From best friends to business partners, Katie Bayfield and Laura Ruddy have turned their passion for interior design into a thriving venture, founding Norfolk Luxury Furniture—where luxury meets affordability.
In today’s fast-paced world, balancing family, passion, and career is no easy feat. However, for Katie Bayfield, 40, and Laura Ruddy, 37, co-founders of Norfolk Luxury Furniture, they’ve managed to not only make it all work but thrive.
As mothers, entrepreneurs, and businesswomen, they’ve combined their love for home interiors and design to create a successful business that transforms spaces while offering a wide range of products at their shop in Salhouse—from plants and candles to bespoke kitchens, furniture, and flooring.
Fast becoming one of Norfolk’s most talked-about interior design duos, their journey stands as a testament to the strength, creativity, and determination of modern women in business.
A Journey Rooted in Passion
Katie’s love for home interiors has always been a part of her, shaped by growing up in Norfolk and being surrounded by the region’s historic buildings. “I’ve always had a passion for old buildings. I love the character and charm they bring, and that’s been a driving force throughout my career,” she explains. Over the years, she’s turned this passion into a thriving business, starting with a holiday cottage business and later transforming Hautbois Hall in Coltishall into a wedding venue.
Before Norfolk Luxury Furniture, Katie was no stranger to home renovation projects. “Before I had kids, my husband and I would do a lot of home renovations, always moving on to the next one. But once the children arrived, I felt I needed to settle down,” she admits. “That’s when I began to look for ways to blend my love for design with family life.”
In 2018, Katie and her husband took on a major renovation project, buying a country hall and working to make it their home. “It’s an ongoing project, and that’s what I love about it. It’s the perfect mix of work and family. The beauty of restoring old homes is that you never truly finish—there’s always something to do,” Katie says with a smile.
Katie’s design approach blends her love for antique furniture and original features with contemporary touches, creating a unique style that highlights both old and new. You can follow Katie’s home renovation journey on Instagram @katies_country_life.
Building a Business from Home
Katie’s entrepreneurial journey began long before Norfolk Luxury Furniture was born. Alongside raising her three children, she ran a variety of home-based businesses. “I’ve always worked with the public in some capacity. I ran a bed and breakfast, a holiday cottage business, and even hosted events at Hautbois Hall,” she recalls. “I used to have a pop-up shop in my kitchen, selling interiors and homewares. As my children grew, I needed a business that I could run from home while still being there for them.”
Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to create The Noor Company, a candle brand she built from the ground up. “I truly enjoyed creating the home fragrance range for my previous business, The Noor Company. Starting the company from scratch was both challenging and rewarding, and it gave me valuable insight into what it takes to work for myself. The experience taught me that with dedication, creativity, and hard work, it’s possible to turn an idea into a thriving business,” Katie explains. She later sold The Noor Company, ready to embark on a new chapter in her business journey.
“I’ve always wanted to do something for myself. Being a mother was amazing, but I also needed something that was mine,” Katie says. This drive for independence eventually led her to meet Laura Ruddy, and together they opened Norfolk Luxury Furniture, combining their talents and passion for design.
Laura Ruddy:
A Friendship That Became Business
Laura Ruddy’s path into interior design is similarly rooted in her desire to create something for herself while balancing family life. Born in Luton, Laura moved to St. Ives, Cambridgeshire when she was 13 years old. Her life took many twists and turns as she followed her husband, professional footballer John Ruddy, around the country with their two children. “Football life is unpredictable. We moved from one club to another, which can make it tricky to establish a career with all the moving,” Laura explains. “But once our children were older, I realised I wanted to create something for myself.”
Before starting her business, Laura worked as a hairdresser. “It was a wonderful career, and I loved building relationships with clients,” Laura says. “But after moving around so much, it was difficult to establish roots and build a client base. It was time to shift gears and build something of my own.”
After spending time focusing on her children and supporting her husband’s career, Laura decided to take the plunge into the world of business. “I always loved home interiors, and I wanted to start something that would allow me to stay home with the children but also build a career,” she says. “So I started Norfolk Luxury Furniture as an online business in 2022. It was great, so flexible, I could shape the business around my family life.”
In 2019, Laura pursued an Interior Design course with the National Design Academy, further developing her passion and expanding her skills in the field. ‘I really enjoyed the course, as being online allowed me the flexibility to fit it around my time with the family’.
As Laura’s business grew, she realised that customers wanted more than just online shopping—they wanted to experience the products in person. “People wanted to see the products before buying them, touch them, and feel the quality, ” Laura explains. “That’s when I knew I needed to expand and open a physical store, but I didn’t want to do it alone.”
Opening the Doors to
Norfolk Luxury Furniture
The idea of opening a shop became a reality when Laura thought about the perfect partner to join her on this new adventure. “I knew I needed someone who shared my passion for interiors and design, and someone I could trust,” Laura says. “And that’s when I thought of Katie. We’re best friends, and we both have the same work ethic and creativity. It was a perfect match.”
Katie was thrilled to join Laura in growing Norfolk Luxury Furniture into a full-service business, combining an online store, a physical shop, and an interior design service. “When Laura invited me to be part of this, I was so excited. We started with a pop-up shop at Black Barn Farm in the deli, and it just took off from there,” Katie recalls. “It was an amazing experience, and it felt like everything was falling into place. Designing and transforming the shop was so much fun.”
