My Houzz: Global Souvenirs and All-Around Amenities in Montreal
Exotic masks and travel mementos decorate an overhauled home with a pool, sauna, wine cellar and more
Like many parents, Bela Xavier and Andres Escobar wanted to get their family out of an urban environment and into a roomier house with space where their kids could roam. After finding a house close to the water off West Island in Montreal, the couple began to overhaul the complete mess. "We removed layers of wallpaper, an old smelly olive green carpet, as well as old ceilings that were rotten with water damage," recalls Xavier. Except for one small stairway wall that leads to the basement, the international couple — Xavier has Mozambique roots, and Escobar has a Colombian background — revamped everything, adding their own eclectic, global style along the way.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Andres Escobar, Bela Xavier and sons Joshua and Corey
Location: West Island, Montreal
Size: 5,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, plus a basement with a wine cellar
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Andres Escobar, Bela Xavier and sons Joshua and Corey
Location: West Island, Montreal
Size: 5,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, plus a basement with a wine cellar
Escobar designed the Macassar Ebony media wall unit so the TV would be flush with it.
Seating: designed by Andres Escobar, made by Mirage Upholstery; ottoman: cowhide, Natuzzi
Seating: designed by Andres Escobar, made by Mirage Upholstery; ottoman: cowhide, Natuzzi
A wood chest with ivory details hails from Xavier's birthplace in Mozambique. Atop it on the far right is a cherished pot given to Escobar by Princess Amira al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia.
Lamp: Fringe 5, designed by Edward van Vliet for Moooi; wall treatment: silver-gray Venetian stucco
Lamp: Fringe 5, designed by Edward van Vliet for Moooi; wall treatment: silver-gray Venetian stucco
Wanting an alternative-style fireplace, Escobar and Xavier purchased one from a local antiques shop. A horizontal mirror adds a feeling of depth and bounces light around the room.
The living room leads into a dramatic kitchen and dining area, the site of many dinner parties.
Chandelier: Swarovski; flooring: Earl Blue granite; cabinets: cherry
Chandelier: Swarovski; flooring: Earl Blue granite; cabinets: cherry
The kitchen is a mix of rich wood and shiny surfaces, two of the couple's favorite finishes. The backsplash is made of beveled mirror mosaics. What used to be a window is now an open passage to a sunroom.
In winter the cedar-framed sunroom, or conservatory, is a wonderful place for enjoying the view of the snow-filled pool and lawn.
Armchairs: Poltrona Frau; round sofa: suede, designed by Andres Escobar, made by Mirage Upholstery
Armchairs: Poltrona Frau; round sofa: suede, designed by Andres Escobar, made by Mirage Upholstery
Escobar left the exterior construction as is, opening the window and doors to the sunroom and adding the same stone walls used inside the home.
In the remodeled master bathroom, a high horizontal mirror hangs above an ebony vanity to add definition. This space used to be a small bedroom, and the entry was closed off from the main stairway.
Tub: Cube Collection, Wetstyle; sink: VC848A, Cube Collection, Wetstyle
Tub: Cube Collection, Wetstyle; sink: VC848A, Cube Collection, Wetstyle
The couple transformed what used to be the garage into a guest suite. A recessed ceiling with semiflush lighting resolved a low-duct problem.
The guest room is often used by Xavier's mother. Black and white family pictures in matching frames create a gallery wall opposite the bed.
A pocket door opens to a 5- by 8-foot guest bathroom.
A stairway leads from the guest suite to a split-level basement complete with a family room and wine cellar. The left side of the stairs is the only remnant of the home's original structure.
The two take great pride in their wine collection and use this refrigerated cellar when entertaining. Whale-tail wooden stools made from laminated wood sit by a console bar they bought in Indonesia. An alabaster light fixture casts a soft glow.
Big decanters hold an impressive collection of corks from bottles enjoyed over the past three decades.
Big decanters hold an impressive collection of corks from bottles enjoyed over the past three decades.
The couple built a double-car garage, where they often host parties in summer. The back wall holds a collection of mirrors and license plates.
A Trevi barrel sauna off the patio is used both in summer and winter. The patio also has a hot tub and barbecue grill, and to the right is a treehouse Escobar built for their two boys.
The garage to the left was added to replace the one they turned into a guest suite.
Andres Escobar and Bela Xavier will celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2013 and are excited to share many more years in their dream home.
See more photos of this house
Show us: Are you living in your dream family home? We want to see it!
See more photos of this house
Show us: Are you living in your dream family home? We want to see it!
The wall of masks in the entryway was inspired by a prototype for a restaurant Escobar designed. As the pair travels, the collection grows. The shelving on the right used to be in Escobar's office; now it displays travel mementos.