Snowy Furnishings Contrast with Dark Woods in a Chic Montreal Penthouse
A Canadian designer's open-layout loft is an epitome of gorgeous sophistication
Esther Hershcovich
24 October 2016
Houzz Contributor. I am very inspired by anything design. I live in Montreal and feel that our city is unique in its strong sense of art and culture.
Houzz Contributor. I am very inspired by anything design. I live in Montreal and... More
This 1920s art deco building in Montreal has taken on a new, contemporary twist, thanks to designer Julie Charbonneau. She originally purchased its penthouse as a showroom where she could flirt with new styles in design. But when a fire completely burned down her Toronto house last year, she moved herself and her daughter temporarily to Montreal to wait out the rebuilding process. The open and bright loft has become home for now, and it embraces Charbonneau’s French style with clean, high-contrast lines.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Julie Charbonneau and her 8-year-old daughter, Alexia
Location: Montreal
Size: 3,250 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: This building once housed a printing company.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Julie Charbonneau and her 8-year-old daughter, Alexia
Location: Montreal
Size: 3,250 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: This building once housed a printing company.
Charbonneau kept the structure as true to its original state as possible, including the concrete columns and brick walls. After an unsuccessful attempt to salvage the original wooden floors, she replaced them with a budget-friendly white epoxy.
Charbonneau designed this dining table. Its 7-foot diameter comfortably fits up to 10 chairs. The organic lines of the Bocci light fixture complement the room's industrial edge.
Light fixture: Triede Design; dining chairs: Avant-Scène
Charbonneau designed this dining table. Its 7-foot diameter comfortably fits up to 10 chairs. The organic lines of the Bocci light fixture complement the room's industrial edge.
Light fixture: Triede Design; dining chairs: Avant-Scène
The open layout is designed for entertaining many guests. The lighting can be controlled to different mood settings on an iPad, courtesy of AVI Design.
Floor lamp: Tolomeo, Michele De Lucchi for Artemide
Floor lamp: Tolomeo, Michele De Lucchi for Artemide
Oversize arched windows are the pinnacle of architectural interest in Charbonneau's house. She chose to accentuate them by leaving them uncovered in the main living space.
An oversize shag rug helps to define the seating area. This space, with its swivel chairs facing the dramatic custom wood media center, is Charbonneau's favorite spot in the house. She says, "It has a wicked sound system, too."
Gray swivel chairs: Triede Design
Gray swivel chairs: Triede Design
When guests come in, they see this formal sitting area, with its Rauschenberg paintings, custom upholstered chairs and wine collection on lit glass shelves.
The foyer has two charcoal drawings, part of Robert Longo's "Men in the Cities" body of work. An upholstered leather bench helps create a gracious entry and offers a seat for pulling on boots before heading outdoors to the snow.
Flooring: Saraceno marble; paint: Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore
Flooring: Saraceno marble; paint: Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore
A tall coat closet made of rosewood sits in the foyer, too. "The idea was not to show the hinges," says Charbonneau.
The original kitchen plan included an island with white acrylic counters. When Charbonneau was told the piece of acrylic wouldn't fit in her building's elevator, she covered half of the island in mahogany. "Sometimes a challenge brings out the best," she says.
A wall was brought forward just enough to add a line of accent lighting to her cooking area.
A wall was brought forward just enough to add a line of accent lighting to her cooking area.
A skylight and overhead spotlights make the sleek kitchen look extra bright. The kitchen also has two refrigerators with pullout freezer drawers flush with the cabinetry.
Rosewood doors beyond the kitchen match the foyer's coat closet design. These lead to Charbonneau's daughter's bedroom. The door on the right leads to the master suite.
Rosewood doors beyond the kitchen match the foyer's coat closet design. These lead to Charbonneau's daughter's bedroom. The door on the right leads to the master suite.
Charbonneau designed her master bedroom with light colors and luscious fabrics.
The upholstered headboard is custom designed to include a backdrop for the two nightstands.
Table lamps: Flos; portrait: David Drebin
Table lamps: Flos; portrait: David Drebin
A large portrait by Martin Rondeau, a Montreal artist, hangs above a freestanding bathtub in the master bathroom.
His-and-her wall-mounted vanities face a walk-in shower in the master bathroom. The open frosted glass door leads to the toilet.
Charbonneau designed daughter Alexia's room with an extra twin bed for a visitor. A Paul Beliveau painting hangs on a custom wall-to-wall headboard.
An Egg Chair overlooking downtown Montreal sits in the corner of Alexia's room.
Off the foyer, a second bathroom ties in with the rest of the home with a rich, dark rosewood vanity and wood-lined wall.
A large shower opens up the space and contrasts with the dramatic vanity.
The main living space features a view of St. Patrick's Basilica, just a few steps away from her building's front door.
Julie Charbonneau snuggles with Alexia on one of her favorite swivel chairs. While the two are living here only temporarily, Charbonneau is planning to build a rooftop terrace next.
Tell us:
Let us know if an all-white treatment on the walls work for you?
Tell us:
Let us know if an all-white treatment on the walls work for you?
What are you working on?
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Julie you have created a fabulous space here. I am in awe of your talent - just wonderful.
This is a lovely space. It's industrial, but still airy and feminine. I'd love to live there. Love the windows!
What a beautiful space elegant airy and homely. I adore the concept inspiring. Thank you for sharing such bold and sympathetic design to it environment. I smile every time I view this thank you again