Name: Patrick Foisy
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Size: 1027 s.f.
Years lived in: 1, owned
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Visit Patrick's loft in the converted Viau cookie factory and one is in for a surprise encounter at every turn. The home of an elementary school teacher, the loft exudes humor and creativity after just one year as a residence. Objects from the past breathe with new life, whether it's a heavy old bank safe used as a side table (and for storing "valuable" television remotes) or musical instruments repurposed into wall sconces and pendant lighting...
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A little history on the building from Patrick: "I live in a loft in a 1906 converted cookie factory in Montreal. Owned by the Viau family for several generations, the company changed hands a few times before the factory finally closed for good in 2004. Viau et Frères (Viau and Sons) has a very important place in French Canadian history. It was one of the two first French-owned companies to be quoted on the Canadian stock exchange. Viau was also famous for the invention of the Whippet cookie, which is the predecessor of the Mallomar. Just in case you are wondering, the place doesn’t smell like chocolate and vanilla anymore!".
It's apparent in visiting Patrick's home that he takes great joy in pre-used objects. To start, he knows the story behind each of his hand-chosen possessions. Then, he incorporates each object, not just as decor but as a relevant tool for daily use: mailbox as hamper, cash register as flatware drawer, bathtub as coffee table, and the list goes on and on... The result is a home not just of the visual world, but of the imagination, yesterday's tales, and tomorrow's invention.
AT Survey:
My style: Eclectic-Scandinavian-whimsical-modern-retro. Aside from my couch and my mattress, I don’t own anything new. I love giving a second life to old things. Everything I buy usually has a purpose. For example, I use a mailbox as a laundry chute, a snare drum as an end table, an antique dentist tower as a reading lamp, metal clarinets as pendant lights, a cash register as a drawer for my flatware, a bathtub as a coffee table, etc. I guess it makes sense, I do live in a recycled building.
Inspiration: My own twisted imagination and my grandfather who gave me the collecting bug. I remember going to antique auctions when I was young and being fascinated with the fast talking guy up front. I had two childhood ambitions. One was to one day have my very own pinball in my place and the second was to own a vintage VW Beetle. I’m glad to say that I achieved both of my goals.
Favorite Element: Originally, the large living room (16’ X 16’) used to be a staircase. The factory is a U shape building and on each side, you have two towers that encased the staircases. When they converted the building, they took out the staircases and continued the floors into the towers. It now houses my living room. Back in 1906, to prevent fires from spreading from floor to floor, the towers were made entirely of brick. The living room now has three brick walls and they are 5 bricks deep! I’m also lucky enough to have 14 “ high ceilings! Interesting fact: In 1906, the east tower, which is now my living room, was the women’s entrance.
Biggest Challenge: Not to buy any more stuff! I’m an antiques / flea market / thrift store / garage sale addict! If one more piece of furniture comes in, one piece must leave! Unless I build a mezzanine… Out of the 182 lofts, I’m the one who has the fullest locker.
What Friends Say: “Every time I come here, I see something new!” and “Boy, you are obsessed with details! When do you find time to do all this?” Is this a good thing? I’ll let you judge…
Biggest Embarrassment: My dog Jedi and my cat Bowling love to leave scratches all over my floor. Aside from changing the floor and putting slippers on my pets, I really don’t know what to do.
Proudest DIY: The doors to my bathroom and my bedroom. My goal is to give my loft the original factory look. That is why I changed the generic white doors for old wooden doors bought in an architectural salvage store. I sanded them down, re-stained and re-varnished, changed the top wood panel for glass, installed old hardware and reframed it. Thanks dad for your help!
I later found an artisan that has been painting letters on glass for the last 40 years. My bathroom says: “Toilettes – Employés seulement” (Toilet – Employees only) and my bedroom door says: “Entrepot – chocolat” (Chocolate – Warehouse”).
Biggest Indulgence: I usually pride myself on finding great deals but I did splurge on one thing. I bought an antique Viau general store cookie display case. I drove to Syracuse, NY to retrieve it. I think it was well worth it.
Best advice: Fill your place with art! It can be from artistic framed photos you took, a hand made souvenir made by artisans you brought back from your travels or your child’s kindergarten finger painting. Support your local emerging artists. Some have lots of talent and you will pay the same price as massively produced reproduction found at Ikea. Plus you will have something unique!
