Since she and husband Jeff bought their house in 2004, Michelle Pollock, decorator at AMR Design, has renovated the Valleyview split-level home not once, but twice. For the first renovation, having moved from a Westmount home with white tile throughout the entire space, Pollock opted for an Asian-inspired look with warm tones and darker colours. For the second renovation, nearly a decade later, she decided to go back to the home’s mid-century roots.
The entire home is painted white, with pops of colour that fit the mid-century modern palette, such as the turquoise backsplash in the kitchen that references the original kitchen, as well as the green shade on the front and back door – fittingly called “retro avocado.”
Pollock also placed an emphasis on unique light fixtures, such as the Nelson bubble saucer pendant above the dining room table.
“I love that light fixture like a child,” says Pollock. “When we started to change over [the look of the house] , I started replacing a few things, and that was sort of an iconic fixture that made me feel like this is achievable.”
While there have been countless updates throughout the space, mid-century modern touches return it to its roots. “We haven’t changed the overall feel of the house or the spirit of the house,” says Pollock. Original details, such as the brick fireplaces and wood window valances, have been refinished or painted to freshen them up. To add warmth, Pollock incorporated woods such as walnut in the built-in cabinetry throughout the home.
