Montpellier House: Light, Texture and a Sense of Belonging

Nestled at the foot of Mount Saint-Bruno in Montérégie, on Montreal’s South Shore, the Montpellier residence quietly immerses itself in its rich, forested surroundings. Conceived as a space for refuge and contemplation, the home appears to slip into the landscape, its profile gently leaning into the slope of the mountain behind it. Surrounded by a dense canopy, the house becomes part of the natural environment rather than an imposition on it.

A collaboration between Montreal-based design studio Vives St-Laurent and ATA Architecture, the project spans three levels, including a partially buried garden level that subtly follows the land’s natural contours. This sensitive approach sets it apart from the more traditional 1960s homes in the area, allowing the residence to feel integrated and unobtrusive. Working within a pre-defined volumetric structure—shaped through early conversations between the clients and architects—the design team focused their efforts on establishing fluid circulation, generous openings, and an abundance of natural light throughout the interior.

At the heart of the plan lies an interior courtyard, while a fully glazed rear façade opens onto the surrounding forest. From the entrance, a linear vestibule leads to a slightly sunken living room, carved directly into the slab. Here, a fireplace anchors the space beneath a double-height ceiling, where a long vertical curtain further accentuates the room’s dramatic scale.

To the left are more private areas: a boudoir, office, workout room, and access to the basement. To the right, the living spaces: kitchen, dining room, and stairs leading upstairs. Intuitively arranged, the spaces provide a sense of openness, supporting the home’s calm and natural rhythm.

The material palette is subtle and nuanced, reflecting the occupants’ lifestyle—elegant, refined, and warm. In the vestibule, ceramic flooring in varied slate-inspired tones is laid in an opus incertum pattern. The architectural language, sober and geometric, is softened by subtle interventions—grounded lines on the fireplace mantle, and curves integrated into the furniture and walls.

The living room is defined by a linear volume clad in terracotta ceramic sourced from California, which highlights the fireplace—a favourite element of the client. Overhead, a Tekio pendant light made from washi paper casts a soft glow throughout the double-height space.

Natural white oak and dark-stained oak are used throughout, creating a rich but cohesive contrast. The dark wood dining room table is in dialogue with the lighter oak floor, while recurring curves tie the space into the broader design language.

The kitchen strikes a balance between sculptural presence and functional design. A central volume houses a hidden pantry and integrated bench, marking a natural transition to the dining space. The island, made from veined natural stone, becomes a dramatic focal point anchoring the room. Sliding doors conceal appliances and a coffee station, preserving the purity of the overall form. Large glass doors open onto a covered terrace, extending the kitchen outdoors and reinforcing the home’s relationship to its surroundings.

Throughout, vertical elements contribute to a serene atmosphere. White oak is used on floor-to-ceiling shelving in the boudoir and tall storage units, reinforcing a sense of height and calm continuity. Materials were selected not only for their visual harmony, but also to support a grounded, tactile experience.

The upper level is reached via a simple double-flight staircase, leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms. The spacious, secluded master suite includes two distinct walk-in closets and a bathroom that is both elegant and practical—designed to elevate the everyday.

The Montpellier residence is the result of a thoughtful and collaborative process between client, architect, and designer. Rooted deeply in its site and surroundings, the project is a quiet study in restraint and refinement—contemporary architecture shaped by nature, attuned to the rhythm of light, texture, and lived experience.

Credits

Firm: Vives St-Laurent

Contractor: Ouellette Habitations

Cabinetmaker: Ébénisterie Notre-Dame

Photography: Alex Lesage

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Light House by Smac Studio

Smac Studio Interior Design has transformed a fragmented, terracotta-toned 1980s property into an elegant open plan home. Located in Vaucluse, Sydney, original arched windows look onto Australia’s oldest lighthouse, providing the site with both a sense of history and touch of drama. Honouring the original architect’s vision, which was inspired by a trip to Tuscany in the 1980s, Shona McElroy, Principle of Smac Studio, embraced a traditional Italian aesthetic while also fulfilling the owners’ desire for large, open spaces for entertaining and more natural light.

The extensive renovation saw three small rooms reconfigured into one expansive kitchen, living and dining area. The rear wall was moved out to create more internal space and lavish slabs of Arrabescato marble now grace the kitchen island, splashback and fireplace.

The entrance foyer, which boasts an incredible view of the light house, also received a notable update. Previously the floor was dark green stone, the walls were limewash orange, and black steel balustrades carved the staircase at sharp angles. Smac Studio smoothed the hard edges into inviting Venetian plaster curves and created a checkerboard floor from Carrara and Verdi Alpi marble. “Verdi Alpi was the original stone slab on the floor, so this design decision is a tribute to that,” says McElroy. A curved staircase provides a welcoming architectural hug on arrival while drawing the eye upwards.

