Decorating & Design

July 27, 2021

Welcome To An Urban Montreal Backyard That Really Has It All

Tucked behind a white stucco home in Montreal’s west end sat a tired backyard belonging to Teresa Mihalik and her husband, Andrew Higgins. The couple wanted to reinvent their outdoor space, creating inviting spots for entertaining, and adding a mini studio for quiet working (which would do double duty as a “homework hut” for their son Owen, 14), as well as an “activity zone” where Owen and his friends could get together and be active.

Teresa, an engineer, had gotten to know architect and designer Sophie Smits at various hockey arenas and baseball diamonds while their sons were at practice. Designer and project seemed to be a perfect fit. “Teresa wanted something different,” says Sophie. “She embraced the Californian concept of extending outside enjoyment a little longer than in a typical Montreal backyard, where, as soon as it gets cold, you’re back inside. The overall goal was to extend backyard living and to create a cool space where friends and family would want to gather.

Scroll down to tour this hardworking urban backyard!

Author: Wendy Jacob
Photographer:

Maxime Desbiens

Source:

House & Home July/August 2021

Designer:

Sophie Smits, Smits + Bambrough