A closer look at how a husband-and-wife design team built an earthy floral wallpaper collection out of a decade of trial, error, and doing absolutely everything together.
Every wallpaper collection tells a story, and the newest Thoroughfare Design wallpaper collection tells two: one about a decade-long creative partnership, and one about the marriage built right alongside it.
Known for their earthy, hand-drawn patterns and an eye for texture that feels bespoke and personal, Savannah and Dillon create wallpaper that as full of soul as the homes it's meant for. Their visuals and artistry hold a deep authenticity that can not be replicated. Patterns that remain nostalgic with a nod to heirloom and tradition, in a fresh inviting way.
As we welcome Cerisia and Quinley, two of Thoroughfare Design's newest wallpapers for Artza & Co., we wanted to learn more about the two people behind them. Through a series of questions, much like our conversation with Gabrielle de Winter, Savannah shared how their partnership works, where their ideas begin, and what she hopes someone feels when they walk into a room wrapped in Thoroughfare Design wallpaper.
Read on for a closer look at the story, the process, and the patterns.
On Partnership & Process
How did the two of you meet, and was design already part of the picture then, or did that come later?
Funny enough, Dillon and I actually went to the same high school, but we never talked, which is also very odd considering how small our school was. But I like to think that our paths crossed when they were meant to.
We later met in our college years. We were both attending separate universities, about 5 hours apart, but our families still lived in the same area where we grew up. After our first date, we just immediately clicked.
Within a year, we rescued our first puppy, a beautiful black lab (we now have 10 rescue babies!), we moved in together, and transferred to a different university to finish our junior and senior years together.
Design came much later. Neither of us had any sort of design background when we met.
What made you decide to start designing together, rather than working on your own?
A month after graduating with our bachelor's degrees, we began applying for jobs and quickly realized how competitive the market was at the time. Many employers were requiring master's degrees, and I had hoped to work for a large publication in Dallas, which had always been my dream.
After receiving one particularly quick rejection letter, I realized we needed to pivot. Neither of us wanted to spend our days apart working regular 9–5 jobs, so I mentioned the idea of starting a business, purchased Adobe software that night, and began learning in our tiny 400-square-foot apartment.
I had a slight meltdown that first evening because the idea of learning new software was so daunting, so I asked Dillon for help, and the following day, we dove right in together.
We spent countless nights watching YouTube videos, learning not only design, but also how to run a business. We had experience in neither, so we were truly starting from the ground up. It's crazy to think that was nearly ten years ago now.
Every partnership divides things up a little differently. Do you naturally gravitate toward different roles, or is everything more hands-on-together?
Absolutely. I'm an external processor when it comes to communication, and while I'm incredibly analytical and type-A, I tend to lean more heavily into the creative and client-facing aspects of our business.
Dillon, on the other hand, naturally gravitates toward problem-solving. He's amazing at the technical side of things, functionality, and figuring out how everything works together.
Over the past year, we've brought on two new team members. Based on how Dillon and I naturally divide the work and balance everything on our plates, we've structured our team similarly: one person focuses on project coordination, while the other works alongside me on design.
It has created such a wonderful balance within our team. Everyone plays an important role, and we all work together incredibly well. I feel so very grateful for that.
What's it like making creative decisions as a team? Do you usually land in the same place, or is there a healthy back-and-forth first?
My husband and I are both the type of people who can walk into a room and immediately start thinking about the things we would do differently in the space. I think that naturally translates into our work.
We definitely have our own ideas, and it's funny because when it comes to a "this or that" decision, we're often on opposite ends of the spectrum. But I actually appreciate that. I like seeing another perspective and considering something differently than I initially did on my own.
From there, we make the decision together. When we're working on a design as a team, the process is very collaborative. We bounce ideas back and forth, and while the initial draft may not be perfect, small adjustments along the way always make it stronger. I really value having multiple eyes on the work.
With pattern creation and wallpaper design specifically, my goal is always to think beyond simply creating something beautiful. I'm constantly asking myself: Who will want this in their home? Where might they use it? What style will they have throughout the rest of their space? Is this attracting the type of customer we want to reach?
I want to create something beautiful that makes someone think, "Yes, this is it. I have to have it!"
On Craft & Creative Process
Where do you usually start when a new pattern/design/style/idea comes together?
