It’s been a little over a year since I have put an offer on a Mile End condo while sitting on a bench at Café Olimpico just steps away. Magically, amid the chaos of the bidding wars, my offer was accepted within hours.
While my taste in the Montreal real estate has changed over the years (hello, century triplex!), the love for Mile End remained constant ever since I discovered it on a hot August afternoon in the summer of 2014. That time, I biked here from St-Henri with two friends; we stopped for a sandwich at Boucherie Lawrence, got a latte freddo at Olimpico, and walked the streets for hours. The condo I finally bought is on the second floor of a century triplex about halfway from Boucherie Lawrence to Olimpico. Some details may still need to be ironed out, but the overall look is mostly complete. Here are some pictures taken throughout the year.
Entryway
My boyfriend, the head of the hip design firm Voilà:, and I built this bench from scratch this summer. It came out better than we expected, and it fits the space between the window and the wardrobe perfectly (phew). The wall above the bench is still missing a large round mirror though.
Office
The size of my entryway is pretty generous, so I set up my office there. I work from a standing desk (by Montreal brand ergonofis) that does not make the space look bulky.
The framed Flower Power cover of The Guardian Weekly by the Argentinian artist Carolina Grandinetti was a challenge to obtain. I searched high and low for this issue on women driving political change in Belarus, but the North American issue was different and the European was not available in Montreal. Eventually, a friend of a friend sent it to me from London. I am hoping to take her for drinks or tea one day.
Guest bedroom
This room came together first. The lamp was left behind by the previous owners, and I wanted the the rest of the room to complement its warmth and to feel more laid back than the main bedroom. The bed frame is my old Ikea Malm frame with the headboard removed.
The artwork on the wall is a housewarming gift from the artist herself, my stepdaughter Maya, who, along with her sister, have been the only guests in this room so far.
Living room
The green sofa and amber side table are from a Montreal brand élément de base. The side table is also carried by the MOMA design store at a tourist price.
The mushroom coffee table next to the arm chair (Article) is an old EQ3 design, and it came with me from St-Henri. It does not really fit this apartment except for every other Thursday, when we get a take-out order from Sushi Yen, a hidden gem on Van Horne, and eat them on this table while watching TV. The top of the table rotates 19” high.
TV (The Frame by Samsung) is the first TV I own in 15 years. I mostly got it for aesthetic reasons, because it does not look like a TV, but, surprisingly, have been enjoying it for its primary function.
Master bedroom
I have been coveting the Kastella B107 bed for years. Since Kastella’s show room is in the Mile End too, I finally pulled the trigger and splurged on the bed to reference this stellar local craftsmanship in the design of the apartment.
Playful mint green side tables from Hay break the neutral palette of browns and whites in this room.
Bathroom
I love a big bathroom. This one came modern and neutral, so I did not have to do much. The cover of Stylist on “how to be (un petit peu) more French” is by Malika Favre.
The Onsen waffle towels come Wirecutter recommended and are loved by the whole family.
Kitchen and dining nook
My old tulip dining table fit perfectly in a dining nook by the window. Thonet chairs (I have 2) are a vintage find from a Mile End store, Style Labo. The lamp is a Nelson Bubble Lamp by Herman Miller.
The building was completely renovated in 2017, and although the doors, windows and trim are new, the millwork is typical for early XX century homes.
Terrace
For years I have been dreaming of hosting dinner parties al fresco. This terrace was the major selling point and a dream come true. All outdoor furniture is Article.
