She’s lived in Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, Florida and now California, and each place has shaped how she sees color, pattern, and storytelling. Growing up mostly in Virginia gave her a deep appreciation for the slower, story-filled atmosphere of a humid Southern night and the charm of spaces layered with ornament, personality, and time. Living near the coast and in tropical environments in both her early youth and adulthood introduced her to brighter, sun-washed color palettes and lush botanical influence that continue to show up in her work. She often looks to nature as her visual compass. The way color, rhythm, and balance exist so effortlessly in the natural world strongly guides how she builds palettes and patterns. She loves working with antique botanical imagery, storybook design details, and the expressive color language of mid-century home décor — she has always had a soft spot for a good 1950s powder room. She’s drawn to creating compositions that balance softness with vibrancy, mixing powdery vintage tones with brighter accents and decorative movement. Some of her earliest creative inspiration came from watching the 1940’s Fantasia as a child and becoming fascinated by how music could translate into color and imagery. Always designing with music in the background, she grew up loving the rich vocal harmonies of mid-century radio-era popular music, and that sense of layered rhythm and emotion. It still deeply influences how she approaches design and entering a flow state. She feels incredibly grateful to work with imagery and inspiration that carry so much beauty and storytelling. Her goal is always to create work that feels whimsical, immersive, and timeless. She loves the idea that everyday paper goods can hold memory, personality, and small moments of enchantment.

@emilybairddesign