I feel like so many wallpapers blend together today. I'll see one design and think, "I've seen something similar somewhere else." My goal with each collection is to create something that feels fresh and different from what I've seen before.
I tend to gravitate toward an earthy, grounded, and contrasted style, with an array of neutrals alongside deep, rich tones. It has taken me nearly ten years to fully develop my style as a designer. During the first few years, I was in more of an exploration phase, figuring out who I was as a creator. Now that I'm in my thirties, I feel much more confident in my perspective.
My ideas don't usually begin with traditional pattern inspiration. More often, it's something unexpected that I see out in the world. For example, I once saw a marketing installation with pomegranates hanging from the ceiling and immediately thought, "This is so interesting. Pomegranates feel underutilized in design." I started thinking about their shape, color, and texture, and that eventually developed into a pattern idea.
From there, I'll begin jotting down thoughts and exploring the direction. I want each collection to feel cohesive and recognizable, where the patterns complement one another. If someone wanted to use two wallpapers from the same collection in their home, I want them to feel like they naturally belong together.
The Thoroughfare Design Wallpaper Style
What inspires you both? Where does that align and differ?
Everything inspires me, often the most random things. I'm inspired by creative art installations, old Spanish Revival homes, and the layered details that make a space feel lived-in, such as pillows, throw blankets, stacks of books, and collected objects.
I also love the patterns and design details found in vintage books. Whenever we're antiquing, I'm constantly taking photos of old covers, illustrations, borders, and typography.
Dillon and I are often inspired by different things, but our inspiration overlaps in the way we think about a space as a whole. We both pay attention to atmosphere, materials, texture, and how something functions within its environment.
How would each of you describe your own style, and where do you think they overlap or differ?
My husband's style and mine are incredibly different. We absolutely have areas of overlap, but as a designer, I can clearly see the differences between our perspectives.
We always find a middle ground and compromise so that we're both happy with the final design decision. Dillon tends to lean more toward clean lines, modern touches, and simplicity. I appreciate those things too, but I'm also drawn to layering, free-flowing lines, symmetry, asymmetry, and unexpected details. I love a good juxtaposition.
Where we overlap is in the tones, materials, and textures we're drawn to. We tend to appreciate similar earthy colors and natural elements. I probably like things to feel a little more unexpected or funky from time to time, though, and I know I'm really pushing the boundaries when Dillon looks at something I've made and just raises his eyebrows at me with concern, haha.
On Meaning & the Home
What do you each hope someone feels walking into a room with your wallpaper?
I want someone to feel immediately connected to the space. I want the wallpaper to leave a lasting impression.
I've always been deeply affected by movies and the spaces within them. My dad was a single parent who worked six days a week, but on his day off, or sometimes very late in the evening, he would choose a movie for us to watch. Because of that, movies have always been very meaningful to me and a way we spend quality time as a family.
I love how a movie can create such a strong sense of place and fully transport you to a different location or a different era. The Mediterranean atmosphere of "Under the Tuscan Sun," the wallpaper-covered rooms in films from the 1990s, or the French landscapes and slow, intentional lifestyle portrayed in The Hundred-Foot Journey.
Those settings have a way of staying with you for years.
I believe a room can leave that same kind of impression. When you walk into a meaningful space, it feels connected to the person who created it. It gives you a glimpse into their personality and story.
When someone walks into a room with our wallpaper, I want them to experience a piece of Thoroughfare and our story: depth, contrast, personality, something a little unexpected, beauty, and a deep emotional connection to a space that feels memorable.
Each of your favorite design in the collection, and why?
I love the free-flowing lines, lack of symmetry, and wildness of these designs. The depth, tones, and overall mood that they add to a space are some of my favorites. They also feel natural and organic, which is something I consistently gravitate to.
Built Together
Savannah put it best when she talked about wanting someone to see a Thoroughfare Design wallpaper and think, "Yes, this is it. I have to have it." That's exactly the feeling their earthy, layered patterns leave behind.
Ten years in, what started as two people learning design software in a 400-square-foot apartment has become a body of work that feels deeply personal. That's not something you can manufacture. It has to be built, together, one design at a time.
If Cerisia or Quinley caught your eye above, both are part of the wider Thoroughfare Design wallpaper collection now up on Artza.
Discover more inspiring patterns on Artza.
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