Owner’s Tower | This is not an art gallery

Owners open the doors of their exceptional residence to us, offered on the resale market.

Sylvain Sarrazin
The Press

Crossing the threshold of the Laval residence of Sylvie and Simon Blais, one quickly wonders if there has been an error in the address. Is it a residence, or the local art museum? The answer is located halfway.

Looking at the original architecture and the great care taken in the exterior layout of the property, one suspects that its entrails conceal something unique. “It’s our secret garden, a merchant-collector’s house,” explains the couple, who took over the premises in 2005 to gradually polish its soul with art; coin by coin, and collector’s coin by collector’s coin. Because here, painters and sculptors have extended the roots of their inspiration throughout the premises, harmoniously resonating with them.

From the vestibule, the tone is set. From Mexico to Nigeria, from Siberia to Montreal, works by the big names in Quebec and international art have found a place in the four corners of the household, interacting with each other in huge common rooms, while making their way to the toilets, in the children’s room, on the lawns of the garden, and even in the basement, where the cat has taken up residence!

“One of the reasons we bought this house was for the walls to be able to hang these large-format works,” explains Mr. Blais, while pointing to a painting by Jean McEwan (A Canadian in New York), enthroned at the height of the staircase landing, as well as a painting by Carol Bernier (Until it burns) measuring 6 ft by 10 ft, installed in the dining room. “It’s every collector’s dream to be able to do this, we had been looking for a long time for a residence that would allow it”, he continues.

Their choice was not confined to this, however, because other components figured in the equation, such as the large volumes, their well-designed layout, the abundance of light (invited by two skylights and beautiful fenestration ), as well as the presence of a magnificent greenhouse, a true link between the interior and the backyard.

The art of renovating

There is no smoke without fire: let us specify right now that Sylvie and Simon Blais founded a renowned art gallery in Montreal, and that it was natural for them to spread their passion in their home. To the point of playing a backroom role? Not really, they answer, it’s more about personal favorites gleaned over the years and galleries.

On the other hand, since 2005, the couple has rubbed shoulders with another, very particular type of art: that of long-term renovation. Before being transformed into a house-museum, the house was in fact a long way off: built in 1989 by the promoter of the district who wanted to make it his own home, it was entitled to the “all-dressed” treatment (the marble entrance still bears witness to this), with many, many, many elements. Perhaps even too much, when you consult the period photos, where gilding, carpeting and flashy arrangements piled up.

Thus, from the year the Blais family took possession and to this day, the interventions have gone on well, sparing no part, while designers, cabinetmakers, landscapers and other master craftsmen have spent the relay to develop an up-to-date lifestyle and art environment.

Custom doors, stair railings, complete refresh of key rooms with custom furniture… the renovations have all been successful, with a special mention for the mid-level family room, now equipped with display cases (curiosities) and original shelves, the elongated, super-friendly and state-of-the-art kitchen, the redesigned master bedroom with a relaxation area and a walk-in closet (walk-in) redesigned. Without forgetting the spacious and charming garden, completely reconfigured in 2012 and whose high hedges guarantee excellent privacy.

Beautiful blank picture frame

What drives these occupants, having injected so much care into their home, to finally bequeath it to others? You should know that among all the works of art sleeping in these places, three of them – signed Sylvie and Simon Blais – ended up leaving the collection to fly on their own: the couple’s children have indeed left the nest to settle in Montreal. The large volumes of the house, ideal for a family, have thus become somewhat disproportionate for a duo, who also wish to be closer to their children. The owners finally fished out their new real estate happiness on the banks of the river.

There remains a question that certainly bothers you: are the works that contribute so much to the personality of the place included in the sale? We will simply answer that if this were the case, the price displayed would be much higher! That said, the quality and quantity of the renovation work immediately make it a top-of-the-range canvas where any future buyer can compose their own painting and spread the tints, shades and colors of their choice. We know it well: in art, everything is a matter of taste.