Miami-based luxury interior design firm Britto Charette raised this pre-Depression-era home to new heights with a modern facelift that complements the building’s neoclassical architectural details. The 4,000-sq.-ft. unit in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile oozes affluence, with details that can best be described as “rich.” The tour starts in the living room, which artfully encompasses the era’s more-is-more philosophy. A massive marble slab sits above the fireplace, replacing any need (or desire!) for artwork in this central spot. Above it, intricate crown molding follows the room’s interesting and complex lines. Even the walls are ornate, adorned with chair rails and panels that speak to the period’s decorative style. Underfoot, hardwood floors boast a beautiful pattern that can be likened to fine art. Then comes the furniture and accessories that take this chic, bright, anything-but-blank slate to the next level of grandeur. The eye is always moving through this space, each detail more striking than the last.

Doorways offer sneak peeks into adjacent rooms, where new art and architectural details lure you to explore.This Kyle Bunting rug hide rug gives this classical space a non-committal contemporary edge with its geometric pattern of black, and white and shades of grey.The home’s classic layout favors individual living spaces over more contemporary open concept, but still enjoys an easy flow. A large doorway and the continuous wood floors usher you from the living room into the dining room.Modern furnishings and vibrant, pop culture artwork are a cool contrast to the home’s authentic classical architecture. A large-scale chandelier is a bold black shade draws the eye upward and toward the wonderful ceiling detail.The gorgeously glossy kitchen is a chef’s dream. The richly veined marble wall and floor tiles offer the perfect complement to the glossy white and black cabinets. The modern stainless steel range hood and island countertop complete the look.In contrast to the rest of the house, there’s nothing “traditional” about this space.

The kitchen opens to an eating area with a custom built-in banquette overlooked by large windows and a modern chandelier overhead.How about a little cozy, post-dinner reading in the library? The space has a natural aesthetic courtesy of the earthy, upholstered seats surrounding a large ottoman, and the grey, cloth-style wall coverings. The built-in bookshelf occupies the entire back wall, offering a perfect place for displaying books and prized collections. Dead Rising 3 Shower Head LocationThe white wall panels and crown moldings lend some formality to the otherwise casual, laid-back reading room.Car Seat Cushion Leg PainThis sitting room oozes everything that is fine: art, culture and furniture – a higher class indeed.Cheap Macbook Pro Logic Board Replacement

The powder room features a floor and walls finished in marble tile. A contemporary style sink is simple and the singular ultra-modern element in the space.A winding staircase invites you to ascend its marble steps, spiraling their way to the private upper level. The elaborate wrought-iron spindles complement the black artwork punctuating the stairwell.The staircase is topped with a white sculptural chandelier that illuminates the fine details below – and above! The oval-shaped space is finished with crown molding overhead, and a custom-made herringbone marble floor underfoot.The herringbone floor points toward a cool wintery mural, echoing the geography of this Montreal home. But the frigid climate doesn’t hamper comfort – the walls and floors of this home are all heated.This feminine bedroom is home to another custom creation – an elegant wall covering of gouache paint over a tarnished silver gilded paper by De Gournay.This spa-style bathroom is the picture of peace, finished in a palette of cool whites and greys in its marble walls, floor, vanity and sink;

and the perfectly smooth, egg-inspired freestanding soaker tub.In contrast to its feminine counterpart, this masculine bedroom is enclosed in a bold zebrawood built-in which commands your attention.An office space reflects the homeowners’ love of travel, echoed in the trunk-style desk of wood, leather and steel, and a Union Jack on its side.A simple, feminine powder room features a delicate wall-covering and “carved” mirror above a simple white vanity.When the homeowners aren’t traveling, playing chess or taking care of their three kids, they might have some time to squeeze in a work-out in their decked-out home gym.For more information, Britto Charette.Plan your room Laying a floor yourself can feel daunting, but our helpful guide takes you through the planning process step by step. From deciding which direction to lay your flooring to choosing the right underlay and accessories, you’ll find all the information you need to successfully plan your room. Deciding on the best layout Deciding which direction to lay your flooring can affect the feel of the room.

