Reconfigured gray stone house
Old Montreal
Completion date
2025
Project manager
Josuah Péloquin
Photos
André Doyon
Client: A discerning connoisseur of beautiful spaces, seeking an interior that is both enveloping and contemporary.
In the heart of Old Montreal, this four-story townhouse presented a singular architectural challenge: finding the balance between heritage preservation and contemporary intervention. Engaged prior to the purchase, Desjardins Bherer supported the future owner in evaluating the potential of this historic building, revealing—beneath its constraints—the promise of an ambitious transformation. Exposed wooden beams and original masonry walls told the story of the place, yet a major obstacle remained: a central fireplace running through all four levels blocked natural light and fragmented the space between the front and rear of the home.
The transformation was orchestrated around a bold vision: to free the light, create fluid spaces, and establish an enveloping atmosphere through a chromatic palette expressed in layered shades of brown.
When Light Reclaims Its Place
The most daring architectural gesture was undoubtedly the complete removal of the central fireplace, which obstructed the natural light shaft. The redistribution of the mechanical ventilation—now discreetly concealed in a shaft behind the staircase—allowed the space to be entirely reimagined.
Where a visual barrier once stood, a dramatic three-story opening now lets light cascade down to the ground floor, creating luminous continuity between all levels.
Sculptural Staircase
From the ground floor to the top level, the bronze-painted steel staircase stands as the project’s centerpiece. Its delicate curves contrast with the strength of the metal, forming a sculptural element visible throughout the house. White oak treads flow seamlessly upward, revealed by integrated lighting that precisely highlights each line.
Entirely assembled and welded on site, this technical feat embodies the meeting of exceptional craftsmanship and architectural boldness. The dialogue between the warmth of white oak and the matte depth of bronze—accented by handrails that follow the steel’s curves—creates a striking visual effect.
Reflections and Materials
The Poliform kitchen is distinguished by bronze metallic lacquer cabinetry, whose warm reflections shift throughout the day. Backlit display cabinets showcase tableware and everyday objects with refinement.
The dark porcelain backsplash with a black veined marble effect adds a dramatic touch. The peninsula, designed in response to the narrow proportions of the space, combines functionality and conviviality. The porcelain countertop—remarkably thin and highly durable—extends this pursuit of timeless elegance.
The imposing wooden beams and structural column recall the building’s past, while contemporary interventions firmly assert its present identity.
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14The Art of Dining
Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room sits beneath the same exposed beams. A white marble table anchors the space, its delicate veining forming a natural pattern across the surface. Black chairs create a graphic contrast with the brightness of the marble, while contemporary pendant lights descend elegantly over the table.
On the wall, a monumental artwork depicting a tree against a black background becomes the room’s focal point, establishing a poetic dialogue between nature and urban architecture.
A Dialogue of Eras
The living room unfolds beneath exposed wooden beams in a subtle balance between heritage and modernity. A wall unit with clean lines in nearly black dark lacquer houses the television and a linear water-vapor fireplace. The Indiana Grey stone base, with its limestone-gray tones, introduces a mineral note that echoes the original masonry.
Black modular sofas invite relaxation. Their flexible configuration allows the space to adapt to different uses, from intimate evenings to lively gatherings. The contrast between dark furnishings and the white oak flooring enhances the natural light.
The impossibility of recessing lighting into the ceilings—due to limited depth between the beams—led to the integration of surface-mounted fixtures, transforming a technical constraint into an aesthetic statement.
Marble Monolith
In the powder room, a custom-carved block of white marble forms the vanity. A true functional work of art, it cleverly conceals storage behind stone drawers.
Taupe porcelain walls create a restrained setting that highlights the nobility of the marble. A black wall-mounted light fixture, like a graphic jewel, descends above the vanity.
Subtle Luxury
On the upper floor, the primary suite reflects the client’s desire to recreate the hushed atmosphere of grand hotels. The walk-in closet evokes a luxury boutique, with generous taupe lacquer storage and a backlit display case framed in black, revealing the shoe collection as a series of exhibition pieces.
In the bedroom, large ivory linen wall panels dress the headboard wall. Backlit, they diffuse a soothing glow and improve acoustics, transforming the space into an intimate cocoon. On either side of the bed, matching light fixtures bring symmetry and refinement.
The preserved gray masonry wall recalls the site’s industrial past and dialogues with the wood-framed window. An abstract artwork punctuates the composition, while rugs and textiles extend the search for comfort and chromatic harmony.
Chromatic Immersion
The main bathroom brings the concept of enclosure to its fullest expression. Taupe porcelain covers floors and walls, while the ceiling—painted in the same hue—dissolves spatial boundaries. The sanitary fixtures adopt this uniform coloration, creating remarkable chromatic continuity.
A technical constraint inspired an unusual solution: the bathtub is nestled at the back of the shower. Born from the presence of a service column, this layout transforms limitation into a singular spatial experience.
Bronze faucets, illuminated shelves, and meticulous attention to every detail testify to a constant pursuit of harmony.
A Bar at the Summit
On the top floor, a light-filled bar area crowns the house. The green marble counter converses with artworks in verdigris tones, introducing an unexpected chromatic accent. Wood cabinetry extends the warm brown palette that runs throughout the residence.
This intimate level opens onto a terrace—an ultimate refuge offering an outdoor breath of air at the top of this vertical home.