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Collection by Kelly Dawson

A Montreal Duplex Is Transformed Into An Elegantly Simple Light-Filled Home

A home’s historic façade gives way to a uniformed design.

Much like the gentrified Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood around it, this home was renovated with history in mind. Small, dark rooms with low ceilings once defined the structure—which was made up of two apartments—and a large garage took up the majority of space in the garden. The owner—a single woman and active professional—requested a light-filled cottage and outdoor space to entertain. Architect Alexandre Blouin and his team at Blouin Tardif Architecture Environment focused on simplicity: "The main issue was to get light into the building,” said Blouin. The garage was removed and interior spaces were unified so that a rear wall of glass could illuminate two stories. At the front, a new brick façade honors the home’s 19th-century roots.

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The white kitchen matches the clean aesthetic of the rest of the home, but the team at Blouin Tardif agreed that it needed an unexpected element of color. The fuchsia backsplash by Lacobel adds what Blouin refers to as a “funky” quality.
The white kitchen matches the clean aesthetic of the rest of the home, but the team at Blouin Tardif agreed that it needed an unexpected element of color. The fuchsia backsplash by Lacobel adds what Blouin refers to as a “funky” quality.
Uniformity was the basis of the home’s design, and the stairs were included in that mindset. The steel structure was painted white, and walnut steps conform to the same wood used throughout the home.
Uniformity was the basis of the home’s design, and the stairs were included in that mindset. The steel structure was painted white, and walnut steps conform to the same wood used throughout the home.
Compared with the vibrant backsplash in the kitchen, the gray couch by Maison Corbeil adds a “somber” quality to the living space, according to Blouin.
Compared with the vibrant backsplash in the kitchen, the gray couch by Maison Corbeil adds a “somber” quality to the living space, according to Blouin.
Another unusual aspect to the design was the inclusion of walnut panels on the ceiling, which complemented those on the floor and stairs. “[The contractor] wanted to do it for the sake of having the same material to go through the whole concept,” said Blouin.
Another unusual aspect to the design was the inclusion of walnut panels on the ceiling, which complemented those on the floor and stairs. “[The contractor] wanted to do it for the sake of having the same material to go through the whole concept,” said Blouin.
Artic white tiles by Ciot create a mosaic that wraps around the second floor bathroom.
Artic white tiles by Ciot create a mosaic that wraps around the second floor bathroom.
The garage that once stood in the backyard was removed so that the owner could have a place to entertain outside. A long window on the left-hand side of the second story was built to bring light into the master bedroom.
The garage that once stood in the backyard was removed so that the owner could have a place to entertain outside. A long window on the left-hand side of the second story was built to bring light into the master bedroom.
At the city’s request, the design at the front of the home did not receive a major change—which included keeping the duplex’s stairs. “Everything is restored, but in a way that is respectful,” Blouin said.
At the city’s request, the design at the front of the home did not receive a major change—which included keeping the duplex’s stairs. “Everything is restored, but in a way that is respectful,” Blouin said.