Argomenti trattati
Transforming a Rental into a Home: Alexandra Tolstoy’s Journey
In London’s Battersea neighborhood, Alexandra Tolstoy undertook the challenging task of renovating a four-bedroom, three-bathroom rental. The property featured worn laminate flooring and an uninspiring IKEA kitchen, posing significant hurdles. However, Tolstoy, a descendant of the celebrated Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, sought to imbue the space with her unique style, influenced by her extensive travels across Russia and Central Asia.
The Initial Conditions and Creative Deal
Upon her arrival, Tolstoy negotiated an agreement with the landlords: she would manage the renovations while sharing the costs in exchange for reduced rent. “I am very particular about aesthetics,” she noted, acknowledging the compromises often involved in rental properties. Nevertheless, she recognized the potential in the home’s original features, including ornate cornicing and charming tiled fireplaces.
Tolstoy’s search for a new home was prompted by the urgent need to vacate her previous residence in Chelsea. As a single parent since 2015, following her partner Sergei Pugachev’s departure to France, she faced this challenge without financial support. The Chelsea house had been seized due to Pugachev’s debts, compelling Tolstoy to navigate this upheaval independently.
To facilitate her move, she enlisted Christie’s to conduct their inaugural online house sale, liquidating her antiques to fund a year’s rent. This crucial moment marked the beginning of her journey toward securing a home and achieving financial independence amid a looming lockdown.
Creating a Reflective Space
Tolstoy currently operates a travel company specializing in horseback riding adventures across Kyrgyzstan, a venture that influences her home’s aesthetic. “I don’t think I’m influenced by fashions or trends,” she stated, highlighting her preference for unique, handmade items that resonate with her experiences. “They tell stories and speak to me much more than more formal furniture.”
To express her style in the rental, she replaced the inadequate IKEA kitchen with a refurbished antique dresser, displaying her collection of Kuznetsov and Gardner porcelain from pre-revolutionary Russia. This collection, initiated during her travels along the Silk Road, holds significant sentimental value.
Among her kitchen treasures is a refurbished electric Aga range. Tolstoy recalls selling her only valuable piece of jewelry to make this purchase, which she considers a wise investment. “It was a great investment,” she noted, emphasizing the time she spends cooking and working at the kitchen table, a vital space in her home.
Designing with Depth and Simplicity
To further enhance the home’s charm, Tolstoy utilized a diverse palette of paint colors from the esteemed interior decorating firm Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. This approach created a vibrant yet cohesive atmosphere. “They helped create the feeling of a jewelry box, showcasing all our treasures,” she explained, opting for rich colors instead of conventional grays or beiges.
In her bathrooms, she achieved a striking transformation using ready-made tongue and groove panels, imparting solidity and depth without the high costs of traditional materials. “They glue on but look fantastically authentic!” she exclaimed, choosing Amtico linoleum that mimics Victorian tiling as a cost-effective solution.
Although Tolstoy has since moved from the rental, her experience exemplifies the resilience and creativity that can thrive in challenging living situations. As she embarks on a new house hunt in London’s Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush areas, she expresses a desire for minimalism, stating, “It’s exhausting living with too much stuff.” This sentiment signals a shift in her approach to future home design.