How Alexandra Tolstoy made a rental house her own | House & Garden

[@TheAndrewRitchie]

I love seeing people LIVING in their houses, filling it with the colours and patterns they love, surrounding themselves with objects that have a past and a story… This home isn’t done to anyone’s taste but her own. So refreshing!

[@fleurfleur5468]

Me too

[@ЛюдмилаЕрмакова-е3п]

Есть старинные иконы и посуда винтажная

[@dhoraray1310]

She bought that dwelling on the money of her lover Пугачев who robbed Russia and its citizens thanks to his ties to the Russian President. She's his mistress. Her house is full of tasteless trash. Heavily overloaded. Seems she has nothing to do in her life.

[@Sanity_Faire]

@@es78xx except going straight into big box stores and …

[@doyouknowaboutemmah]

finally a house that resembles the person who lives in it. truly personal and mesmerising

[@chattykathie7129]

She inspired me so I woke up with the sun in my eyes and turned the head of my bed into the windows and completely changed the mood of the room and my husband says it’s magical.

[@AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor]

It's so refreshing to see a small pretty rental house. Most interviews seem to be with owners of giant houses.

[@CrimsonNClova]

As the daughter of arty and intellectual Ukrainian immigrants to California, this is basically a version of our own home. It’s all a mad but somehow harmonious mishmash of Mexican folk art, Persian rugs, Russian iconography, Dutch tiles, nineteenth century California plein air landscapes, Chinese jade, carved wooden tables, lacquer boxes, medieval instruments, Hmong tapestries, Turkish copper ware, Swedish embroidered towels, towering plants, African masks, Quaker quilts, Indian textiles, thrift store Buddhas, matryoshka (nesting) dolls, Hopi Kachinas, Japanese prints, abstract paintings, bronze sculptures, tall oak bookshelves filled with art, lit, poetry and philosophy tomes, east-facing decorative corners crammed with gilded Madonnas, golden samovars, dried willow sprigs and hollowed-out painted pysanky eggs left over from all-night Easter vigils of years past. The kitchen shelves overflow with brightly painted roosters of every folk tradition imaginable. Color and a wild eruption of patterns dominate. Slavs just can’t help themselves.

[@GwaiZai]

gorgeous comment

[@leendecanck4723]

I absolutely loved reading this comment. It’s like being taken on a journey. Thank you for sharing.

[@englishwoman7697]

Id live to see this.....pictures?

[@_darkbrian]

so you don't have Uzbek plates?

[@8071972]

Дом -коттедж Александры Толстой -это такая шкатулка, наполненная предметами разных эпох. Но выглядит очень мило и не как в музее. У вас однобокое представление о славянах, как-раз таки у славян минимализм и является основой культуры. Русский минимализм в Европе продвигает Гарри Нуриев, посмотрите его работы.

[@Pachelbel_PaperDarts]

In an age of minimalism and bland decor, it is a breath of fresh air to see how exquisitely bohemian Alexandra's house looks with all the sublime patterns and colours. I love the look of antique Victorian crazy quilt on the bed at 11:00.

[@sunnydaysatl]

Yes I feel the same way. My friends n family say my house is too much it I love this look.

[@lynnharrell9598]

Paper Darts, while reading your comment, I was keenly aware of the word “bland.” I haven’t really liked the current home trends, and this single word, made me realize why! It’s like eating plain oatmeal. Yuck!

[@tonibauer2405]

@GaslitWorld f. Melissa B have improved somewhat after years of beige and white, then grey and white minimalism. But Boho seems to mean beige, for the most part, and seems to be highly featured now. I love color and a truly eclectic mix of items, what I call “Haute Bohemian,” and this house certainly fits nicely into that category.

