Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: The Salvesen Graham Story // From Georgian Roots to Modern Living

Podcast: Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production
Host: Ariel Okin
Guests: Nicole Salvesen & Mary Graham (Salvesen Graham)
Date: January 7, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the personal and professional journey of Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham, the powerhouse duo behind the renowned London-based interior design studio, Salvesen Graham. The discussion explores their design philosophy (which they term “future heritage”), the blend of Georgian elegance and global textiles, their entrepreneurial story, and the creation of their own product line and celebrated book, A New English Style. The conversation is rich with candid advice, career stories, sources of inspiration, and a lively rapid-fire round, all in a warm, authentic, and engaging tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Design Philosophy & Style (02:45–03:15)

• Three words to describe their style:
  • Nicole: "Timeless, layered, joyful."
  • Mary: "Timeless, traditional, comfortable."
  • Both emphasize the importance of comfort, layering, and time-honored elegance.

2. Personal Backgrounds & Work-Life Balance (03:25–06:40)

• Mary lives in North Yorkshire with her husband and two children; mentions the delight and exhaustion of motherhood and work during the holidays (03:25).
• Nicole is based in London with her husband and three daughters; emphasizes their complementary routines—a “good balance” for the business (04:04).
• Both reflect on the importance of their enduring partnership, which began at Durham University.

“What’s been such a great thing for us...is having that ability and someone to reflect on things with.” —Nicole Salvesen (05:23)

3. Career Origins to Founding Salvesen Graham (06:40–10:51)

• Both worked under influential, powerhouse female designers (Nicole at Nina Campbell, Mary at Leveson).
• Juggling family and business was a conscious, strategic decision: by sharing the load, they kept the momentum in their firm’s early years (07:36).
• Their mentors (notably Nina Campbell) continue to inspire them, though Nicole admits their ambitions at launch felt “unattainable” compared to such icons (08:56).
• Publishing a book wasn’t in their original plan but became a career milestone.

4. On Writing and Reception of Their Book, A New English Style (10:51–12:09)

• The book's text, written by David Nicholls, receives praise for its readability and insight.
• Anecdote: Nina Campbell advised them against launching a product line—which they did anyway, to much success.

“People absolutely love reading [the book]...He’s written it so beautifully. So people do really enjoy reading it, which is lovely to hear.” —Nicole Salvesen (11:00)

5. Launching a Product Line: The Collection by Salvesen Graham (12:09–18:02)

• Motivations: Creative fulfillment and a practical need for content between long-term projects (12:29).
• Their product line, fully self-produced, lets them express their aesthetic and creative vision without compromise.
• Inspirations span historic travels (e.g., Charleston) and archive textiles, with designs evolving organically.
• New product lines aim to capture the “essence of English decorating”—a “designer’s toolkit” (17:12–18:02).

“The point of [the new collection] was to really capture the essence of Salvesen Graham...all the ingredients to go and create an English interior.” —Mary Graham (17:27)

6. Sources of Inspiration & The Power of Books (19:23–21:36)

• Classic inspiration sources: archive textiles, fashion, and especially interior books (before Pinterest era).
• Seeing their own book flagged with post-it notes in other designers’ offices is a “full circle moment.”

7. The Design Process & Client Collaboration (22:10–33:55)

• Favorite part of design: The variety and constant evolution—no two days are the same.
• They value both creative and project management aspects, and cherish client relationships.
• Design is a collaborative process between Nicole/Mary and with clients; balancing vision and client input is key.

“It’s the variety of the job...And actually, that’s something we’ve always enjoyed from day one.” —Mary Graham (22:10)

“We do design everything together...every room feels like a combination of two different minds.” —Nicole Salvesen (23:23)

8. Design Rules and When to Break Them (25:03–28:00)

• Both women have classical training but embrace rule-breaking when context and confidence allow.
• Mary quotes Picasso:

  "Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist." (25:31)

• Experience gives them freedom; they advise patience and learning before venturing out solo.

9. Building Client Trust (29:43–33:55)

• Visual presentations (watercolor renderings etc.) are used to earn client trust—without stifling creative pivoting.
• The client-designer relationship often veers into therapy territory, as home projects relate to personal life transitions.

“Half the battle, isn’t it? Right at the beginning is just building that relationship with clients...we really value that part of the project.” —Nicole Salvesen (31:21)

10. Personal Homes & Design Ethos (35:15–39:37)

• Mary: Her home is “comfortable and relaxed...quite nostalgic, with a touch of formality.”
• Nicole: Informal host, loves lively homes full of people and soul.
• Both abhor “preciousness”—their homes and projects must be robust, welcoming, not museum-like.

