What if the Wicked Witch’s lair wasn’t dark and menacing, but a cozy sanctuary? In Wicked: For Good, hitting theaters November 21, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba defies expectations. After being branded Oz’s most wanted and forced into hiding, she doesn’t retreat to a foreboding grotto—as seen in the stage show. Instead, production designer Nathan Crowley reimagined her refuge as a nest, a magical haven woven into the branches of a mother tree in Oz’s western forests. But here’s where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just a hideout; it’s a deeply personal space that reveals a side of Elphaba rarely seen—her vulnerability and desire for warmth.
The creation of this set was a labor of love, taking six weeks to build. Crews meticulously twisted and sculpted wood from local forests into fluid, organic shapes, crafting a space that feels both protective and inviting. Erivo herself was deeply involved in the design process, infusing every corner with Elphaba’s essence. “They allowed me to make it hers,” she told ELLE Decor. “From the corners where she practices her spells to the tinctures she keeps, every detail was personalized by me.”
When Erivo first stepped onto the finished set, she was struck by its homey feel. “It was so comforting and cozy,” she recalled. This warmth starkly contrasts with the cold, dark lair one might expect for someone labeled ‘wicked.’ But this is where the story takes a surprising turn: Elphaba’s nest isn’t just a place of protection—it’s a sanctuary where she can be herself, away from the judgment of Oz.
And this is the part most people miss: beneath the protective layer of poisonous flowers on the ceiling (a clever defense mechanism) lies a softer, more intimate side of Elphaba. Her favorite corner? A fire pit and chair where she practices spells. There’s also a loom for knitting, a dedicated broom maintenance area, and maps scattered throughout—details that reveal her as a thoughtful, meticulous individual. Even the sink, filled with oils instead of water, hints at her resourcefulness.
“It’s a place just for her,” Erivo explains. “She does her thinking, her planning, but it’s also where she rests.” This duality—a space that’s both a fortress and a home—is what makes Elphaba’s nest so compelling. It’s a testament to her complexity, a character often reduced to a one-dimensional villain.
The impact of this set has been so profound that Airbnb has recreated it in Thousand Oaks, California, complete with artifacts from the film, including Elphaba’s hat, broom, and the sacred Grimmerie. On December 3, Erivo will host 20 fans for tea by the fire, inviting them to experience the magic firsthand. “I hope they feel cozy, enchanted, and curious,” she says. “But more than that, I hope they leave with a deeper understanding of Elphaba—a conversation about rest, sanctuary, and the need for safety and warmth, even for someone labeled ‘wicked.’”
But here’s the controversial question: Does Elphaba’s need for a sanctuary humanize her too much, or does it challenge us to see beyond the labels society assigns? Let’s discuss in the comments—do you think her cozy lair redeems her, or does it complicate your view of the Wicked Witch?
Julia Cancilla, engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, oversees the brand’s social media and writes the monthly ELLE Decoroscope column. Her work explores design, pop culture, travel, and lifestyle, appearing in Inked, House Beautiful, Marie Claire, and more.
