Nestled at the foot of Mount Saint-Bruno, just outside Montreal, the Montpellier Residence is a masterclass in understated elegance. Designed by Vives St-Laurent and ATA Architecture, this three-level home blends seamlessly into its lush forest surroundings, offering a tranquil escape that prioritizes harmony between form, light, and landscape.

Unlike ostentatious modern designs, this residence doesn’t demand attention—it invites quiet contemplation. Every detail, from the curved walls to the carefully selected materials, reinforces a sense of serenity and connection to nature. Below, we take a room-by-room journey through this thoughtfully crafted dwelling, exploring how architecture and interior design work in unison to create a space that feels both refined and deeply calming.

A Quiet Arrival: The Entryway

The approach to the Montpellier Residence feels like discovering a hidden sanctuary. The linear vestibule, subtle in tone yet rich in detail, sets the tone for the home’s minimalist yet poetic aesthetic.

  • Floating Shelf & Curved Walls: A pale stone floating shelf runs along a softly curved wall, introducing the home’s recurring theme of gentle geometry.
  • Organic Accents: A slender glass vase with delicate green-stemmed blooms brings life to the space without disrupting its tranquility.
  • Opus Incertum Flooring: The ceramic tiles, laid in an irregular slate-like pattern, feature warm tones of cream, sand, and terracotta, adding depth and texture.

This entryway isn’t just a passage—it’s an introduction to the home’s philosophy: quiet luxury, natural materials, and seamless transitions.

The entryway offers a quiet study in restraint and beauty. A simple floating shelf in pale stone runs along a softly curved wall, echoing the gentle geometry found throughout the home. The styling is minimal yet poetic—a slender glass vase with delicate green-stemmed blooms brings life to the space without disturbing its calm.Below, the floor steals a quiet moment of attention. Laid in an opus incertum pattern, the ceramic tiles resemble irregular shards of natural slate, with tones of cream, sand, and terracotta that add depth and warmth. A low, sculptural stool in natural oak sits alone, its softly rounded edges mirroring the architectural gestures found throughout the house.This small space captures the essence of the entire home: quiet elegance, natural light, and a deep respect for materiality.

Light and Flow: The Interior Layout

The home’s architecture avoids harsh divisions, instead using walls to guide movement rather than block it. Natural light drifts effortlessly through the space, enhancing the fluidity between rooms.

Slightly sunken and wrapped in warmth, the living room feels carved from the landscape itself. A linear fireplace positioned on a glazed terracotta tile platform creates an inviting, grounded space centered around a plush ivory rug. Soft curves in the white plaster echo the home's rounded details, while pale built-in sofas and a black leather lounge chair add contrast and calm. A sheer curtain highlights the double-height ceiling, and a glowing washi paper pendant adds warmth.

Layered Warmth: The Living Room

Slightly sunken and enveloped in warmth, the living room feels carved from the landscape itself. Key features include:

  • Linear Fireplace: Positioned on a glazed terracotta tile platform, it serves as a grounding focal point.
  • Soft Curves & Textures: White plaster walls with rounded edges mirror the home’s organic forms, while a plush ivory rug adds softness underfoot.
  • Furniture Balance: Pale built-in sofas contrast with a sleek black leather lounge chair, creating visual interest without clutter.
  • Double-Height Drama: A sheer curtain accentuates the soaring ceiling, while a washi paper pendant casts a warm, diffused glow.

This space exemplifies biophilic design, where architecture and nature exist in effortless harmony.

This sunken living room is both sculptural and serene. It creates an inviting, grounded space centered around a plush ivory rug and a terracotta tile platform. Rich in tone and laid with clean precision, the tile provides a grounding base for both the fireplace and the window wall.Soft curves in the white plaster echo the home's rounded details, while pale sofas and a black leather lounge chair add contrast and calm. A sheer curtain highlights the double-height ceiling, and a glowing washi paper pendant adds warmth.
This sunken living room is both sculptural and serene. It creates an inviting, grounded space centered around a plush ivory rug and a terracotta tile platform. Rich in tone and laid with clean precision, the tile provides a grounding base for both the fireplace and the window wall.Soft curves in the white plaster echo the home's rounded details, while pale sofas and a black leather lounge chair add contrast and calm. A sheer curtain highlights the double-height ceiling, and a glowing washi paper pendant adds warmth.

Contrasts and Curves: The Dining Area

Adjacent to the living room, the dining area plays with balance and contrast:

  • Dark Wood Table vs. Light Oak Floor: A striking yet harmonious material interplay.
  • Curved Continuity: The rounded edges of walls and furniture create a sense of soft movement, reinforcing the home’s fluid aesthetic.
  • Natural Light: Large windows ensure the space remains bright and connected to the outdoors.
Just beyond the living room, the dining space explores balance through contrast. A dark wood table plays against a light oak floor, continuing the project’s recurring dialogue between rich materials and natural softness. Curved lines, seen in walls and furniture, create continuity and quiet movement.

Sculptural Minimalism: The Kitchen

The kitchen is a study in quiet drama, where functionality meets artistry:

  • Living Painting Window: A wide picture window frames the forest, transforming the view into a seasonally evolving artwork.
  • Monolithic Stone Island: A pale stone countertop with a waterfall edge adds sculptural weight.
  • Elegant Simplicity: Two slender oak bar stools complement the home’s graceful design language.

This kitchen proves that minimalism doesn’t have to be cold—warm materials and natural light keep it inviting.

The kitchen blends quiet elegance with smart functionality. A wide picture window frames the forest, turning light and landscape into a living artwork. Natural wood cabinetry, pale stone surfaces, and hidden appliances keep the space clean and calm. A built-in coffee nook adds warmth, while the nearby dining area offers a cozy, wood-lined corner for slow mornings.

Underfoot Elegance: The Flooring

Flooring in the Montpellier Residence is both backdrop and statement:

  • Vestibule: Slate-inspired ceramic tiles in earthy tones.
  • Living Spaces: Pale oak planks that enhance warmth without overpowering.
  • Textural Harmony: Each surface supports the home’s gentle rhythm, ensuring cohesion.
Throughout the home, flooring is treated as both backdrop and statement. From the slate-inspired ceramic in the vestibule to the pale oak planks in living spaces, each surface supports the home's gentle rhythm. These subtle choices add texture without overpowering the architecture.

Vertical Calm: The Library

A retreat within a retreat, the home library is designed for slow living:

  • Floor-to-Ceiling Oak Shelving: Warm, orderly, and visually soothing.
  • Curated Decor: Sculptural objects and a small table lamp add personality without clutter.
  • Reading Nook: A dark wood table with a grey-cushioned chair creates an inviting spot for reflection.

Sheer curtains filter light, enhancing the zen-like atmosphere.

Small Space, Big Impact: The Powder Room

Even the powder room embodies quiet luxury:

  • Floating Stone Vanity: Soft veining adds organic elegance.
  • Round Basin & Black Faucets: A refined contrast.
  • Taupe Walls & Large Mirror: Expansive and serene.

This compact space feels like a miniature spa.

This sunlit home library offers a quiet spot for reading or morning coffee. Oak shelving lines the wall with a calm rhythm, styled simply with books and objects. A dark wood table with matching chairs anchors the space, while sheer curtains filter light, casting a warm, inviting glow.

The Art of Transition: The Hallway

The upstairs hallway is more than a passage—it’s a sculptural experience:

  • Warm Oak Threshold: An ajar door invites curiosity.
  • Angled Ceiling: Plays with light and shadow.
  • Glass Balustrade: Offers a glimpse of the lower level, enhancing spatial connectivity.
The view of the upstairs hallway leads us through a warm oak-framed threshold, where the door, just slightly ajar, invites curiosity and movement deeper into the home. Framed with intention, the doorway becomes more than just an entry. It feels like a sculptural moment within the architecture. The angled ceiling introduces a subtle architectural rhythm, catching the light and creating depth through shadow, while on the right, an opening and a clear glass balustrade provide a view of the lower level.

A Spa-Like Escape: The Primary Bathroom

The ensuite is a sanctuary of calm:

  • Sheer Curtains: Diffuse soft natural light.
  • Floating Twin Vanity: Pale stone with muted metal fixtures.
  • Mirror Illusion: Expands the sense of space.
  • Walk-In Closets: Functional yet elegant storage solutions.
The primary bathroom is a quiet retreat, designed for comfort and calm. Sheer curtains filter soft light across a minimalist floating vanity with twin basins and a pale stone countertop. Muted metal fixtures add subtle contrast, while the mirrored above makes the room feel larger. With soothing tones, refined details, and no visual clutter, the ensuite feels spacious, tranquil, and perfectly suited for slow mornings. Two walk-in closets complete the suite with functional elegance.
The primary bathroom is a quiet retreat, designed for comfort and calm. Sheer curtains filter soft light across a minimalist floating vanity with twin basins and a pale stone countertop. Muted metal fixtures add subtle contrast, while the mirrored above makes the room feel larger. With soothing tones, refined details, and no visual clutter, the ensuite feels spacious, tranquil, and perfectly suited for slow mornings. Two walk-in closets complete the suite with functional elegance.

Final Thoughts: A Home That Whispers

The Montpellier Residence is a testament to thoughtful design, where every element—from curved walls to natural materials—works in harmony. It’s not just a house; it’s a meditative retreat that celebrates light, landscape, and understated beauty.

For those seeking inspiration in contemporary architecture, biophilic design, or minimalist interiors, this home serves as a masterful example of how spaces can be both functional and poetic.

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