Julia & Bruno’s Colorful and Airy Home

published Nov 2, 2014
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(Image credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion)

Name: Julia Vallelunga & Bruno Gariépy
Location: Montréal, Québec
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years Lived In: 1.5 years; Owned

Julia is the founder and editor of À la Mode Montréal, a blog about décor, fashion, trends, travel and day-to-day life. Since the beginning of 2014, À la Mode Montréal has its own online store that offers a selection of beautiful handmade objects by international designers.

(Image credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion)

Two years ago, Julia and Bruno were looking for a duplex with a small backyard they could renovate. They had a crush on this one. They love the family friendly neighborhood and the division of the rooms (the open concept of the living/dining room). They integrated some family furniture (marble tables, stereo), some travel finds and lots of colorful objects to the décor. The space is airy and bright.

(Image credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Colors on a white background

Inspiration: Travels, textiles, flea markets

Favorite Element: The open area: living room, dining room and master bedroom. We also just finished decorating the baby room. We are expecting a boy for November and we like the feel of this new room.

Biggest Challenge: Storage. When something new comes in the house, something has to leave!

What Friends Say: They love sitting at our dining room table. It’s spacious. We host many dinners and we like that people feel at home.

Biggest Embarrassment: Our old bathroom. It’s the last room left to renovate. We’re a taking a “reno break” but we’re hoping to renovate it before the end of the year.

Proudest DIY: Our dining table. We wanted a big dining table but we didn’t have a lot of budget. We found an old conference table with nice metal legs but a cheap countertop. To add character, we glued wood boards that we sandblasted and stained.

Biggest Indulgence: An Acapulco chair. To be honest, we never sit on it, but we like looking at it!

Best Advice: A room at a time! When buying a house, it’s easy to start renovating everything at the same time. We took our time and wanted to live in the house before taking big decisions.

Dream Sources: Vintage furniture stores and flea markets in California and artisan markets in South America.

(Image credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion)

RESOURCES

LIVING ROOM

  • Stereo and bar; was my dad’s entertaining system when he was a teenager.
  • Acapulco chair; Pink & Brown
  • Marble table; was my Italian grandmother table
  • Black deep plate with flowers; found in a flea market in Texas
    • KIVIK couch; Ikea
  • Pillows; found in a Mexico city market
  • Scientific poster; À la mode Montréal
  • Black tray with flowers; found in a flea market

  • DINING ROOM
  • Wood fireplace structure; Eco-Reno
  • Brown trunk; was my Italian grandfather tool trunk
  • Nesting dolls; bought them in Poland
  • White horse; souvenir from Sweden
  • Vintage radio; found in a flea market in Montreal
  • TOBIAS chairs; Ikea
  • Plastic rug; Fab Habitat
  • Colorful basket; À la mode Montréal
  • Dining table; DIY

  • KITCHEN
  • Bamboo countertop; Réno-Dépot
  • Trestle with self; Ikea
  • Metal bar chairs; bought on Kijiji
  • Stendig calendar; Boutique Unicorn
  • Plant hanger; À la mode Montréal

  • BEDROOM
  • Vintage turquoise chair; found at The Salvation Army in Montreal
  • Mexican blanket; bought in Mexico city
  • BRIMNES bed frame; Ikea
  • Pink blanket; Urban Outfitters
  • Lightstring; À la mode Montréal
  • Colorful rug; Home Depot
  • Marble table; was my Italian grandmother table

  • NURSERY
  • STUVA crib; Ikea
  • MANDAL dresser, Ikea
  • Garland; DIY
  • POÄNG rocking chair; Ikea
  • Chevron gray and white throw; West Elm
  • Plastic rug; Fab Habitat
  • Colorful rug; Home Depot
  • Moroccan pouf; Ikram Design

  • TERRACE
  • Yellow LOTUS chairs; found in a vintage store in Montreal
  • Colorful basket; À la mode Montréal
  • Gray plastic rug; À la mode Montréal
  • Oilcloth tablecoth; À la mode Montréal
  • Plant hanger; À la mode Montréal
  • (Image credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion)

    Thanks, Julia and Bruno!

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