“For a house to feel alive, it needs to be robust enough to be used properly.” —Mary Graham (37:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On product design motivation:
  “Because you didn’t have a client for product, it meant it really could be authentic to you.” —Mary Graham (12:51)
• On classic inspiration vs. trends:
  “We had fax machines in our offices and not everyone had a computer...we would open books and everyone would put post it notes on pages and get inspired.” —Nicole Salvesen (20:38)
• On interior design as therapy:
  “People always joke. It’s like you’re half designer, half therapist, but it’s kind of true.” —Interviewer (33:04)

Shopping & Sourcing Favorites (40:26–44:45)

• Favorite shopping destinations: Pimlico Road (London), antique stores and fairs (esp. Battersea Decorative Fair), and design-led shops abroad (Stockholm).
• Notable brands: Anya Hindmarch, Alfred Newall, Sky McAlpine’s ceramics, ME+EM, Away luggage.

Rapid Fire “Take 10” (46:01–53:52)

• Favorite food: Mary – Italian (burrata, figs), Nicole – anything with soy sauce (esp. sushi, carries soy sauce with her) (46:14)
• Favorite drink: Nicole – Martini, Mary – Bellini or white wine, tea (46:41)
• Favorite film: Nicole – High Society, Mary – The Usual Suspects (46:58)
• Favorite hotel: Nicole – El Fenn (Marrakesh), Mary – Borgo Pignano (Tuscany) (47:56)
• Favorite city: Mary – Seville (plus New York & London in brackets), Nicole – Amsterdam (and always, London) (48:48)
• Favorite bedding: Mary – Eiderdown, Nicole – Heated blanket (50:49)
• Tea or coffee: Mary – Only tea, Nicole – Only coffee (51:38)
• Playlist/music: Fleetwood Mac radio, Traveling Wilburys, Bruce Springsteen, musicals (52:05)

Current & Upcoming Projects (54:14–56:32)

• Anticipate a major new fabric and wallpaper collection in early 2026: “Our biggest yet!”
• Highly confidential project to be announced in spring.
• Exciting chateau in France: “A complete dream...a marriage of English country house & French chateau style.” (55:03)
• Photographed a chalet in Switzerland for South African clients.

Advice for Aspiring Designers (56:38–59:02)

“Try and be your own interior designer. Give yourself the confidence that you can go all in...” —Nicole Salvesen (56:38)

• Be authentic; design for how you live, not for Pinterest or Instagram.
• Be honest about your habits and needs (“make your own client brief”).
• Trust yourself: Design evolves in layers, and it’s okay if it takes time.
• Step away from screens, return to books and real-world experiences for inspiration.

“Step away from the screen...See what you’re left with when you’re not constantly looking at imagery.” —Mary Graham (58:35)

How to Learn More & Stay Connected (59:16–60:22)

• Website, Instagram (now combined for interiors & collection), and a robust newsletter (includes interviews with other industry creatives, e.g., Sister Parish, Sarah Watson/Balanum tiles).
• Their book A New English Style is highly recommended for deep dives and inspiration.

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is conversational, layered (like the décor they champion), and brims with British wit, warmth, practical career wisdom, and authentic reflection. Mary and Nicole are inspiring not only for their design prowess but for their honesty about the demands of balancing life, business, creativity, and partnership.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:45 – Style in three words
• 03:25 – Personal backgrounds and work-life balance
• 06:40 – Meeting and career origins
• 10:51 – Book: A New English Style
• 12:29 – Launching their product line
• 17:12 – New collection as “designer’s toolkit”
• 19:23 – Sources of inspiration (books vs. Pinterest)
• 22:10 – Favorite parts of working in design
• 25:31 – Design “rules” & breaking them (Picasso quote)
• 29:43 – Building client trust, process
• 33:04 – Design as therapy & navigating client life changes
• 35:15 – What their homes say about them
• 40:26 – Favorite shopping sources
• 46:01 – “Take 10” rapid fire round
• 54:14 – Major current and future projects
• 56:38 – Advice for finding your interior style
• 59:16 – Where to find Nicole, Mary, and the firm

This summary captures the spirit, wisdom, and highlights of the conversation for any design enthusiast or aspiring creative who seeks to blend tradition, comfort, and authenticity in their own spaces and journeys.