Talo Studios introduces Japandi elements to historic Montreal house

Talo Studios has renovated a house in Montreal that's almost 100 years old, drawing on Scandinavian and Japanese influences for the interiors.

Located on Grey Avenue, in a residential area on the southern side of Mount Royal, the project embodies Japandi – the trend for interiors that are a hybrid of Japanese and Scandinavian style.

Bright Scandinavian living room in Montreal — A bright sitting room at the front of the house

This renovation was for a sibling of Talo Studios founder Tiina Vahtola, who drew from their shared upbringing in northern Ontario and the family's Finnish heritage.

"The key attribute to this design was to give the family a spacious living area while creating pockets within the space that bring the family together," said Talo Studios.

"Walls were opened up to accentuate the homes originally high ceilings and pull in as much natural light into the space as possible, without disturbing the original structure," added the studio.

Fireplace with art objects — The house on Grey Avenue is nearly 100 years old

The open-plan layout is split into different zones. Throughout the home, historical details such as a wood-burning fireplace have been preserved and updated with a light touch. Other areas, such as the kitchen, were renovated completely.

Towards the front of the home, the living room and a formal dining area have been combined into a single space.

Shelving with peach backdrop — A muted palette runs throughout the home

"Before we removed the wall between the living room and dining room the living room felt like a small, dark and forgotten space," Vahtola told Dezeen.

Talo Studios organised seating around the existing fireplace and made new furniture selections to reinforce the home's minimalist aesthetic.

Kitchen cabinets Montreal townhouse — Talo Studios decluttered the kitchen by installing full-height shelving in the corridor

"A thick rounded sofa is combined with a low linear slatted coffee table and nubby rug with a subtle swirl, reminiscent of a Japanese garden," Vahtola explained.

"Light wood is mixed with the woolly texture on the seat of the iconic Flag Halyard Chair, a Nordic nod to part of the family heritage," they added.

At the back of the home, the eat-in kitchen is described as "culinary-focused". According to the designer, this is the family's main gathering point on a daily basis.

Full-height cabinets along the home's interior corridor help achieve a less cluttered look.

Breakfast nook in Montreal home renovation — The breakfast nook is the family's main gathering area

By providing plenty of storage in the home's dead spaces the kitchen avoids needing upper cabinets, which makes it feel brighter and more open.

The floor finish here is a light-hued tile, which contrasts the original hardwood floors found elsewhere in the home. In the corner opposite the main food prep area is a breakfast nook made of light wooden slats.

Light wood and flooring features in the kitchen

Throughout the home, the owner's personal collection of art objects, sculptures, and paintings brings contrast to the otherwise neutral palette.

"The design aesthetic is inspired by subtle cues from Japanese and Scandinavian design, both of which draw their own momentum from nature, while still preserving the 100-year-old architecture," said Talo Studios.

Wooden kitchen cabinets Montreal — Concrete-hued countertops complement the light wooden cabinets.

"Scandinavian design is really about simplicity without forgetting about comfort and functionality," Vahtola told Dezeen.

"A neutral palette and the use of wood also add to this," she explained, adding that her own Scandinavian heritage informed many of the decisions for the interiors.

While the renovation focused on the ground floor spaces, the designer also intervened on the upper level, removing old carpet to expose and refinish the original floorboards, and updating the primary bedroom's en-suite bathroom.