City Homes
California-cool Meets Scandi Minimalism In This Laid-Back Montreal Home
Updated on July 26, 2023
A light and breezy aesthetic was the inspiration behind this renovated house in Montreal’s Mont-Royal neighborhood. “The unique combination of textures makes it cozy yet elegant,” says Tiina Vahtola, founder of Talo Studios. The design firm transformed their client’s builder-basic house into a laid-back retreat using coastal elements like rattan furniture, natural stone and linen, contrasted by sleek millwork and lighting. “I love combining several styles together to create a really authentic space that is unique to the client,” says Tiina.
Scroll down to learn more about how this cool and contemporary family home came together!
House & Home: What inspired the home’s overall laid-back style?
TV: When our client’s talked about their design vision, it aligned perfectly with the popular “Japandi” aesthetic, which is a fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese design. These aesthetics are both simple, minimal and inspired by nature. We also brought in lots of texture and coastal elements to amp up the popular Cali-cool style.
H&H: We love the relaxed vibe in the living room — especially that rug!
TV: The area rug is a handmade, artisanal piece called ‘Eternal Dance” by Benisouk. We wanted to add a subtle black accent to this room to tie in with our client’s existing leather sofa (not pictured). A large tropical plant in the corner connects the space to nature and adds to the laidback look we wanted to emphasize.
H&H: Tell us about that gorgeous dining room!
TV: The dining room is in an open-concept area on the main floor, so a statement piece was essential. The table is Italian-made by Bartoli Design and needed to be big enough to fit the homeowner’s extended family. Its curvilinear form and base give it an airiness that works in the space. We chose a pair of neutral pendants from Luminaire Authentik to anchor the space.
H&H: How did you decide on the custom millwork in the bedroom ?
Having ample storage was important to our clients, but their main objective was to create a calm and relaxing environment. The custom window bench and built-ins in the principal bedroom offers function while blending in seamlessly with the space. We chose Luminaire Authentik’s Danoise pendant in baby blue for its calming hue.
H&H: Did your client’s have any must-haves?
TV: They are a busy family, so they wanted the spaces to be family oriented, functional but also welcoming for guests. In the end, our clients are incredibly happy with how the house came together. They wanted their home to feel like a sanctuary, and that’s exactly what we created.
Brooke Stephenson
Tiina Vahtola