When a middle-aged Montreal couple was looking to downsize and move closer to the city, they still wanted the ability to host their big, growing family in their new home. So they purchased a three-story 1924 abode in the Westmount neighborhood and hired interior designer Sabrina Barazin to give it a sophisticated yet grandchildren-friendly makeover.
“Their previous property was very traditional and they were open to doing something a little different,” the Sabrina Barazin Studio founder explains. “They weren’t looking for something kooky or overly fun, but they wanted it to feel a little bit playful.”
Sabrina took this brief to heart, both functionally and aesthetically. She completely opened up the main floor to facilitate entertaining and modern living, then employed contemporary shapes and patterns to enliven the elegant neutral color palette. The result is a warm, inviting kitchen and dining area that’s suitable for all ages—and best enjoyed with the whole clan.
Location: The historic, dark brown brick house is situated on a verdant, quiet street in an otherwise-bustling part of the city. “There is this very magical sense about the whole road in the way that the homes all look the same, with tons of character, and there are all these beautiful, billowing trees that change color throughout the seasons,” Sabrina muses.
The before: It seemed like whoever was responsible for the previous renovation had too many conflicting ideas. “There were all of these different finishes and countertops and cabinet colors that didn’t have any form of harmony whatsoever,” Sabrina remembers. “So it was pretty wacky. And the layout was all divided.”
The inspiration: In addition to creating a welcoming space for multigenerational gatherings, Sabrina sought to connect the home’s lush surroundings with its interiors using rich earth tones and textured, organic materials. “The original inspiration was rooted in nature,” she says.
