The owner’s tour | A beautiful southerner lost in the North

It seems to have been torn from horizons with more generous sun to be repotted in the heart of a forest of hundred-year-old maple trees in Saint-Sauveur. And if the transplant succeeded, it is thanks in particular to its owner, who had made it his mission to pamper it while instilling in it how to embrace our winters.

“That house, when I saw it, it’s like some women I’ve met in my life: I knew I would be in trouble, but I went ahead anyway,” confesses , half-amused, Raynald Mercille, who fell in love with this house in the Laurentians with its unique architecture, more than 25 years ago. Even if the first meeting went off the rails: another suitor snatched the first sale of the property from under her nose.

When it was put back on the market, Mr. Mercille had his chance this time. The problem is that she had been completely stripped of her finery. “The house had been cannibalized, there were holes everywhere, everything that could be removed had been dismantled: baths, sinks, etc. “, remembers the new occupant, aware that massive investments would be necessary to put it back on its feet. At valiant heart nothing impossible ; captivated by the charm of his atypical style, he has, over a quarter of a century, provided him with the necessary care for his integration.

We are talking about integration here, because for Raynald Mercille, this residence has been catapulted from distant horizons.

Let us mention the 18 skylights installed on the roof – a daring bet for such a climate – as well as the abundant windows and bay windows, not to mention the large volumes, with high ceilings and very wide passages.

To multiply the already very penetrating exterior light, the initial whiteness of the walls and ceilings has been restored in all the rooms. Accentuating these southern airs even more, Mexican terracotta tiles cover the entire floor. “There are animal paw prints, a sign that they dried on the beaches of Mexico. When they come, my granddaughters Alice and Florence always have fun looking for these footprints. They will have to mourn their childhood excursions, ”says Mr. Mercille somewhat. Moreover, what a strange coincidence that the house is located on the way to La Calaca! – you know, those Mexican skeleton figures.

Tie your tuque

In addition to the need to “dress up” this southern Laurentian, it also had to be prepared for the cold season. On a solid base layer (the concrete walls boast a thickness of more than 40 cm, on which many workmen have broken their teeth; or rather, have broken the bits of their drill), an array of Improvements have been made: replacement of all the doors, windows and patio doors, now equipped with triple panes, and total overhaul of the 18 skylights, reduced to 9 double-sized units, allowing the same surface to be covered.

Protected by this new shell, the interior fittings are not to be outdone, the 16 rooms having been meticulously maintained and draped; one example among many others, the former bedrooms of Julien and Étienne, sons of Mr. Mercille, have been converted, one of them housing an impressive built-in library in solid maple. It should be noted that all the work carried out in the last decade was carried out under the leadership of designer Lorna Gordon.

The sap of the South

As much as the building has southern airs, its natural environment is resolutely northern, since it was erected in the heart of a vast and old maple grove, where many hundred-year-old specimens are still planted, in perfect health, or even a superb Canadian lime tree. The future owners could also very well complete one of the (rare) unfinished projects of Mr. Mercille, by setting up facilities for harvesting and producing maple syrup.

Unless they prefer to tackle this other outstanding project, the development of an aquatic basin thanks to the stream taking its source on the ground. What’s more, visual pollution is greatly reduced.

Outdoor investments were also on the menu, with a complete landscaping done six years ago, showcasing cut stone low walls, underground lighting and irrigation areas.

After 26 years of a flourishing relationship with his pampered house, the time for a separation of paths finally arrived, precipitated by the departure of the owner’s children. Perhaps inspired by this Californian idyll, the latter responded to the sirens of exodus to establish itself further south. Florida? Mexico ? Let’s not exaggerate: by way of new tropics, a new condo in Mirabel will do the trick. While waiting for the day of the move, the beauty of Saint-Sauveur watches for her next spouse to warm his heart.