[@zainabfarooq9468]

The kitchen is minimal

[@tyra925]

areeeet soft shite

[@liubashadaniel2128]

I am Russian, but live in England. Alexandra’s house is absolutely stunning. There are many real beautiful Russian things. Amazing! 🌎Thanks a lot for this interesting video! 🌺

[@prime-time5]

Похоже на музей, жить в музее непросто

[@ИринаМарченко-л3э]

Liubasha , чудесный комментарии 🤗

[@ilonar8060]

@@prime-time5 она, скорее всего, там и не живет

[@selmahare]

​@@ilonar8060 Hate to barge into the Russian interaction, but she does actually live in this house _as you can see by how worn out the kitchen floor is, which she herself pointed to in this video. She's turned her country house into a rental. So she has no where else to live at the moment (aside from her parent's house of course, which is no solution for an adult woman with three children). She's shared in an interview recently that she's living off this small inheritance from a step grandfather (or some such,) and I'm assuming also from the rental money that she gets from renting out her country house. Alexandra is okay, but she's no longer swimming in money. Pugachev, the father of her children, has lost everything aside from this castle where he's living in France, and last I heard doesn't send her any money. A real man would sell the castle to help provide for his own children, but well people. My father never had any castle and yet my siblings and I were never in lack of anything. Recently I even found out (not through him of course) that he has even starved so that we could eat, when we were very little and my parents were very poor. And that is what a man and a father look like. Alexandra is an incredibly brave woman and she will forever have the admiration and respect of her children, the same I don't think will be said of their male progenitor.

[@ol_gs5752]

@@selmahare I am Russian and I agree with your every word

[@jacquiwmch]

Gorgeous home that is obviously filled with love. It's like a giant cuddle.

[@tyra925]

bit dusty though, not reckon?

[@jacquiwmch]

@@tyra925 not really, but what's a home without a bit of dust anyway

[@Mary-mj9mf]

My goodness...the warmth, the colour, the designs, the beauty. Alexandra your home is absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing it with us xx

[@SoundsOfNatureAndAmbience.]

This house is gorgeously authentic. So refreshing to see a house like this.

[@gulnaragulnara4240]

It is not house. It is museum.

[@wendyannh]

@@gulnaragulnara4240 No, it’s very much a lived-in house, filled with beautiful things. Museums aren’t lived in like this.

[@marshhen]

It costs a fortune to be able to be this "authentic". Also you need to hire a cleaner to dust every little tchotchke. This person is not having to do any of that. The textiles budget alone in this house is probably my annual rent. I am happy for her but wealth is why a person can live in a place like this. Many authentic and artistic people in the world. Most don't have this cash.

[@rosecolouredglasses]

I love that everything is interesting and has a story and is used. It looks like a house to live in and enjoy as opposed to a house that you have to slave away wiping every blemish and hiding everything behind fitted cupboards

[@barbarawillis5187]

Alexandra Tolstoy's home is beautiful with her personal touches.

[@ArtGardens]

I Love Alexandra's house it's like a personal museum very bohemian, colorful and she has beautiful style, I love it !!

[@rachelhendrickson7555]

Did the story of the photographer bother anyone else?

[@timsfchristopher6131]

explain, please

[@rachelhendrickson7555]

@@timsfchristopher6131 I hope you're kidding🤗

[@timsfchristopher6131]

@@rachelhendrickson7555 No, I'm not kidding; please explain. all of the comments are complimentary. As one commenter said "swooning". Are you seeing something (or looking for something) that the majority of us are just missing?

[@arandomwoman2310]

Thank you! I thot I was the only one.

[@rachelhendrickson7555]

@@timsfchristopher6131 I absolutely loved this vid. Unfortunately something negative wouldn't leave me alone. It was when she described the process of the photographer who took the pics of the kids. Rewatch it. 🤷 If this isn't enough of an explanation I have nothing more to say to you.

[@heronhouse2018]

After seeing a ton of minimalist design on KZbin this is so fantastic!!! Lovely, absolutely lovely!!

[@luci1474]

I can't stop watching this video, I go back to it all the time. She is amazing! I wish she was my friend.

[@Earth2Texas]

I love this. Wonderfully refreshing and authentic. So much nicer than the cold, dreary, soul-sucking minimalism that continues to be touted by the design media.

[@deborahcambria3005]

I absolutely love how beautiful and cozy and creative and special this is. Lovely woman!

[@wendypanozzo9133]

If I could show someone my ideal home style I would show them Alexandras.It's hard to put into words but it just makes you feel comfortable.Love it!

