her sister’s bedroom.
Alethea Johnson
Johnson added that her sister loved DIY frames and plans to reuse them throughout her four years at Morgan State.
“When I FaceTime, she looks very comfortable in her room. It doesn’t look or feel like she’s somewhere else. It feels like a space where she belongs, and that was my goal,” she said.
Since redesigning half of her sister’s room, Johnson revealed that she also did the roommate’s side.
In total, transforming the entire room cost around $550.
Johnson told CNBC Make It that she spent about $250 to transform her sister’s roommate’s side of the bedroom.
Alethea Johnson
Source: www.cnbc.com