A' summer salon' on the galerie gives a Plateau condo breathing space,
Large balcony is like another room
Jeanne Schoenwandt grew up in New York and New Jersey, but she lived in Norway for 10 years and has spent the past two decades on the Plateau. A lifelong learner, she holds down a number of jobs — teaching English as a second language at Dawson College, working part time in a sports shop and translating educational texts. She is also pursuing a degree (she has several already) in Hispanic studies at Concordia University.
In 2006, when Schoenwandt had “a bit of money” (she was a project manager at McGill University at the time), she decided it was time to buy an apartment — a second-floor, 700-sq.-ft. condo in a new, sixunit complex. I gather you really like the Plateau?
Everything is so convenient, so I wanted to find a place as close as possible to where I lived already. As luck would have it, this complex — the first of four phases — was being constructed only a couple of blocks away. I watched it going up. The condos were prefab modules put together on-site and they sold out very quickly. In fact, I almost didn’t get one. Luckily, the person who had bought my unit — he was an architect — backed out at the last minute. What was it that appealed to you about this particular space?
The fact that it was on a corner and kind of square — not stuck at the end of a long internal corridor, like so many apartments in Montreal. It’s south-facing, so it gets lots of sun.
Another great asset was the balcony. It’s so large, it’s like having an extra room. I call it my “summer salon!” (A double, glass-paned door off the living room gives access to the outside. A curved, wrought-iron staircase leads to the ground floor.) You were telling me that although you loved the condo, you weren’t too happy with some of the architect’s designs?
The first buyers were able to choose how they wanted the inside to be configured, and before moving in, the architect had asked the con- struction company to lay out the kitchen the way he wanted it. It certainly looks nice, but unfortunately, it has very little counter space. (She shows me around the open, but compact, area. The worktop is, indeed, minimal. White ceramic subway tiles surround the stove and the dishwasher. The kitchen cabinets and drawers, which have stainless steel handles, are also white.)
I’m toying with the idea of introducing a bit of colour. (She indicates a “trial” slash of burnt orange with which she has covered a narrow wall. The rest of the apartment, which comprises an open living/dining area — a corner functions as Schoenwandt’s home office — and a bedroom, separated from the rest of the space by double french doors, is also predominantly white.
Throughout the condo, the pale walls and ceilings are counterbalanced by blond furniture and ebony bookshelves. The pine floors are the colour of milk chocolate.)
I would describe my taste as a mixture of Scandinavian and Japanese. I think it creates a minimalist esthetic that goes well together, and I like the contrast of the dark floors and white walls.
The french doors give me a feeling of spaciousness. They were another of the architect’s ideas. I’d love to do something about the kitchen, though, because I don’t think the space is well planned.
My idea is to modify the closets in my bedroom (it shares a common wall with the kitchen) to gain more space — especially counter space — for the kitchen and then change the bathroom. I have a laundry closet in the corner of the living room. My hot water tank is in there as well. It’s all so awkward! If the tank were to burst, all that would retain the water is a little tray …
In Norwegian houses, the washer and dryer are always in the bathroom and the floors are slightly angled to allow for drainage.
Taking as an example the houses I’m familiar with from Scandinavia, I would install the hot water tank and washing machine in the back of the bathroom and then put in a drain.
I’m afraid all that will have to wait. I’ve just been offered a project — in Denmark this time — which means that if the offer is confirmed, I’ll be renting out my condo while I’m away.