When work prompted a young couple to relocate from California to Colorado, they saw it as an opportunity for change in a completely different type of house, with a new way of living. The pair wanted this project to have the very best qualities of both their cultural traditions (he's American; she's British), serving as somewhere that's relaxed and comfortable, with a sense of elegance that's devoid of stuffiness. New English Style: Timeless InteriorsNow 29% OffEnter Salvesen Graham, a Colorado-based design team helmed by Mary Graham and Nicole Salvensen, who together have penned a new design book, New English Style: Timeless Interiors, out nowThe house is an American Craftsman and part of a community of heritage homes dating back to the early 20th century. Nestled in the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the home boasts a certain Norman Rockwell-esque charm, with a brick and shiplap exterior and expansive veranda that wraps from front to back. The house's many period features were painstakingly protected throughout the design process and, as Nicole explains, were "meant to be enhanced and celebrated."FAST FACTSMary Graham and Nicole Salvesen of Salvensen GrahamDesigners: Location: Colorado, United States of AmericaThe Space: A 100-year-old American Craftsman nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains ENTRYWAYA calming welcome that honors the home's history.Simon Brown "What we definitely weren’t trying to do was make it a living museum of a 1900s mining town house," says Nicole of the delicate balance seen throughout the home. "It was less about what would have been there, and more about what felt appropriate." In the entrance hall, a small-scale patterned wallpaper has a certain Victorian feel to it, while the Arts and Crafts lantern looks like it might have had a previous life. While the approach to the existing architecture and detailing was respectful, it wasn’t reverential. For example, some of the original pine woodwork in the space was painted a sage green, a decision that subdued its slightly overwhelming orange tones. Now, as the eye traverses the space, it can more easily take in and enjoy the beautiful craftsmanship of the unpainted sections. Making an older house work for modern-day life is always a balancing act.DRAWING ROOMA sophisticated space for entertaining.Simon BrownUnlike a home library, which often boasts a snug and cosy atmosphere, this drawing room has a grown-up and sophisticated vibe that was bolstered by the client's engagement and interest. The pair even went as far as to help their design team source art for the space, including the abstract floral seen here.LIVING ROOMA more casual gathering area allows for relaxation.Simon Brown"One of the real challenges was that a lot of the work was done in the early days of Covid," says Graham. This meant that the relationship between the designers and their clients was established via Zoom, a situation that was new to everyone. "I have a distinct memory of our first meeting with the builder where he appeared on our screen wearing a Stetson, which we loved," she recalls. For many expats, the pandemic suddenly made the world feel very big again; "home" seemed far away, something that no doubt fed into the client's desire to add a layer of Englishness to this lovely example of architectural Americana.LIBRARYA hallway becomes an intentional quiet zone.Simon BrownCentrally located in the house, this pass-through space may have otherwise gone neglected. Instead, the design team transformed it into a hallway-cum-library that connects different rooms and offers an intentional place to pause. KITCHENNo walls were removed to maintain the layout's cozy feeling.Simon Brown Making an older house work for modern-day life is always a balancing act. In this case, rather than opening up the rooms to create multifunctional spaces, the relatively formal layout of the structure was maintained. Towards the back of the house is a Shaker-style kitchen that bridges the gap between functional utilitarianism and English charm. Here, the color play is more gentle, with fitted units and a large kitchen island that are painted in different shades of blue.DINING ROOMMultiple seating areas make for easy conversation. Simon Brown The "hearth room" is an informal dining space with windows on three sides that allow you to feel as if you're dining in the treetops. A striped floral fabric finds a home on both the curtains and the Roman shades, with lines that subtly echo the painted tongue-and-groove panelling added to the ceiling. Upholstered dining chairs, vintage rattan chairs, and a built-in window seat (painted a vibrant green) all contribute to the layered aesthetic that Graham and Salvesen are so adept at creating.BEDROOMPattern mixing creates a mountaintop oasis.Simon BrownUpstairs, the bedrooms (particularly the master suite) are layered with color and pattern, from florals and stripes to paisleys and soft geometrics, all in a cheerful palette of pinks and greens. Simon Brown About the DesignerMary Graham and Nicole Salvesen started their firm, Salvensen Graham, nearly 25 years ago in London. Known for their layered aesthetic and timeless approach to style, the duo has been crafting elevated and cozy interiors ever since. Graham and Salvensen strive to design homes that provide clients with a sense of warmth and softness. Inspired by the elegance of Georgian England along with Indian textiles from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the duo aims to bring an edge to quintessential British charm.