A Fresh Spin on a Victorian Home in This Modern Montreal Makeover

See the charming transformation interior designer Michelle Martel did on a classic Victorian in this captivating home tour.

By: Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason

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Photo By: Amélie Pedrini

Photo By: Alex Pacifini

Photo By: Amélie Pedrini

Photo By: Alex Pacifini

Photo By: Amélie Pedrini

Photo By: Alex Pacifini

Interior Designer Michelle Martel

Canadian interior designer Michelle Martel (@michellemartelathome) has followed a unique route into her chosen industry. Enrolling in design school after 17 years as a homemaker, Michelle worked her way through school and various designer showrooms to hone her skills and learn the ins and outs of the business. Just before the start of the pandemic, and after 20 years of living in their former home, Michelle and her family started a “downsizing mission” that led them to their new home, a beautiful 1902 Victorian.

A Living Room That Leans Into the Victorian Architecture

“We were looking to purchase a turnkey home,” says Michelle, but things turned out very differently than she expected. “After several unsuccessful offers on a variety of houses, we were finally able to purchase this old Victorian, which was the opposite [of turnkey].” Still, the place had a charm that the family found impossible to resist. “The 12-foot-high ceilings, original plaster moldings and original oak trims and baseboards were some of the elements we wanted to preserve,” she explains. But they were all badly in need of repair. The only solution was what Michell describes as a two-and-a-half-year renovation “adventure,” which saw the family alternately living in and leaving the house for months at a time.

Victorian Bones With an Industrial Twist

Good things come to those who wait, though for Michelle the wait was shorter than she originally intended. “We planned on living in the house for a while and renovating over time,” she recalls. “But dangerous wiring, leaky toilets and asbestos in the walls gave us a pretty big incentive to get our fixer-upper into shape ASAP.” Today her living room stands as one of her favorite reminders of why it was worth all the work. “It has a beautiful fireplace, which I love, and we added fantastic freestanding bookshelves for more layering and added character — the perfect mixture of old and new.”

Designer Elements in the Entryway

Respecting the history of her new home was one of the most important things to Michelle in her redesign. But right from the start, she was on the lookout for the perfect places to add something new. “We purchased the gorgeous armoire that sits in the entrance when we first moved into this house,” she says. The entryway also offers a peek into the dining room and another of Michelle’s favorite finds. “I love that I’m welcomed home by my favorite piece of art: our gorgeous lady from Ivhu art that hangs in the dining room.”

An Eclectic, Funky Dining Room Renovation

The dining room was one of the main focuses of the first round of renovation, which lasted for three months. “We renovated the entire first floor, the kitchen, dining room and powder room, with new flooring throughout in just three months,” Michelle remembers. The work was so extensive that the family had to leave for periods so more could be done. “We lived in the house for six months [and] moved out for three months to get the house rewired as the old electrical was a fire hazard.”

How to Creatively Display Culture in Your Home

In every room of the home, Michelle uses design to tell the story of her culture, and the dining room is no exception. “Our culture and history are also on full display throughout our home with art, textures, fabrics and furniture selection,” the designer says. “That is the core of my vision for my clients as well. Our lives, personality and passions must be reflected in our homes. It is the heartbeat of every home.”

A Modern Kitchen Renovation

As the heart of the home, the kitchen received special attention during the remodel. “It had great bones and was filled with natural light, which is great for my plant collection,” Michelle laughs. “We kept the same floor plan and added these cubbies to make everyday dishes easily accessible.” Additional countertops were added to provide more working area to the space. “Going vertical was the best way to go to maximize space,” she says.

Historic Features Combined With Updated Elements Make for a Cozy Home

“What I love most about this home is how we’ve honored its history while making it shine with our own vision. Our guests often comment on how warm and cozy it is, and a few have fallen asleep on the sofa after a great meal, which is the ultimate compliment.”

A Major Bathroom Upgrade

At the end of a long design process, Michelle decided that many hands make light work. “After moving out for the main floor renovation, we were running on empty, and we wanted fresh eyes to bring our vision to light,” she explains. Facing a complex renovation job for multiple bathrooms, she decided to collaborate with Hibou Design & Co. to bring it to a close. “The entire project lasted six months. Well worth it in the end as we can now enjoy our home to the fullest.”

A Black and White Bedroom With a Modern Feel

Michelle’s bedroom is a light-filled getaway, complete with a classic black-and-white color palette and topped with a beautiful Cameroonian tyn (also known as a juju hat) above the headboard. The combination of the vintage-style chandelier together with the room’s modern furniture pieces fits perfectly with the era-blending aesthetic found throughout the home. “The bedroom is our own little oasis,” she confirms. “I love the way we were able to blend old and new, while keeping the beautiful character of this home.”

A Home Office That Doubles As a Guest Room Is the Ideal Multipurpose Space

The home offers additional working space in the form of twin offices for Michelle and her husband. Boasting a feature wall dedicated to her love of plants, Michelle’s is a sanctuary that she relies on for rest and inspiration. “My office is where I recharge and relax surrounded by my plants and artwork,” she says. With a sofa that opens into a bed, the small space also serves as a guest room. “This space is tiny but mighty,” she laughs.

A Balcony Converted to an Office Was Perfectly Timed

Michelle's husband’s office is also perfectly crafted to suit his tastes and needs. Originally an unused balcony, the decision to convert the space into a home office was a perfect reworking of that space. It was also perfectly timed. “The pandemic hit just a few weeks after it was completed, and my husband worked from this beautiful space for months.” To mitigate the impact of quarantine and restricted travel, Michelle designed the space to evoke the feeling of other places dear to their hearts. “I wanted to bring in imagery from his beautiful homeland of Saint Kitts,” she says.

A Fresh Spin on a Victorian Home in This Modern Montreal Makeover

Related To:

Shop This Look

Interior Designer Michelle Martel

A Living Room That Leans Into the Victorian Architecture

Victorian Bones With an Industrial Twist

Designer Elements in the Entryway

An Eclectic, Funky Dining Room Renovation

How to Creatively Display Culture in Your Home

A Modern Kitchen Renovation

Historic Features Combined With Updated Elements Make for a Cozy Home

A Major Bathroom Upgrade

A Black and White Bedroom With a Modern Feel

A Home Office That Doubles As a Guest Room Is the Ideal Multipurpose Space

A Balcony Converted to an Office Was Perfectly Timed

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