Olya Dmitrieva and Sam Colamussi may have grown up in different parts of the world, but they share a strong passion for fine art and design. Sam, a New Yorker, started studying sculpture early on and later earned a degree in Environmental Interior Design. Olya, originally from Russia, moved to New York City to pursue interior design, sharpening her skills at the New York School of Interior Design.
They met while working at the architectural firm Gensler, where they quickly bonded over their shared approach to design. Sam focuses on human connections and spatial relationships, while Olya believes that emotional connections are what turn a house into a home. Their collaboration highlights how shared values in design can bring different backgrounds together to create meaningful spaces.
Sharing a unified design philosophy, Sam Colamussi and Olya Dmitrieva founded Cola Studios, a full-service interior design firm based in New York City. The firm specializes in hospitality, large-scale retail, and high-end residential projects. A recent example of their work is a home they renovated in Greenwich, CT. Just a short train ride from Manhattan, Greenwich is known for its expansive luxury homes on vast properties. Initially, Sam and Olya were hired for a small renovation, but the project grew, leading to a complete remodel of much of the home, both inside and out.
The renovation journey begins.
Olya and Sam embarked on a collaborative effort to reflect the homeowner's unique identity and personality in the design of his home. For this client, that involved integrating his art and vinyl collection into the refreshed look of the 2,200-square-foot mid-century modern house. The design also drew from the home’s tranquil surroundings, featuring green trees and river rocks. “Every surface was treated with natural and handmade materials specifically inspired by Japanese joinery details and techniques,” says Olya.
The scope of the home remodel expands.
What began as a small project quickly evolved into a major remodel, which involved relocating a staircase and fireplace, opening up the kitchen to connect with the living room, and merging a primary bedroom with a guest room to create an ensuite master bedroom. Cola Studios effectively built a new home within the existing structure.
An open concept for the kitchen.
Open concept layouts have become increasingly popular over the past few decades, and they’re now a common feature in many homes. This design approach promotes a sense of openness and connection, which aligns with Sam and Olya’s signature style—a sentiment their client shared. He requested an open-concept living space where the kitchen could seamlessly flow into the living room. However, a staircase posed an obstacle. To address this, Sam and Olya had the contractor move the staircase to the dining area, improving the flow and adding an architectural focal point to the dining room.
With the layout opened up, they were able to maximize the kitchen’s footprint. They introduced a U-shaped layout with a large island that serves as a gateway to the living room. For fixtures and furnishings, Sam and Olya opted for a simple yet sophisticated approach. They installed open shelving, choosing to forgo upper cabinets along the main kitchen wall, and incorporated a full-height pantry in warm oak to match the surrounding cabinetry. To add contrast, they designed a backsplash featuring a ceramic mosaic pattern and included Taku Sconces by Hennepin Made in antique bronze with crystal glass, adding a touch of artistic Japanese flair.
The redesign of the living room reaches new heights.
The original living room had low eight-foot ceilings, which made the space feel confined. To create a more open and dramatic effect, Sam and Olya decided to vault the ceiling and install a massive 16-foot sliding door. This change would “let all that beautiful natural light flood the house,” says Olya. “The vaulted ceiling is the perfect architectural backdrop for our client’s record and art collection.”
The transformation from small primary to a large bedroom suite.
The primary bedroom is a standout feature, complete with a laundry room and a luxurious bathroom alongside its peaceful sleeping area. Cola Studios expanded the primary bedroom by combining it with the adjacent guest room, gaining extra space to create a walk-in closet that includes a laundry room—an especially desirable addition on the second floor. They also added sliding windows to enhance natural light and introduced a custom upholstered bed with Japanese-inspired wood joinery details. Handmade ceramic sconces were incorporated as well, serving as both functional lighting and artful accents.
Adding a spa-like bathroom.
The primary suite includes a bathroom that evokes a spa-like atmosphere. Sam and Olya crafted a design plan that eliminated “all visual barriers,” as Olya explains, opting for a seamless look with no shower curbs or soffits. They added a clerestory window to provide both privacy and natural light. To enhance the sense of height in the space, they used Japanese stick tiles from floor to ceiling. For warmth and texture, they incorporated a custom oak vanity, mirror, and storage closet.
Design motifs make an appearance in the powder room.
Cola Studios maintained a distinct design theme throughout the home, with a strong focus on consistency of materials. Just like in the primary bathroom, the powder room features Japanese stick tile, but here they opted for a striking blue that immediately catches the eye when you open the door. A clerestory window was also incorporated, helping to make the small space feel larger. Vintage ceramic sconces, similar to those used in the bedroom, were added as an artistic design element, enhancing the room's unique character.
Learn more about Cola Studios and book a consultation with Sam and Olya here.
