Maison Melba: A Passive House in Canada by Atelier L'Abri

Maison Melba, a place of place of life, creation, and exchange, was designed by Atelier L'Abri in harmony with the landscape and rustic heritage of the Village of Frelighsburg in Canada. Anchored in preservation and sustainability, this unique architectural project tells a story: that of the sensitive and sustainable renovation of a rural building nestled in the heart of the meadows and orchards emblematic of this agricultural region of southern Quebec.

Embodying the new owner's values of sharing and hospitality, the former 1970s automobile garage has been transformed into a living space that is open to the community and the development of collaborative projects. Inspired by the fertile ecosystem of Frelighsburg, Maison Melba now houses a residence, a work studio, a workshop, and a culinary production and meeting space. Outside, the small plot of land also includes a greenhouse and a garden dedicated to small-scale vegetable production, with the majority of food production to be consumed or processed on-site.

The building plan features a prominent interstice at its center, with a skylight and natural stone floor creating a seamless transition between indoors and out. Understated but warm, the open-plan interior features Dinesen Douglas Fir flooring, lime-coated walls and white oak furniture, while large wooden windows with beautiful linen curtains frame the landscape.

On the workshop side, industrial-grade materials in neutral colours blend subtly into a bright canvas that invites collaboration and creativity. Both the residential and public sides feature modular kitchens by Vipp and each space showcases a stunning curation of lamps.

The exterior exudes a timeless charm, designed to blend in with the countryside. Beneath the large weeping willow tree, the long horizontal structure of the former garage will age quietly in the landscape of native plants. Overall, the design embodies a sensitive approach to architecture, integrating harmoniously with nature and surroundings.

To age well, a building must first be well-designed. In accordance with L’Abri’s Passive-House approach, Maison Melba will soon be LEED Platinum certified, the highest level of this reference standard for sustainable buildings. The process begins with careful dismantling of the existing envelope to preserve the original wood frame, followed by the construction of a new double-stud wall structure for increased insulation. Natural materials like cellulose fiber insulation and recycled wood fiber cladding are used, along with PassivHaus certified triple-glazed windows, promoting passive-solar principles. Achieving an exemplary air tightness rating ensures exceptional energy efficiency performance, securing Maison Melba's place in the Frelighsburg landscape for years to come.

L’Abri's holistic design approach blends beauty, functionality, and longevity to deliver truly timeless architecture. Driven by values shared with the project’s founder, the sustainable transformation of Maison Melba is an inspiring demonstration of this ideal, and the result of an integrated design process led by the design-build team of Atelier L'Abri and Construction Modulor, as well as the exemplary execution of the entire project team.

The project's design integrates and celebrates the exceptional work of a long list of suppliers, manufacturers, designers, artisans, and consultants. The architectural language of Maison Melba highlights the material richness of the Kebony wood cladding, artisanal lime plaster, Dinesen wood floors, and Bisson Bruneel textiles. The carefully selected furniture features pieces from international design houses such as Vipp, Dinesen, Frama, Santa & Cole, and Ligne Roset, alongside works from talented local designers and makers like Clara Jorisch, Kastella, Atelier Vaste, Mark Krebs, Montauk, and Ema ceramics.

The landscape design was carried out by Écomestible, a firm specialising in ecological, edible, and regenerative landscaping inspired by permaculture principles. Écohabitation supervised the LEED certification process of the project. Finally, the project was captured through the attentive eye of photographer Alex Lesage, who remained on site for several days.

Project Credits

Architecture: Atelier L’Abri

Project team: Pia Hocheneder, Vincent Pasquier, Nicolas Lapierre, Francis Martel-Labrecque

Contractor: Construction Modulor

Engineers: Robert Harvey Ing.

LEED Certifiers: Écohabitation

Landscape: Écomestible, Braska

Photography: Alex Lesage

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Natural Beauty: Nordiska Kök's Newest Wooden Kitchen Design

In recent years, the demand for wood kitchens has soared, and at Nordiska Kök, this movement shows no signs of slowing down; in fact, it's gaining momentum. Wood is inherently beautiful with a natural charm and offers an array of possibilities, providing tactility, warmth and timelessness in kitchen design.