Be patient. Wait to find exactly what you want. You can’t decorate a room in a week. It took me more than 10 years to find an antique safe to use as an end table. When you walk in an antique store and the owner asks you: “Are you looking for something in particular?”, always have an answer prepared. You might be surprised, they might have what you are looking for hidden somewhere.
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Resources:
Appliances:
Butcher block made by Legnoart.
Orbitel Panasonic “Flying saucer” TV bought at Vertige Pop Deco in Montreal 514-523-1717
Furniture:
Theatre seat, Coke sign bought at Cite Deco. Floating teak drawers, Scandinavian credenza bought at Montreal Moderne 514-293-7903
Lighting:
Clarinet pendant lights, Zildjian cymbal reading lamp, horn wall sconce made by Auger Halogen in Montreal 514-596-3946
Window Treatments: Mactac frosted paper. Cost of around 60$.
Bed: 70’s teak bed bought at Cite Deco. What is great about the design of that bed is that the squares at the end of the headboard expand so you can use it as a queen or king size bed.
Artwork: Redhead Woman painted by Cate Rangel
Martini and shaker painted by Kristen Stein
Cop Car intitled Serve and Protect painted by Arpi, Tramway painted by Arpi, Graffiti on brick wall painted by Strike and Zek, all from Cafe Graffiti
Vietnamese man playing instrument – gouache on paper – bought in Hoi An, Vietnam
Chez Patrick Café – painted by Alejandro – bought on the street in Old Montreal
Pets: Jedi and Bowling were adopted at the local SPCA.
(Thanks, Patrick!)
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My hometown! Yay!
view fabulissime's profile
LOVE the instrumental lighting :-)
view Nancy_Claire's profile
Lots of fun details... really enjoyed this tour!
I wish my house had an entrepot chocolat.
view peekay's profile
One more reason why AT should have a Canadian outpost!
Awesome loft! Lots of whimsy!
view Kelaine's profile
Some of the pieces are quite clever and individually I like them, but this is a classic example of overdoing a theme. To me it looks totally contrived, like it's trying so hard to be cool, that it no longer is. Less would be more in this case.
view peachpie's profile
Very interesting tour, love the stories behind it all. The doors to the bathroom and bedroom surprised me, I thought they were from the factory! I was wondering what the original use was for the red--looks like a file cabinet--item? Is baseboard heating really enough in Canada?
You have a great place, a fun place and beautiful family(worth every scratch on the floor). Thanks for sharing!
view sassydo's profile
I love those old cash registers. They are so neat. I love that he keeps his silverware in one!
view tinnie's profile
Peach Pie.....shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Ok mister owner you are having too much fun! Damn, that house is a blast. The mailbox as storage is the best!
The graff piece is also awesome coming from a ex-writer (hung up my Krylons).
I am into more Elle Decorish/Paris glam type stuff that usually has money flying out of my pockets but you just had some vision here.
Hey "overdoing" is cool with me as long as it is as fun as this! I am Brasilian and Sagitarius so showing off is in my blood!
Can a 12 pack of beer and I come over when in Montreal? I will bring the wrist out of retirement and do a piece for you.
Awesome!
view chicity1126's profile
Patrick must be strong like bull. That stuff looks so heavy.
view MiklakMiklak's profile
Do I detect AT Montreal in the future?
AT Toronto?
AT Vancouver?
view neighborguy's profile
Although it's not my style, that sure is a nice, fun apartment.
Fantastic!
view John H's profile
you have so much awesome in your home.
view hissingsissing's profile
So much character....love, love, love it!
view modernguy's profile
Wouldn't Viau et Freres be translated as "Viau and Brothers"? "Viau and Sons" would be Viau et Fils."
view Northern Homebody's profile
It sure is an interesting house. For me it gets a bit gimmicky at times...
Pretty interesting though.
view eddie p's profile
Very, very cool, passionate, creative & fun.
view *ks's profile
Excellent work! I love how he doesn't just buy things because they look cool, but because they also serve a purpose. I think my fave is the horn sconce.
view Aiekan's profile
wow I really really love your place! This is what we are trying to go for in our new home. We are slowly colleting pieces and repurposing many things! Amazing and I will save it for inspiration! Thank you!
http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com
view jessimarie33's profile
Full confession: Patrick is my best guy friend and lives downstairs from me, so I am biased. My only comment will be that if you ever have the chance to visit his apartment in person, have him mix you a drink and show you around to tell you the (many, many) tales of his treasures and finds, I promise you'll enjoy a moment that you will remember forever!
