Batimat’s Montreal showroom is a place of pleasure and discovery, housing the world’s finest fixtures and furnishings for extraordinary bathroom design. Cultivating expertise since 1977, Batimat stands out as the only full-service outlet of its kind in the province. LUXE sits down with General Manager Magali Tocco to talk about enhancing a home’s most intimate spaces and what it takes to be a leader in the field.
There is a shift toward classic, organic shapes with timeless allure, punctuated with a colour that reflects the spirit of the client. The home spa experience is in high demand, especially as people are becoming more aware of the importance of wellness. Steam, built-in rain shower heads, light therapy, chromotherapy, and heated towel racks are all elements that integrate sumptuous pampering into the home.
At Batimat, extravagance is our everyday. Our solution-driven approach transforms our clients’ dreams into reality, whether that means consulting on a private airplane project, sourcing a toilet seat in a novelty shape, overseeing the custom design and fabrication of a focal piece, or installing side-by-side showers to accommodate the preference of each family member. We once worked with a client who requested a lavish, one-of-a-kind bathtub for the sole purpose of respecting the project’s aesthetic—he prefers taking showers!
Condominium projects are typically smaller—often no more than two bathrooms—but they often present technical constraints; concrete floors, for example, often dictate the placement of drains for sinks and stand-alone bathtubs. Luxury homes can have up to 17 or 18 bathrooms, so the scope of work is much larger, but there is much more freedom in the design and in the choice of products.
Many of our clients own real estate abroad, in addition to their homes in the province. Batimat has worked on projects in Mexico and Barbados, as well as in Florida, Vermont, and Massachusetts. We are pleased to collaborate with our clients’ designers in navigating foreign building codes and customs clearance. Our team is available to travel for such projects upon request.
I travel extensively to explore and discover and stay ahead of the trends. When meeting potential suppliers for new high-end plumbing component lines, quality, innovation and the company’s values are always considered. We keep our finger on the pulse by listening to the insight and desires of clients who might have encountered something truly unique.
Batimat’s success begins with celebrating our team, ensuring their wellbeing, and supporting their professional growth. We nurture our view that each person has something to contribute by offering continuing education opportunities, as well as benefits such as resting areas and gym access. A team that is well cared for is motivated to excel and provide extraordinary knowledge and service to our clients. Experience, innovation, and exclusive products from suppliers who share our values, housed in a spectacular showroom, contribute to our reputation as the leader in Quebec’s luxury plumbing sector. My vision has always been to differentiate ourselves; Batimat’s leading positioning is meant to be an ongoing endeavour.
Writer: Jennifer Laoun-Rubenstein
Cover photo: © Angeliki Argyrakos
Passionate skiers and active nature lovers alike have a new mixed-use real estate project to covet on the Versant Soleil of Mount-Tremblant, in the Laurentian mountains. The ski-in/ski-out resort project is the first of its kind, and the first YOO-branded resort project in Canada. YOO and Brivia Group will develop 500 single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums over 34.6 acres of carefully preserved forested land, a stone’s throw from the panoply of year-round services and activities offered by the internationally acclaimed Station Mont Tremblant. Units from the first two phases are set to be delivered in time for the 2024 ski season.
L’Hymne des Trembles is designed to allow its residents to benefit from the full expression of nature both inside and outside of the home.
With MSDL Architects at the helm, in collaboration with Projet Paysage, the architecture and positioning of each unit draw on the naturally occurring features of the site, with angles and facets mirroring the unique topography of the mountainside. Each dwelling is equipped with a majestic windowed facade, garden, terrasse, and spa to engage the senses and embrace the forested views throughout the year. A second facade on the opposing side offers luxurious private quarters.
YOO’s interiors are the pinnacle of elegance, bringing together clean lines, high-quality natural finishings, and contemporary European touches. Homeowners can choose from three different aesthetics—modern rustic, featuring stone and mountain; a warm forest retreat; or the delicate embrace of a serene snowscape.
The site offers residents a privileged view of Mount-Tremblant National Park—Quebec’s first national park—boasting 1,510 square kilometres of forest, rivers, and lakes. The breathtaking expanse can be explored by canoeing, hiking, and climbing. A private mountain bike trail is also accessible via a scenic belvedere overlooking Lac Tremblant.
