Page 76 - Designing Ways 273

"Right from the planning stage, we designed a completely open layout
for the first floor, as well as opening the entire rear façade, connecting
the courtyard to the interior of the house, and providing maximum
light, as well as giving a sense of grandeur to this small 665 square
foot first floor," explains Debby Pagé, owner of the house and interior
designer for Entre Quatre Murs.

The key to making this layout work was the integration of custom
cabinetry on most of the party walls, allowing for storage completely
tailored to the client's needs, but also creating a visual continuity
between each space.

"The challenge in achieving this layout was the unusual structure of
the home for a townhouse of this size," adds the designer. "Originally
designed with two load-bearing axes and the main plumbing system
running through the heart of the house, the existing layout required a
complete reworking of these elements to make room for the extensive
kitchen and its large island, which is the most important space for my
partner and I."

An emphasis on light and materiality
Located at the heart of the house, the staircase and its overlooking
skylight underwent a complete transformation. In fact, every detail
of the staircase’s structure was rethought, using all the conceptual
guidelines used for the rest of the house: curved lines with touches
of wood and white metal. Elegantly designed, this sculptural staircase
effortlessly invites an abundance of natural light from the skylight to
suffuse the entire house with its gentle radiance.

Positioned at the project’s core, materiality played a pivotal role
in shaping the identity of the house, deliberately paying homage
to its heritage, while providing a refreshing sense of serenity and
tranquility.

76 Issue 273 • dw