In deliberate contrast to the predominantly white and bright spaces, the home office and cigar rooms feature a moody wall colour. “I used Ristretto from Porter’s Paints, which is a very dark warm grey colour with a hint of green,” says McElroy. “In traditional homes you often see dark, heavy timber studies, libraries and sitting rooms and that’s what I wanted these rooms to evoke. It’s a modern take on that.”

Originally clad in dark wood, the symmetrical marble portals leading to the formal dining and cigar rooms have been elevated with Arrabescato marble to create a special sense of entrance to these more formal spaces. Detailed paneling and cornicing, Benit Sculpted Chandeliers in white plaster from Aerin, and traditional curtains and curtain rails further enhance the formal feel. The cigar room bar features bronze veneer and a marble splashback, which contrast well with the dark wall colour and add a sense of opulence.

The master suite features an exquisite double-island walk-in wardrobe with Arrabescato marble bench tops, and brass lighting designs from Kelly Wearstler, Aerin and Articolo. “I think lighting is like jewellery, says McElroy. "It’s like artwork. The pieces I’ve chosen for this house transcend from day to night. Each light is an art object on the wall during the day, and at night those same objects create a soft, ambient, romantic glow.”

The biggest challenge with the renovation was time. “We only had three months to design and nine months to build,” says McElroy. “There were problems with lead times for certain items, so things were changing on the fly, but I still got all the elements I wanted in the beginning.” Those elements were curvature, a journey from formal entrance to informal open plan living, a marble checkerboard floor and artful lighting. “Even though the build time was short we didn’t skimp on character,” she says. “I love all the different layers, materials and shifts of light as you move through this home. I like to think this house is like a little black dress with a pearl necklace — a timeless aesthetic.”

Credits

Interior Architecture & Design: Smac Studio

Styling: Claire Delmar

Photography: Dave Wheeler

Construction: Charas Construction

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Project KWIK: The Restoration of House De Belder by JOE Design Studio

JOE Design Studio was founded by Antwerp-based interior architect Jody Eeckhout in 2020. Working with private clients on high-end residential projects, the studio creates bespoke spaces in collaboration with skilled craftsmen, to seamlessly blend natural materials, personalised touches and innovative design elements. For Project KWIK, this involved an extensive renovation of House De Belder, located in Kwikstaartlaan, in the Elsdonk residential villa district of Wilrijk, Antwerp. Designed by renowned architect Renaat Braem for the photographer Alfons De Belder, with whom he collaborated, this incredible home was created with a spacious photography studio and darkroom and features a striking asymmetrical roofline that gives the house a distinctive, church-like aesthetic.

Completed towards the lated 1970s, the rest of the design leaned more towards that of a bungalow, comprising a compact two-story brick volume, and a unique staggered gable on two external walls. Further architectural details include an impressive free-standing brick fireplace, a circular wall opening, and remarkable stained-glass windows designed by Braem at the client's request.

In 2021, the property was acquired by a client well-versed in the flooring industry, who enlisted JOE Design Studio to oversee a comprehensive renovation. This involved expanding the original layout, which had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, to accommodate five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as incorporating the addition of a swimming pool. All of which needed to seamlessly integrate modern updates while preserving the home's distinctive '70s aesthetic. Alongside the client installing as much of his own parquet flooring as possible, the studio replaced old flooring in the entrance hall with natural stone. The bright white brick was then softened with a chalk clay finish.

Herringbone parquet has been installed in the formal living area, while original details including stucco walls, wooden ceilings, fireplace and the elliptical stained glass window, have been retained. The woven rug is custom-made, and the sofa and coffee table are by the Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku Case.

The dining area features a beautiful round, bespoke table which echoes the stone of the raised terrace and wenge veneer of the interior doors. The kitchen underwent a complete custom redesign, with an expansion of the space and the introduction of luxurious new finishes crafted from stainless steel and natural stone. This homage to the prevalent material aesthetic of the 1970s extends beyond the kitchen space, manifesting in elements such as the pendant lighting above the dining area, as well as in the meticulously selected tapware, switches, and various accessories throughout the home.

The large studio space on the first floor has been converted into an informal living room with original ceilings, plastered walls with the circular opening to the staircase, and a stunning mix of furniture, old and new. These include vintage armchairs and coffee table by Tobia Scarpa, and rich velvet sofas by German brand COR. A hand-tufted rug grounds the space.

Natural stone carries through to the bathroom, and the new master bedroom features a bed custom designed in the same veneer as the doors. The skylight and original staircases, including a spiral one, have been preserved, with new landings providing access to the children’s rooms and bathrooms.

Standing as a reflection of meticulous restoration and thoughtful redesign to accommodate a family, Project KWIK harmoniously merges a timeless materiality with character, modern comfort and functionality.

Image credits

Design: JOE Design Studio

Photography: Piet-Albert Goethals

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