Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Roose.
Hi Emily, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path to interior design has been anything but traditional—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I started my career in marketing, earning my degree and working as a promotions and digital content director at Clear Channel Radio (now iHeart Media). I loved the creative energy and storytelling aspect of the work, but then I was laid off. It was one of those moments that felt devastating at the time but turned out to be exactly what I needed.
I’d been interested in architecture and interior design since I was a kid—it was always something that fascinated me—so I decided to take an intro class for interior design to see if this could be my new path. That one class changed everything. I fell in love with it and knew this was what I was meant to do. So I went back to school and fully committed to becoming an interior designer.
During my education, I completed a six-month internship with Sarah Barnard in Los Angeles, who specializes in LEED and Historic Preservation. That experience was transformative. Sarah showed me that designers have a responsibility beyond aesthetics—we have the power to improve lives through intentional, sustainable design. That philosophy became the foundation of everything I do.
I launched Emily Roose Interiors in Lake Tahoe, California, where I worked on a diverse range of projects from Lake Tahoe to northern Nevada to Santa Cruz to Hawaii. I specialized in Mountain & Coastal (Hawaiian) Modern, Traditional, Transitional, and Farmhouse design styles, working in communities like Martis Camp, Lahontan, Schaffer’s Mill, and Kukuiula in Kauai. My top award-winning projects—Dunsmuir Way, Thunderbird Circle, and Brae Court—have each earned significant recognition. All three won at the state level from the International/American Property Awards for California, but Dunsmuir Way went on to win for the entire USA. Dunsmuir Way, one of my transitional mountain home designs, was also featured in an HGTV contest back in 2018 and earned recognition from Elle Decor. Both Dunsmuir Way and Brae Court have won ASID awards as well.
We also collaborated with Marsden Architects and Dan Webb Builders on the Brae Court project, which won the Mountain Glam Award from Tahoe Quarterly Magazine. It was featured in their Mountain Home Awards Issue 2025 in the article “The Intersection of Art and Architecture”—a project that perfectly embodied my vision of blending creativity with intentional design.
But life had more pivots in store for me. I became a mother to my son, went through a divorce, and eventually made the decision to relocate to Nashville. Each of these transitions taught me resilience and reinforced why I do this work: to create spaces that aren’t just beautiful, but healing.
In my early 20s, I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease, which led me down a path of research into wellness design, biophilic principles, and how our environments directly impact our health. I realized that the spaces we inhabit can either support our wellbeing or detract from it. This became my mission—to design homes and commercial spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and promote mental and physical health.
Today, Emily Roose Interiors serves Middle Tennessee, Georgia, Lake Tahoe, and beyond. We’re an award-winning firm that specializes in luxury residential design, investment properties, commercial and hospitality spaces, and custom furniture and light fixture design. My dual background in marketing and design gives me a unique perspective—I understand not just how to create beautiful spaces, but how to tell the story of those spaces and connect with clients on a deeper level.
I’m also developing e-courses on healthy homes and biophilic design, working on writing a book, and designing custom furniture and light fixtures
Every project we take on is deeply personal. My goal isn’t to follow trends—it’s to reflect each client’s unique identity and create spaces that improve their quality of life. Whether it’s a mountain retreat, a Nashville family home, or a commercial workspace, I want people to feel more relaxed, rejuvenated, and connected in the spaces I design.
It’s been a winding road with plenty of challenges, but I truly believe that every pivot, every obstacle, and every lesson has led me exactly where I’m meant to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not even close to smooth—but I think the struggles have made me a better designer and a stronger person. Starting over from scratch after being laid off was terrifying. I had to go back to school, invest in a completely new education, and build a business from the ground up with no safety net. There were plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was making the right decision, especially in those early days when clients were few and far between.
Building a luxury design business in a competitive market like Lake Tahoe was incredibly challenging. I was competing with established firms that had decades of relationships and reputation behind them. I had to work twice as hard to prove myself, to show that my fresh perspective and unique approach—blending marketing savvy with design expertise—was worth taking a chance on.
Then came the personal pivots. Becoming a mother changed everything about how I work and what I prioritize. Going through a divorce while running a business and raising my son was one of the hardest seasons of my life. There were days when I didn’t know how I was going to balance it all, let alone grow the business.
And then relocating to Nashville—that’s been its own challenge. Starting over in a new market where nobody knows your work, where you don’t have the established relationships and reputation you spent years building, is humbling. I went from being recognized in the Lake Tahoe luxury market to being virtually invisible in Nashville. Getting noticed, securing projects, and building brand awareness here has been an uphill battle. There have been moments of real financial stress, wondering if I’d be able to support my family and keep the business going.
Living with thyroid disease has also shaped my journey in unexpected ways. Managing a chronic health condition while running a demanding business requires constant balance and self-care—something I didn’t always prioritize early on.
But here’s what I’ve learned: every single struggle has taught me something invaluable. The layoff taught me resilience and that sometimes the worst moments lead to the best opportunities. Being a single mom has made me more efficient, more focused, and more empathetic to my clients who are also juggling complex lives. My health challenges led me to discover my true passion—wellness and biophilic design—which has become my greatest differentiator and the work I’m most proud of.
