The owners of this 6,000-square-foot brownstone in New York City's Brooklyn Heights had a hard time envisioning the esthetic for their new home, a Greek Revival construction from 1846 whose interiors were in dire need of an update. “We’d never gone through a renovation before, and we did not readily identify what our style was,” says the co-homeowner, an entrepreneur in the financial sector. His wife, who also works in finance, was drawn to the cozy atmosphere of some of the European bed-and-breakfasts where they often stayed during their travels.

Enter Suzanne and Lauren McGrath, the mother-and-daughter duo behind New York City interiors firm McGrath II . After looking at some of the images their clients had saved, the designers, who worked alongside architect Baxt Ingui on the project, quickly noticed a theme. “They were drawn to things like pastoral landscape paintings from the 19th century, Audubon prints, and Colefax & Fowler fabrics; it was all reminiscent of classic English homes,” says Lauren. With that in mind, the McGraths, who are known for creating layered spaces that are subtly formal and thoroughly inviting, set out to find pieces that call to mind a sophisticated cottage in the English countryside.

Beside the dining table, the designers created this comfortable seating area, often used by the clients’ kids to read or hang out while food is being prepared. The custom sofa was upholstered in a geranium red fabric from Perennials; it was paired with a vintage tray table and a French rush-seat armchair.

The living room, for example, features a George Smith tufted ottoman, a Bridgewater club chair, an antique British trolley also called a whatnot, and swing-arm wall sconces. It’s an eclectic, carefully chosen collection that can transport us to the Cotswolds. Floral and plaid fabrics throughout the house, as well as delicately patterned wallpapers and framed botanical prints, help complete the timeless look. Yet the house feels fresh, thanks in part to the designers’ deliberate use of buoyant colors.

“Our clients always drive the story of the houses we design, but color is one of the hallmarks of our work,” says Lauren, who studied art history and worked as an editor at Teen Vogue before joining forces with her mother, a seasoned designer and former producer for Martha Stewart TV. The renovated layout of the house, which includes an ample eat-in kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows, also adds contemporary flair to the interiors. As for the clients, they got exactly what they wanted: someone to help them figure out what their dream home would look like. “We were lucky to have found designers who can do something traditional without making it feel dated,” says the wife. “They created such a comfortable, transporting environment.”

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