KC Roehl's classy style is reflected in her humble abode.
The furniture store Abode, which opened Friday in Nob Hill, is stocked with mid-century modern design influences.
"I went to the Market in High Point, North Carolina," said Roehl. "It is known as the furniture capital of the world. I found all the pieces I loved and all sorts of things you can't find in Albuquerque."
Roehl, who graduated from Anderson Schools of Management in 2003, said she had been working on the business plan since she entered graduate school.
"I originally started looking at places Downtown and ended up coming to Nob Hill because it was the right place for me."
Abode is a mixture of high-end pieces and more reasonable pieces.
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"I'm trying to have a good mix," she said. "I want my store to be accessible to everyone."
Abode stays open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which is unusual for a Nob Hill business.
Flashy Gene Meyer rugs hang from the walls, bubble chairs protrude from the ceiling, and silent movies play on a plasma screen inside the store.
Eventually Roehl plans to have monthly do-it-yourself design ideas and change window displays every month with live models, similar to stores in New York.
"I was thinking about getting some drama students from UNM in here to use some stuff," Roehl said.
She said Albuquerque is ready for a store like this. With the success of Ruby Shoes Day and Jack Flash, two upscale, New York-style shops Downtown, more people are trying to shop locally.
"Everyone is always complaining that there is no retail shopping in Albuquerque," she said. "I've shopped in New York, and I noticed there is a trend towards lifestyle stores. I think I need to be conscientious of my prices to make it work."
Roehl, born and raised in New Mexico, is a die hard Albuquerque fan.
"I definitely want to stay in Albuquerque," she said. "I am pro small business and local business."
She said she and her husband, who helped with the store advertisement graphics, don't eat at chain restaurants and try to do most of their shopping locally.
"Other businesses in the Nob Hill area have been very welcoming," she said. "They all wished me luck. It's definitely a small-business community here."
UNM student Stephanie Dexter, Roehl's only other employee, said she loves working at Abode.
"The best response is from people that come in here and know the designers," she said. "They are usually in shock."
Some of the brands are Le Corbusier, a Swiss architect, Angela Adams and Gene Meyer.
"I had a guy who came in and knew all about the designers," Roehl said. "He told me I should raise the prices. Everything in here is priced below everyone else in the country because that's how you've got to do it."
Aside from home furnishings, Abode has scented bath candles and soaps, designer bedding, fancy detergent, flavored cocktail and rimming sugars among other things.
On opening day, friends and family of Roehl's came into the store.
"I was hoping to sell to one person I didn't know," she said. "We ended up selling to five."
Roehl said she isn't too worried her business will not take off and wants to open another story Downtown.
"I eventually plan on opening a men's retail shop," she said.
For now, Roehl is content getting her shop on its feet.
"Everything I have is invested in this store," she said.
