My Houzz: A Montreal Townhouse Gains Graphic Appeal
High contrast meets neutral colors, playful patterns and repurposed finds in this designer's suburban digs
Four years ago, when interior designer Rebecca Mitchell's business was picking up and she couldn't keep up with her cottage house on a large lot, she decided to move with her two children to a simpler, easy-to-manage townhouse. Although the space is 200 square feet smaller than her previous house, the vaulted ceilings and vertical split-level open layout make it feel even larger.
Mitchell's busy design company puts her in front of bright colors and chaotic patterns all day, so she decorated her space with a fuss-free black and white color scheme and simple patterns to create a relaxing vibe. Another key to creating her soothing refuge was redoing the olive-walled and yellow-tiled kitchen with a clean and crisp modern style; that space quickly became the family's favorite spot in the house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rebecca Mitchell, son Sam (age 16), daughter Emma (12) and cat Chloe
Location: West Island area of Montreal
Size: 1,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Mitchell's busy design company puts her in front of bright colors and chaotic patterns all day, so she decorated her space with a fuss-free black and white color scheme and simple patterns to create a relaxing vibe. Another key to creating her soothing refuge was redoing the olive-walled and yellow-tiled kitchen with a clean and crisp modern style; that space quickly became the family's favorite spot in the house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rebecca Mitchell, son Sam (age 16), daughter Emma (12) and cat Chloe
Location: West Island area of Montreal
Size: 1,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Mitchell's playfulness with simple patterns and neutral colors — with just a drop of yellow — adds drama to the family's living room. The pine chest from Saguenay was her first antique purchase; the white Wedgwood vase is an heirloom from her grandmother.
Framed photos from her family's time living in England hang over a Bauhaus-style sofa. "I like to have all the memories of our lives surrounding us," she says.
A brick wall above the fireplace extends to the cathedral ceilings. Previous owners had updated the mantel and marble base. Mitchell loves that this is a focal point of the house.
A brick wall above the fireplace extends to the cathedral ceilings. Previous owners had updated the mantel and marble base. Mitchell loves that this is a focal point of the house.
White paint and new hardware refreshed this pine chiffonier.
A narrow window brings light into a reading nook.
Mitchell uses a second entrance as a mudroom, which is especially useful in the Canadian winters.
She found these chairs in an alleyway just before preparing to host a large family dinner for which she needed more seating. She painted and reupholstered the chairs in an afternoon.
She found these chairs in an alleyway just before preparing to host a large family dinner for which she needed more seating. She painted and reupholstered the chairs in an afternoon.
Symmetrically arranged family photos adorn a foyer wall. Mitchell spent about $20 Canadian (about U.S.$19) on the frames to complete the budget-friendly installation.
The tables and chairs in the dining room are from Mad Dogs & Englishmen in England. Mitchell painted the black lamp, which used to be pink. It joins other meaningful items on the buffet, including a painting by a Czech artist.
Bar stools: Pier 1 Imports; buffet: Winners
Bar stools: Pier 1 Imports; buffet: Winners
Vintage photos printed on maps hang nearby.
BEFORE: When Mitchell bought the house, she removed the cupboard doors and backs in the kitchen to create an open shelving unit between the two rooms. But that wasn't enough. During the recent kitchen renovation, she removed the cabinetry altogether to create more open space.
AFTER: Drama defines the new kitchen. Mitchell saved money by going with 3/4-inch-thick quartz countertops instead of the standard 1 1/4 inch. She then splurged on glitzy hardware for the cabinets and a higher-end faucet.
The backsplash is made of oversize black subway tiles with beveled edges.
Contractor: Gary Sharkey, GKS; backsplash tiles: Importations D’Amico; quartz countertops, sink: Stone Co.; hardware: Zone; ceiling fixture: Union Lighting; faucet: Plomberium Pierrefonds; fabric: Shorts Fabric Centre; draperies: custom, Ian Maxwell; cabinets: Ikea
The backsplash is made of oversize black subway tiles with beveled edges.
Contractor: Gary Sharkey, GKS; backsplash tiles: Importations D’Amico; quartz countertops, sink: Stone Co.; hardware: Zone; ceiling fixture: Union Lighting; faucet: Plomberium Pierrefonds; fabric: Shorts Fabric Centre; draperies: custom, Ian Maxwell; cabinets: Ikea
BEFORE: Mitchell describes the original kitchen style as cottage-y, with olive walls, imitation wood laminate flooring and yellow ceramic counters.
AFTER: "I love that it has a bit of glamour and works well with the rest of the house," she says.
Floor: Importation D'Amico
Floor: Importation D'Amico
In Britain it's common to have the laundry room just off the kitchen. Mitchell brought this concept home. Bifold doors painted the same color as the kitchen cabinets hide the washer-dryer units.
Mitchell gave her daughter carte blanche to decorate her bedroom wall, which now has posters of her favorite band, One Direction.
Mitchell created the headboard in her bedroom and purchased the two side tables at a garage sale for $20 Canadian (about U.S.$19) each.
Previous owners had converted two bedrooms into one, divided by a partition wall. One side is now a home office.
Mitchell had planned to turn the basement into a family room, but instead let her son have it as a man cave.
From left, Emma, Rebecca and Sam break for tea in their favorite spot in the house: on the bar stools facing the new kitchen.
See more photos of this home
See more photos of this home