In the heart of the Laurentians, a 1980s house is reborn thanks to the vision of architect Thomas Balaban and designer Luke Havekes. Using fine materials, bold color palettes, and custom-made pieces, Ivry House transforms a design flaw into a decorative manifesto where every detail celebrates the surrounding nature.

Facing Lake Manitou in Ivry-sur-le-Lac, the silhouette of this residence once seemed frozen in a dated aesthetic. While the structure was sound, the interior lacked light, fluidity, and character. Thomas Balaban and Luke Havekes chose not to erase this architectural foundation, but to enhance it. Their intervention is based on a clear principle: to reveal the beauty of the Quebec landscape through a strong, warm, and profoundly contemporary decorative style.

From the moment you enter the kitchen, the intention is clear. The space, largely open to the outside, is punctuated by a wooden slat ceiling that immediately warms the atmosphere. The solid brass pendant lights above the central island are not mere fixtures: they act as suspended sculptures, capturing the light and diffusing it in golden reflections onto the veined marble countertops. The contrast between the deep black of the woodwork and the mineral softness of the marble creates a sophisticated balance. In the atrium window, just above the sink, a sculpture by a Canadian artist introduces a subtle curatorial touch, transforming a functional element into an artistic stage.

The living and dining rooms cultivate an enveloping elegance. The quarry granite fireplace mantel asserts a strong mineral presence, anchoring the space in a raw and resolutely local materiality. Above the round table, a metal chandelier diffuses indirect light towards the ceiling, creating an intimate, almost theatrical atmosphere. Black cane seating and patinated leathers converse with textured textiles, carefully chosen for their tactile depth. The custom-made sofa, upholstered in a shearling-effect fabric, literally invites you to curl up on it. Each cushion, each throw seems to have been selected to compose a symphony of natural tones—tobacco brown, sand beige, moss green—echoing the surrounding forest.

The office is one of the project's most striking decorative features. The walls and ceiling are adorned with a chiseled, almost iridescent bronze, enveloping the space in a soft, muted intensity. On the floor, a handwoven carpet from Morocco adds warmth and depth, while a circular chandelier in solid brass emphasizes the room's verticality. The overall effect evokes a contemporary study where international design and craftsmanship engage in a subtle dialogue.

In the master suite, the design is meticulously crafted. The four-poster bed structures the space like an architectural element within an architectural feature. The solid wood bedside tables and hammered metal lamps extend the use of raw materials. The deep color of the walls acts as a frame, highlighting the verdant view that unfolds through the large windows. A banquette placed beneath the atrium window invites contemplation, while a series of doors leads directly to the terrace, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.

The adjoining bathroom reveals an almost tactile approach to design. The walls and ceiling clad in solid wood create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Two circular mirrors suspended above a custom-made solid wood vanity introduce a soothing symmetry. The bespoke metal doors with fluted glass add a contemporary graphic touch, while the clay tile floor contrasts delicately with the white shower walls. The warm-toned faucets punctuate the space with precious accents.

Each guest room expresses a strong chromatic identity. Upstairs, a deep green envelops the walls and highlights Canadian prints displayed above the bed. A porcelain lamp on a mango wood bedside table adds an almost poetic softness to the composition. On the garden level, the suite adopts a rich and enveloping red. A handwoven Moroccan rug adorns the floor, while a vintage tapestry depicting horses hangs above a wood and leather bed, lending the room a narrative and warm dimension.

The games room extends this quest for space and light. The sculpted ceiling accentuates the perceived height, and a large glass wall frames the area dedicated to billiards and gaming tables, transforming nature into a living backdrop. Even the spaces dedicated to leisure become carefully composed scenes.

Ivry House stands out for the coherence of its decorative language: solid brass, natural wood, marble, handcrafted textiles, and a bold palette combine to create a world that is both sophisticated and deeply welcoming. Each piece tells a story, each material evokes a gesture, each color engages in a dialogue with the Quebec landscape.

Architect : Thomas Balaban
©wearetba
Interior design: Luke Havekes
©lukehavekesdesign
photographs: Marc Olivier Becotte
©mo_becotte