Style Influencers - Katie Laughridge & Kate Foster

Katie Laughridge & Kate Foster

Proprietress and Fabric Manager of Midwest Home Décor Store Nell Hill’s

Katie Laughridge’s love of textiles led her to acquire the iconic Kansas-based home interiors lifestyle shop Nell Hill’s in 2019, after dreaming for years of owning a small business. Katie moved the stylish boutique to its new location in Briarcliff Village, Kansas City from its original site in Atchinson, Kansas, where it was established in 1981 by Mary Carol Garrity and named after her pioneer grandmother. Born and raised in Kansas City, Katie is happy to continue nurturing and growing this well-known local establishment with a far-reaching influence.

Nell Hill’s welcomes guests from all over the country who gravitate to the store that exudes lifestyle and design inspiration and is filled with beautiful furniture, artwork, lighting, fabric by the yard and accents.

Along with owning and operating Nell Hill’s, Katie is the author of the weekly decorating blog Style at Home and a syndicated weekly column. Her favorite place to be is at Nell Hill’s, helping clients to create homes that are lovely and livable and that celebrate their own style. “At Nell Hill’s we want to encourage the idea that what you like is ALWAYS in style,” she says on the store’s website. “Enhance your unique, personal style here with us. I can’t wait to go on your design journey with you.”

Working by her side for the last 3 years in the vital position of Fabric Manager has been Kate Foster, who says she loves to find new and exciting trends to bring to the shop. Nell Hill’s is known as an influential curator of New Traditional design, creating something new and exciting from timeless elements. Take a virtual peak at the Nell Hill’s point of view by visiting nellhills.com or Katie’s Style at Home blog at nellhills.com/blog-index/.

What are your go-to paint colors?

Katie and Kate: We are both obsessed with Winter Wheat from our Nell Hill’s paint line. We each have it painted on our walls at home! Recently we have been recommending new pops of color for bold walls like Mulberry Drive, Flint Hills and Ward Parkway Brick as well.

What are your favorite sources of inspiration? How have you incorporated this inspiration into your designs, product development or merchandising?

Katie: We get a lot of inspiration from social media actually! Kate and I find ourselves browsing Instagram and sending each other trends and colors that we love so we can figure out a way to make it our own. Markets are also a great place for us to find new ideas. Overall, though, Nell Hill’s is always looking back at classic and timeless design and seeing how we can create something new and exciting – I mean that is what New Traditional design is all about. Kate: We are definitely known for our timeless fabrics. Recently we were looking back on traditional patterns like toile, and talking about how we could bring that type of pattern into the store in a fresh way. While we were at (Showtime) Market, we found some great Asian-inspired prints in modern bold and bright colors that we have now been incorporating into our pillows, furniture and bedding. That has been such a unique and fun spin to have in the shop.

You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and what name would you have?

Katie and Kate: Midwest Morning Blue! We use so much blue at the shop that we consider it a neutral, and we love the reminder of our Midwest roots.

What’s the last gift you gave someone, or a goto host/hostess gift you give?

Katie and Kate: We actually talked about this the other day. We both love bringing candles as a hostess gift. It might seem simple, but most times the best things are. I find it is such a warm and practical item to have on hand. We use our Pickwick candles a lot to showcase our local KC friends, plus they have the most amazing scents and quality.

What are your favorite colors or color combinations?

Katie and Kate: How can you pick just one favorite? We love maximalism at the shop, and never say no to color and pattern pairings. I would say the colors we are most known for are our classic blue and clean white combinations. We love this pairing, because you’re able to move your color of the moment or seasonal touches into the mix easily and seamlessly. Right now, we find ourselves adding in touches of juicy citrus hues and spring greens for a fresh take on our well-loved combo.

What recent professional or personal accomplishment are you most proud of?

Kate and Katie: Surviving and thriving through a pandemic!

What’s your favorite Instagram account you follow?

Katie: Besides the Nell Hill’s account, right now it is @pencilandpaperco. It is so colorful and happy, and I love the visuals she uses. For a good dose of humor, I love @toeverymom. She is so funny! Kate: I would say my favorite is @kjp. His account is so stylized and idealistic, it is truly an East Coast escape! Also, my favorite # to follow is #textiledesign; I find so many inspiring people and posts.

Do you have a favorite charity or one you like to support?

Katie: Make a Wish KC. Kate: Nourish KC.

What is your favorite quote or words of wisdom?

Katie and Kate: Mary Carol Garrity (the previous owner of Nell Hill’s) used to always tell the team, “This is a shop, not a museum.” While this is great practical advice for the workplace, it also sums up a wonderful approach to living. Life and design are supposed to be fun, and sometimes it is easy to forget to enjoy the journey (and the destination) in the face of setbacks. But just like a dropped ginger jar or an askew pillow, setbacks can easily be overcome when you don’t sweat the small stuff and focus on bringing comfort and joy.

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Katie: La Jolla, California in San Diego. I lived there for a few years right after I got married, and it holds a special place in my heart. Kate: Anywhere warm!

What’s your favorite app?

Katie: Calm App, it really helps unwind after a busy day at the shop. Kate: I have an app that lets me change the colors of my lights at home; it is so fun to switch up the mood.

What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?

Katie: I’ve been really into gardening lately. Now that the weather is beautiful, it has been such a fun and relaxing project getting my plants ready to bloom. Kate: Yes, this nice weather is reminding me how much I love being outside. I love to go on runs and going to Liberty Memorial to watch the sun set.

Do you prefer books or kindle?

Katie: Books! I love building a colorful bookshelf and the act of holding a physical book in my hands. Kate: Yes! Something about turning the page is so satisfying.

Do you have a favorite coffee table or interior design book?

Katie: The new Corey Damen Jenkins book “Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms” Kate: My current coffee table book is “Prince Charming” by Madcap Cottage, but I also love any book that features fine art!

Do you prefer concerts, plays or movies?

Katie: Movies. Kate: Concerts.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Katie: Don’t be looking at what everyone else is doing, it will only cloud your vision. Focus on your own journey and be the one others are watching!

What’s still on your professional bucket list?

Katie: I want to grow our brand in unexpected ways by adding complementary lifestyle businesses. Kate: I’d love to help develop my own Nell Hill’s exclusive fabric line one day.