[@marymissmelody8520]

I'm sooo in love with this no rule style. I live in a small unit and on entering it is as rules dictate... you will see my living and dining. My bedroom is in a separate room out of mind out of sight. I'm actually contemplating changing that. I am seriously thinking of putting my bed in the main room with a screen and going crazy in the bedroom by transforming it into my living and dining. I love her style and rebellion. In love with it actually.

[@jane-cn6nd]

I think that's a marvelous idea.

[@NdnUrbanCat]

I have a bed in the living room and the bedroom. I love having the freedom to choose.

[@jiminhart]

Go for it. I'm about to turn my tiny bedroom into a library and put my bed into the main room, which is 3 times bigger. There will still be plenty of room for a dining area and a seating area.

[@ilovecatsnteanbooks3971]

I was thinking of doing the same but with my bedroom as a library/craft room 😊

[@SaraBellum777]

This home is prime for rainy lazy days! ☕📕 I absolutely love the colors and textures!

[@nataliapivneva2885]

Благодарю! Очень красивый дом! А портьеры- шедевр! Всех вам благ!

[@lidijatravina7438]

Настоящий музей русской культуры. Thank You. Wonderful.🎄🕎

[@catalinaneumann]

This has got to be the most real and relatable video of this series ever. Talking about downsizing, renting and minimalism and the joy of it all. Amazing work.

[@Μαρία-θ5ξ]

The most beautiful house I've seen ! It's the only house with a piece of paradise! I love your icons ❤

[@raymondf3670]

All l can say is that she's is amazing and just fabulous just loved this video... loved her home just amazing design ...

[@ExLibris-Alys]

Gorgeous. I especially love the paint colours on the walls and the Swedish armoire in the dining room.

[@tamiz8895]

I love her home, it’s just so harmonious and interesting.

[@johanna2059]

That was an amazing feat. Find a rented house, move out of your own home at zero notice, gather up your kids and belongings and just go. But to turn a rented house into such a beautiful home in literally days, that takes some doing. Kudos to you.

[@rocket7697]

I'd take with a pinch of salt

[@ReadingThing]

This house is like being in a fairytale! I love everything!

[@pamelagimson1822]

I just love EVERYTHING about this house,the decor the colours it just overflows with warmth and love. I would simply love to live there. Alexandra is such a warm and cosy person.. from France 🇫🇷

[@juliehock6059]

Oh to live life surrounded by things that bring good memories of places and people, a home where nothing is too precious. I also love my custom made sofa - it’s teal/sky blue covered and brings me joy whenever I look at it. I’m definitely taking it into my old age home……

[@annkys9441]

It’s amazing how much a house can take in. Lots of beautiful pieces and history.. colors and materials. Definitely feels like a home.

[@suewalker8586]

I appreciate that this lady knows what she loves, curates what she loves, does so confidently and cavalierly.

[@sharzilamh]

I love her principle when it comes to house decoration. Such a practical person!She really appreciates and pay the highest respect to her own culture and values all the old furnitures and blends them very well together. Such a great home she has there. Love it!

[@nadjak3410]

OK, so this woman is telling me that she left her sons alone in a studio with a man who is VERY particular about the age of the young children he photographs, who are also not allowed to wear any clothes during the shooting... OK ok ok ok ok

[@marcelarm203]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXraZ5-MgrWombc

[@dutcheyeliner]

Came to the comments hoping someone else noticed how ridiculously creepy that sounded!!

[@nadjak3410]

@@marcelarm203 What about it?

[@chamazful]

It was all going so well until that bit 😂

[@cauthoncrazy]

Yea wtf

[@valstack9116]

I love her decor. My mother’s living room and bedroom is so similar, full of history, warmth, love and eccentricity. :)

[@fringedwellermccatintyre730]

I just love her design sense, combined with her lack of rules philosophy.

[@glendagrant9042]

So many stunning things in this house. I love the colors, textures and patterns. My house is a rental 1930s cottage in a FL beach town. It is decorated inside with many collected things and lots of color and comfort. Not the exquisite quality of the interior of this one but things that make me happy. Many collected on travels in Europe. I always wanted to visit Russia but never got there. At 72 not enough stamina. I absolutely love the Russian plates. Thank you for this wonderful look around.

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

I watched this because of seeing a Russian box [we've a dozen or more exquisite varieties] + the wonderful St Seraphim, an icon of whom I'm sitting under in my Italian villa as I type this. My style is Chelsea Bohemian from a decade there in the 60's + my wife studied at St Martin's in the Strand, so we have 1000s [!] of books, collectibles, artworks, paintings, drawings, quilts, cushions, Oriental carpets, plates, hangings ETC ETC a delightful frenzy to complement two libraries & an art-gallery. Your home looks great!

[@SusanRubinsky]

This is the best one in the series, and I've watched quite a few. She is lovely and and whimsical and her touch is everywhere. Love it!

[@christineribone9351]

Even Alexandra's name is remarkable. interesting collection of religious icon art. a quilted chair cushion! Marvelous! I love the way she describes the kitchen floor, 'the story of our lives".

[@lef1065]

Thank you for sharing this with us. It makes me happy to hear how you decided what to use in each room. The tenacity with which you move forward for your family is inspiring.

[@jodi9750]

What an absolute dream of a home. The composition and coordination. The galleries. JUST WOW!!!

[@momistaken]

I love the presenter, the house, the art and furniture, etc! Having just moved into a rental house with green walls and my old stuff, I am inspired to cover as many of the walls with art as I can! Some of my own art bores me but it’s better than green walls! My ‘mom alarm’ went off over the photographer, but I think those of you on the other side of the Atlantic are in a better position to comment.

[@hmmmblyat]

Mom´s are the same , all over the world! 🌍 I think it’s a normal reaction to get alarmed of that photographer.

[@HappyCats17]

Naked and alone with the photographer, nyet, especially a sibling of that particular one. But her home is perfection!

[@heatherwhite2788]

Love the consistent color palette and taste. Lovely.

[@NargelsLikesMe]

Gosh I love everything Alexandra touches. Clothes, antiques, her view on raising children. What an icon!

[@jannbeebee]

so beautiful ...all the emotion attached to her purchases. Unrestrained and truly a world of her own. and yes, eyebrows raised and lip curled at the description of the photographer's behaviour..

[@malgozata1875]

Watching this decor is such a freeing experience. I just loved seeing all of these decorating conventions broken: the dollhouse in the bedroom, table lamp on the kitchen counter, a small papasan chair in the bathroom, Christmas decoration used all year round. I found this to be such a freeing experience, free to express myself, free to decorate as I please, free to be totally unconventional. So, often, quite unconsciously, I am striving to fit some mould, some "rule," forgetting that this is my house and I can decorate it any way I want to, not in a bizarre way, but in a personal, fun way. What pleases me. I don't have to abide by anyone else's conventions. So often I feel pressured to fit in with the newest decor style. It's nice to be reminded that I don't need nor have to fit into any decor style, that I am free to be creative, to comply only with my own style. Thank you

[@terryarrow702]

An absolutely beautiful lived in comfy home. I love how nothing matches. I love all the different colours & designs. Alexandra has great taste & she knows how to put things together. ♥️💖💚🧚🏼‍♀️

[@VeeLondon1449]

Swooning! ♥️ Over some truly beautiful fabrics..

[@bettinabarry8423]

I am half Russian & half English but live in U S. Enjoy this episode greatly!

[@nell8170]

Absolutely stunning home, love everything. Very much my style and colours.

[@geoc1005]

Love this. What a fabulous mix of interesting items and colors and textures! My favorite is the peeling wood floor that reflects the family that lives there. Only an interesting human being could inhabit a space made like that. I sometimes wonder who are the people are who live in plain, dull white boxes? In homes that look like they were stamped out with a conventional trendy rubber stamp? It's a joy to see a home like this one.

[@nighatkhan356]

watching for the second time all her decor is so beautiful everything is so visually pleasing

[@SB_McCollum]

I’m so glad you made and shared this, I come back to it again and again.

[@buickinvicta288]

I absolutely love her sensability, this is gorgeous. Everything about it is wonder-full.

[@serenitykali4426]

I wish this home tour was at least an hour long 😂,...Absolutely stunning home , like a piece of art so unique 💕

[@EdelweisSusie]

You and me both.

[@aliseamcleod1]

This is truly a home. I'm inspired and encouraged to collect items that have personal meaning. I've struggled to do so amongst a family that loves new. I also appreciate Alexandra's statement about bathrooms and kitchens not needing fitted cabinetry.

[@caroljones1605]

Love her place! She certainly made it her own with fantastic objects, fabrics and style.

[@lisatague305]

She is such a breath of fresh air . Love her style !

[@cynthiajuarez5855]

Your house is pretty that you're renting I love how you decorate I mean it's so you cuz you dress the way you decorate with beautiful colors and they look vintage and I don't know the style looks like what's on your your body the style of your house and it's beautiful I just love the colors you choose and everything it just looks so fresh and inviting and cozy and comfortable at the same time thank you for sharing it with us

[@majesea]

Leaving your children alone with someone who insists on unclothing them and not have you present!!! Hello!!!!

[@gwenowens6727]

Yes! I thought hang on, what did she just say?

[@Bellasand45]

@@gwenowens6727 I am also thinking about it. Very, very creepy!!

[@katiebrown5144]

That’s so creepy! How did she not get weird vibes! Also why naked ! Everything is wrong!

[@Silverfox8668]

Agree, really creeps me out too. Why fully undress the babies when in the end, it’s just a headshot. Really weird.

[@claudiadaza254]

Just what I thought

[@nextwave1314]

I love the colors and how things work together. It's refreshing to see a home that's not over-designed, but made to reflect the taste of the occupant.

[@ms.sonshine8878]

Color, layers, warmth. Love it. And the kitchen is a dream.

[@tigermoon44]

I loved this house and I collect oddities and amazing treasures just like her plus my color scheme is very similar! It was warm and inviting and had a Victorian world traveler feel to it like an expatriate vibe would!

[@tyra925]

your house sounds just as manky

[@ppaulinka]

Absolutely fantastic interior. Looks so beautiful, homy and cosy. Must be wonderful to live in a space like this. Congratulations

[@BrittaE2011]

I love these Design Note tours and I love Alexandra. So glad to see this combo. ❤️❤️

[@fl3693]

Absolutely stunning. A true artist's home.

[@nicolebormann450]

I love it! The colors, the mixture of cultures, materials. It's stunning 💖

[@threemusketeers4109]

I just adore everything about this house. Also, really appreciate her philosophy about decorating.

[@anttoronto3202]

Beautiful home and love the kitchen! Bialetti Moka!👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@olgamunroe1408]

Your home is lovely. So much history! The textiles are just stunning❤❤

[@maggiekapitan1074]

Finally something unusuall Home full of mystery beauty mix cultures This is really modern This is really creative and worth to take an example💙💚🧡💛💙💚🧡

[@idahernandez9362]

This has to be my favorite home

[@elizabethcommandeur4093]

I absolutely adore her home! Every little touch is interesting and lovely.❤

[@acceptingWhatIS]

wow i love this house more then the huge one - it's soooooo amazing and inspiring - she has the realness of her first home with the cossak and then galm of the 2nd house.

[@lauramoyabeauty1710]

I’ve been tormented by this since watching it. This is what nightmares are made of. I’m talking about leaving naked babies with an adult because they demand the parent can’t be present, in the name of art? Wtf... that’s exactly how things happen. Regular folks get ish for leaving their child with a family member that ends up abusing them, rich people leave them with “artists”.

[@SarahWelstead]

The photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe, is both famous and expensive. He works with assistants. The kids aren't alone with him. He just asks parents to leave so the kids aren't distracted by 'Mummy and Daddy'.

[@lauramoyabeauty1710]

@@SarahWelstead hi, are you aware there were assistants present during the shoots? If so, how?

[@kdmil2002]

I actually looked at the comments to see if anyone else found that alarming and I am happy to see a number of people did. I am glad to see that there were assistants in the photo shoot, however, I still think the parent should never leave the room when their child is being photographed. If this is the same Robert Maplethorpe who had the controversial homoerotic exhibits, that does not give me any confidence about the issue. I saw one of his exhibits in a small gallery in Detroit, and some of the photographs were quite disturbing. One painting, in particular, involved a child who was in the room while his Mother was involved in a sex act. The whole exhibit was very sexually charged and people had to be buzzed in to get into the gallery. No kidding.

