Houzz Tours
My Houzz: An Eclectic, Cozy First-Time Home in Montreal
A Canadian flat rediscovers its original character with a revamped layout and a few polished touches
Despite a stunning, historic exterior and a beautiful neighborhood, a 1990s remodel had left this Montreal flat with a rather thoughtless layout. First-time homeowners Elena Garcia and Johan Af Ström loved the space but wanted to bring back some of the character that had been erased by developers.
"There were a lot of walls that made the flat feel smaller, and no definition from one room to the next," Garcia says. The couple quickly found that some simple finishes, a little DIY love and a new layout could bring back some of the original quirks.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Elena Garcia and Johan Af Ström
Location: Plateau neighborhood of Montreal
Size: 950 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
"There were a lot of walls that made the flat feel smaller, and no definition from one room to the next," Garcia says. The couple quickly found that some simple finishes, a little DIY love and a new layout could bring back some of the original quirks.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Elena Garcia and Johan Af Ström
Location: Plateau neighborhood of Montreal
Size: 950 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
The minimally furnished living room gains comfort with a versatile gray microfiber sectional from Mobilia. Its two pieces can be separated, and the couple can place the loveseat in a guest bedroom or the entryway.
The Matisse print on the far wall has been in Af Ström’s family for years. Garcia painted the large green oil painting of fruit.
The Matisse print on the far wall has been in Af Ström’s family for years. Garcia painted the large green oil painting of fruit.
The front door opens directly into the living room — there is no formal vestibule or mudroom. The couple added a band of pine wood that runs the length of the entry hallway ceiling to help define the two spaces. The pop art is a print of a Roy Lichtenstein piece.
At the end of the entry hall, the wooden ceiling band continues to wrap down to the floor to create a closet, where the couple hides jackets, winter boots and a washer and dryer. "The washer and dryer are probably my favorite pieces in the whole unit," jokes Garcia.
A back-painted glass door, from Ikea, has a soft shadow, adding visual depth and interest. The overhead lights continue from the entry to bring much-needed task lighting into the other inner spaces.
A back-painted glass door, from Ikea, has a soft shadow, adding visual depth and interest. The overhead lights continue from the entry to bring much-needed task lighting into the other inner spaces.
In the kitchen, the couple installed a soft polished-quartz countertop and a new undermount sink. The sculptural pewter vase in the window was a 30th-birthday present to Af Ström, purchased in Stockholm at the well-known Svenskt Tenn.
They want to install undercabinet lighting and a white glass tile backsplash next.
Sink, faucet: Rubi, Ramacieri Soligo
They want to install undercabinet lighting and a white glass tile backsplash next.
Sink, faucet: Rubi, Ramacieri Soligo
By demolishing a wall in the bedroom, the couple turned an inefficient walk-in into a cozy nook without losing any storage. A small nook that provides space for getting dressed still sits toward the back, but now the room feels a lot bigger.
Staying in line with her self-described eclectic style, Garcia contrasts shiny chrome furniture against the raw finish of the exposed-brick demising wall. The utilitarian fan and the classic Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair give the room all the style it needs.
Staying in line with her self-described eclectic style, Garcia contrasts shiny chrome furniture against the raw finish of the exposed-brick demising wall. The utilitarian fan and the classic Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair give the room all the style it needs.
The brick wall takes center stage in the bedroom with minimal furnishings and Garcia's original artwork. One of Af Ström’s family heirlooms sits on the headboard — his great-grandfather won the trophy at a 1909 equestrian competition in Sweden.
Bed, bedding: Ikea
Bed, bedding: Ikea
Garcia designed the floating vanity in the flat's only bathroom. The couple decided to forgo a shower curtain to make the small space feel bigger.
They splurged on the bathroom's turquoise tiles and fixtures. They used the turquoise tiles sparsely and filled out the rest of the bathroom with more affordable white tiles from Centura. The back-painted glass has beautiful reflective properties.
Faucets, showerhead: Rubi, Ramacieri Soligo; sink: Pacific Collection, Incepa; bathtub: Lancia, Sherlic
They splurged on the bathroom's turquoise tiles and fixtures. They used the turquoise tiles sparsely and filled out the rest of the bathroom with more affordable white tiles from Centura. The back-painted glass has beautiful reflective properties.
Faucets, showerhead: Rubi, Ramacieri Soligo; sink: Pacific Collection, Incepa; bathtub: Lancia, Sherlic
Unassuming and quaint from the outside, the triplex fits right into the neighborhood. City bylaws prevented developers from changing the exterior.
First-time homeowner and designer Garcia sits in her favorite sun-filled place on the couple's balcony — their little oasis in the city.
Houzz call: Are you a first-time homeowner? Share your creative home with us!
Houzz call: Are you a first-time homeowner? Share your creative home with us!
A rustic debarked poplar trunk, given to Garcia by a close friend who passed away, is a meaningful piece used as a side table and a seat.