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My Houzz: An 1887 Duplex Finds the Sun

A new solarium, yellow paint and other makeover touches bring sunny cheer to a Montreal home

Laura Garner April 29, 2014

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When hunting for a house, you’re often told that you’ll “just know” when you’ve found your future home. That was certainly the case for Maryline Lambelin and her historic 1887 duplex. “When I visited the house for the first time, it was a big thunderbolt for me,” she says.

Lambelin, president of the Montreal home decor company ADzif, is passionate about art and design, and was up for the challenge of making this fixer-upper into her dream home. “The former owner had botched their home renovations, so this house required a lot of love,” she says. “On the other hand, this house has a soul and a history. The renovations did not scare me, and I plunged into the adventure. Every day I pinch myself to have the privilege of living in this house.”

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Maryline Lambelin and her Labrador and Bouvier Bernese mix, Canaille
Size: 1,100 square feet (102 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom; plus a 500-square-foot (46-square-meter) downstairs studio apartment
Location: Latin Quarter area of Montreal
Year built: 1887

Eclectic Living Room by Laura Garner

Although she never expected to move to the Latin Quarter of Montreal, when Lambelin saw this house for sale, it was nothing short of love at first sight — especially the brick walls, high ceilings and period windows. “It really was a great love story for me,” she says. “I couldn’t sleep, trying to figure out how to make this house mine. At the first open house, there were 68 visitors and eight offers. I was the first!”

Eclectic Living Room by Laura Garner

Lambelin decided to tackle renovations herself with help from a handy friend, Pierre Paré. “I managed everything: plans, ideas, colors. I was the master builder, managing budgets and different trades and suppliers of raw materials. Not without some headaches, but with the pride of having seen through the different stages of the project.”

The homeowner added a solarium extension, which has become her favorite room. “I don’t get tired of marveling at the rays of sun against the walls and floors, or watching the snow fall against the windows,” she says. “Each season is magical with a solarium.”

Eclectic Kitchen by Laura Garner

An example of Lambelin’s design aesthetic is her kitchen, which she renovated herself using cabinetry from Ikea. “The access points to the kitchen were modified to triple the work surfaces,” she says. The yellow drop ceiling, which disguises the suspended ceiling structure, allows for recessed lighting while providing a modern contrast with the white cabinetry. “Tomorrow morning a simple coat of paint to the fallout [soffit] and different accessories could allow me to transform the kitchen into a new theme,” says Lambelin. She painted the brick walls white.

Cabinetry: Akurum, Abstrakt high-gloss white, Ikea

Eclectic Kitchen by Laura Garner

The newly built solarium off the kitchen brings in a flood of light and makes the whole first floor feel larger and airier.

Eclectic by Laura Garner

Lambelin invested a lot of time in adding the solarium, and then, by extension, in renovating the garden. “The garden had been completely abandoned by the previous owners,” she recalls. “Yet to have a small garden in the city center is so nice.”

Eclectic Living Room by Laura Garner

Lambelin enjoys furnishing her home with basic pieces from Montreal stores like Simons or Zone, but especially appreciates the possessions she finds during travels or buys from local designers. Her goal is to find for every room at least one unique decorative accessory that has a story to tell.

The living room’s robot sculpture, inherited from her son, was created by a Parisian architect. “It was brought to Montreal in a huge wooden home construction box,” she says.

Accent pillows: Simons

Eclectic Living Room by Laura Garner

The floors were originally black, and the homeowner found them difficult to maintain. Upon embarking on the floor renovation, she discovered the original exotic redwood flooring beneath. “With a bit of sanding and a clear coat, everything looks bright and wonderful,” she says.

Chandelier: Zone

Eclectic by Laura Garner

If the walls could talk, what would they say? “They would wonder why the former owner had insulated the walls with plastic bags,” Lambelin says, laughing. “I stood mesmerized every time I pulled plastic bags from the cracks of the wall!”

Eclectic by Laura Garner

The homeowner loves timeless design with clean, sharp lines. “I believe successful decorating is a setting where the space is intelligently used, with original details, but with contemporary updates that surprise.”

Eclectic Entry by Laura Garner

A mirror at the base of the stairs displays Lambelin’s collection of colorful scarves — she enjoys having elements of surprise like this throughout her home.

Eclectic Staircase by Laura Garner

Inspired by Quebec architecture firm Naturehumaine, Lambelin chose to showcase the original features of the home. The furniture and decor in the hallway were kept minimal to enhance the woodwork.

Eclectic Bedroom by Laura Garner

A white, green and pale wood color scheme creates a peaceful and calming master bedroom. Sheer curtains enhance the dreamy space.

Eclectic Home Office by Laura Garner

The long hallway was painted bright white to amplify the light, which is maximized by a skylight and a street-facing window. The area at the end of the hallway serves as Lambelin’s home office; she runs her online business, ADzif, from there.

Traditional Exterior by Laura Garner

Although Lambelin didn’t expect to end up in the Latin Quarter, she’s glad she did. “It’s the coolest neighborhood in Montreal and a well-kept secret,” the homeowner says. Close to La Fontaine Park, the Plateau, downtown and Gay Village, it is a pedestrian’s paradise — especially during festival season. Dog Canaille also approves of the neighborhood.

Contemporary by Laura Garner

Lambelin relaxes on her patio, a space she says is “perfect for eating, working, writing, having a cup of coffee or just to sit and admire the home.”

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More: My Houzz: Vintage Cool Style for a Montreal Apartment

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Comments (27)

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Kathleen Sullivan Kaska

I want to see the garden too…!

Like May 2, 2014 at 12:57PM

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Rhodalynn

Looks like the perfect place for me to live.

Like May 4, 2014 at 2:43PM

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zweiback

Because the owner is president of a home decor company, I can't help but comment. This is a beautiful space with some wonderful attributes the owner must've worked hard on, although we have no before photos to indicate what was remedied from the previous owner's botched attempt at remodeling. If available, it would be great to see the "before" pictures. That being said, while I am not partial to overly styled presentations, this photo shoot would've benefitted from at least a modicum of styling. The photos of the couch and chair for example show what appears to be two matching but very tired workhorses with an assortment of cushions that cry out for replacement, or at the very least some plumping and orderliness. The master bedroom could also do with an aesthetic refresher - billowing curtains aside. And, I'm sorry, for I too struggle with an assortment of scarves I like to have at hand, but that mirror-scarves combo is NOT cutting it for me. And, finally, because I suffer from an excess of white walls in my own house, I can see just how limiting all that white is, in spite of interesting architectural details and art on the wall.

2 Likes May 6, 2014 at 11:36AM

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