Meet KT Marshall of KT Marshall Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to KT Marshall.

Hi KT, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m an artist at heart, and my creative path began in performance — I started my career as an actress and singer before moving to Colorado in 2000. After that move, my husband and I began building and designing homes together, and what started as a personal creative outlet gradually became my professional calling. Working hands-on through multiple builds gave me a deep, practical understanding of how homes come together — not just visually, but structurally and functionally.

Over time, that experience evolved into KT Marshall Design, a full-service boutique studio focused on ground-up homes and large-scale renovations. My work today centers on creating timeless, material-driven spaces that feel warm, layered, and deeply livable. My most recent project, The Highland Home, really reflects that journey. It blends English cottage charm with subtle French Provincial influence and was designed as a full, immersive experience — the kind of home that feels like a retreat the moment you walk through the door.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a straight line, and that’s actually shaped the work for the better. Ground-up design goes far beyond creative vision — it requires a real understanding of construction, sequencing, budgets, and trade coordination. Much of that learning happened on active job sites over time. One of the biggest lessons has been that good design needs a strong process behind it. Creativity matters, but structure and early planning are what make a home both beautiful and buildable. As my process became more refined and full-service, the projects became more cohesive — with architecture, materials, and furnishings all working together from the start.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about KT Marshall Design?
My professional work focuses on full-service residential design, especially ground-up builds where I’m involved from early architectural review through final installation and styling. I work closely with architects, builders, and trades to create a cohesive, holistic result. Many of my clients are busy families who want a complete experience — homes that feel elevated but relaxed, refined but truly livable.

I design every home around a core palette of materials that are repeated throughout the space to create cohesion and calm. I’m especially drawn to timeless materials — stone, marble, quartzite, plaster, and warm metals like lacquered brass — because they age beautifully and bring authenticity to a home. I also design with emotional rhythm in mind: bright, open gathering spaces balanced with smaller, moodier rooms where someone can curl up and be still.

The Highland Home is a strong example of that thinking. It includes expansive gathering areas alongside intimate moments — like a moody hearth room and a working scullery tucked behind the kitchen — so the home supports both connection and retreat. Seeing the homeowners truly live in and love that space has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that great design is about experience, not just appearance. A successful home supports daily life, creates ease, and holds meaning for the people who live there. It should feel grounded and personal — not just finished, but lived in well.

I’ve also learned that material choices and thoughtful planning matter more than trends. When you design with authentic materials, strong bones, and a clear palette, a home will stand the test of time. And when you approach the work with care — listening closely to clients and collaborating well with trades — the result is something that feels both beautiful and deeply human.

Seeing The Highland Home lived in and loved has reinforced that for me. When you walk into a space years later — not as the designer but as a guest — and it feels welcoming, lived-in, and truly enjoyed, you know you’ve done your job well.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits
Laura Murray
https://www.instagram.com/lauramurray/
https://lauramurrayphotography.com/