Residents of L’Hymne des Trembles will be able to start the day by donning their skis at their doorstep, making their way to the private-access Doppelmayr Quad lift—the only privately owned lift on the mountain—and admiring the expanse of the Laurentian forest below as they are lifted up Versant Soleil. Those seeking a quieter downhill experience can opt to ski the project’s exclusive-use top-to-bottom run. After an afternoon navigating the slopes or exploring Tremblant Village on the opposite side of the mountain, residents will return to a warm, welcoming home, with boot dryers on hand, and enjoy a relaxing evening, slipping into a private jacuzzi before capping the night on the heated terrasse with a warm beverage in hand.
Tremblant residents looking for something new for themselves or their growing families, nature lovers and mountain enthusiasts seeking exceptional dwellings, young professionals and retirees will all find an abundance of attractions and activities, no matter the season.
John Hitchcox, Chairman of YOO, asserts that the firm strives “to enhance lives through original design and generate communities with an emphasis on conscious living.”
Designed as a village that promotes connection among its residents, L’Hymne des Trembles will feature a network of paths linking gathering spaces for recreation, rest, and play. A hammock zone, a thermal relaxation experience with hot and cold baths, restaurants and terrasses lining a vibrant pedestrian path, a gazebo, and a play area are just some of the features that can be enjoyed year-round. Families will also appreciate a treehouse with stunning views of the site and integrated play area for children.
Off-site adventures are easily accessible via a gondola that directly connects Versant Soleil to the iconic Tremblant Village, bustling with restaurants and boutiques, myriad sports and entertainment options, a casino, and nearby golf courses. The resort is also home to cultural festivals including the Tremblant International Blues Festival.
“L’Hymne des Trembles is an unprecedented resort project that will welcome nature lovers. It is in this spirit that we have named our project.”
Kheng Ly, founder-president and CEO of Brivia Group
YOO and Brivia Group are working closely with the Mount-Tremblant community to ensure L’Hymne des Trembles is harmoniously integrated into the unblemished natural landscape of Versant Soleil. Brivia Group is collaborating with local elected officials, artists, and designers in service of its mission of ensuring eco-responsible development that will add value for residents and visitors to the surrounding area.
Of the project, founder-president and CEO of Brivia Group, Kheng Ly, says, “L’Hymne des Trembles is an unprecedented resort project that will welcome nature lovers. It is in this spirit that we have named our project; its name reflects the enchanting and colossal side of the mountain.”
YOO and Brivia Group are expanding on Mount-Tremblant’s 30-year legacy of spectacular tourism and economic growth by working with some of the talented players involved in the original development of the mountain. L’Hymne des Trembles is poised to become a leading example of dynamic living immersed in nature with reverence for the historic importance of the site.
Delivery of the first residences starting in 2024
info@lhymnedestrembles.ca
819-681-8989
Writer: Jennifer Laoun-Rubenstein
Photos: © Commonground Studios
International tourist destination Mont-Tremblant is the perfect place to take a break from your daily routine and truly enjoy the moment. Recharge your batteries on a weekend stay with nature as a backdrop, breathtaking panoramic views and plenty of outdoor activities, whatever the season. And if you fall under its charm, the town is a wonderful place to put down roots. The area offers stunning luxury homes with prices ranging well into the millions.
Nestled in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, Parc National du Mont-Tremblant is the oldest provincial park in Quebec and teems with nature. If you dream of wide-open spaces and extraordinary wildlife, this is the place for you—a convenient one-hour drive from Montreal or two hours from Ottawa. Whatever the season, this Canadian landscape offers a spectacular view. An immaculate white expanse in winter, Mont-Tremblant is reborn verdant in spring, and its lush summer emerald turns to a fiery display of foliage come autumn.
The colourful roofs of its buildings and its ski resort create a uniquely charming atmosphere. Steeped in history, the picturesque pedestrian village is lively with shops and restaurants. Many accommodations lie just a stone’s throw from the village—not to mention the golf courses and other attractions. Pop by former railway station Place de la Gare to admire the work of local artists and enjoy the not-to-be-missed Circuit Patrimonial, a self-guided heritage tour.
Mont-Tremblant attracts more and more tourists each year, thanks in no small part to the plethora of activities in every season. Its legendary ski resort is family friendly, and winter sport lovers get the chance to enjoy one of North America’s top ski destinations. Sit back and admire the panoramic views from the gondola—or if you’re feeling more adventurous, check out the Via Ferrata, which lets you safely walk along rock faces to enjoy equally stunning views. Cyclists of all levels will rejoice in the P’tit Train du Nord, a 200-kilometer-long rail-to-trail in the middle of nature.
A true outdoor playground, the area offers plenty of options for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating and sledding when the ground is covered in snow. In warmer weather, you’ll be hard pressed to choose between hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing, ziplining, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming. The gorgeous greens of Mont-Tremblant’s many golf courses also attract a number of visitors. For a unique experience in nature, you can also explore the Treetop Walk, a brand-new ecotourism destination. Marvel at the breathtaking view from the panoramic tower perched 40 metres above the trees. At nightfall, go see the Tonga Lumina, an immersive sensory experience that will delight young and old alike.
Many art and music events are also held in Mont-Tremblant. The Casino puts on spectacular shows, offering an excuse to savour grilled meat and seafood in their chic restaurant lounge. In the Village, you’ll find a range of culinary fare, from the refined, locally focused cuisine of sEb l’Artisan Culinaire to gourmet boutiques and caterers that tailor their offerings to your taste. The town’s many cafés offer plenty of options for the perfect après-ski or a hearty lunch. The village boasts many quaint shops, as well as complementary activities including a ceramic café, a VR arcade, the Brind’O waterpark, art galleries and fabulous spa and wellness centres.
Mont-Tremblant is one of Quebec’s leading tourist destinations, topped only by the province’s urban centres. The town has accordingly invested in impressive infrastructure such as Espace Public (an outdoor park and gathering spot) and the aquatic complex. While tourists and locals alike enjoy the area’s dazzling landscapes, residents also see the town as the perfect place to live and thrive. There’s no lack of professional or investment opportunities. Young professionals are particularly drawn to Mont-Tremblant for its quality of life and proximity to nature, along with great career prospects and a tight-knit community. The people here are warm and friendly; you’ll quickly sense their genuine spirit of hospitality. Though the community is largely French-speaking, you’ll feel welcome in Mont-Tremblant wherever you’re from.
Unsurprisingly, all these benefits are motivation for many to relocate here, and as a result, Mont-Tremblant’s real estate is flourishing. A number of people who intend to come for just a short visit end up establishing a part-time residence by renting or buying a second home in the area. Others fall completely under its charm and settle here for life. One thing is certain: you can’t visit Mont-Tremblant without wanting to return.
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Writer: Alexandra Wegliszewski
Cover: © Rouge marketing / Tourisme Mont-Tremblant
Here you can spend the morning at the beach, the afternoon on the slopes, and the evening on camelback in the desert. You can swim with sharks in a shopping mall and admire the dancing fountains at the foot of the world’s tallest tower. Welcome to Dubai! This dazzling city where tradition meets ambition is home to a rich heritage and a unique culture as well as futuristic architecture. Explore it in photos!
Writer: Diane Stehlé
Cover: Burj Al Arab from the beach
Photos: courtesy of Dubai Tourisme
Pushing the boundaries of interior décor, high-end electrical equipment manufacturer Meljac and jeweller Tournaire have combined their unique crafts in a first collaborative collection. With bronze, silver and gold light switches, several of which are set with precious stones, the Meljac X Tournaire collection heralds infinite possibilities for custom orders. This unique partnership steps outside the confines of technology and fine jewelry to transform functional objects into true works of art.
Based in France, both Meljac and Tournaire have respectively garnered an array of national and international awards, including the coveted EPV (living heritage company) label. Both workshops have been lauded for their excellence and exceptional artisanal and industrial expertise. Built around the finest raw materials, flawless pieces and technique unmatched the world over, the Meljac and Tournaire union was destined to transcend the ordinary. The resulting collection is the remarkable achievement of two houses at the top of their fields.
Creative, innovative and elegant, the first Meljac X Tournaire collection showcases masterful manufacturing techniques. These two houses have united their technical prowess in both 3D modelling and lost-wax casting, combining exceptional high-tech expertise with an immaculate jewelry tradition. Together they are crafting bespoke pieces ranging from the most delicate to the most extravagant. Using complex castings, rare metals and precious stones, these master artisans are taking the wall outlet to new heights of luxury.
The genius of these two expert houses is showcased around six of Tournaire’s iconic jewelry motifs. The perfect combination of design and functionality takes form in the “Origami” (2), “Construction” (3) and “Catacombes” (4), pieces and is fully expressed in their “Haute joaillerie” models. The exquisitely detailed and richly set models “Engrenage” (3 carats of sapphires and 1 carat of diamonds) (1), “Alchimie” (10 carats of diamonds) (5), and “Bas-relief” (5 carats of sapphires) (6) are nothing short of awe-inspiring and start at $US980.
Seamlessly complementing the aesthetic of the rooms where they are installed, these art switches are found in the most prestigious interiors in the world. World-renowned private homes, hotels and museums are elevated by the exquisite Meljac X Tournaire touch. Devotees of refinement, functionality and design are encouraged to visit their spectacular Paris and Los Angeles showrooms.
Master creator of high-end electrical equipment Meljac House offers made-to-measure lighting controls, sockets, power strips, wall and free-standing lamps and a full range of home automation systems.
Master artisan Maison Tournaire has half a century of history designing, transforming and repairing pieces as a watchmaker and jeweller. In addition to its collections of one-of-a-kind pieces, the house is known for its exceptional classic and contemporary wedding rings and jewelry.
Writer: Alexandra Pastena
With a personal multidisciplinary painting practice spanning over 22 years, and a thriving gallery, Montreal native Demetrios Papakostas plays a unique hybrid role in his local art circuit. In an intimate conversation with LUXE, Papakostas describes the evolution of his work, and how his gallery is helping to strengthen Quebec’s contemporary art community.
Papakostas made the decision to become a full-time visual artist at the age of 40, following a career in graphic arts. His first painting teacher, prolific watercolourist Heather Midori Yamada, encouraged him to “just go for it!” Papakostas didn’t need more prompting, “I loved being creative; experimenting… I wanted to do it all the time.”
Early on, Papakostas was heavily influenced by abstract expressionists like Mark Rothko, Joan Mitchell and Willem de Kooning, incorporating the freer, more gestural lines of abstract expressionism in his own painting.
In 2014, Papakostas began learning the intricacies of hard-edge geometric abstraction. Of this period, he recalls, “My brain was opening up.” The style requires sharp lines to be rendered with the help of carefully placed tape to divide the surface into precise spatial planes. The work of Quebec hard-edge masters Guido Molinari, Yves Gaucher, Fernand Leduc and Claude Tousignant became a guiding light for Papakostas during this time, as did Barry Allikas, whom he credits for teaching him how to “get hard-edge right.”
Papakostas first explored the movement by painting representations of doorways and gateways evoking mystery, anticipation and the desire for new discoveries. “From there, I was trying to learn my craft really well and present different shapes in new ways. It’s an ongoing process—very technical, with a big learning curve.”
Today, Papakostas has turned his attention to monochromatic painting. His recent exhibition, Catch the Light, plays with reflections on the surface of opposing brushstrokes using very dark pigment. Viewers who take the time to approach these paintings are rewarded with surprising depth and variation. It is an antidote to the breakneck pace of life that has become commonplace. “We want instant gratification; we don’t stop to look. When we do, we explore other levels and dimensions. Minimalism is challenging, but it brings forward simplicity, movement, serenity… In a way, I am looking for my own peace and serenity, and doing it through art.”
Frustrated with the barriers to exhibiting in Quebec, Papakostas searched for a place to call his own. Somewhere that would allow him to produce and exhibit his artwork. He felt gallery representation was sorely lacking for Quebec artists, it was difficult to gain entry to established venues and the affordable rental galleries were run-down. In 2016, Papakostas fell in love with a storefront on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, just south of Little Italy, that would soon become Galerie Erga. The space had plenty of room for a private office and working studio, as well as a versatile gallery area with high ceilings and a full-wall window facade letting in plenty of sunlight.
