The Vision
After months of shipping and install delays, we’re thrilled to reveal our latest project! Our collective vision for the Le Plateau remodel was inspired by its well-travelled owners. They are a sophisticated couple who hail from New York and Montreal, and their design preferences were heavily influenced by time spent abroad in Paris and by the Brooklyn brownstone style of the Montreal home itself. We applied a modern Parisian influence to our Warm Modern aesthetic, as seen in the herringbone flooring, mouldings, staircase, and freestanding tub, all while paying homage to the vintage of the home with traditional elements like the windows and Cremone hardware.
The Canvas
We were brought into this project from the very beginning, allowing us to advise on floor plans, space layouts, and exterior finishes, and to design and source all interior finishes. An intentional flow of the home was highly important to our clients and integral to our design. The main bedroom connects to the ensuite, which flows into the main closet, which then opens into the laundry room for added convenience. Similarly, the kids’ bath also connects to the laundry room.
The Highlights
Our custom-designed millwork is showcased throughout this project, appearing in special doorway moments, the staircase railings and panelling, bespoke storage, and a highly specified kitchen. Food is centric to the lives of these restauranteurs, so a kitchen designed for gourmet cuisine and entertaining was a major focus of the entire project. They also wanted to create special spaces for their two young children throughout the home, accomplished with a whimsical bathroom and a hidden playroom under the stairs. Let’s explore the final spaces!
The Spaces
The Entryway
Must-haves for the mudroom entryway were space-saving storage and a bench for the kids. This presented a great opportunity to play with millwork as both form and function. With a textural, herringbone stone tile floor as the base, we installed floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, inset with brass mesh detailing and brass hardware echoed by the light fixtures. We upholstered the bench in rich cognac leather and hung oak open-shelving above to warm up the space. Best of all, there’s a secret door to the basement hidden in the built-in cabinetry! The final result is a bright, welcoming, and functional space.
The Staircase
Our clients really wanted a statement staircase with a nod to tradition. We designed a custom wooden railing and painted it black to maintain a modern look. We also added custom wall-panelling to add interest to the white walls and weave in a more traditional element. The magical doorway beneath the stairs is sure to bring smiles for years to come.
The Kitchen
The custom kitchen was a highly intentional space inspired by the way our clients live. They wanted a kitchen open to the living and dining areas for both entertaining and enjoying time together while preparing meals. The cabinetry was custom-built to follow the way they cook, with carefully placed spice and utensil drawers, integrated appliances, and more. With the majority of storage located in the pantry, we were able to forgo upper cabinets for a minimalist look, and devote the majority of the budget to the custom millwork, which ticks all the boxes in our books: streamlined integrated appliances, high contrast thanks to the deep hues (cabinetry colour: French Beret by Benjamin Moore), and custom details like the rounded edges on the island. Finally, Carrara marble countertops and symmetrical arched doorways into the butler’s pantry add a classic touch, while our signature layered lighting finishes off the space.
The Ensuite
The main ensuite was again inspired by elegant Parisian style, with a revised layout tailored to make the best use of the space and allow a stand-alone steam shower, double vanity, and free-standing tub. You enter the bathroom through bold, custom arched pocket doors and immediately see the bespoke double vanity featuring grooved detailing and finished in creamy Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore for added softness. We laid large-scale ceramic on the floors and used our signature black metal on the mirrors and glassed-in shower to help ground the space.
The Laundry Room
Beyond the ensuite and the main closet, you’ll find the serene, functional laundry room. We installed a marble mosaic floor tile that continues through the kids' bathroom and added vertical shiplap wall details for visual interest. The custom millwork provides ample storage and maintains an airy colour palette.
The Kids Bathroom
We transformed this small space into a fun and functional bathroom for the two young ladies of the house. We are thrilled with our decision to add a glass panel at the end of the built-in tub rather than a dividing wall. This completely opened up and brightened the space, allowing a line of sight through the entire room. Soft, stacked tiles, a ceiling-mount curtain rod, and a custom-made shower curtain complete the tub area, while a whimsical botanical wallpaper and mixed metals bring a youthful feel.
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