My Houzz: An 1887 Duplex Finds the Sun

When hunting for a house, you’re often told that you’ll “just know” when you’ve found your future home. That was certainly the case for Maryline Lambelin and her historic 1887 duplex. “When I visited the house for the first time, it was a big thunderbolt for me,” she says.

Lambelin, president of the Montreal home decor company ADzif, is passionate about art and design, and was up for the challenge of making this fixer-upper into her dream home. “The former owner had botched their home renovations, so this house required a lot of love,” she says. “On the other hand, this house has a soul and a history. The renovations did not scare me, and I plunged into the adventure. Every day I pinch myself to have the privilege of living in this house.”

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Maryline Lambelin and her Labrador and Bouvier Bernese mix, Canaille
Size: 1,100 square feet (102 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom; plus a 500-square-foot (46-square-meter) downstairs studio apartment
Location: Latin Quarter area of Montreal
Year built: 1887

Although she never expected to move to the Latin Quarter of Montreal, when Lambelin saw this house for sale, it was nothing short of love at first sight — especially the brick walls, high ceilings and period windows. “It really was a great love story for me,” she says. “I couldn’t sleep, trying to figure out how to make this house mine. At the first open house, there were 68 visitors and eight offers. I was the first!”


Lambelin decided to tackle renovations herself with help from a handy friend, Pierre Paré. “I managed everything: plans, ideas, colors. I was the master builder, managing budgets and different trades and suppliers of raw materials. Not without some headaches, but with the pride of having seen through the different stages of the project.”

The homeowner added a solarium extension, which has become her favorite room. “I don’t get tired of marveling at the rays of sun against the walls and floors, or watching the snow fall against the windows,” she says. “Each season is magical with a solarium.”


An example of Lambelin’s design aesthetic is her kitchen, which she renovated herself using cabinetry from Ikea. “The access points to the kitchen were modified to triple the work surfaces,” she says. The yellow drop ceiling, which disguises the suspended ceiling structure, allows for recessed lighting while providing a modern contrast with the white cabinetry. “Tomorrow morning a simple coat of paint to the fallout [soffit] and different accessories could allow me to transform the kitchen into a new theme,” says Lambelin. She painted the brick walls white.

Cabinetry: Akurum, Abstrakt high-gloss white, Ikea


The newly built solarium off the kitchen brings in a flood of light and makes the whole first floor feel larger and airier.


Lambelin invested a lot of time in adding the solarium, and then, by extension, in renovating the garden. “The garden had been completely abandoned by the previous owners,” she recalls. “Yet to have a small garden in the city center is so nice.”


Lambelin enjoys furnishing her home with basic pieces from Montreal stores like Simons or Zone, but especially appreciates the possessions she finds during travels or buys from local designers. Her goal is to find for every room at least one unique decorative accessory that has a story to tell.

The living room’s robot sculpture, inherited from her son, was created by a Parisian architect. “It was brought to Montreal in a huge wooden home construction box,” she says.

Accent pillows: Simons


The floors were originally black, and the homeowner found them difficult to maintain. Upon embarking on the floor renovation, she discovered the original exotic redwood flooring beneath. “With a bit of sanding and a clear coat, everything looks bright and wonderful,” she says.

Chandelier: Zone


If the walls could talk, what would they say? “They would wonder why the former owner had insulated the walls with plastic bags,” Lambelin says, laughing. “I stood mesmerized every time I pulled plastic bags from the cracks of the wall!”


The homeowner loves timeless design with clean, sharp lines. “I believe successful decorating is a setting where the space is intelligently used, with original details, but with contemporary updates that surprise.”


A mirror at the base of the stairs displays Lambelin’s collection of colorful scarves — she enjoys having elements of surprise like this throughout her home.


Inspired by Quebec architecture firm Naturehumaine, Lambelin chose to showcase the original features of the home. The furniture and decor in the hallway were kept minimal to enhance the woodwork.


A white, green and pale wood color scheme creates a peaceful and calming master bedroom. Sheer curtains enhance the dreamy space.


The long hallway was painted bright white to amplify the light, which is maximized by a skylight and a street-facing window. The area at the end of the hallway serves as Lambelin’s home office; she runs her online business, ADzif, from there.


Although Lambelin didn’t expect to end up in the Latin Quarter, she’s glad she did. “It’s the coolest neighborhood in Montreal and a well-kept secret,” the homeowner says. Close to La Fontaine Park, the Plateau, downtown and Gay Village, it is a pedestrian’s paradise — especially during festival season. Dog Canaille also approves of the neighborhood.


Lambelin relaxes in the solarium extension she built, which has become her favorite room in the house. “The light is amazing,” she says. “Perfect for eating, working, writing, having a cup of coffee or just to sit and admire the room.”

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