SubscribeSign In
l
Collection by Laura C. Mallonee
Editor’s Pick

A Futuristic Apartment with a Glass-Enclosed Bedroom

Anne Sophie Goneau designed a sleek renovation for an apartment built in 1887.

When interior designer Anne Sophie Goneau first entered the nearly 130-year-old flat she was hired to remodel on St-Denis Street in Montreal, she found low ceilings, dark green wallpaper, and unsightly rubber floors. The musty space had long been due for a complete overhaul. But as demolition began, workers uncovered interesting steel beams, raw brick, and hemlock wood walls—original architectural features that were definitely worth saving. Goneau wound up not merely preserving them but making them the central focus of her design.

View 9 Photos
Goneau highlighted the red brick wall in the living room by leaving it bare and protecting it behind museum-quality glass. The space also features a floor-to-ceiling window that’s coated on the outside with a reflective film, letting residents keep their curtains open by day without fear of being seen from the street. The green sofa is by St-Laurent Domison and the white oak chairs are by Hans Wegner. All other furniture is custom.
Goneau highlighted the red brick wall in the living room by leaving it bare and protecting it behind museum-quality glass. The space also features a floor-to-ceiling window that’s coated on the outside with a reflective film, letting residents keep their curtains open by day without fear of being seen from the street. The green sofa is by St-Laurent Domison and the white oak chairs are by Hans Wegner. All other furniture is custom.
The semi-closed entryway contains a white cabinet for storing coats and scarves. The LED ceiling lights are from Contrast Lighting.
The semi-closed entryway contains a white cabinet for storing coats and scarves. The LED ceiling lights are from Contrast Lighting.
The steel beam original to the building was left exposed but toned down with gray, flame-proof paint. It runs the length of the flat, delimiting the passage area.
The steel beam original to the building was left exposed but toned down with gray, flame-proof paint. It runs the length of the flat, delimiting the passage area.
An illuminated brick wall makes a lovely backdrop when juxtaposed against this kitchen's glossy black cabinets.
An illuminated brick wall makes a lovely backdrop when juxtaposed against this kitchen's glossy black cabinets.
A radiant hot water heating system was installed under a new concrete floor slab above the old foundation. It was coated with epoxy — light gray for the common areas, white for the bedrooms and bathrooms — then finished with matte polyurethane.
A radiant hot water heating system was installed under a new concrete floor slab above the old foundation. It was coated with epoxy — light gray for the common areas, white for the bedrooms and bathrooms — then finished with matte polyurethane.
Pendants are often located over a table or kitchen island because they provide ambient or task lighting
Pendants are often located over a table or kitchen island because they provide ambient or task lighting
The bedroom is enclosed with a glass wall. A blackout curtain can be drawn closed for privacy. An IKEA cabinet and white lacquered shelves help to provide plenty of closet space.
The bedroom is enclosed with a glass wall. A blackout curtain can be drawn closed for privacy. An IKEA cabinet and white lacquered shelves help to provide plenty of closet space.
A original hemlock wood wall clads the corridor leading to the bathroom. Just inside, the dark gray epoxied shower area (with a Cimarron Kohler toilet) forms a solid contrast to the white walls and floors.
A original hemlock wood wall clads the corridor leading to the bathroom. Just inside, the dark gray epoxied shower area (with a Cimarron Kohler toilet) forms a solid contrast to the white walls and floors.
Light from two frosted windows fills the bathroom. The custom, stainless steel countertop sits atop a luxurious marble-encased bath by Caml Tomlin. The faucets are by Cabano.
Light from two frosted windows fills the bathroom. The custom, stainless steel countertop sits atop a luxurious marble-encased bath by Caml Tomlin. The faucets are by Cabano.