Geneviève Simard and Mark Vallée started their life together in a tiny 350 ft condo2, in Griffintown, which was to serve as a base for the entrepreneur. They lived there for two and a half years, until in September 2018 they moved into a spacious 1032 sq.2which met their exact needs.
Posted at 12:00 p.m.
The beginnings of their life together allowed them to know two things: they loved Griffintown… and they would never have too much storage space. When they toured the sales offices in the bustling district, they were seduced by the Bassins du Havre, on the edge of the Lachine Canal.
“We were looking for the flexibility to modify the plans,” explains Mark Vallée. After living two and a half years in a small condo, we had very specific ideas of what to do and what not to do. »
“I do a lot of decorating of condos and what’s glaring in the neighborhood is the lack of storage,” says Geneviève Simard, who is an interior stylist. We didn’t want to lose a square inch. We didn’t want to have a corner that wouldn’t be used. We spent a lot of Friday nights with a bottle of wine, making plans. We wanted all our things to fit well everywhere, so as not to be cluttered. »
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
A cabinetmaker made the entire wall, on which the screen is mounted and behind which all the cables are hidden. Two large wooden panels sit on either side of the TV. They are each hiding something.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The panel to the left of the screen is actually a door. This gives access to the second bedroom, which is used, among other things, as an office.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The “hidden” room behind one of the panels in the living room is used, among other things, as an office and a guest bedroom.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Stacked, the washer and dryer have been strategically installed in the “hidden” bedroom. They are hidden behind a sliding door, next to a wardrobe transformed into a storage cellar, for 555 bottles.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
We can see the guard cellar next to the office.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
On the other side of the living room, a library has been designed to house the owner’s comic book collection and some interesting visual elements. Other drawers with filing cabinets have been incorporated.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The owners love to entertain, the kitchen has a large island.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Part of the bedroom has been reduced to add storage. The stylish wardrobe walk-in has been enlarged. The doors are a glossy navy blue.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The bathroom adjoining the master bedroom is entirely in ceramic.
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Tips
They are particularly proud of the clean-lined living room which nevertheless remains warm. Two large wooden panels sit on either side of the TV. To achieve this effect, the corner reserved for a washer and dryer, as well as the small corridor leading to it, were eliminated in order to enlarge the second bedroom, behind the wall.
“A cabinetmaker made the entire wall, on which the TV is mounted and all the cables are concealed, explains Mark Vallée. There are two wooden panels. Behind the first, next to the backlit bar, is our glassware. When you push the other panel, you enter Geneviève’s office. Storage has been integrated at the bottom of the TV. There are drawers that serve as filing cabinets, rather than just shelves. We’re both in business, we have a lot of paperwork to put away. »
Opposite this wall, a library has been designed to house the owner’s comic book collection and some interesting visual elements. Other file drawers have been incorporated.
The master bedroom has also been personalized.
Master bedrooms are often very large, but having a dance floor around the bed doesn’t help. We want to have a good space, which is warm. We decided to cut part of the bedroom to add even more storage.
Mark Vallée, co-owner
“We expanded the walk-in and we put doors in a glossy navy blue, which flashes a lot, he continues. The bed has also been designed specifically for the room, with sockets for charging your phone or tablet.
And the washer and dryer? They have been strategically placed in the hidden chamber. Stacked, they are hidden behind a sliding door, next to a wardrobe transformed into a storage cellar, for 555 bottles.
This room also serves as an office and guest bedroom. The two poufs from BoConcept each convert into a single bed. Glued together, they are a bit larger than a double bed. “Because my office is on casters, I can move it around easily,” explains Geneviève Simard. When our friends come to bed, they have plenty of room to sleep. I call it room four in one. »
Change of air
They live on the seventh floor of the third (and penultimate) phase of Bassins du Havre, called Signature, which is more upmarket. They preferred to have a view of the inner courtyard, which is very quiet, rather than of the Lachine Canal, in order to enjoy the late afternoon sun on their very spacious balcony.
Four years later, Mark Vallée has reoriented his career and works a lot from home. He also needs an office. Both snowmobile enthusiasts, they will settle in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. They will (obviously) customize their next condo, while not looking to replicate what has been accomplished. “The condo in Griffintown will remain unique,” they assure. Many pieces of furniture having been made to measure, they will move leaving almost everything to the future owners.
The property in brief
Year built: 2018
The four towers of the Bassins du Havre complex, in Griffintown, were built with the aim of LEED certification. Apartment 704, in the Signature phase, has a very large island in the kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a powder room. A space in the indoor parking lot is included. A second can be purchased ($60,000).
Area: 1032 ft2 (95.8m2)
Asking price: $890,000
Municipal assessment: $1,017,000
Property tax: $6376.77
School tax: $789.80
Monthly condo fees: $637.45
Real estate broker: Adil Baamar, RE/MAX L’Espace