The Home Where London Charm Meets New York Cool
Photography: Chris Horwood
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The Home Where London Charm Meets New York Cool

When the American owners of a Mayfair pied-à-terre wanted to renovate, they enlisted interior designers Salvesen Graham to create a scheme that balances English elegance with a sharper, transatlantic edge. Here, Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham explain how they brought it all together.
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Photography: Chris Horwood

The Property

Set across the top two floors of a 1920s mansion block in Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park, this pied-à-terre has been reworked into a refined London retreat. Once a fragmented and dated apartment – very 1990s – the property has undergone a complete redesign.

The intervention was extensive: what was once a single floor was divided into two. Staircases were removed and repositioned, walls stripped back and reconfigured, and the layout rationalised to create a sense of flow and cohesion. A sweeping cantilevered staircase and foyer roof light are at the heart of a sophisticated home for an American family from North Carolina and their young daughter. 

The Brief

Purchased as a pied-à-terre, the apartment needed to balance practicality with escapism. The clients, who have a long-standing connection to London, wanted a home that felt personal, layered and uplifting. 

Designing during the height of the pandemic, the process became unusually collaborative, shaping a scheme that feels both intimate and expressive. The aesthetic draws on a transatlantic sensibility, blending classic English decoration with a glamorous, New York-inflected approach. Rich textures, enveloping wallpapers and tailored upholstery run throughout.

The art collection was curated with the help of Rebecca Gordon. It brings together a mix of contemporary works that add depth and personality throughout the apartment. Artists include Chris Levine, Lorna Robertson, James Hart Dyke, Kate Giles, and Hunt & Hope.

LET'S TAKE THE TOUR

Entrance Hall

One of the most transformative interventions was the reimagining of the entrance as a generous, almost cinematic foyer. The introduction of a cantilevered staircase paired with a ceiling light, and the opening up of space for the new second floor, brings a new sense of volume and drama. The result feels closer to a New York apartment than a traditional mansion block, setting a confident tone for the rest of the home.

Stair runner Jennifer Manners  
Wallpaper Fromental  
Centre table Max Rollitt 

Kitchen & Dining Space

Previously divided into three cramped rooms, this area has been opened into one expansive living space. A sociable kitchen sits alongside a relaxed dining area, anchored by a bespoke banquette tucked neatly against the island.

Rug Salvesen Graham x Jennifer Manners  
Dining table Collier Webb Bespoke  
Dining chairs Salvesen Graham  
Banquette fabric Kravet  
Pendant light Urban Electric  
Tap Waterworks  

Pantry

The adjoining pantry and coatroom receive the same level of attention as the principal rooms. A decorative glass ceiling introduces light and texture, while playful detailing elevates the practical.

Glass ceiling with brass framework Rupert Bevan  
Tap Waterworks 
Hardware Balineum  
Curtain and seat cushion fabric Décors Barbares  

Sitting Room

A carefully arranged, multi-functional space where a desk sits discreetly behind the sofa, allowing the room to flex between work and relaxation without compromising comfort.

Rug Robert Stephenson  
Grasscloth wallpaper Phillip Jeffries  
Ottoman and armchair fabric Claremont  
X-frame stool fabric Soane  
Cushion fabrics George Spencer & Soane 
Table lamp Vaughan  
Ottoman tray Salvesen Graham  

Main Bedroom

Wrapped entirely in a de Gournay wallpaper, the principal bedroom is immersive and cocooning. By continuing the pattern across walls, doors and joinery, multiple openings are concealed, creating a seamless finish.

Wallpaper de Gournay  
Carpet Sinclair Till  
Fireside stool in check fabric Salvesen Graham 
Antique chair fabric Pierre Frey  
Wardrobe handles Charles Edwards  
Blind fabric Soane 

En-Suite Bathroom

A study in quiet luxury, the ensuite features a sculptural curved marble bath and carefully layered detailing, classic in feel with a distinctly British sensibility.

Tiles Marlborough Tiles  
Fabric for shades Soane 
Wall lights Besselink and Jones 
Bath tap Waterworks 

Daughter's Bedroom

Playful yet considered, this room mirrors the layered approach seen throughout the home, with the addition of a built-in daybed that provides space for lounging, guests or quiet screen time.

Side Chair Salvesen Graham 
Carpet Sinclair Till  
Wall fabric Lewis and Wood  
Bed nook mattress fabric Howe  
Bolster cushion Antoinette Poisson  
Side table Alfred Newall  
Bedside lamps Salvesen Graham 
Lampshade fabric Rose Uniacke  
Artwork Hunt & Hope  

Guest Bedroom

The guest bedroom is wrapped entirely in our Zig Zag Stripe design, with all walls upholstered in the wallpaper, and the same pattern echoed in the blinds and headboard fabric. Rather than overwhelming the space, this layered approach feels immersive and serene, creating a calm, cocoon-like atmosphere. 

Walls, blinds and headboard, Zig Zag Stripe Moss Fabric Salvesen Graham The Collection   
Reading light Besselink and Jones 
Table lamp Vaughan 
Hardware Charles Edwards 

Visit SALVESENGRAHAM.COM  

Photographer credit: Chris Horwood

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.

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