Wander West: Where Heritage Meets High Design

Donna Livingston redefines frontier style
with timeless, elevated interiors

I recently took a much-needed road trip up the California coast—from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and eventually through Oregon. Along the way, I was struck not just by the natural beauty but by the rich sense of history that lives in every bend of the road. In Oregon, I visited several museums and historical landmarks centered around the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail, and the Wild West. As I stood in Bend, Oregon, in front of a preserved pioneer wagon, worn and weathered by time, I couldn’t help but draw a connection between the past and the spaces we design today.

One of the strongest themes I encountered was Nomadic Minimalism—how pioneers only traveled with what they needed. Today, we find ourselves craving the same clarity. In my interiors, I focus on choosing fewer but more meaningful pieces. Think natural wood tables, handcrafted stoneware, and leather accents that grow more beautiful with age. The message? Your space doesn’t have to be filled to feel full. Just like those early settlers, we’re returning to the essentials—but with elegance.

 The Wild West holds a certain romanticism—one that lingers in dusty tones, wide skies, and lived-in textures. I draw on that visual language through sun-faded palettes, raw linen drapes, and iron fixtures that echo the spirit of the frontier. When we layer wool throws, artisan pottery, and antique lighting into modern homes, we’re not recreating the past—we’re honoring it. This look isn’t costume—it’s character.

In Oregon, I came across vintage maps, rusted tools, and early trading posts. These artifacts sparked something in me: a desire to bring “traveled” pieces into contemporary spaces. A home should feel collected, not decorated. That might mean a weathered bench at the foot of your bed, a Navajo-inspired textile hanging as art, or a repurposed steamer trunk turned coffee table. Each piece becomes a conversation, a memory, a moment.

So how does this all connect to today’s design world? In a word: authenticity. As we move away from fast fashion and cookie-cutter interiors, we seek homes with soul. What’s striking is how all of this connects so effortlessly to today’s design values. We're seeing a rise in sustainable interiors, heritage materials, and quiet luxury—a term that, to me, beautifully reflects the soul of the Oregon Trail. We want our spaces to feel calming, intentional, and grounded in something real. The textures, materials, and minimal yet meaningful décor that defined the pioneer era still resonate. The only difference? We now have the luxury to choose them.

I call this design movement Wander West. It’s a love letter to the American landscape and the pioneers who crossed it. It’s minimal, grounded, and wildly modern.

Until next time,

Donna Livingston