Montreal is a Small Town

Since we've started renovating our house, I've discovered a whole new realm of shopping. No more shopping just for ME! but also buying stuff for the house.  

So after going through many Decor magazines made in Quebec which are useful because they supply you with a list of shops that you can actually visit (and not as tedious as going to Milan...if I only had the time ;)) I've been all over the city (and the internet) to find what we need for our place : appliances, bathroom fixtures, light fixtures, countertops, tiles, etc. What I've realized (which kind of depresses me) is unlike Montreal's fashion scene, Montreal has a very small decor/design market. Basically, the choices out there are quite limited (in my price point anyway, which is not super high, like most of us). 

Most of the stores carry the same brands and lines and the only thing that differs is what is shown on display. And what also mystifies me is why the most simple designs are always the most expensive...

However I did find some great items and I'm hopeful that when it all comes together, it will look great.

Ciot, is a great place to get started with its amazing showroom and helpful sells staff. It's a one-stop shop for tiles, stone countertops and bathroom and kitchen fixtures. You can also visit Mondial their sister company for better deals. 

Also, it's good to know that Ciot is the main distributor of Caesarstone and Aquabrass. So basically they can give you the best price out there for those two products. 

Our cabinets are being installed (without the doors for the moment). But still, Hurray !!! :

Before :

After :

The "Might As Well" Syndrome

The fastest way to bust your budget is to fall into the "Might As Well" Syndrome which has sort of happened to me.

We're demolishing the kitchen walls and bathroom, so dust will be everywhere, might as well redo the electricity (+4000$)

We're ripping out the bathroom floor, might as well insulate it (+600$)

We have space in the island, might as well put in a wine fridge (+850$)

We're varnishing the kitchen floors might as well do the hall and entrance (+200$)

We might as well recover the fireplace (+300)

We might as well put in thicker stone countertops (+2000$)

We might as well get that really cute Swarovsky crystal light fixture in the bathroom(200$)

Obviously you don't want to overspend. But whether you put in cheap or high end products, you are going to spend the same amount of money on labour, so you might as well put in quality products that you'll enjoy for a long time especially if you plan to live there for a while.

Here are some of the light fixtures I've chose from Union Electrique.

Two of these for the kitchen island :

This one is for the dining room :

This one will go above the bathroom pharmacy :

A small splurge...a recessed light fixture with crystal pendants (they will be in clear crystal) :

Letting go is essentiel

So far, the hardest part for me in this whole process has been the decision making. Choosing tiles, appliances, light fixtures, countertops, bathroom fixtures, paint color for the cabinets, etc. You don't want to make a wrong decision...but perfection is an ideal that has never been reached. Your plans might have to change because of structural issues or what you find behind a wall or because the tiles you so desperately wanted is out of stock or cost 26$ a square foot. In the end, there are bound to be some imperfections so you just have to let go, face these obstacles and find solutions. And you'll be proud to say (or at least think it) : Wow! I chose it and I love it...And it looks great (hopefully).

Here, more progress

The kitchen and bathroom with insulation installed:

The wall between the kitchen and future dining room is no longer there...feels so much larger!

Ugly Before Nice

I haven't had a chance to update my blog in a while since we've been staying at my mom's during the renos, which isn't a bad thing at all. Home-cooked meals (not made by me), clean (and ironed!) laundry, extra pair of hands to take care of Elsa...Thanks mom, I feel like a teenager again!

Here's what our place looks like right now. Like they say, it has to get ugly before it can be nice.

The bathroom:

The kitchen: