This spatial reassignment is just part of a renovation that created a two-storey duplex from its original dual apartment style, complete with reinstated mouldings and refinished wood floors, while taking on a whole new personality—one that's grounded in the English Country tradition and frequently animated by an international flavour. Olivieri's prized collection of antique watches, many of which he purchased and refurbished in Italy, where the couple spends at least a month each year, and Demchuk's subtle use of toile, transferware, and flea market finds contribute to the home's blend of then and now, here and there.
Their grand scheme was beautifully simple. They would rip out the main floor kitchen to make way for an office. They would replace the upstairs kitchen with a new one, then they would open up the kitchen to the adjacent room, creating an open kitchen/dining space. They would capitalize on the large second-floor living room, drawing in more light through a new rectangular tin skylight, and they would knock down the ground floor wall that divided the levels, reorienting the staircase to truly link the spaces.
So seamless is the unification that what catches the eye now is the home's lively style—a mix of classic English Country house character and compelling hotel chic. If there's a subtle Ralph Lauren tone to the rooms and their effortless styling, it's really not surprising. Both Olivieri and Demchuk once worked for the company (Demchuk in the Home division, Olivieri in the Men's). This fact alone inspired several evocative yet unpretentious elements, including the informal elegance of the new entryway, the natural, coir-topped floorboards, the traditional wooden cabinetry, open shelving and the tasteful mix of antiques, slipcovered furnishings and quirky collections (stiletto heels, anyone?)—a hallmark of new English style.
“I really like that style,” says Demchuk of the tailored, clean-lined look that marks her hotel collection: crisp linens, bath mats, china, silver-plated pieces—even the ashtrays she's recast as soap dishes. These pieces, she allows, remind her of their times away. They imbue the home with a muted luxury, and they reflect a life lived between two continents. But most of all, they recall for the couple a wealth of happy experiences. And experiences, more than anything, make for the best collections.
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