Meet Katja Lauterbach of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katja Lauterbach.

Katja, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in East Germany, behind the Berlin Wall, which gave me a unique perspective on creativity, resourcefulness, and the way our environments shape how we live. Growing up in a very different society and later experiencing life in multiple cultures has deeply influenced both my personal journey and my design philosophy.
After moving to the United States, I built a life and career that truly feels like living the American dream. Today, I am the owner of Duett Design, an interior design studio based in Atlanta specializing in modern, livable spaces with a European influence. What started as a passion for creating beautiful and functional homes grew into a business focused on helping clients transform the way they live through thoughtful design.
In addition to interior design, I’m also an Airbnb host and truly enjoy furnishing and designing vacation homes. Creating spaces that feel memorable, welcoming, and experience-driven is something I love, whether it’s for a family’s forever home or a getaway property in the mountains.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think about the journey from growing up behind the Wall to building a creative business in Atlanta. That contrast continues to inspire me every day and reminds me not to take opportunities, creativity, and freedom for granted.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it definitely has not been a completely smooth road. Starting over in a new country comes with challenges on every level — personally, professionally, and culturally. Coming from Germany, and especially from a background shaped by life behind the Berlin Wall, I had to learn how to navigate an entirely different system and way of doing business.
Building a business from the ground up also takes time, persistence, and a willingness to constantly adapt. There were moments of uncertainty, especially in the early years, trying to establish myself in a competitive industry while balancing family life and all the responsibilities that come with entrepreneurship.
One of the biggest challenges in interior design is that people often only see the beautiful finished spaces, not the countless hours of planning, problem-solving, budgeting, sourcing, and coordination happening behind the scenes. Like many small business owners, I’ve worn every hat imaginable — designer, project manager, marketer, accountant, content creator, and sometimes even therapist.
At the same time, those challenges shaped me and ultimately made the business stronger. My background taught me resilience and adaptability, and I think that perspective has helped me appreciate opportunities in a very deep way. Every obstacle became part of the learning process, and today I’m incredibly grateful to have built a career that combines creativity, entrepreneurship, travel, and creating meaningful spaces for others.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner and principal designer of Duett Design, a modern interior design studio based in Atlanta, GA. We specialize in creating warm, livable spaces with a strong focus on thoughtful functionality and timeless design. While we work on a variety of residential projects, we are especially known for modern kitchen design and full-home transformations that blend clean European influences with the way families live today.
I also work on furnishing and designing vacation homes and Airbnb properties, which is something I genuinely love because it combines hospitality, storytelling, and design. Creating spaces that feel memorable and emotionally connected is a huge part of my work.
What I’m most proud of is building a business that feels deeply personal and authentic to who I am. My background growing up in Germany, combined with years of experiencing different cultures and ways of living, naturally shaped my design perspective. I think that gives my work a slightly different lens — modern, intentional, functional, but still warm and approachable.
I’m also proud that many of my clients come to me not just for aesthetics, but because they trust the overall vision and experience we create together. I truly care about how people feel in their homes and about designing spaces that support their everyday lives.
What sets Duett Design apart is the combination of European-inspired modern design with a very livable, personal approach. I focus on creating homes that feel elevated but still comfortable and deeply connected to the people who live in them.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely — building a business like this is never a solo journey. It truly takes a village, and I feel incredibly grateful for the people who have supported Duett Design along the way.
A huge part of the success of the studio comes from the amazing team of craftsmen, contractors, vendors, and trade partners I get to work with. Interior design is deeply collaborative, and bringing a vision to life requires talented people who care about quality, details, and the client experience as much as I do. I’ve been fortunate to build relationships with professionals who not only execute beautiful work, but who also believe in the vision behind Duett Design.
I’ve also had incredible support from friends, family, clients, and the local community. Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel overwhelming, and having people around me who encourage me, trust me, recommend my work, and cheer me on has made all the difference. Many of my opportunities came through personal connections and referrals, and I never take that trust for granted.
Most importantly, my clients deserve a lot of credit as well. Inviting someone into your home and trusting them with your space is a very personal thing. I’m incredibly thankful for clients who trust me creatively and allow me to help shape such meaningful parts of their lives.
At the end of the day, Duett Design reflects not just my vision, but the combined effort, talent, and support of many wonderful people behind the scenes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.duett.design
• Instagram: @duettdesignatl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuettDesignATL/