ATELIER INTERIOR DESIGN

NATURAL BEAUTY: A FRESH TAKE ON SIMPLICITY AND SPIRIT

BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO

Known for their vibrant palettes, global inspirations, and bold use of pattern, Atelier Interior Design has built a reputation for creating spaces as colorful and unique as the lives lived within them. But when a recent project called for a softer, earthier touch, one rooted in the warmth of country living, the Atelier team leaned in with their signature adaptability and artistry. Embracing a more subdued palette and rustic sensibility, they demonstrated the heart of their philosophy: tailoring each design to reflect not just aesthetic trends, but the true spirit of the client. The result? A home that feels timeless, textured, and deeply personal. Proof that great design isn’t about one style, but about telling the right story, beautifully.

This Denver home is full of soul. What was the emotional or narrative thread you wanted to carry through the renovation from start to finish? 

Like every project we do, we really wanted this home to radiate with the client’s personality and to showcase their family’s culture. That was easier with this project because the client had a clear dream for what they wanted: a cozy, English cottage retreat. When a client’s style is so easily defined by them it is so effortless for us to dive right in and push that vision forward, adhering to that dream of theirs with every decision.

You managed to honor the original architecture while giving the home a fresh, lived-in elegance. What elements did you know you had to preserve—and which were you excited to re-imagine? 

We definitely had to keep the gorgeous archway between the living room and dining room, the living room fireplace and the windows. All of those features were original to the house and the client’s favorite features. Areas that needed that charm-infusion were the kitchen, primary bedroom and two main level bathrooms. Those areas had been updated and not in a way that was true to the integrity of the home’s style.

There’s such poetry in the new archways and that cozy window seat—what inspired those choices, and how do they impact the flow of the space? 

As the archway was original to the house, we obviously ran with that. They aren’t shown in the photos, but we added the same detail to the other doorways into the living room so you’re surrounded by that charm. The cozy window seat though was a new addition to the space. The clients are avid readers but the living room lacked book storage so the built-ins were an obvious choice for us. The wonderful part is that our contractor with Saul Construction made those fully custom and they look completely original. We couldn’t be happier with how the living room turned out.

You describe the look as having a warm country house feeling. What details were key in capturing that English countryside charm here in the heart of Denver? 

When you stand in the living room and dining room, you see a lush garden full of flowers and vegetables right outside the windows, which served as the perfect inspiration for the color palette of the home. The client also adores William Morris designs, so we selected the perfect wallpaper from their collection to wrap the dining room in. The colors from that wallpaper lead the rest of the scheme for the home, where we used the sage and ivory in the kitchen and the warmer hues in the living room. The cherry on top were all of the lighting and hardware finishes, all in brass and copper tones that added an antique touch.

The William Morris wallpaper in the dining room and bedroom adds so much richness. Can you talk about your approach to pattern and how you avoid overpowering a space? 

We are known for our use of pattern, so it seemed obvious to wrap the dining room in the William Morris wallpaper. Some may think that it’s intense, but the way we balanced that out was by keeping the adjoining rooms, the living room and kitchen, painted a soft white. It makes the dining room feel like a cozy gem in the center of the open concept main level.

The copper hood is a bold, beautiful moment—what was the story behind selecting that particular piece for the kitchen? 

The client already loved the look of a country-style kitchen and wanted a metal hood that fit that aesthetic. The copper finish was a push as it is the only copper element in the kitchen, but in the end we got the client to trust that its traditionally bold finish yet simple, sleek design would be the perfect focal point of the kitchen.

We’re enchanted by the attic transformation. How did you envision turning that forgotten space into a dreamy reader’s retreat? 

With the expertise of the architect, Sarah Lawson of Sexton Lawton Architecture, the idea of creating a usable space in the existing attic came to life. Because of the pitch of the roof lines, the attic space had a few spots where ceiling height was low, so we thought that was a perfect opportunity to squeeze in rows of bookshelves to properly utilize the space. The result was a space wrapped in the client’s many books, so it felt natural to make the space cozy by color-washing the room in the dusty blue color and creating the perfect reading corner with the double chaises under the windows.

We’re used to seeing bold colors from your previous projects. Color plays such a subtle, emotional role throughout this home—how did you land on that earthy, muted palette, and what mood were you aiming to set? 

We definitely had to push down the urge to bring in some vibrancy on this one, but we knew that the client wanted a more serene feeling throughout the home, so it was a fun challenge to go more neutral on this one. We leaned into the natural tones and softer patterns to create the warm, peaceful vibe we were going for.

This project feels deeply collaborative. What was your process like working with this family to balance style with functionality for their day-to-day life? 

The client is actually a neighbor and close friend, so it ended up being much more collaborative than usual. Since we were already very familiar with who they are and how they live their lives, it was easy to jump right in with the aesthetics. It was also great to have that already built trust in our abilities from the client, which led to a much more cohesive design since they trusted that we had their interest at heart when making decisions about the aesthetics of the home.

As a woman-owned studio, how do you hope projects like this one reflect the kind of intimate, intentional design your team is passionate about? 

We do a lot of bold, vibrant designs, and so naturally we attract very bold and energetic people. This project felt different because of the softer nature of the scheme and style of the design. It was a nice challenge and change to tone ourselves down and create a more feminine design. We are very passionate about making each design as unique and client-driven as possible, so when we get a chance to try a new style and add that to our list of accomplishments, we run with it. It was definitely a really wonderful experience and such a fun project to complete.

Atelier Interior Design’s venture into a more grounded, country-inspired aesthetic not only highlights their range but also their deep respect for the people they design for. In every project, whether bursting with bold color or wrapped in organic textures. Their true artistry lies in listening first, then crafting a space that feels authentically lived-in and loved. This latest home stands as a quiet, beautiful reminder that great design isn’t about signature look, it’s about creating lasting connections between people and the spaces they call home. To learn more, please visit atelierid.com.