My Houzz: Open-Plan Living in a Converted Shoe-Factory Condo
International furnishings and artwork bring flair to a serene and neutral 1-bedroom in Quebec
Downsizing is challenging enough for some homeowners. But Roy Caro, co-owner of Montreal furniture store Celadon, took on two challenges at once: moving into half the living space he was used to and adding a full-scale remodel.
In 2010 Caro moved from a 2,300-square-foot duplex in the middle of Montreal to a 1,100-square-foot condo set in a hundred-year-old converted shoe factory in the East End. Similar to the building's own transformation, Caro gave his space new life by gutting the interior, tearing down walls and giving what was a two-bedroom unit an open floor plan. Now light floods in from two full walls of windows, illuminating an interior designed to reflect his international upbringing, which includes a childhood in Madrid and a decade in Caracas, Venezuela.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Roy Caro
Location: Montreal
Size: 1,100 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Total budget: $110,000 Canadian (about US$107,000)
In 2010 Caro moved from a 2,300-square-foot duplex in the middle of Montreal to a 1,100-square-foot condo set in a hundred-year-old converted shoe factory in the East End. Similar to the building's own transformation, Caro gave his space new life by gutting the interior, tearing down walls and giving what was a two-bedroom unit an open floor plan. Now light floods in from two full walls of windows, illuminating an interior designed to reflect his international upbringing, which includes a childhood in Madrid and a decade in Caracas, Venezuela.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Roy Caro
Location: Montreal
Size: 1,100 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Total budget: $110,000 Canadian (about US$107,000)
Caro took down walls to open the condo. He then put in dropped ceilings painted in a dark gray to define the space.
Two bookshelves by Belgian designer Paul Delaisse are stacked on top of each other to create a striking focal point. The caramel-colored leather club chair is Caro's favorite spot for relaxing.
Ceiling paint: London Clay, Farrow & Ball
Two bookshelves by Belgian designer Paul Delaisse are stacked on top of each other to create a striking focal point. The caramel-colored leather club chair is Caro's favorite spot for relaxing.
Ceiling paint: London Clay, Farrow & Ball
Glass display cases show off Caro's toy cars, some of which he's had since he was 5. Books reflect his love of design, cooking and travel.
Two additional Japanese ink drawings from the same set as in the living room hang in the condo's entrance.
Mirror: Kingwood, Celadon
Mirror: Kingwood, Celadon
After demolishing a wall opposite the entrance, Caro added a freestanding walnut shelf by Calvin Klein Home. "I wanted to leave some privacy, so someone standing at my door can't see completely into my home," he says.
A Biedermeier desk, Caro's workspace, faces the windows. The sculpture is a replica of a marble one made by 19th-century artist Auguste Clésinger that's now in the Musée D'Orsay in Paris. Caro's father bought this one at an auction.
His classy dining room is ready to entertain. It boasts a large oval Dakota glass dining table designed by Julian Chichester and six Oly chairs, four of which have custom slipcovers.
Matte glass panels make up the buffet at the end of the dining table. It displays a cherished plate hand crafted in Venezuela. A teak tree root shaped into a sphere gives the decor scheme an earthy feel.
Caro took advantage of his unit's 13-foot ceilings when designing his kitchen. He keeps supplies used less often up high and everyday items within arm's reach. The hood and electric range are built in, flush with the rest of the glossy cabinetry.
Kitchen remodel budget: $40,000 Canadian (US$38,972)
Kitchen remodel budget: $40,000 Canadian (US$38,972)
In the unit's only bedroom, a thin shelf over the bed holds some of Caro's favorite artwork. "This way there aren't any holes in the wall when you want to change it," he says.
Frank Lefebvre designed this prototype wooden dresser. Each of the three drawers can be opened by pulling on a log, which serves as its handle. Each individual drawer holds another hidden drawer.
More collected artwork hangs over a Biedermeier-style chest of drawers and an old cauldron from Persia.
Caro's father bought the trumeau mirror above the fireplace in the 1950s. The painting above the mirror, titled "La danseuse Camargo," is an 18th-century piece from rococo artist Nicolas Lancret that's been with Caro for more than 25 years.
A tempered piece of smoked glass replaced a wall in the master bedroom. The interior door on the left leads to a walk-in closet and the master bedroom.
Caro chose dark colors for the bathroom. The walk-in shower has a similar smoked glass. A dresser in front of the shower provides storage.
Bathroom remodel budget: $15,000 Canadian (US$14,615)
Bathroom remodel budget: $15,000 Canadian (US$14,615)
During the renovation Caro built this wall nook for his accessories. The framed quotation displayed in the center reads, "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right.''
"I love this home, so it will be a while before I get the urge to move," says Caro, shown here. "It is so full of light here; the ceilings are so high that you have a wonderful sense of space."
See more photos of this home
See more photos of this home
Three Japanese ink drawings, part of a set of five that Caro bought in Paris, hang on a sliver of wall space.