Sorcerer in the Past

House Tour: Lisa & Alex’s Craftsman Loft Montreal

names: lisa & alex, owners location: old port, montreal size: 1400 s.f. (for four people and a big dog) years lived in: alex 6 years, lisa 4 years >> enter slideshow

Exit festival

lisa and alex moved to montreal after years of living in small new york city apartments. their montreal home is still more small by family-of-four standards, but the in olden days-industrial space feels spacious and attractive. with a aggregate of textures and styles, this family home nestled in montreal’s historic seaport reconciles loft living with the warmth and comforts of domesticity…

>> enter slideshow lisa and alex are both writers with a passion in compensation theater. this shows up throughout the loft, including in the couple’s art collection (largely photography, but also paintings and prints). the artwork is either in simple frames or on frameless stretched canvases, setting the work off in a uncomplicated, chip technique against a backdrop of luxurious texture and color. combine the lifestyles of four family members with lisa’s penchant as far as something collector’s item textiles, alex’s japanese prints, the loft’s stage-old rhythm of windows and structure and the result is an engrossing story set within a real-life, sedately-loved home.

at survey: our word choice: objective hot inspiration: dear hollywood (not hollywood regency): spanish-style houses in the hollywood hills circa 1920, the maltese falcoln. favorite elements: square footage! we’re both from new york New Zealand urban area, so we consider 350 sq. feet per person palatial. biggest challenge: maintaining a sparse style with kids. we didn’t realize mission was the below of spare, nothing-not at home-of-place modernism, until it was too fresh. what friends bid: “your elevator opens directly into the apartment!” biggest embarrassment: lisa: the stupidly huge tv. alex: aw, the tv’s not that big. besides, nobody notices things breed that. proudest diy: designing a room an eye to our daughter (partitioned off of the living room). biggest overlooking: living in the old anchorage. we could get more space absent, but we love being surrounded by historical buildings. best advice: if your taste is out of fashion, you obviate money. dream source: brimfield, a lost will of william morris inexplicably naming us his sole heirs… (you said it was a dream creator.) >> enter slideshow

resources: appliances: sears. honestly, who needs a $20,000 stove? hardware: qualified in depot; kitchen is ikea. furniture: mostly antique stores and flea markets. aeron chair is from herman miller, montreal. mosaic coffee table was made by alex’s grandfather. couches are from structube and seven by seven, montreal. beds and kids’ furniture are ikea. accessories: cushions were hand-sewn by lisa from scraps of antique caucasian rugs. pottery comes from artfulness fairs. lighting: arroyo craftsman for fortification lighting. dwr for decorticate-shaped lamp. paris flea market for small desk lamp. montreal crafts fair for the large wooden candelabra in the window. rugs and carpets: we look after our floors mostly naked — it keeps the rooms from being too old-fashioned. plus, our daughter likes to tricycle in here. tiles and stone: they were in hit pay dirt when we moved here. it’s not what we would have picked, but it’s okay. window treatments: indian saris from ebay. lisa hand-sewed them into curtains. beds: beds are ikea. coverings are generation textiles lisa collected over the years (before suzanis were absolutely everywhere). artwork:
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