A Softer Side

Designer Jane Charron transforms a hotelier’s dark Montreal loft into an airy haven with hits of colour.

WHEN CHRISTIANE GERMAIN bought her loft in 2008 in Montreal’s Old Port neighbourhood, it was totally en vogue, right down to the exposed ductwork and concrete pillars. Over time, however, the loft — overwhelmingly brown, from the kitchen cabinets to the walls — felt too sober for Christiane, co-founder and co-president of the Quebec-based Le Germain Hotels. She owns 18 properties in seven provinces (read: she travels a lot) and, with her busy schedule, she yearned to make her home more of a fresh, airy haven. Designer Jane Charron tackled the renovation of the 1,700-square-foot space and, here, they share their thoughts on the stunning transformation.

HOUSE & HOME: How did you come to buy this place — what attracted you to living in a loft?

CHRISTIANE GERMAIN: About 10 years ago, I was living in an apartment one block away. I liked it — it’s the same size as this place — but it was divided and the ceilings weren’t high, so it felt small. When I saw the loft, I made an offer on the spot. The 12-foot-high ceilings give such a sensation of space.

JANE CHARRON: And that view is spectacular! There are floorto-ceiling windows on the front and the side. You’re connected to the Old Port, and it becomes an extension of the space; you’re immediately drawn to the industrial landscape of the buildings, the boats and the Ferris wheel. It doesn’t matter if it’s pouring rain or sunny — it’s absolutely fabulous.

H&H: What made you want to switch up the decorating?

CG: I got tired of it; it was somebody else’s taste. Last year, I actually started looking to move, but then I realized that the view and the location — it’s close to the Le Germain offices — were superb, so I decided to renovate instead. At first, my intention was to tackle only the kitchen, and then I quickly realized I had to do the whole thing. It’s very open, so it wouldn’t work otherwise.

H&H: Which is where Jane comes in. Had you worked together before?

CG: No, this was our first project. We knew each other a long time ago in Quebec City. I called Jane to suggest we meet, and that’s how it started.

JC: We kept bumping into each other randomly every five years. We were in our 20s and just starting out when we first met, back when I was a fashion buyer. Eventually, we started following each other on Instagram. We’re both really into Instagram.

H&H: Why not choose a designer from one of your hotels?

CG: They do a great job, too, but this is my home and

I wanted something different. When you work with the same people, you tend to do the same style.

JC: Christiane wanted it to be more her, not a Le Germain. That’s the message I was getting. When I first went in, I found the loft really dark, and it was surprising. I thought, This doesn’t feel like Christiane to me. So we lightened the whole thing up. We created a white envelope with white walls and light floors — we put a coat of white on everything. We painted out most of the concrete to soften it because we wanted it to be less industrial and updated. And then we went crazy with rugs, putting the colour on the floor and in the furniture, which is fun and punchy. The loft now has a gallery feel with great art.

H&H: It’s amazing how changing the colour palette makes such a difference.

JC: It is. I like the paint colour to disappear. You don’t get distracted by colourful walls, so the furnishings and art are the focus and speak to who lives here. Christiane has bought a mix that she loves, and it shows.

H&H: Tell us about your art collection.

CG: I love art. I wish I was a collector; if I had more space to hang art, maybe I would be. Besides the African art, most of the pieces are Canadian.

H&H: During the reno, did you do anything structural or rejig the layout?

JC: We removed a cabinet and, by lengthening the island, created more storage. We added the table at the end to make it feel like another lounge space for enjoying the view.

“THE FURNISHINGS AND ART ARE THE FOCUS AND SPEAK TO WHO LIVES HERE” — Jane Charron, designer

In the bedroom, the original bed was round and tucked into a corner with a built-in that was the full length of one wall. We centred the bed and moved all the storage to the walk-in closet and bathroom vanity area.

H&H: Do you have a favourite room?

JC: The bedroom is a great transformation; it’s so serene and relaxing. I had to go back to the loft a couple of times and I thought, Wow, this place gets better all the time.

CG: This condo is one big room with a bedroom, so there isn’t a favourite room for me. I returned after a 10-day trip, dropped my bags, fixed myself a drink and felt calm and happy. It’s everything a home should be.

A dining table with a brass base is an elegant counterpoint to fun purple velvet chairs. Custom chandelier, Gabriel Scott; dining table, Julian Chichester; dining chairs, Montis; rug, Y&Co.

A quirky bookcase by Philippe Nigro adds charm in the kitchen nook. Bookcase, Ligne Roset; teapot and brass bowls (on bookcase), Tom Dixon.

Homeowner Christiane Germain (left), and designer Jane Charron.

A sateen cotton–upholstered wall softens the living room and makes for better acoustics. Rug, Y&Co.; large art by James Lahey, Galerie de Bellefeuille; small paintings by Michael Smith, Galerie Michel Guimont; wall colour (throughout), Oxford White (CC-30), Benjamin Moore. OPPOSITE, TOP LEFT: The kitchen’s flat-panel cabinets have a sophisticated two-tone scheme and meld into the open-concept space. Range, Wolf; refrigerator, Sub-Zero; dishwasher, Miele; faucet by Brizo, sink by Blanco, Ciot. OPPOSITE, TOP RIGHT: “When you bring art into the kitchen, it makes it feel less kitchen-y,” says Jane of the photograph Christiane brought back from a trip to Morocco. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM LEFT: “There are people who would not like to see exposed ducts, but I’m comfortable with them, especially now that they’re painted white,” says Christiane of her ethereal loft. Blue painting by James Lahey, Galerie de Bellefeuille.

Custom hot pink velvet tub chairs greet visitors as they enter the loft while an expansive sectional is layered up with comfy pillows.

TOP RIGHT: Christiane’s treasured African sculptures are displayed on black plinths that were repainted white to be less visually jarring.

TOP LEFT: A pendant is a striking minimalistic statement by the bed while the reading light blends in to the wall. Nightstand, Julian Chichester; pendant, Tom Dixon. TOP RIGHT: The spacious walk-in closet doubles as a sleepover spot for the grandkids: the mirrored panels conceal a Murphy bed. LEFT: An integrated mirror in the ensuite bathroom vanity is handy for putting on makeup and folds away seamlessly. Wallpaper by Cowtan & Tout, Crescendo. OPPOSITE: Monochromatic tones are calming in the bedroom. The swinging chair is a Le Germain staple that’s beloved by Christiane’s grandchildren. “It’s a great chair; it’s very playful,” she says. Bookshelf, Design Within Reach; sconce (above art), Aerin Lauder; art (behind hanging chair) by Josée Landry; art (right of bookshelf) by James Lahey.