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Collection by Kelly Dawson

This House Looks Great After 107 Years

The renovation of a 2,000-square-foot property updates a century-old design for a family of four.

Shaded under the outstretched branches of long-established trees, in the affluent neighborhood of Outremont north of downtown Montreal, sits a home that has stood since 1909. When a financial executive and an entrepreneur discovered the property for themselves, its design was in accordance with its age: the living room, dining room, and kitchen were all separated by light-restricting walls. Furthermore, an addition that was constructed in 1927 cut the available outdoor space to a sliver. While the owners fell for the charms of the property’s traditional features—like the crown molding on the first floor—they envisioned a modern layout where they could easily spend time with their two boys. Architect and project manager Maxime Moreau of Architecture Open Form set forth to blend historical beauty with contemporary style. He says that these “opposing genres were used to create a project with clean lines and neutral colors.” And the trees were part of the plan, too. Since the home overlooks Mount Royal Park, the new layout takes advantage of the scenery.

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The renovation of a 2,000-square-foot property updates a century-old design for a family of four. "We placed the kitchen at the center of the house to link with the dining room and the outdoor space," Moreau says. In the kitchen, a Wolf oven brings out the silver details in Coit’s Bianco Cararra backsplash and island. Hee bar stools by Hay are lined under the island.
The renovation of a 2,000-square-foot property updates a century-old design for a family of four. "We placed the kitchen at the center of the house to link with the dining room and the outdoor space," Moreau says. In the kitchen, a Wolf oven brings out the silver details in Coit’s Bianco Cararra backsplash and island. Hee bar stools by Hay are lined under the island.
Copper Shade Pendants by Tom Dixon over the island contrast the room's light palette, while a white Flos Skygarden lamp over the dining room table blends into it.
Copper Shade Pendants by Tom Dixon over the island contrast the room's light palette, while a white Flos Skygarden lamp over the dining room table blends into it.
Moreau and the owners set out to achieve a light-filled, open-concept home that makes family time effortless. “To achieve this open layout, we had to demolish bearing walls on the ground floor, transfer loads, and work with a complex steel structure [to support the second floor],” Moreau says. White oak was installed in a playful chevron design throughout the ground floor.
Moreau and the owners set out to achieve a light-filled, open-concept home that makes family time effortless. “To achieve this open layout, we had to demolish bearing walls on the ground floor, transfer loads, and work with a complex steel structure [to support the second floor],” Moreau says. White oak was installed in a playful chevron design throughout the ground floor.
"The ceiling moldings were kept to create a sense of intimacy, and to blend the home’s classical style with the modern look of the kitchen," architect Maxime Moreau says. A PH Snowball light pendant by Louis Poulsen illuminates the living room, and a gas fireplace by Foyer Universel keeps it warm, with a mirror above the fireplace allowing light to bounce around the space.
"The ceiling moldings were kept to create a sense of intimacy, and to blend the home’s classical style with the modern look of the kitchen," architect Maxime Moreau says. A PH Snowball light pendant by Louis Poulsen illuminates the living room, and a gas fireplace by Foyer Universel keeps it warm, with a mirror above the fireplace allowing light to bounce around the space.
The owners requested that an enlarged passageway connect the dining room to a new outdoor space on the home’s south facade, which Moreau and his team achieved with a 15-foot opening and French doors. A clay brick veneer replaces the existing brick exterior.
The owners requested that an enlarged passageway connect the dining room to a new outdoor space on the home’s south facade, which Moreau and his team achieved with a 15-foot opening and French doors. A clay brick veneer replaces the existing brick exterior.
On the second floor, the owners wanted to build a new play and study room for their two children, which features an extensive bookcase. L'Archipel des Ébénistes assisted in its construction.
On the second floor, the owners wanted to build a new play and study room for their two children, which features an extensive bookcase. L'Archipel des Ébénistes assisted in its construction.
The master bathroom’s Wetstyle bathtub, paired with a Kohler faucet, sits up against calacatta marble tiles on the wall.
The master bathroom’s Wetstyle bathtub, paired with a Kohler faucet, sits up against calacatta marble tiles on the wall.