The common advice is to lay your flooring towards to the main source of natural light, this makes the joints less visible. However if you want to make a narrow room like a hallway feel wider lay the boards across the room so they are perpendicular to the longest walls. Conversely if you want to make the room appear longer lay the boards parallel to the longest walls. However if you have laminate or wooden floors in the adjoining room it’s best to lay your new boards in the same direction for a consistent look. As laminate flooring is manmade the pattern on your boards will be repeated at some point, so it’s worth mixing up the boards from your different packs to ensure you get a more random natural look. Choosing the right flooring and accessories Choosing the right laminate flooring As well as design and finish (have a look at our Flooring Gallery), the type of laminate flooring you choose should be influenced by where it will be installed. See below and Fig. 1 for a summary to help you decide.

Installation methods The technique to fit flooring with the Twinclic system differs slightly to flooring with the Rapid Fit system.​ Rapid Fit is faster and easier to fit on your own, especially when you are covering a large area.  The third installation method is a simple Tongue & Groove mechanism, whereby one plank slots into the next. all are straightforward and do not need gluing or nailing (you should never glue or nail down a laminate floor).   Fig. 1     SUITABILITY INSTALLATION METHOD FLOORING TYPE GUARANTEE HEAVY DOMESTIC Busy areas, living rooms & bedrooms LIGHT COMMERCIAL KITCHENS & BATHROOMS COMPATIBLE WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING TWIN CLIC SYSTEM RAPID FIT SYSTEM Laminate 6 & 7mm 10-12 years ✔ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✘ Laminate 8mm 15 years ✔ ✔ ✘* ✔ ✘ ✔ Laminate 12mm 20 years ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔ *Only tile effect 8mm laminate can be used in kitchens and bathrooms.  Selecting the correct underlay and damp-proof membrane Selecting the right underlay and damp-proof membrane (DPM) for the type of flooring and room setting is crucial.

Never use carpet underlay under laminate flooring. Carpet and vinyl flooring will need to be lifted before you lay your floor. See Fig. 2 for a guide to suitable options.   Fig. 2 WHICH ROOM? TIMBER OR CONCRETE SUBFLOOR? SMOOTH OR UNEVEN SUBFLOOR?* APPROPRIATE UNDERLAY APPROPRIATE DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE Kitchen or bathroom Timber Smooth General purpose kitchen & bathroom underlay Bitumen-backed building paper Uneven General purpose kitchen & bathroom underlay Bitumen-backed building paper Concrete Smooth Premium kitchen & bathroom underlay Already built into high performance underlay Uneven General purpose kitchen & bathroom underlay 1000 gauge membrane Other living area Timber Smooth General purpose underlay (or Premium general purpose underlay, but not with 6mm laminate) Bitumen-backed building paper (only required if risk of moisture) Uneven General purpose kitchen & bathroom underlay(or Natural fibreboard underlay, but not with 6mm laminate) Bitumen-backed building paper (only required if risk of moisture) Concrete Smooth Premium kitchen & bathroom underlay Already built into high performance underlay Uneven General purpose kitchen & bathroom underlay (or Natural fibreboard underlay, but not with 6mm laminate) 1000 gauge membrane *Subfloors need to be level and flat.

Slight unevenness can be absorbed by thicker underlays.   Deciding on the trims you need Skirting or trim There are two options when it comes to the finish around your floor: skirting or trim. Using skirting will give the most professional finish, but you will need to lift existing skirting before you install your flooring. You can either reinstall it afterwards or replace it with new skirting (skirting needs to be at least 15mm thick in order to cover expansion gaps). Using trim is an easier option as it fits directly against existing skirting. Threshold bars and pipe surrounds At door openings you should use a matching threshold bar to cover expansion gaps and neatly finish the flooring. In situations where the floor is longer or wider than 8 metres, perhaps where a living room and dining room are open plan, you should leave an intermediate 10mm expansion gap at a suitable location, and cover it with a flat threshold strip. Fit pipe surrounds to neatly cover gaps around radiator pipes.