In August 2024, Norfolk Luxury Furniture opened its doors in Salhouse, offering everything from plants and candles to bespoke kitchens and flooring. “We wanted to create a space where people could experience luxury but at an affordable price,” Laura explains. “We pride ourselves on offering something for every budget. It’s about making luxury accessible to everyone.
We absolutely love our shop, but our true passions come to life with our interior design service.”
Reflecting on their journey, Laura adds, “We loved transforming the shop.
We designed the whole space—it was an exciting time. Black Barn Farm is a destination place; they have a deli and coffee shop and are the perfect base for us. It’s just off the NDR, it’s free parking, and it’s perfect for a trip out.
We are a one-stop shop for all things home and interior, and we pride ourselves on offering that luxury that’s affordable. We have something for every price range.”
“It’s so important to have great customer service. A lot of our customers become our friends, and that customer service, I think, is hard to find these days.”
Combining Their Unique Strengths
What sets Katie and Laura apart as interior designers is their complementary styles and expertise.
Katie’s passion lies in restoring old buildings and furniture, mixing the old with the new. “I love bringing out the beauty in original features, whether it’s restoring a fireplace or finding antique furniture that tells a story,” Katie says. “It’s all about balance—bringing contemporary design into old spaces in a way that feels fresh and new.”
Laura, on the other hand, is all about modern design with an emphasis on functionality and creative storage solutions. “My home is ultra-modern, with clean lines and minimalistic designs.
I love maximising space and making it work for the people who live there,” Laura explains. “I’m always thinking about practical solutions—like clever storage ideas and ways to make a home feel organised and spacious.”
Together, they offer clients a perfect blend of modern and traditional design, always putting the needs of their customers first. “We work closely with our clients to understand their vision,” says Katie. “It’s important to adapt our designs to suit each person’s unique style and needs.”
Both women are passionate about helping clients feel comfortable and confident in their design choices. “One of the best parts of our job is working together but also seeing the look on a client’s face when they walk into a space that’s been transformed,” says Katie. “It’s why we do what we do.”
Top 5 Tips from Katie & Laura
1. Mix Old and New:
Don’t be afraid to combine antique pieces with modern furniture. The contrast creates a timeless, unique style that gives a room character.
2. Maximise Storage:
Get creative with your storage solutions—think of ways to incorporate hidden storage, like under-bed drawers or built-in shelving. It’s about making your space work for you.
3. Personalise Your Space:
Design isn’t just about trends; it’s about reflecting your personality and lifestyle. Choose pieces that make you feel comfortable and at home.
4. Don’t Rush:
Take your time when designing a space. Whether it’s choosing the perfect wallpaper or finding the right sofa, don’t feel pressured to rush decisions. The best designs come with patience.
5. Consider Functionality:
Always think about how the space will be used. Make sure the design is not just beautiful but also practical for everyday living.
Katie and Laura’s Favourite Design Projects
Katie and Laura’s passion for transforming spaces is evident in all their projects, but two in particular stand out as their favourites.
1. Bespoke Home Bar
One of their standout projects was designing a bespoke home bar. Laura shares, “The client wanted something modern and functional, but also very stylish. We loved the challenge of creating a space that would be both luxurious for entertaining guests and cosy.” The bespoke home bar became the perfect balance of modern style and practical luxury, showcasing Katie and Laura’s signature approach of blending beauty and functionality.
2. The Living Room and Media Wall
Another favourite project of theirs was transforming a living room with a custom media wall. Katie recalls, “The client had a blank canvas, and it was exciting to bring their vision to life. It’s always about creating something that suits the family, something functional but with an amazing look.” The media wall was the perfect blend of sleek design and practicality, making the space not only stylish but incredibly functional for the family.
Katie and Laura work as a design duo, offering a comprehensive interior design service to help clients visualise and plan their spaces.
Looking Forward:
The Future of Norfolk Luxury Furniture
Katie and Laura’s journey is just beginning. As they continue to grow their business, they are focused on expanding their product offerings, the Norfolk Luxury brand and collaborating with other local businesses. “We really want to work with other independent businesses in Norfolk,” says Laura. “We believe in supporting the community and helping each other grow. For the near future, we have lots of exciting projects we are working on to grow the Norfolk Luxury brand.”
For now, Norfolk Luxury Furniture is a place where clients can find a mix of high-end brands and affordable luxury, all while receiving dedicated customer service. “We believe in creating a space where people feel welcome and appreciated,” Katie says. “We want every customer to walk in and feel like they’re a part of the Norfolk Luxury Furniture family.”
As they continue to build their dream business, both women are focused on maintaining a work-life balance that allows them to enjoy their families while pursuing their passions. “As long as we’re enjoying what we do, we’ll keep doing it,” Katie says. “The moment we stop loving it is the moment we shut up shop.”
For Katie and Laura, interior design isn’t just about transforming spaces—it’s about creating a legacy of hard work, friendship, and passion that inspires others. In such a short space of time, they already have returning customers.
For those interested in transforming their space, Katie and Laura offer interior design consultations to help bring your vision to life. Norfolk Luxury Furniture, located at Black Barn Farm in Salhouse, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 3:00pm.
For inquiries or to book a consultation,
you can reach the team at
07886 321707 or by email at
enquiries@norfolkluxuryfurniture.com
Stay connected and inspired
by following them on
Instagram @norfolkluxuryfurniture
or shop the full range of products online at www.norfolkluxuryfurniture.com