Project Spotlight: Smart Planning & Function: the Palomino transformation is one of the most complete home renovations we have completed in Montreal. The best renovations don’t start with demolition. They start with clarity. This Montreal family knew what they needed: more storage, better flow, and finishes that would hold up years from now, not just look good in photos. What followed was a full home transformation that didn’t add a single square foot, but completely changed how the house works. This is what premium interior design in Montreal looks like when the planning is done right.
The Kitchen: From Cramped to Open Without Moving a Single Wall
You reconfigure the layout. The original U-shape kitchen was functional but cramped in a way that made gathering impossible. By converting it to an open L-shape with an island, the kitchen became somewhere a family actually wants to be.
Seating at the island was a requirement from day one. So was storage. We maximized both.
Built-in appliances keep the lines clean: a 42-inch paneled fridge, integrated dishwasher, and a corner setup with a built-in microwave speed oven behind a garage door that hides the toaster. This family had one partner who runs warm and one who runs cool in their colour preferences. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray cabinets with a warm beige undertone meet a wood-toned island, finding the balance without compromising either.
Hanstone quartz counters, a textured tile backsplash mixing gloss and matte, and mixed metals throughout, primarily brass with strategic black accents. Every material chosen for longevity, not trend.
The Dining Room: Built to Entertain
The dining room used to be a place to eat. Now it’s the entertaining hub of the house.
We replaced a credenza with a full built-in that holds everything they need. Added a coffee bar so guests can help themselves. Created a dedicated bar area with a drink fridge. It sits just outside the kitchen so it doesn’t compete for counter space. It extends the party instead.
This is the kind of decision that only happens when there’s enough planning time to think through how a family actually lives. Not how they live on a good day. Every day.
Working on a home in Montreal and wondering if this kind of transformation is possible for your space? Answer a few quick questions and we’ll be in touch. Start here.
Flooring That Will Last 20 Years
The clients had refinished their floors before and watched them wear down faster than expected. Flooring was a priority this time, and it needed to be right.
We specified Barwood Pilon in a brushed Duramatt finish. A mid-tone that reads as timeless, not trendy, and a finish that performs under real daily use. 6.5-inch planks on the main floor give the space a more expansive feel. 4.5-inch planks upstairs kept costs reasonable without compromising on quality.
The entire main floor flows as one continuous surface. No transitions, no interruptions. We’ve worked with Barwood Pilon on a number of Montreal projects and keep coming back for one reason: the floors hold up. This one will still look right in 20 years. That was the goal.
The Bathroom Trade-Off That Changed Everything
Upstairs, the primary bathroom had a bathtub that wasn’t being used. It was taking up space that could work much harder.
We removed the tub and the original walk-in shower and built one large walk-in shower with bold black metal framing. That reconfiguration freed up enough space to nearly double the size of the walk-in closet and add a full linen closet that didn’t exist before.
White oak cabinetry in a lighter tone than the main floor. A contrasting silver satin linen closet. Quartz counters and black fixtures throughout. Less square footage in the bathroom itself, but more function and significantly more storage for the people who use it every day.
Sometimes the right renovation decision is subtracting something, not adding it.
Powder Room and Laundry: Maximum Function in Minimum Space
The powder room and laundry share space through a pocket door. Every inch had to work.
We added a tall cabinet that hides the mechanical controls and gives easy product access. Integrated wall-mounted drying racks. A mounted ironing board holder. Countertop space where there was none before.
Blue walls, a refreshed version of the original paint tone, blue tile, black hardware, and a coordinating runner tie it together. The pocket door means both rooms function independently without feeling cramped.
Tiny footprint. No wasted inch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full home renovation in Montreal take?
It depends on scope, but for a project like the Palomino, covering kitchen reconfiguration, primary bathroom, flooring throughout, and multiple room updates, the planning phase alone runs 2 to 4 months before any demolition begins. The full project from initial brief to completion typically runs 6 to 9 months. Starting the conversation early is what makes the execution clean. Projects rushed into demolition without enough planning time almost always encounter costly decisions mid-build.
Is it worth renovating my home instead of moving?
For most Montreal homeowners who already love their neighbourhood, yes. Moving a $1 million home in Montreal costs $80,000 or more in transaction costs before you’ve unpacked. Redirected into your current home, that budget funds a significant transformation. The Palomino project is an example of what that investment produces: a home that functions better in every room without the disruption and cost of a move. For more on which rooms deliver the biggest return on your quality of life, our post on home investment in Montreal explores exactly that.
What does the planning process look like before renovation starts?
At LUX decor, we start with how you actually live, not how you think you should use your space. We assess which rooms are creating friction, where storage is failing, and what layouts would serve you better long term. From that, we develop a scope, specify materials, and source everything before demolition begins. The best results come from decisions made before demo day, not during it.
How do I know if my home is a good candidate for this kind of project?
Good bones and a neighbourhood you don’t want to leave are the two most important factors. If your home has the structure but the layout or finishes aren’t working for how your life has changed, that’s exactly the situation we design for. The Palomino clients didn’t need more square footage. They needed the square footage they had to work better. That’s a problem premium interior design solves.
“What I love about the Palomino Project is how much thought went into the reconfiguration. Sometimes less square footage creates more function. This project worked because we had time to plan it right. When you start the conversation early, before you’re ready to tear anything down, that’s when you can make decisions that actually serve how you live. Quality materials, thoughtful layouts, details that last. That’s what we’re after.”
Sun Ah Brock, CEO & Founder at LUX decor
The best projects start months before demo day. If you’re thinking about a renovation and want to understand what’s possible in your Montreal home, answer a few quick questions. We’ll be in touch as soon as our team reviews your form.
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