House Tours
A 1950s bungalow in Gatineau, Que., features a whimsically yet skillfully curated collection of 20th-century art and objets
Photography, Janet Kimber
House Tours
A 1950s bungalow in Gatineau, Que., features a whimsically yet skillfully curated collection of 20th-century art and objets
Jem Pellerin, the head of scenography at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., and a former exhibition designer, has a collector’s eye for unique art, furnishings and objets. They are particularly drawn to pieces from the mid-20th century – a peak time when style blended perfectly with function – but every era from the 1920s to the ’70s is represented in their delightfully eclectic collection. In fact, Jem recently opened an online store, DoloresRetro, where they can share their passion for, as they put it, these “found objects that hit the quintessential mark between granny chic and Midcentury Modern.”
Before buying this circa ’50s house in Gatineau, Jem had bought and remodelled several 1920s houses. Unlike those older homes, this one had a more relaxed feeling – the perfect setting for Jem to create an easygoing homage to Midcentury Modern, without having to get too serious about it.
In other words, says Jem, while a sleek Danish-inspired dining set and streamlined teak sideboard seem perfectly suited to a midcentury home, there’s no rule that says you can’t put circa 1980s pink paint on the kitchen walls, reproduction 1930s flower-power wallpaper in the bedroom, or display 1960s collectible Metlox serving pieces in the family room. “I don’t want to make it like a museum,” says Jem. “I want it to be comfortable, without being too nostalgic. I want it to feel like my home.” After all, Jem already works in a museum. Why would they want to live in one?
Photography, Janet Kimber
Although the dining table, chairs and sideboard all came from different sources and manufacturers, the pieces fit together beautifully, which is one of the great aspects of Midcentury Modern furniture design. Jem Pellerin (shown above) says that the banana leaf wallpaper (framed) is the same pattern used at The Beverly Hills Hotel and on the set of The Golden Girls.
DINING TABLE, Antiquités Curiosités. DINING CHAIRS, Green Wall Vintage. BOWL (on table), Christian Roy Atelier. CONSOLE, Founddesign. BRASS TRAY, BOWLS (holding greenery), PLANTERS, HomeSense. The Iconic Beverly Hills Banana Leaf WALLPAPER (framed), Designer Wallcoverings. Ray 17-inch PENDANT in Dune, Schoolhouse. DRAPEry, West Elm. WALL PAINT, Natural Cream OC-14, Benjamin Moore.
“When people come into my home, I would like them to see things that make them think of their aunt’s or grandmother’s house.”
Photography, Janet Kimber
Although the sectional sofa is new, its streamlined profile and tapered legs feel very midcentury. Artwork by New York-based realist painter Liz Slome reminded Jem of the illustrations on 1970s McCall’s sewing patterns. Says Jem, “My grandmother was a seamstress, so this painting is quite meaningful to me.”
WALL PAINT, Natural Cream OC-14, Benjamin Moore. SOFA, RUG, EQ3. COFFEE TABLE, Montréal Moderne. SIDE TABLE, Zig Zag Collectibles. LAMP, West Elm. PAINTING, Liz Slome. Glass BOWL, DoloresRetro via Etsy. SCULPTURE, Working Artifacts. THROW, Simons. CUSHIONS, HomeSense, Zone. PLANTERS, HomeSense.
Photography, Janet Kimber
This photograph of a mounted bison head wearing a wig and blue velvet bows by a Toronto-based artist is one of Jem’s favourites simply because, as they say, “Well, why not?” Underneath it is a grouping of bottles and other interesting objects linked by colour, shape and pattern – a favourite way to show off the small items Jem enjoys collecting.
Buffalo ART, Anna Church. Vintage and contemporary POTTERY, DoloresRetro via Etsy, CB2.
Photography, Janet Kimber
Portraits of men with beards have been a collecting passion of Jem’s for years, and appear throughout the home. Above the mantel is a portrait of Herman Melville (on the right); on the left is a piece inspired by an Edwardian photograph.
ART (above mantel, left), limited-edition giclée print, Aaron Smith; (right), Lau Tir art print, Saatchi Art. BOTTLES (on mantel), DoloresRetro via Etsy, Bungalow, CB2. DALMATIAN SCULPTURE, 1830s SMOKING PIPE, 1930s ceramic TRINKET BOX, antique IRON, DoloresRetro via Etsy. PLANTER, The Northern Habitat. Drapery, West Elm.
“The combination of this salmon pink colour with the green cabinetry and white tile feels very 1950s to me.”