For their latest kitchen, Nordiska Kök pairs dark oak and contrasting stone to create a warm and sophisticated feel. To elevate functionality without compromising on style, Nordiska Kök introduces clever custom-built solutions. I love how the coffee station is discreetly concealed within a sleek Pocket door cabinet, ensuring a seamless look. Additionally, the wine corner is thoughtfully designed with a bespoke wine shelf, providing an elegant touch. Anchoring the space is a generously sized kitchen island in striking stone, serving as a focal point for entertaining.

Johan Lundkvist, Creative Director and founder of Nordiska Kök says the kitchen has evolved into 'the new living room,' with their customers seeking more than just a functional space. They desire a kitchen that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also reflects their personality, meeting their design preferences, needs, and lifestyle. It has become a focal point for social gatherings, a versatile workstation, and a space for family gatherings. 

Styling by Pella Hedeby / Photography by Kristofer Johnsson

Images courtesy of Nordiska Kök

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Introducing Vertone

Today I’m excited to share my latest venture, Vertone, a new furniture brand launched with my close friend and collaborator, photographer/graphic designer Kirsty Dawn. Presenting our inaugural collection, Aperture, the duo of pieces—a versatile low-level table and a side table—is inspired by architectural lines and the desire to simplify and refine.

Initial ideas began brewing during the pandemic when Kirsty decided to cut short her move to London and return home to New Zealand. With a shared appreciation for understated interiors that blend sensory elements and a respect for natural materials, our discussions centred around versatile furniture and timeless design. We aimed to fuse architectural simplicity with a refined aesthetic, crafting pieces that exude a subtle yet impactful presence—setting the tone for the spaces we aspire to live in. These core elements of versatility and setting the tone led us to the name Vertone, and our first series, Aperture.  

Crafted with precision in New Zealand using natural materials, the Aperture series explores balance, scale, and proportions, seamlessly blending structural solidity with an airy lightness. This delicate equilibrium is achieved through a thoughtful interplay of planes, drawing inspiration from both architectural forms and traditional Japanese woodworking.

Anchoring the space while allowing light to permeate, the Aperture tables offer a canvas for arranging objects and an invitation for tranquility. Each table is designed to transition across different settings and homes, to be treasured for years to come.

Aperture is available in two finishes, natural oak and smoked oak.

Visit vertone.space to find out more about the new brand and debut collection, along with our first journal post where I showcase the tables in my home and provide tips on how to style them.

With thanks to Porters Paints—the interior space above features French Wash Double Rubble over Egg Shell in Rubble.  

Ad / This post features my own products. For more information on sponsored posts, please visit my About Page.

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Grand Reopening of CULT's Auckland Showroom

After a meticulous year-long restoration and renovation effort following damages caused by flooding, CULT Design has reopened the doors to its Auckland showroom. Nestled in the heart of Parnell, Auckland’s vibrant furniture district, the new space boasts a total area of 300 square metres and showcases an extensive collection of high-quality design from Australia and Europe.

Located amidst a bustling creative culture and numerous art galleries, the building originally served as the ice storage for all of Auckland, and holds a rich historical significance. Its transformation into a contemporary space mirrors the evolution of both the city and Cult’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design.

Since expanding their offerings to the New Zealand market in 2006, Cult has witnessed the continuous growth and maturity of the country’s design industry. The impressive standard of New Zealand architecture and interior design, evolving year after year, has fostered a deeper appreciation for high-quality, designer products.

As a testament to the brand’s dedication to the discerning New Zealand market, the showroom features an extensive collection of high-quality, innovative designs. From modern aesthetics to timeless classics, the curated selection reflects the ever-evolving tastes of the New Zealand design community.

Furniture, lighting, and accessories brands available at the Cult Auckland showroom include well-known Australian collections from nau and Coco Flip, handcrafted rugs from nanimarquina, plus Danish design houses &Tradition, Carl Hansen & Son, Fredericia, Fritz Hansen, Gubi, HAY, and more.

Welcoming design enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the local community to join in celebrating the grand reopening of their Auckland showroom, Cult’s knowledgeable and passionate retail team are on hand to help visitors find the perfect forever pieces for their homes or projects.

Photography by David St George courtesy of CULT

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