Montreal-based firm Indee Design‘s latest renovation project, the Plateau Kyoto Residence, transforms a compartmentalized single-family home in the Plateau Mont-Royal into a true “still journey,” where mid-century style and a passion for Japan come together to create a bespoke sanctuary for a young family.
The starting point was clear: to rethink the dynamics of a home with undeniable charm, yet no longer suited to its occupants’ needs. The challenge lay in reshaping the volumes to introduce a fluid, intuitive flow, allowing a couple and their two children to settle comfortably for the next 20 years.
Photo: Caroline Thibault
Photo: Caroline Thibault
The vision is rooted in a delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality: a modern space with clean lines, imbued with a warm character. “Clients aspired to a home where fluidity, light, and efficiency come together to enhance the existing structure — particularly through a bold staging of the courtyard and a luminous opening on the front façade,” stated interior designer and Indee Design founder, Florence Charron.
Rather than reinventing everything, Indee Design redefined the spaces to create open, connected living areas. By repositioning the staircase, the designer expanded the living space and established a seamless connection between the ground floor and the upper level. The home now fully opens onto the garden, offering a soothing continuity between indoors and outdoors, envisioned as an end-of-day retreat.
Photo: Caroline Thibault
Photo: Caroline Thibault
Every decision was guided by a simple idea: to design an environment that facilitates everyday gestures — where people naturally gather, share meals, play music, or enjoy a film together r— while making storage intuitive, fluid, and almost instinctive. “The harmony of the project stems from a fully open space where connections between each zone are achieved through subtle proximity and rigorous alignment of lines,” added Charron.
This project offers each family member a personal retreat while orchestrating vibrant shared spaces. Drawing inspiration from Japanese minimalism and a reinterpreted 1970s retro aesthetic, the design embraces the philosophy of “less, but better” as its guiding thread. “All furniture was entirely custom-designed to precisely meet the occupants’ needs while integrating seamlessly with the architecture,” Charron noted.
Photo: Caroline Thibault
Photo: Caroline Thibault
In the extension, a suspended bench appears to float in front of the window, extending the view outward and gently connecting to a wall alcove designed to house a bonsai, creating an inspiring, meditative space. Above, maple shelving interacts with a central unit structured into four distinct compartments, integrating both a concealed video projection system and storage.
Further along, the painted steel staircase rests on a glass block structure and conceals storage behind integrated doors, combining lightness and functionality. The kitchen revisits its original walnut cabinetry and stainless-steel countertop — entirely reworked — complemented by new modules and a ceramic backsplash.
A circular maple banquette is distinguished by its subtle design. Conceived for comfort without weighing down the space, it relies on discreet engineering connecting solid wood elements, some anchored directly to the floor. The central table, featuring a rotating top, encourages sharing and family moments.
The children’s play and reading area is delicately integrated into the architecture, nestled between walls and windows to benefit from abundant natural light. Plywood panels incorporate climbing holds, a bench, and a bookshelf, while the adjacent perforated pegboard wall evokes traditional workshop aesthetics.
Photo: Caroline Thibault
Photo: Caroline Thibault
This expressive touch extends into the children’s bathroom, where the wall forms a playful monster silhouette suggested through sconces, a round mirror, and a wall-mounted sink. Vintage movie posters coexist with monster-inspired imagery from the Machines de Nantes universe.
“The Plateau Kyoto Residence is a lasting living space, balancing intimacy and conviviality, designed to evolve with its occupants while offering a constant visual and emotional anchor,” Charron concluded.
The project demonstrates that a successful renovation goes beyond spatial reconfiguration — it involves sculpting an atmosphere where every detail becomes a driver of well-being.
For many more photos, see the story at TheSuburban.com— v2com
— AB n