The owner’s tour | When classicism marries 21st century chic

When Yolaine Smith and Alan Garner bought their almost century-old home in 1998, they never imagined for a second that it would one day be completely transformed.

“The house needed good care, it’s true, but never, ever I would have imagined that it would be transformed so much,” says the owner.

The house in Saint-Lambert, you see, was built in 1905, then renovated in 1933. And after… nothing. The years passed and the house remained almost intact. Let’s say that a rejuvenation was needed. Without distorting it, it had to be dusted off. And dust, the couple has known. “We renovated for three years, from the basement to the attic! »

Along the way, the Smith-Garners have added a huge extension to their already large house, a new swimming pool, outdoor relaxation areas, a gym, a wine cellar, etc. Better still, the old part has been meticulously restored to preserve its character. Ditto for the exterior facade. The effect is charming and so successful that one has the impression of being catapulted from one century to another while crossing it.

The couple had been scouting the neighborhood for a long time. “My sister lived opposite, we had friends who lived in Saint-Lambert. In addition, you could walk to the Village,” recalls Yolaine Smith. The Village is the main artery of the city, Victoria Avenue, that of shops and art galleries, restaurants and small cafes. In all, 600 commercial and professional establishments. “An asset for us for sure. I like to encourage local businesses. In addition, the land had interesting dimensions (three lots), guaranteeing privacy. Finally, as everyone from Lambert will tell you, we are a few minutes from Montreal by train, car or bus!

Beginning of the roadworks

After having lived there for seven years without knocking down the slightest wall because she was accompanying her husband to Toronto where he was working, Yolaine Smith set to work in 2006 when their little William was a toddler. With an architect, she completely reviewed the areas of the house. With a few exceptions, the couple liked the dimensions of the rooms, but they had to rethink the storage, the openings, the three bathrooms (and the two shower rooms) as well as, of course, the kitchen which had no moved for decades.

“I’ve never cut corners,” assures the young fifty-year-old, an active and cheerful woman.

While her husband worked in Toronto during the week, Yolaine Smith coordinated the work. The weekend, it was discussed loudly!

There are four levels to the house in the original section, and two in the new section which has three garages and a large room above that serves as an office, living room (one of the house’s four family rooms) and another that brings together the family’s gym equipment. William (the son) is a talented hockey player who plays for his university.

” For that matter ”

Obviously, the work has made it possible to modernize the infrastructure. “We installed central air conditioning as well as a central vacuum and a humidifier,” explains Yolaine Smith. There are also two separate heating systems. The hot water heaters were retained in the old section, and a forced-air heating system was installed in the new one.

In order to respect the entirety of the old part, the couple called on craftsmen for a host of restorations. In the dining room, for example, the walnut panels were delicately sanded and stained, a job that took six months. The beautiful marble of the double fireplace in the living room has been cleaned and preserved as well as the large mirror above. “We only dressed the fireplace. Original pieces have found their way elsewhere, such as the capping of an old wrought iron staircase that ended up at the end of the pilaster of another staircase. Everywhere, Yolaine Smith tried to reuse pieces that no longer had their place.

Like any period house, that of the Smith-Garners has its secrets. In the dining room, the south side panels appear fixed, but they swing open, revealing a bar with sink, counter, cooler and fridge that was supposed to be there all along. A nice surprise.

Summer is for playing

But the couple lives for the beautiful season. “We don’t have a chalet: our yard is our chalet! Despite the snow, Yolaine Smith showed us her veranda, her summer kitchen, her umpteenth living room and the large swimming pool. You can tell she is impatient to find her furniture and her flowers. Who would not be ?

What are the plans for this family? “We don’t know yet, it’s the place that will choose us. But it will be hard to match! »