Emily VanWagenen

WESTERN AESTHETICS MEET DESERT FLORA

Prickly cactuses, earthy tones, and natural textures — welcome to the serene home of Emily VanWagenen, set in the desert landscape of Tucson, Arizona. As a mother of three and a passionate designer, Emily shares her love for creating calm, creative spaces on her Instagram, @oursouthwestnest, where she blends natural elements with family heirlooms.

In an exclusive collaboration with us, Emily has designed a bespoke wallpaper collection inspired by the Southwest’s landscape, cowboy culture, and desert flora. Discover the story behind these unique designs in our interview with Emily and get inspired!

“Each design tells a story — rooted in the colors, textures, and memories of the desert where I grew up. That landscape is always my biggest inspiration.”

Explore Emily's Designs

Hi Emily ! How would you describe your home?

My home definitely feels like an extension of me. When we built the house in 2018, I was able to be really involved in the design process, from the clay-colored concrete flooring to the natural wood open shelving, to the lighting and the red clay tiles on the front porch. I aimed to create a restful, grounded sanctuary in the desert and still go back to that starting point whenever I’m working on a space. At our housewarming party years ago, someone told me of our home, “it’s like you, as a house” and I loved that a lot. 

What inspires you?

My biggest muse has always been the desert itself. I grew up really rurally and spent most of my time in the desert running through the washes around our home, collecting rocks and digging holes in the sand and removing cholla (jumping cactus) from my leg with a little comb I kept in my pocket. The colors and shapes and textures feel like home. I’m also forever inspired by the work and home and fashion of Georgia O’Keeffe.

“Any time I’m designing a space, I think about how I want it to feel before thinking about how I want it to look, and work from there.”

How did you approach designing your own wallpaper collection?

The process was deeply personal for me. I wanted the wallpapers to capture the grounded, earthy, Southwest aesthetic that has become a part of my identity. My community has been asking for wallpaper for years, so being able to offer it to them now feels incredibly special. It’s an honor to know my designs will be a part of people's homes on such a large scale.

Can you tell us more about the specific motifs and their inspirations?

Each design has a story. The Southwest signature print is based on a mural I created for my daughters' room. The Floral pattern draws inspiration from palo verde and creosote flowers that I sketched, scanned, and brought to life. Rodeo Days reflects my childhood memories of getting time off school for the rodeo, something I often share on Instagram to people’s surprise. And the Gingham pattern is a painterly twist on a classic design I love using in my wardrobe and home, all in colors that evoke the calming essence of the desert.

How do you see people using your wallpaper in their homes?

I imagine these wallpapers in nurseries and kids' rooms, especially since that’s where the designs first came to life. I believe children deserve beautiful, artful spaces, and it would be incredible to play a small part in creating that for families.

Which design is your favorite and why?

My southwest landscape design will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm thrilled we could offer it in different colorways, and I absolutely love the dark brown on cream version!

Discover Emily's Exclusive Collection

Want to get more home decor tips and inspiration from Emily? Visit her Instagram @oursouthwestnest! 

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