The chalet is located in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, which are about an hour from Montreal in a part of the province known for skiing, vineyards, and beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and breathtaking views. A small river flows through the property in all seasons of the year. Set on two floors, with a steep, sloping roof with huge cornices and small dormers, it is in a typical French-Canadian design. “To add some more character and charm to both the exterior and interior spaces, I decided to bring in Adam Borowczyk, an architect from Montreal,” Havekes says. “Although the layout wasn’t changed, major structural improvements were made. The upper floor was transformed from being cramped and narrow to airy and open. This resulted in a light-filled living space and the home’s truly unique features.”
The chalet, with its majestic and imposing appearance, seems to have always been there, just a stone’s throw from the river. The use of noble materials gives the renovation a timeless charm that will endure. In fact the finishes and home furnishings will likely look even better as they age. Havekes and his team have created an updated version of the original, which had remained untouched for decades but did require an expert touch capable of giving it an upgrade. The designer explains, “The first few weeks living in the house were quite surreal, and although the interiors had largely been completed, it took almost another year to oversee the landscaping by Yarek Design.”
