City Homes
Step Inside A Moody Century Home In Westmount, Que.
Updated on November 17, 2023
When you live in a house that looks like a castle, you get used to people pausing on the sidewalk to admire its turrets, columns, corbels and architectural bling. But designer Michael Godmer’s first look inside this 127-year-old townhouse in Westmount, Que., a famously tranquil, affluent city just a stone’s throw from Montreal, wasn’t what he expected.
The clients — a couple who had recently purchased their first property together — had hired Michael Godmer Studio to transform the interiors, and they warned Michael that the ghost of the previous owners’ taste and furniture still lingered. “Just before I entered the house, my clients said, ‘Everything you’ll see inside is the opposite of us,'” says Michael. “It was all very white and clean and glossy and futuristic — not quite their style.” That said, the couple loved the 2,400-square-foot home’s generously proportioned rooms, high ceilings, time-burnished hardwood floors, abundant natural light and original architectural details. “The house itself was beautiful, but we felt that it lacked warmth and distinctiveness,” says one owner. For Michael (left), designer Catherine C. Lavallée and design assistant Flaydencia Jeanty (right), the design direction was clear. “Our goal was to furnish and finish the space in a way that would better reflect their personalities,” says Michael.
Fixing wonky century-old walls, refurbishing old floors and rejuvenating the soul of a heritage house proved to be painstaking; work began in June of 2021 and took eight months to complete. “It’s often more challenging to improve something that already exists — like crown molding — because it requires skilled artisans,” says Michael.
Scroll down to see inside this moody Montreal home!
The heritage house has an ornate, castle-inspired exterior made from cut sandstone blocks shipped from Ireland to Montreal; the blocks were used to balance the boats.
In the entry, the original marble mosaic floor is rejuvenated with new grout, and a streamlined bench provides seating. The space itself was inspiring, with its ornate ceiling medallions, deep moldings and baseboards. “The clients wanted ambience, elegance, texture and something more authentic — nothing shiny,” says Michael. “We set out to not only respect the original style and character of the house, but magnify it. Our mandate wasn’t so much about decorating the spaces, but simply completing them.”
Now, the work of the hand and heart is everywhere: walls in the living room and foyer have a dark grey limewash paint treatment with a chalky, hand-applied finish that adds depth and instant patina. “We wanted to create a warm ambience that makes you feel enveloped and comfortable in the space,” says the designer. “It has a minimalist look, but with texture and personality.”
A wall just beyond the entry boasts the same limewashed treatment seen in the living room. “This makes it feel like a unified space,” says Michael. A steel globe sculpture by Jean Brillant sets the tone the moment you walk in. “When designing a home like this, you need to have an overall concept, but you also want to create moments in every space,” says Michael. Art is personal for these clients. They visited Jean’s Montreal studio, fell in love with his work and asked for a piece that was textured and authentic. It now has pride of place in the foyer.
A book-lined den off the dining room is a cozy spot for reading and relaxing. “For the sofa, we wanted something comfortable, matte and colorful,” says Michael.
Handmade Art Deco–esque metal and glass sliding doors created and signed by artist Jean Brillant and produced by his son, Arnaud Brillant, were inspired by one owner’s love of Paris; they create a bold, dramatic focal point. Undaunted by the challenge of making the vast dining room feel cozy, Michael kept the hardwood flooring and custom dining table dark, and the flannel-upholstered dining chairs clean-lined.
“We entertain once or twice a week — sometimes simply, sometimes grandly,” says one owner. “We wanted our guests to feel relaxed, to know that if they spill some red wine or if food falls on the floor, there’s no need to panic. Our house is designed to be comfortable.”
Michael also found a stylish solution for the office area that was inspired by a Paris exposition focusing on French modernist architect and designer Charlotte Perriand. He converted the principal bedroom and walk-in closet into a bedroom that opens into a home office with custom cabinets designed to hide equipment when needed. Unobtrusive window shutters maximize natural light.
“The cabinet is designed to look like living room millwork instead of office shelving because, when you’re in your bedroom, you don’t want to see your workspace,” says Michael.
The principal bedroom’s spare furniture and restrained palette are soothing. “Michael really got who we are,” says one client. “This is a very happy home that looks unique and reflects us. I don’t think we could have achieved it without him.” If these walls could talk, they’d probably sigh and say merci.
Maxime Brouillet
House & Home
Michael Godmer Studio