Photography, Janet Kimber
The artwork in the kitchen partly inspired the room’s cheery colour choices, especially the striped abstract above the sink and the cloud-like painting in the front hall just outside the kitchen. Both are by Montreal artist and photographer Sophie Asselin.
Photography, Janet Kimber
WALL PAINT, Tofino Sunset CC-156, Benjamin Moore. Delta’s Trinsic pull-down FAUCET, Mondeau. Milmonde CABINETRY, Celadon Green K503S (lowers), Satin White C35S (uppers),
Cuisines Multi-design. DRAWER HARDWARE, Rocheleau. FLOORING, Harmony’s Cuban Silver Arrow Tiles, Euro Tile and Stone. ART (over side sink), Sophie Asselin. Tropical leaf VASES, Verve Moderns.
Photography, Janet Kimber
An eclectic (but charmingly cohesive) display by the stove: collectible Metlox 1960s pitchers; a vintage portrait of a jauntily dressed dog, signed by an unknown artist named Vivienne; Fiestaware, scored on eBay years ago; and two striking original artworks – another bearded man, this one a colourful monoprint, and an ad for Pine-Sol painted on a vintage paint-by-number canvas.
Gradient Crayon BACKSPLASH TILE, Wow Design. Allegheny SCONCES, Schoolhouse. Vintage midcentury DOG PAINTING, DoloresRetro via Etsy. Pine-Sol ART (left of stove), Christopher Rouleau. BOWL (with fruit), Christian Roy Atelier. Vintage Fiestaware Disc PITCHERS, eBay.
Photography, Janet Kimber
With the exuberant 1930s wallpaper pattern, the primary bedroom feels like a trip back in time – exactly the desired effect. Jem found the curved-front walnut bedroom set in a vintage furniture store. The painting of the bearded man in blue, elegant in a diamond necklace, had an irreverent spirit that Jem really liked.
Photography, Janet Kimber
Photography, Janet Kimber
DRESSER, CURVED DRESSER, SIDE TABLES, antique Lotte LAMP, Green Wall Vintage. Sven Neptune Blue King BED, Article. Pattern 3D-128 WALLPAPER, Bradbury & Bradbury. ART (over dresser), Ian Stone. Chenille BEDSPREAD, Linen House. FAN (on side table), JUGS, DoloresRetro via Etsy. DRAPEry, LAMPS (on side tables), West Elm. Charcoal THROW, Álafoss. PILLOWS, rust-coloured THROW, Simons.
Photography, Janet Kimber
The guest bedroom is considerably calmer in mood, but no less interesting; the unusual freeform lamp resembles a piece of driftwood or coral.
WALL PAINT, Golden Straw 2152-50, Benjamin Moore. BED, Structube. SIDE TABLE, West Elm. LAMP, blue ceramic BIRD, DoloresRetro via Etsy. LINENS, Simons, Merlaine. CUSHIONS, IKEA. ART, Ian Stone.
Photography, Janet Kimber
The turquoise chair is one of several rescued at the last minute from a school; the chairs were destined for a landfill, even though some were still wrapped in the original plastic from the factory. This one perfectly matches the reimagined concert poster. Another rescue is the wood chair in the front hall, which was given a splash of pink paint by Jem.
Photography, Janet Kimber
WALL PAINT, Natural Cream OC-14, Benjamin Moore. Drapery, RUG, LAMP, West Elm. CONSOLE, DESK, Antiquités Curiosités. CUSHION, Crate and Barrel. THROW (on chair), Zebuu. Girard wood DOLLS (on console), Design Within Reach. RUG, Simons. Concert poster ART, Mike Joyce. ART (above desk), Chad Wys. Kokeshi DOLLS, Lucie Kaas.
“I think sticking to just one storyline or era is boring! If it feels comfortable and put together and not cookie-cutter like everyone else’s house, then it works.”
Photography, Janet Kimber
The family room features a vintage-design IKEA side table, along with one of the more enigmatic artworks in Jem’s collection: an elaborately coiffed lady with her back to the viewer. The coffee table features more collectible Metlox pieces from the ’60s.
ART (above sofa), Sandra Dionisi.
Photography, Janet Kimber
The bathroom, painted the same salmon pink as the kitchen, is a restful retreat after a hectic day. It was deliberately kept simple, with the addition of an abstract work and a few houseplants.
WALL PAINT, Tofino Sunset CC-156, Benjamin Moore. TUB, Ove. Glacier Bay standing TUB FILLER, Home Depot. Line-Up SHOWER TILE, Tierra Sol. Twist FLOOR TILES, Ceratec. ART, Robert von Bangert. PLANTERS, woven BASKET, TOWELS (on tub), HomeSense. TOWELS (in basket), Simons.
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