Decorating her new home has been a family affair for Katie Lynn Armstrong this year. It started with the kitchen island front built by her uncle and the companion piece he crafted for the mantle. Then, her grandparents stepped in to help build an outdoor cabinet with a cooler for her patio where she hosts friends and family for cookouts every weekend. 

And it has all happened under the watch of her diligent blue heeler Tuff, who supervises his mom’s antics from climbing on top of the refrigerator to add seasonal decor or adding floating shelves to the master bathroom. 

“It’s coming together great, but I’m ready for it to be done,” Katie Lynn said with a laugh.

We first talked with Katie Lynn a few months after purchasing her home in Riverside Homebuilders’ Hillcrest Meadows community. And even with the pandemic postponing some of her usual rodeo events, she’s been as busy as ever with work for The American Hat Company where she serves as public relations manager.

Now six months later, she’s all moved in and adding the final touches to her dream home. You can follow along on her popular Instagram account where she chronicles the journey. 

Depending on the day, Katie Lynn may visit the factory or work from the road, but she said she feels most productive in her home office that lies behind French doors and houses her eye-catching hat wall. 

“It’s gorgeous and creative and I actually want to be here,” Katie Lynn said. “It’s upped my production level by 1000.” 

Knowing thousands of Texans are working remotely too, Katie Lynn shared a few tips for setting up a space you love. It may or may not include Grey’s Anatomy reruns playing in the background.

“Bring everything you need into one space so you’re not constantly up and down and then find a way to shut it off too,” Katie Lynn said. “Set up a space you don’t necessarily have to leave, but you also don’t really want to.”

Katie Lynn knew from a young age that she wanted to be involved in an agricultural field. She started in rodeo running barrels, goat tying and participating in team roping. She took that passion to Tarleton State University for a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Services and Development with a concentration in communications and a minor in business. 

And though she is really just beginning her career, Katie Lynn was already named to the inaugural COWGIRL Magazine Top 30 Under 30 list and earned the titles of Top Hand and Cowgirl CEO from the RockN W Report Girl Boss Awards. She also returned to her alma mater to help mentor a few students recently which ended up being a really eye-opening experience too.

“We got through the mock interview process and I told them they could talk to me as me,” Katie Lynn said. “Both of them said ‘you are such an inspiration’ and started asking all these questions. Excuse me while I cry!”

Katie Lynn shared her favorite piece of advice with the two young women: talk to everyone because you don’t know who your next boss, coworker or networking contact might be. And, you can always learn something from everyone whether it’s what to do, how to do something better or what not to do. 

She obviously hopes to use her platform for the first two helping to open doors for others in her field and having a little fun while she does it.

“I hope that if they are following me on Instagram or whatever it may be, that they can get something out of it career-wise,” Katie Lynn said. 

For more on Katie Lynn and her new home, follow her Instagram account. If you are looking for a new home of your own, ask Rachel to schedule a one-on-one viewing or virtual tour of any quick move-in or model home.