Home has European flair
RUSTIC SPANISh describes the style of this Blainville residence, which boasts a pool and wine cellar
In the affluent district of Fontainebleau in Blainville, just north of Laval, lies a unique family residence. Its harmonious proportions, elegance, and seamless and unobtrusive integration into the surrounding environment make it stand out. It’s also the fruit of a close collaboration between the owners and their designer.
Nearly every decorative element on the inside and outside of the residence was carefully considered — a testimony to the skill of the designer and the fact that Josée and Steve (the couple preferred not to have their last names used), who share the house with their adult son and a small pooch, knew from the outset exactly what they wanted for this home.
The couple are well versed in the art of constructing a home, because this is the fifth one they’ve had built — Josée admitting that she adores the building process. For this project, they worked closely with Mario Adornetto, a de- signer renowned for his original touch and flair for converting his clients’ dream homes into reality.
Beyond a small ditch bordered by a stone wall, a visitor enters the house by walking up a long paving-stone alley lined with flower beds and stone steps that lead to the arched doorway. The simply designed natural stone façade, which avoids unnecessary embellishments, is bathed in a soft light in the morning and again in the evening when the lights come on. The asphalt shingle roof is pierced with an elegantly designed dormer window that provides daylight in the attic. Josée qualifies the overall architectural style as being rustic Spanish.
From the first peek inside, one is seduced by the warm and cosy atmosphere. The beautiful woodwork is enhanced by subtle lighting. Everywhere in the house, the lighting provided by recessed spotlights or lamps is prominent but soothingly discreet. Ceramic tiles are used in rooms that get heavy foot traffic, such as the entrance hallway, kitchen and bathrooms, while hardwood floors are found in the living room, dining room and bedrooms.
The house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus a laundry room.
A family room is located in the finished basement, as well as an exercise room and a magnificent natural-stone wine cellar. Josée says she loves good wine:
“My taste has evolved over the years, and I cannot imagine a meal without a glass of wine.”
Every decorative element, from the furniture to the lighting fixtures to the hand-crafted mouldings, was picked out by Josée.
Only for the kitchen did she seek the advice and assistance of a professional.
Furnished with large leather chairs and a fireplace, the living room, which receives a good dose of sunlight through the row of windows during the day, is inviting and relaxing. There’s another fireplace in the formal dining room, where the ceiling mouldings almost steal the show from the Italian-made furniture. Everywhere in these stately rooms, the colours are warm and form a coherent relationship with the classic décor, confirming Josée’s refined taste.
The master suite on the first floor is open and airy, painted in restful pastel hues. The rounded forms in the mouldings reflect and highlight the furniture, also imported from Italy. There is lots of marble in the couple’s bathroom. There’s also a large stand-alone shower, and the bathtub is backed by a large window that provides a continuous stream of diffused daylight. Their son’s bedroom and bathroom, on the same floor, are designed with modern lines as well.
With a beautiful and warm home, it’s no surprise the owners enjoy sharing it with family and friends. “I love to entertain and cook,” Josée says. “I come from a closeknit family, and we always celebrate Christmas here.”
Her favourite room is the gourmet kitchen, which is both functional and inviting, with its warm tones and furnishings. The kitchen is equipped with an abundance of storage space, a modern natural gas stove and large marble countertops. The island is divided into two spaces; one end is furnished with high benches, making it the perfect spot to sit and meet for drinks before dinner.
Finally, the kitchen extends into a bright dining area over- looking the enclosed rusticstyle veranda, with its wooden ceiling, stone walls and multiple windows that close and open to create an indoor or outdoor feeling.
The backyard is dominated by a custom-made inground and heated L-shaped swimming pool, which fits the house’s contours and is flanked by a Jacuzzi and a stone terrasse for al fresco dining. The landscaping is simple but visually effective, and mainly consists of evergreens that add a touch of green for the winter months.
Protected woodland lies beyond the fenced area. It’s the land that attracted her to this neighbourhood, Josée says. As a runner, she needs only to pass the gate and instantly finds herself among the trees, ready to jog on the nature trails.
This house is a marriage between state-of-the-art technology and a very old sense of European aristocratic charm.
Nonetheless, after five years, the owners are already thinking about their next project. Their son, who has turned 20, will soon leave the nest, and then the house will be a bit too big for Josée and Steve. They say they want to build a smaller home on another site, and they’ve already selected one with a protected wooded backyard as their neighbour.