The struggles in Nashville have forced me to get creative, to think differently about marketing and client acquisition, and to stay true to my mission even when it feels like nobody’s watching. I’m building something meaningful here, and I know that the foundation I’m laying now—through e-courses, through thoughtful projects, through genuine connections—will pay off.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but I wouldn’t change it. Every obstacle has refined my vision and strengthened my resolve. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of Emily Roose Interiors. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Emily Roose Interiors is an international ASID award-winning interior and product design firm that specializes in creating spaces that don’t just look beautiful—they actively improve your quality of life. What We Do: We offer full-service luxury residential design for new construction, remodels, and additions. We also work with investment and short-term rental properties, and multi-family developments. Beyond interiors, we design custom furniture and light fixtures for both residential and commercial clients, which allows us to create truly one-of-a-kind spaces that can’t be replicated.
For DIY enthusiasts or clients who want professional guidance on a smaller scale, we offer E-Design services—what we call “Design on Demand”—where you get expert design direction you can implement yourself.
What Sets Us Apart: What truly differentiates Emily Roose Interiors is our specialization in biophilic and wellness design. I don’t just design spaces that follow trends—I create environments that are healing, inclusive, and sustainable. My approach is rooted in the belief that our spaces have a direct impact on our mental and physical health, and I design with that responsibility in mind.
I focus on creating spaces that support a healthier and more wellness balanced approach. I incorporate multi-sensory and tactile natural patterns, biophilic principles, and sustainable materials to create sanctuaries—safe havens where people feel more relaxed, rejuvenated, and connected.
This isn’t just theory for me. At 21, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and I still live with it daily. That personal health journey led me down a path of research into how our environments affect our wellbeing. That experience, combined with my internship with Sarah Barnard—who taught me that designers have a responsibility to improve lives—has shaped everything I do.
My dual background in marketing and interior design also gives me a unique edge. I understand not just how to create stunning spaces, but how to tell the story of those spaces, connect with clients on a deeper level, and reflect their unique identities—not just what’s trendy.
What We’re Known For: We’ve earned international recognition for our work. Our projects—Dunsmuir Way, Thunderbird Circle, and Brae Court—have won at the state level from the International/America’s Property Awards for California, with Dunsmuir Way winning for the entire USA. We’ve also won ASID awards, the several awards from Tahoe Quarterly Magazine, Mountain Living Magazine’s Top Interior Designers List, Best of Houzz Design & Service Awards, and the Global Elite Awards 2025 for Leading Boutique Interior Design Studio in Tennessee.
Our work has been featured by Elle Decor, Tahoe Quarterly Magazine, Cottages & Gardens, Dwell Magazine, an HGTV contest back in 2018 and more.
We’re known for our versatility—we’ve designed everything from Mountain Modern and Coastal Hawaiian Modern to Traditional, Transitional, and Farmhouse styles across Lake Tahoe, northern Nevada, Santa Cruz, Hawaii, and now Middle Tennessee and Georgia.
What I’m Most Proud Of: Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Emily Roose Interiors stands for something deeper than aesthetics. We’re not just creating pretty rooms—we’re creating spaces that have a positive ripple effect on people’s lives. I’ve had clients tell me they feel calmer, more inspired, and more at home in the spaces we’ve designed for them. That feedback means everything.
I’m also passionate about the future of workspace design—envisioning environments that prioritize wellness and creativity rather than sterile functionality. It’s an area I’m excited to explore more as my practice evolves.
What You Should Know: Whether you’re building your dream home, renovating an investment property, or designing a multi-family development, Emily Roose Interiors brings a level of intentionality and care that goes beyond the surface. We design for any style and different budgets, and every project is deeply personal to us.
We’re also expanding our reach through e-courses on healthy homes and biophilic design, and currently exploring writing a book that explores how to create spaces that are both beautiful and beneficial to your health.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: I want every person who walks into a space we’ve designed to feel seen, supported, and inspired. I want them to experience the transformative power of intentional design. That’s the Emily Roose Interiors difference.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was definitely shy growing up—more of an observer than the center of attention. I loved to learn and was always immersed in books, constantly curious about the world around me. I gravitated toward creative outlets like art and photography, which allowed me to express myself in ways that felt more natural than words sometimes did. But I was also a total tomboy. I loved sports and played volleyball competitively. I also loved horseback riding and went whenever I could. There was something about being outside, being active, and connecting with animals that balanced out my quieter, more introspective side.
One thing I did constantly—and didn’t think much of at the time—was rearrange my room and closet. I was always moving furniture around, reorganizing, trying to make the space function and flow better. I didn’t know then that this was something most interior designers had done as kids. I just knew that when a space felt right, it made everything else feel better too.
Looking back, I think that combination—the creative, bookish side and the athletic, adventurous side—has really shaped who I am as a designer. I’m drawn to spaces that feel both thoughtful and dynamic, places that inspire creativity but also ground you and make you feel connected to nature. Those early interests in art, photography, and the outdoors are all woven into the biophilic and wellness-focused design work I do today.
I’ve always been fascinated by how things look and feel, how spaces are put together, and how design can tell a story. Even as a shy kid with my nose in a book or enjoying the occasional horseback ride, I was observing, absorbing, and dreaming about creating something meaningful. I just didn’t know yet that interior design would be the way I’d bring it all together.
Pricing:
- It depends on the project scope
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emilyrooseinteriors.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erooseinteriors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erooseinteriors
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/emilyrooseinteriors
- Other: https://www.emilyrooseinteriors.com/