Plus: Jedi and Bowling are awesome. :)
view Eve in Hochelaga's profile
I love the whimsy. It is a great example of how finding unconventional items really makes a house more interesting and meaningful than mass produced furniture, lighting and accessories. This isn't my style, but I would love to have Patrick as a friend.
view jfinteriors's profile
I might be in love with you.
view Rebecca's profile
Wonderful! (how do you say en francais?)
view calkite7's profile
This is my favorite house tour, hands down! Give me spaces like this over DWR shrines and MCMuseums any day.
view londonverve's profile
Really funky and cool! Love the unusual uses for unusual objects. Great, thanks for sharing.
view carrefour_ny's profile
My favorite part is the horns cum pendants. Tres chic!
view kimg924's profile
Re: Northern Homebody comment...
While literally translated, "Viau et Freres" would mean "Viau and Brothers" but the "Freres", in this case does not mean brother of the senior Viau, but sons of senior Viau, all of whom are brothers to each other. Does that make sense?
Therefore, Viau et Freres is correctly translated as Viau and sons.
view discomonkey's profile
Love it!!! Even the kitty looks happy!
view RobinCH's profile
oh man... to have a claw foot tub.... as A TUB - much less a coffee table... whew...
view VeryDelishVeg's profile
I understand where commenters are coming from when they opine that it feels contrived or gimmicky - everything is so creative that there's nowhere "normal" for the eye to take a momentary rest. Better this, though, than somewhere slavishly following all of the designista "rules".
I think it's wonderful. I love the dentist's tower as lamp/cocktail table, and the old till as cutlery drawer.
view Blandwagon's profile
I seriously can't get over how amazing this place is.
view krisssstin's profile
Absolutely. BRILLIANT. *gapes*
Where on earth did you find such an eclectic mix of such wonderful goodies? They all look amazing in your apartment....talk about thinking outside the box! The cash register-as-cutlery-drawer made me say "WOW!" out loud! Well done, I think it all looks fablulous! :)
view kelliblue's profile
See, to me Patrick's pad does feel normal, because it's chock full of things I love, from the bathtub coffee table to the dental floor lamp to the cash-register cutlery drawer. I could go on. And on.
Suffice to say I would feel entirely at home in this apartment -- especially if it came avec le chat et le chien. Fur is good, paws are good. Tails? Also good.
view rosenatti's profile
What a fun place to come home to! I would never want to leave!
view Sandie's profile
Great place - you can tell a lot of thought went into it. The best is the look on the dog's face though - dogs always hate to have their photo taken. Cutie pie!
view Sisero's profile
c'est magnifique, chaque détail est bien fignolé, wow!
view mod's profile
i almost expect to see price tags on your belongings haha...
just a joke, eh, nice cave!
view khanzen's profile
What a great personality this home has! Fun, clever, beautiful, sense of humor. Great job.
view Elizabeth II's profile
So cool to see another loft in the same building (as Eve)! I love all the found objects, and the vintage lettering on the doors.
Sassydo,
Baseboard heaters are standard in Montreal (and Quebec in general) because we produce a lot of hydroelectric power. It does the trick, but isn't the most pleasant form of heating.
view Michelle of Montreal's profile
It's too gimmicky for my tastes too, but very creative. It's the kind of place I would like to visit, but not live in.
view jooly's profile
Freaking amazing place. One of the best I've ever seen on AT. Thanks for sharing...really inspiring!
view teamrt's profile
What a fun and creative space!
My only criticism is that all the furniture (except the bed and dining table) is shoved against the walls.
view crockedteeth's profile
why isn't he an interior designer? fantastic place!
view jaytee's profile
I was expecting to see a pool table as your dining table. Fun tour!!!
view LoriSF's profile
I have bricks just like this. Did you seal them to the dust down?
view Cookout59's profile
Michelle,
Thanks for the info. I was wondering cuz when I lived in an apt. in Chicago once with electric baseboards, it was a long COLD winter. That was bad enough but also expensive.
view sassydo's profile
This place is so cool!! I love how Patrick reused found items for everyday use.
