A Curated Moment

In this journey of finding and highlighting the most inspiring, talented members of the local Redding community, it became a no-brainer to highlight the unbelievably talented Dustyn Kellar of Kellar Design Co. and Curated Design. Dustyn is a leader in the design space, but also in the community. She is renowned for coming into spaces and creating an elevated, yet approachable feel. I had the opportunity to sit with Dustyn and have a beautiful conversation to learn more about her story, her mission, her new location in downtown Redding, and we even got to share a bit about some upcoming design changes at Gild as well. So we invite you to grab a cup of coffee, and stay a while. Join in on a conversation that will leave you inspired, and ready for transformation, both in your home and in your heart.

Find more design inspiration and pieces you will treasure at Curated.

Voices of NorCal- Celebrating Visionaries Shaping Redding and Beyond- Katie Luther

There aren’t many people in the Northern California region that can make you laugh as loud or feel as welcome as Katie Luther. Whether you are meeting her for the first time at a rodeo event, getting better acquainted at one of her open houses, or showing up for dinner at her actual house, you won’t leave a Katie Luther encounter without a good laugh and likely a good homemade cookie! (She makes the BEST cookies!)

Redding wouldn’t be the same without this phenomenal woman. Her love for people, hosting, and community have made Katie a staple in the Norcal Hall of Fame, and I would give her the trophy for “Most Influential Hostess with the Mostess” if that were an option!

Born Katherine Hope Luther, Ms. Katie was raised right here in the North State, more specifically Redding. Her passion for the city she grew up in is what has inspired her to continue sowing seeds here, and cultivating deeper roots every year. When asked about her fondest memories growing up here, she cites people, instead of places. “My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Stevenson was so kind and full of life, …Jim Schwartz, my student government teacher, and his wife Nancy just encouraged me and made me think I was so awesome.”

To know Katie is to know that people always come first. ALWAYS.

There were no tales of frolicking in fields, or camping under the stars (though I’m sure she did), instead she hit home on the root causes of who helped her become the woman she is today. She credits her creativity, competence, and confidence to her Mom, Claudia, who always encouraged her to “figure things out” and try new things, instilling in her that ‘ can’t never did.’ From her Mother, she inherited a versatile, can-do spirit- confident in her ability to problem solve, create, and pursue growth. These traits have made Katie adventurous, resourceful, and always ready to take on whatever comes next in any area of life, including her relationships, hospitality, and real estate. There is one person who has had the most impact of all, her late Father Jim Luther; the man who inspired her interest in Real Estate. She proudly credits him for her love for people, her spirited personality, her passion for hospitality, and her vision for real estate. Katie recalls growing up hanging out and spending summers in her Fathers Real Estate office. When she graduated high school she spent time mimicking the Dr. Suess book, “Are you my Mother?” except her question was “Are you my Career?” Juggling options that ranged from Veterinarian, to Teacher, to Real Estate Agent, Katie shuffled through her options and landed on Real Estate after an impactful conversation with her Father. Suited and booted, and ready for service, Katie could have never imagined that the year after she decided to go into the Real Estate industry, the entire market would crash. Not only did the market crash in 2008, but Katie also found out that her Father was diagnosed with cancer.

Katie and her late Father Jim Luther

Carrying the weight of the crushing, but choosing to make it out of the cave, Katie steadily moved in a different direction, one that would help her hone her communication and business skills. She worked her way through college as a banker learning the ins and outs of business banking. What Katie didn’t know is that her next endeavor would be the complete opposite, and yet would allow her to learn, teach, sow, and reap. After being offered a job for the second time, Katie accepted an offer as a Youth Coordinator at Little Country Church where she would coordinate the junior high and high school camps, the retreats and virtually all the youth events. The amount of people I have met that have shared a testimony of how Katie shaped and transformed their lives during her time as their youth leader is unbelievable. She sowed seeds to the next generation that will impact them forever. After leading in that ministry role for ten years, she left her position and helped to plant another church, and then moved on to work for Seven Hills Land and Cattle as the Events and Marketing Coordinator.. After that she did a stint at Sierra Pacific Industries in workforce development, so you could say that Katie has been through the “Best of Nor Cal” job circuit! After a long day in office, with no human interaction, she realized that people were her purpose and she could no longer work in any job environment that didn’t allow her to be out with the people of the city she loves so much. So… she quit. Flash forward to current and she has been a successful Realtor in the North State area ever since!

Katie credits most of her success to the foundational principles she learned in vocational ministry; simply put, loving people well. Instead of paying for fancy billboards and running loads of internet ads, Kate spends her days saturated in community outreach, planning and hosting parties for friends, clients, and organizations. You can find Katie standing at the Rodeo Church event handing out signs and cookies, or at the Redding Rodeo, inviting you up to her luxury box for a plate of ribs and a great view of the performance. She is more than a Realtor, she is a well of overflowing generosity and joy. She is raw, authentic, loyal, and has impeccable comedic timing! (Seriously, the wit is unparalleled!)

Honoring her Fathers legacy, Katie more recently made the decision to shift the name of her company to Good Earth Realty, the same name her Dad used for over 30 years right here in our community. The name pays homage to the good soil, or source that she and her Father both have used to see an abundant harvest in their works.

With the firm belief that “a rising tide raises all ships,” Katie has devoted her life to building and creating opportunities for other locals in any way she can. Sometimes it looks like supporting her favorite local restaurant, and other times it looks like hosting fabulous book launch parties for the newest local author! Katie is renowned in the city for being a straight shootin’, line dancin’, horse ridin’, party hosting queen, and is known above all else for being a community ambassador.

Katies future plans are community-minded as well. She dreams of one day being on Redding City Council, and also to create a retreat center for hospitality and respite where people can come rest, work with animals, and cultivate life in the garden. An avid lover of simplicity, Katie continuously keeps her eye on the little things and strives to be successful in those day in and day out in order to see her ultimate community-driven goals come to pass.

Learn more about Katie and her Real Estate services here