Contemporary Renovation Rooted in Traditional Architecture

2 min read
August 16, 2026
dpages

Wood Residence living room with built-in bookshelves, natural stone fireplace and white oak floors

On the…

southwestern slope of Mount Royal, Westmount has long been defined by a particular kind of architectural confidence. The independent city, enclosed by Montreal yet distinctly its own, is known for leafy streets, grand residences, and a built character shaped by generations of careful stewardship. Its early-20th-century homes, particularly those climbing toward Upper Westmount, retain a strong sense of tradition, while the neighborhood’s proximity to Sherbrooke Street, Westmount Park, and downtown Montreal gives it an unusually urban ease.

Classic Montreal home entrance with checkerboard Alpi Verde and Bianco Carrara marble floor

It is within…

this context that Vives St-Laurent approached the renovation of Wood Residence, a 2,800-square-foot home completed in 2025. Rather than imposing a new identity on the property, the interior design firm focused on drawing out what was already there, restoring architectural details while introducing a quieter, more contemporary language.

Elegant Montreal living room with marble fireplace, built-in shelving and mid-century lounge chairs

Westmount home living room with pale oak floors, fireplace and custom built-in cabinetry

The existing layout…

provided the foundation. The staircase remained in its original position, as did the sequence of the principal living spaces, with the kitchen at the rear of the house. From the entrance, the approach is immediately apparent: a checkerboard floor in Alpi Verde and Bianco Carrara marble establishes a dialogue between historic references and modern restraint. An oval window, one of the defining features of the façade, became the inspiration for custom entry furniture, including a compact seating area and vertical storage designed to emphasize its shape.

Contemporary dining room in Westmount Montreal with dark wood furniture and soft neutral interiors

Throughout…

the main floor, interventions are deliberate rather than decorative. In the living room, built-in shelving frames the fireplace and draws attention to its natural stone mantel. A generous bay window, characteristic of Westmount residences, remains the room’s visual anchor, with understated furniture allowing daylight and the view of the mature front-yard tree to take precedence.

Wood Residence dining room with dark wood table, sculptural pendant light and white oak flooring

The decision…

to renovate the property for resale called for materials that could feel distinctive without becoming overly personal. Pale white-oak flooring replaced the original surfaces, bringing a lighter, more contemporary atmosphere to the rooms. The staircase received a similarly measured transformation. Its deteriorated banister was redesigned and complemented by new moldings, while a painted steel handrail was recessed into the stringer—a small but precise intervention that captures the project’s emphasis on craftsmanship.

Wood Residence kitchen with custom white cabinetry, marble island and contemporary oak interiors

Minimalist Montreal kitchen with white cabinetry, marble countertop and custom built-in storage

At the back…

of the house, the kitchen occupies its original location but has been recalibrated for contemporary life. An anthracite French door introduces contrast and opens directly onto the terrace, while a marble countertop and central island combine a timeless material palette with improved functionality. Even the powder room beneath the stairs is treated as part of the architectural whole. Its concealed door follows the existing moldings, while a solid-block marble sink echoes the stonework used at the entrance.

Small powder room beneath staircase with sculptural marble sink and concealed door

For Vives St-Laurent…

whose practice is rooted in the intersection of functionality and aesthetics, the project reflects an approach to interiors that values longevity over trends. Founded in 2018 by Laurence Ouimet-Vives and Lysanne St-Laurent, the Montreal studio works across residential, commercial, and corporate projects, developing spaces through collaboration, close observation, and design thinking. At Wood Residence, that philosophy translates into an interior that feels neither frozen in the past nor disconnected from it.

Wood Residence main living spaces with connected living room, dining room, and kitchen in Westmount Montreal

Wood Residence main staircase with white oak flooring and black steel handrail in Westmount Montreal

Contemporary staircase detail with recessed black steel handrail and traditional molding in Montreal home

Second-floor hallway in Wood Residence with white oak floors, traditional molding and natural light

The result…

is a renovation that understands the particular character of Westmount. Existing architecture is not treated as an obstacle to modernization but as its starting point. Restored moldings, marble, white oak, steel, and carefully calibrated interventions coexist without competing for attention. In a neighborhood where architectural continuity is part of the appeal, Wood Residence demonstrates how a historic home can be renewed with a light touch—and still feel entirely of its place.