Add a bit of whimsy to a traditional room.

Julie Charbonneau chose a playful chandelier to balance the traditional elements in this dining room. The soft rug, panel moulding and formal dining chairs feel less structured when paired with the statement lighting.

Cushioned chairs encourage dinner guests to linger around the table.

Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau surrounded this dining table with comfortable chairs upholstered in a light tweed fabric. She also combined individual chairs with two longer benches on one side — perfect for kids. The tweed chairs look sleek and simple against the neutral floors and wall colour, a creamy palette that works with the contemporary elements.

See more interiors by Charbonneau in our photo gallery, plus browse photos of her own home.

Incorporate island seating.

In this spacious kitchen designed by Julie Charbonneau, practical counter-height stools allow for casual breakfasts and easy conversation while cooking for a dinner party. Their stainless steel finish complements the industrial counters perfectly. An additional seating area makes the most of the square footage and natural light.

See more interiors by Julie Charbonneau in our photo gallery, plus browse photos of her own home.

Build extra storage in a large island.

This gorgeous traditional kitchen had the space for an oversized island, so Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau maximized storage with extra drawers. Brass pulls work with the traditional elements in the room, from the herringbone patterned floor to the elaborate pilasters flanking the stove.

See more interiors by Julie Charbonneau in our photo gallery, plus browse photos of her own home.

Create an intimate sitting room with four armchairs instead of sofas.

In this traditional living room, Charbonneau went with four cosy armchairs to invite relaxed conversation. Even in a large room with different areas for TV watching and lounging, define the sitting area with a large area rug.

Moulding delineates spaces for the fireplace and TV.

Charbonneau added classic panel moulding to this large fireplace wall for added interest. Without texture, the wall would seem too bare without shelves or art. Plus, the moulding delineates spaces for the fireplace and TV.

An extra long headboard visually elongates a room.

Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau had bedside tables built into a long wooden headboard to save floor space and create a cohesive look in this elegant bedroom. She then layered the room with sumptuous textures for a cosy effect, covering dark floors with a soft hide rug and topping the bed with a faux fur throw.

See inside Julie Charbonneau’s own Montreal abode in our Classic French Style photo gallery, or browse our photo galleries of Julie Charbonneau’s Designs and 10 Small Bedrooms.

Balance high ceilings with a high bed.

It can be challenging to make a bedroom with high ceilings warm and cosy, but Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau pulled it off here. Position the curtain rod a few inches higher than the window to make the window seem taller, and choose a bed frame that elevates the mattress to balance out the high ceilings. A tufted ottoman and extra-high upholstered headboard also add warmth to the space.

See more interiors by Julie Charbonneau in our photo gallery, plus browse photos of her own home.

Choose a soft palette for a serene space.

Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau went with a soft palette of taupe and beige for this feminine bedroom. The panelling on the lower half of the wall is painted darkest, upper wall colour a lighter shade, and the crown moulding a warm shade of white, drawing the eye upwards from the panelling. Charbonneau also added a bold black light fixture and curtain rod to ground the lightness of the room.

See more interiors by Julie Charbonneau in our photo gallery, plus browse photos of her own home.

Splurge on some luxurious finishes.

Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau introduced materials like wood, linen and marble to elevate the look of this space. Consider relocating the tub to a window for a separate space to unwind. An antique chair near the tub invites you to relax after a soak, and the neutral colour scheme keeps the attention on the large picture window.

See more interiors by Julie Charbonneau, browse photos of her own home, plus see more Spa-Like Bathrooms.