Also love the black cat.
view Old Gray Mare's profile
I really like the hood above the fire place, and the doors throughout the home. It's a great-looking home! Here's hoping we get an AT Canada sometime soon...
view typicalstudent's profile
This is the only AT house tour that ever made me laugh out loud -- in a good way. That tub!
view Jean's profile
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I hope Patrick is an art teacher, because his creativity should be shared with as many people as possible. Awesome home!
view PhillyLass's profile
Hi everyone! Patrick here...
I want to thank everybody who took time to browse through the pictures and leave a comment. I appreciate ALL your comments. The good and the not so good. I think you all made valid points.
I would like to point out that I have no background in design or the arts. I don’t even pretend to have good taste! If you have noticed in my survay, to the question “what friends say”, I never said that people love my place. The things they do say is: “This place is like nothing I have ever seen!”
That being said, I think most of you really got it. It’s meant to be FUN! And I have a great time decorating it. Thrust me, I do not take myself seriously. Most of my friends would never live in a place like mine but they do love to visit! I appreciate the fact that some of you think that I put thought into everything.
“Overdoing it? Trying to hard?” Absolutely! You are right! The only comment that I would have a hard time to swallow would be if my place left you indifferent.
But I have to admit, having my own House Tour is sort of a dream come true. Some dream big, I dream small. So you have no idea how much of an honour it is for me to be on AT. I have to thank Eve Martel (go see her House Tour!) who made this possible and Regina from AT Chicago for her great work. Let me tell you, as soon as I saw the title to my House Tour, I knew that she got it too.
Keep those comments coming. They literally give me chills! It’s great to read comments from people that seem as passionate about decorating as me. But in the end, the fact that my girlfriend and my family enjoy my place, is all that really matters. Right?
If you want to see more, I invite you to come and join “Patrick Foisy’s Fan Club” on Facebook. (I DID NOT CHOOSE THAT NAME!) A friend started that group after visiting the loft. It’s full of pictures.
P.S.: I apologize if I masacred the english language since french is my first language.
view Patrick F. aka PsychoPat's profile
come decorate my house! i LOVE it! amazing!
view gabbyik's profile
My favorite is the liquor cabinet is a fire box. PUNS in the house.
Neat tour.
view K T G's profile
I love this place, with one exception: naked lady art over the bed says "I am a bachelor who fancies myself a playboy", and frankly, that's a turnoff to most women. Otherwise, really, I do love it.
view Jezebella's profile
That's a nude line drawing. You find that a turnoff and think for most women also? Don't generalize.
view K T G's profile
Since his girlfriend actually likes it, I think Patrick doesn't have to worry about "most women". ;)
view Eve in Hochelaga's profile
i love the nude sketch print! i am looking for a print for my bathroom...a little smaller. where can you buy this?
view jennibear55's profile
I like Patrick's place because, unlike most, he's designed it to his liking and not the liking of others. Good on ya, Sir.
view atarichamp's profile
AT Montreal: Do it.
view Cassian's profile
Hello all! Patrick again...
This is want I love about art. It's very personnal and it evokes different reactions and emotions from different people. And from my point of view, there is no wrong way to see it. And if you think that makes me someone who thinks of myself as a plaboy, that's fine too! If that is your perception, I respect that.
I choose my art in a very simple way. It's always a "coup de foudre" (love at first sight) sort of thing. It's a very primal, gut reaction. Meaning usually comes later. Eve is absolutely right, my girlfriend loves the painting. So as long as she's ok with it, I'm happy.
To answer jennibear55, I bought this painting on Ebay. I tried to find the seller who I bought it from but I can't seem to find it. It's an original painting and not a print.
Thanks again to all of you for your comments!
view Patrick F. aka PsychoPat's profile
If anyone wants to see more pics of Pat's place, I have some in my Flickr account here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allabouteve/sets/72157605489095869/
view Eve in Hochelaga's profile
Original and witty!
view mango-tango's profile
The style is perfectly suited to the architecture. I like the calm, easy flow of the furniture arrangement - very autoshop. I would like to see a little more elegance here, however. B plus.
view m's profile
Wow what a vibrant personality! Its nice to see someone express them selves and be brave enough to show the world.
view tlcuningkin331's profile
Wonderfully creative and a true design inspiration — thanks for sharing!
Incidentally, I currently have a bathtub in my living room, but it was not intentional, nor is it as well executed at Patrick's.
view brunocerous's profile