what she did
When remodeling the
kitchen, Nicola
repositioned appliances
for a better work flow.
An extra-deep counter
where the cooktop was
fits a washer and dryer
beneath. A skirt hiding
the washer softens the
room’s hard surfaces.
Open shelving displays
pretty dishes that don’t
get used every day.
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FALLING IN LOVE with the ideal condo was only the
first step in making it the ideal home. “This is the unit we
always wanted,” says Nicola Marc, who with husband
Matthew bought their top-floor condo in 2005. “It has
views of downtown Montreal, as well as toward Mount
Royal. And it gets sunlight all day.” After the initial crush,
however, they realized the multitude of cosmetic changes
needed. Nicola, a stylist for magazines, liked the floor
plan and the original 1920s moldings but was
unimpressed with the 1,360-square-foot home’s brown
millwork and orangey wood floors. “We saw it had a lot of
potential, and we could change things to make it look
right, the way we wanted,” says Matthew.
First, they tackled the fundamentals. The Marcs
updated the kitchen and devised a more efficient layout.
The bathroom renovation created space for a bigger tub.
Wood floors throughout the condo got a darker stain, but
moldings lightened up with white paint—giving the
rooms better visual flow. Then Nicola added the pretty.
Sumptuous drapes feature prominently in most rooms.
“Fabric is so much fun for me,” she says. “It’s like
chocolate.” The living room drapes are floral but
restrained enough to suit Matthew. The dining room
drapes are two tones of linen trimmed with rows of
grosgrain ribbon. A seamstress Nicola met years ago
makes anything Nicola can think up, including slipcovers
that are an affordable way to change the look of her
furniture. A linen slipcover dresses down the living
room’s velvet sofa, bought from the “as-is” section of a
department store. Flirty skirts soften dining room chairs.
“I love girly things,” Nicola says, coyly adding, “I don’t
think Matthew has noticed he’s surrounded by skirts.”
Nicola has a knack for mixing fabrics. “The way I try
to make them work as a whole is by having a defined
color palette.” She grounded the rooms in pale blues,
whites, and tans, then added jolts of red to ensure the
palette isn’t too elegant for a home with a small child.
Though she often works in fancier homes, cost is not
her standard of good design. “What I find appealing are
spaces that are reflections of an individual,” says Nicola,
glancing toward her collection of antique jelly molds. “I
look for that personal touch.”
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS AUGUST 2009
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