Small Spaces
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Small Spaces
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
This gorgeous rental flat serves as the perfect backdrop for an online art gallery owner’s expansive collection of work.
It’s rare to move into a rental flat - a furnished one, at that - and barely change a thing. But that’s exactly what happened when Alessandra Salituri, a globe-trotter and the founder of online art gallery Citizen Atelier, went shopping for a Montreal pied-à-terre. “It was the second place I saw on Air-bnb, and I felt instantly at home,” she says. “I’ve developed a distinct style that’s very monochromatic, punctuated with blues and blacks, and this space looked like it was designed for me.”
Touring the petite place in the city’s Quartier International in person only reinforced her first impression. She loved the way the entry’s lacquered cement floor gave way to a diagonal checkerboard-painted one in the kitchen. And then there was the architecture – soaring, sophisticated and inspiring. “With its 11-foot-tall ceiling, the space was the perfect bridge between a Parisian apartment and a New York City loft,” she says. “I had a coup de coeur – meaning I fell instantly in love – when I saw those doors in the dining room. They’re architectural masterpieces.”
The Creative Flats loft is one of several furnished rental apartments owned by the design duo of Nathalie Bouchard and Annie Horth in the historic area. Move-in ready, the space already housed an enviable mix of contemporary pieces and Mid-Century Modern furniture – not to mention a bistro-style kitchen. “All I had to do to make it my own was bring in some art, family heirlooms and bedding,” says Alessandra. Its ease was ideal for the frequent traveller, who often finds herself in Los Angeles, New York City and parts of Europe looking for new artistic talent to feature on her site.
Photo Gallery
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Chic home office space
Between the bedroom and bathroom sits a chic home office area. The industrial look of the vintage chair and Eames desk is softened with a beautiful piece of underwater photographic art and an antique Chapman ram’s horn lamp.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Chic home office space
Between the bedroom and bathroom sits a chic home office area. The industrial look of the vintage chair and Eames desk is softened with a beautiful piece of underwater photographic art and an antique Chapman ram’s horn lamp.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
An enchanting gallery wall
Though tenant Alessandra works as an art dealer, she was enchanted by the gallery wall already installed in the living area by the flat’s owners, Nathalie Bouchard and Annie Horth. “Annie works as an artistic director and fashion stylist, and some of these photos are her collaborations,” says Alessandra. “I love the editorial feel of them.”
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Creating balance
Alessandra leaned two dramatic works of art by photographer (and floral designer) Ashley Woodson Bailey on either side of the TV in the living area to create a pleasing sense of balance.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
A little goes a long way
Instead of loading up on small decor throughout the home, Alessandra chooses to use a few select bright accessories along with artwork to pull the display together.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Get inspiration anywhere and everywhere
Alessandra often uses the dining table as a workspace; she finds it inspiring to look through the windows across the room at historic Montreal. The custom doors are an architectural highlight.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Bistro-style kitchen
“This is definitely not a cookie-cutter rental kitchen,” says Alessandra of the modern bistro-style space, which is open to the rest of the loft.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Creating a relaxed vibe
Renters are often hesitant to hang artwork because it puts too many holes in the walls, but this wasn’t a problem for Alessandra, who prefers to lean her pieces to create a more relaxed vibe.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Natural light, natural art
A windowsill affords an opportunity for art: Alessandra chose this work by Spanish photographer Rebeca Cygnus because she loves its moody blue-black palette.
Loft tour: Industrial-style rental in Montreal's Quartier International
Stylish storage
A vintage wall-mounted unit provides much-needed storage in the front hall. Alessandra uses the lower surface for display purposes.
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