[@bernadettehooper4318]

​@@kdmil2002 She clearly stated that Edward Mapplethorpe (b. 1960) photographed her children not to be confused with an older brother, Robert. Sharing the same last name and profession lends to confusion but most folks know that the older brother died long ago, in 1989.

[@1516Spinola6040]

Well than do not it yourself.

[@Prieze868]

I agree with you in every since about fitted kitchens and using the space as you see it fit and your son was very wise with the dining room in the large room with the window to the front and the cosy Snug lounge room

[@jaijai5250]

@leonie. My sentiments exactly about fitted kitchens and bedrooms, especially bedrooms. I prefer to use the space as I see fit.

[@rachelchoi8247]

I love everything about this house. Simply beautiful and so stunning!!

[@renevanzyl7084]

A room is what you make it- whether dining becomes sitting room or vice versa. Love her honest style

[@emilyzena7070]

I haven't seen such an exquisite house for a long time. She has sublime taste.

[@patriciakelly69]

Meant to say everything has a focus on interesting pieces which are part of your history. Thank you for sharing.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

Absolutely beautiful interior style, thank you for this video. She loves to show off her home, style and life and always has. It's hard to wince and judge when the bottom line is that I appreciate getting to see it! ;)

[@rozchristopherson648]

I love the mantle with all the beautiful icons. I have 6 icons given to me by a friend. I've been keeping them in a box for fear they would get damaged. But now I'm inspired to display them. Thank you for this video.

[@eileenthomas9983]

The decor is so rich and meaningful. Thank you for sharing your home. It’s interesting and beautiful!

[@JijjysMaison]

Alexandra's home looks really lived in and cozy .... full of treasures. Those spode floral sky blue plates are really pretty. Loving the portrait of her by Graig. The love the rustic look of the wood floor in the dinning room,very charming country feel. Charming home...xxx

[@MisterChris1978]

lovely visiting, thank you for sharing.

[@ricoltmetric8156]

Surround yourself by things you love..... best to make a house a home ..... trends end: your memories are forever.

[@elianevdb]

Love it. This is the complete opposite of my style and taste but I always appreciate and marvel about the skills needed to make a plethora of "stuff", of textiles, objects, colors, collected nick nacks, work. It's a wonderful cacophony and it all works.

[@lindahind2205]

I love it as well, but I know I would have to have someone to come in and dust a time or two every week. Love all the objects, but hate the housework!

[@elianevdb]

@@lindahind2205 Hahaha yes, that's where my mind was going too! All those pretty nick-nacks, that would drive me nuts!

[@AfricancoolChic]

Astonishing! This layered look took 10 days.

[@rocket7697]

Especially seeing as the average renter would NO chance of doing this. Its call priviledge

[@wendyannh]

This is absolutely stunning. She has such a marvelous eye.

[@elizabethgarces4939]

Beautiful 🏡 home...lot of color and that touched of things we conserve with special 💞... blessings

[@ellekewilms6891]

Lovely fairy-tale story, full of charm and warmth. Wonderfully put together, the cozyness is irresistible. Love the orangy-red color in the kitchen. And I totally agree: why have a fitted kitchen?

[@jodi9750]

That is the most beautiful eclectic maximalist collection I've seen. I loved this so much.

[@tiggywinkle5933]

Beautiful and homely, such a cozy home.

[@tiggywinkle5933]

@Com &Taar You must be American then, in the UK it means something else entirely.

[@KG-ui7ji]

Fabulously eclectic but who dusts and cleans it all 😉

[@schiatzeschiatze5002]

They obviously have servants darling. This is Alexandra Tolstoy you are watching, dusting is the least of her concerns.

[@bbrosser694]

Love your home. Every room and every space is special. Thank you for sharing.

[@helenpruzan6970]

These little videos of beauty ,just transform you to another place.Thank you!🦋☺🦋

[@RosaLopez-zw2ff]

A very collective home that seems to work for the family. I found it very interesting and colorful but comfortable. Enjoyed the full video.