Stephanie Wagner is embracing a new chapter in her life with enthusiasm, flowers, and a bit of wallpaper. She and her husband, Eddie, are growing their floral and interior design business — Atelier (it’s French for studio) Wagner — with an eye for bringing functionality and beauty to both homes and events.

The Wagners moved to Front Royal 14 years ago with their daughters, Grace, 22, and Sophia, 19. After teaching elementary and middle school science with Warren County Public Schools, she joined the faculty at Randolph-Macon Academy in 2017, where she created the school’s innovation lab. Although she had a background in floral design, Wagner had a degree in computer science and teaching made sense for the family as Eddie’s work schedule as a federal agent demanded long hours, she said.

The position at R-MA offered an opportunity to get creative.

“They didn’t have a computer science curriculum so we created this innovation lab where students can go, collaborate, and be creative. We just brought in as many opportunities to discover innovation as we could. We created hydroponic labs. We had 3-D printers. We had a resin printer. We had full robotics,” she said, adding that the innovation lab includes the school’s art department and flight program. “We really tried to push anything you could create and design in. If you want to play a video game, play one that you made — that was sort of the premise behind it.”

Creativity spilled out of the lab and onto the walls of the school as students began painting murals throughout campus. Noting that her husband is an artist, Wagner said they were given the opportunity to paint a building on campus.

“It was really interesting to see how you can update a space with just paint and a good design. It’s really nice because your environment is just as big a component as what you’re learning,” she said, adding that design can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. “Mentally, when you talk about design and spaces, it's not like opening up a magazine of Vogue or whatever and seeing the latest trends. It’s really about your mental state in spaces and how do you make that better? How does everything feel, how does it function and how does it make your life a little better?”

Wagner said that as a teacher, she often encouraged students to pursue their dreams. When a student turned that sentiment around on her, asking why she didn’t pursue design, Wagner took note.

“That’s really where I started thinking about what are you doing with your time while you’re here?” she said. Those thoughts coincided with the graduation of the couple’s youngest daughter and her departure to college, leaving the Wagners with an empty nest.

“I’ve always done flowers and design on the side. It wasn’t like it was one or the other. We had been doing florals for weddings and events,” she said.

The Wagners added designing interiors to their resume after working with a real estate client.

“I really loved that and that’s how it really started to roll,” she said, noting that since then they have designed several condos in Alexandria, worked with some local clients, and helped design the bridal suite at Shelly Cook’s Reitano Vineyards. “I really love working with her. She's a great designer too.”

Wagner continues to build her skillset. After meeting Cook last fall, the couple styled the storefront at her Poppy’s Place restaurant for fall and Christmas.

“Each thing that comes up lets me learn something new,” she said, adding that her social media posts showing parties for her family have become popular with clients asking her to recreate those looks.

Wagner said she loves to explore the unexpected and try new things in design, while helping her clients to enjoy their spaces.

“When you talk about design … how do you make somebody’s space and life function so there’s some harmony in it,” she said. “It’s that extra set of eyes. Everything you’ve picked, you picked because you loved it. How can we elevate that?”

She said that rather than buying everything new, she likes to incorporate items that clients have that might have been tucked away in the home or forgotten and bring them to the forefront.

“It’s a different way of looking at the same space,” she said.

Wagner incorporates her computer science background into the business, using computer-aided design (CAD) to show clients the potential in their space.

“You can see what your living room could look like. It’s much easier for somebody to move forward and make a decision when you can actually see it,” she said.

While Wagner said she adores traditional southern design, she strives to create spaces that meet her clients’ design style.

“It should be the things that you love. It’s about growing, but also staying grounded with what you love,” she said. Noting that bold colors and patterns are on trend now, Wagner said she loves to incorporate wallpaper.

“People are still a little bit afraid to embrace it. It’s not your grandma’s paper anymore,” she said with a laugh.

For more information, email atelierbywagner@gmail.com.