Native cultural fluency meets on-the-ground expertise
Award-winning designer Laetitia Laurent is a Sorbonne-educated art historian who brings a distinctly European sensibility to her work–one rooted in craftsmanship, proportion, and timeless design principles. Her design language balances elegance with ease, blending contemporary sensibilities with classical references and artisanal materials. She has been featured in Vogue, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful.
NKBA: Tell us about your professional background and involvement with NKBA.
Laetitia Laurent: I’m the founder and principal of Laure Nell Interiors, a boutique firm with studios in Boca Raton and Paris. I was raised in France and hold a Master’s in history and international relations from the Sorbonne, and I’ve spent the better part of two decades building a design practice rooted in the U.S. luxury residential market (primarily South Florida) while continuing to source and collaborate across Europe. That dual vantage point is really the through-line of my career. I’m an active NKBA member and have had the privilege of presenting at KBIS 2026 as part of Global Connect’s programming.
NKBA: As a Global Connect Advisor, what insights or services can you offer Global Connect members?
Laetitia Laurent: My value to members sits squarely at the intersection they’re trying to navigate: I work in both markets, every week. I can help European brands understand how their products are actually received by North American luxury buyers–not in theory, but in real specifications, on real projects. That means translating European systems into the zones, lead times, and service expectations American clients assume, advising on how to position craft and material quality in language that resonates in the U.S., and acting as a bridge between manufacturers and the designers who ultimately specify their work. I bring the cultural fluency of someone native to one market and established in the other.
NKBA: Throughout your career, what are the most common mistakes you have seen that hamper a company’s success as they try to enter/expand in the North American market?
Laetitia Laurent: The biggest mistake is confusing expansion with translation. Brands assume that if the product is excellent, it will simply land. But North America expects performance and convenience, clear specs and certifications, install logic, reliable lead times, and real service support. European brands often underestimate that. The other recurring mistakes: not accounting for differences in scale and lifestyle, so beautiful systems don’t map onto how Americans actually live; treating education as optional rather than essential; and leaning on bold visual impact when this market is increasingly rewarding material intelligence and quiet quality. None of these require a brand to change who it is–only to communicate it differently.
NKBA: How do you see the North American market evolving, and how will this evolution impact how international brands do business here?
Laetitia Laurent: We’re watching luxury shift from visual impact to material intelligence–quiet confidence over performance-driven aesthetics. Kitchens and baths are becoming more architectural and tailored, materials more tactile and emotionally resonant, with warm, layered neutrals replacing the white-on-white era, and wellness now treated as a baseline expectation rather than an upgrade. For international brands, that’s actually good news, because it plays to European strengths in craft and longevity. But it raises the bar on storytelling and education. Brands that can articulate why their quality matters–and support it with availability and performance–will win. The future of luxury here isn’t louder; it’s smarter, and it feels personal.
NKBA: While every company’s journey is different, what is one general piece of advice you have for a company thinking of entering the North American market?
Laetitia Laurent: Invest in translation, not just expansion. Don’t change who you are –the heritage and craftsmanship are exactly what this market wants. But take the time to communicate that identity in American language: clear specifications, dependable logistics, education for the designers and dealers who’ll represent you, and a clear story about why your product endures. And find the right partners on the ground. Designers who work across both markets can be your most effective bridge to the buyer.
About NKBA Global Connect
The NKBA Global Connect mission is to connect and grow the kitchen and bath industry around the world through an international membership program. The initiative equips international companies with the support and professional community access they need to thrive in North America by providing market intelligence, brand-positioning guidance, and connections to key North American audiences. By combining NKBA’s expert marketing execution with access to a diverse and influential member network, we help businesses improve visibility, build meaningful relationships, and generate strong market demand, ultimately accelerating their success in the lucrative and competitive $228 billion North American market. Learn more here.