Papakostas realized that Erga could be a catalyst for encouraging dialogue and collaboration in the contemporary art community. “There’s not enough connection between my fellow artists. We’re all in the same boat, but always isolated in our own worlds.” He began renting out the gallery to individuals and groups on a revolving basis and is always surprised and amazed by what each artist chooses to hang on the walls. “What’s more exciting than a gallery that changes every week?”
“Art is a really hard business to be in. Erga is a gallery where artists can put on their own show. It’s about giving freedom back to the artists and allowing them to go further.”
In the future, Papakostas hopes to transform the gallery into a collaborative hub for artists with programming that will include open discussion groups, critiques and meetups. “I envision a sort of art commune, where we can all come together.”
Papakostas is also bringing artists together and increasing public art programming in Montreal with a new annual tradition: Art sur Papier. The community initiative celebrates the beginning of summer in the form of a two-week exhibition at Erga, featuring the art of over 20 local artists working on paper.
The show is intended to celebrate artists and to introduce them to new audiences and clients. Painting, drawing, collage, printmaking and papier-mâché sculpture have all been featured at Art sur Papier, and all work is available for sale to the public.
Demetrios Papakostas is currently represented by Denison Gallery in Toronto, and Objets Trouvés Gallery in Oklahoma City.
www.demetriospapakostas.com
www.galerie-erga.com
Writer: Jennifer Laoun-Rubenstein
Cover: Demetrios Papakostas with his work, Sunshine, oil on canvas, 48 x 72 in © Demetrios Papakostas
Leïla Slimani’s extraordinary second volume of Pays des autres is grounded in an independent Morocco struggling to forge its own path. Set during a period of upheaval, torn between tradition and freedom, the novel tells the story of the Belhaj family as it rises through the social ranks. After working hard on arid land, the family finds itself at the helm of a prosperous farm. But when they intermingle with the local bourgeoisie, differences between French and Moroccan cultures come to light.
Regardez-nous danser by Leïla Slimani – Éd. Gallimard
This astonishing novel finds Ada in London, where she is in search of her true origins. The child of a Greek father and Turkish mother, Ada unknowingly carries the weight of her family history, born of a forbidden love during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, when the island was torn in two. In a surge of violence, her parents’ love was irredeemably condemned. Elif Shafak transports readers to a place where dreams and pain are intertwined, where words can be spoken freely and generations can live together.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak – Pub. Bloomsbury USA
Vanessa Perrone’s cookbook is a celebration of the Mediterranean diet, bringing together her Italian roots and nutritional expertise. Home cooks can redefine their relationship with food by trying out healthy and delicious recipes crafted by Perrone, who adapts recipes from her culinary heritage to everyday living. Wow your guests with recipes like blood orange fennel salad and couscous with caramelized shallots, pistachios and raisins.
Méditerranéenne : Recettes et inspirations ensoleillées by Vanessa Perrone – Éd. Cardinal
Bérénice Leconte’s latest cookbook features mouth-watering recipes, without compromising on traditional baking flavour. Through vegan gastronomy, Leconte demonstrates how to use fundamental cooking techniques and basic ingredients. From her extravagant opera cake to the most rustic pain au chocolat, this vegan cookbook doesn’t skimp on excitement.
Pâtisserie vegan by Bérénice Leconte – Éd. La Plage
After decades of research, Pascal Bonafoux has assembled an in-depth album of Picasso’s self-portraits. With work that veers off the path of Picasso’s more well-known style, this new compilation of 170 sketches and paintings is an exciting discovery for modern art lovers.
Picasso par Picasso by Pascal Bonafoux – Éd. Seuil
This catalogue provides an overview of Nicolas Party’s work. Created for the artist’s first exhibition in Canada, L’heure mauve (Mauve Twilight). The book is a collection of colourful pastels, imposing murals and majestic sculptures from the exhibition. With a foreword by the director of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, it also contains an essay about Party’s work, photos of his creative process and original lyrics by Pierre Lapointe.
L’heure mauve by Bénédicte Ramade and Pierre Lapointe – Éd. 5 continents
This incredible book showcases how designers use optical illusions for aesthetic or functional purposes. It uncovers real-world examples from trompe-l’œil to anamorphosis in architecture, art, design and furniture making. Prepare to be inspired and surprised—if you can imagine it, it’s possible!
Illusion in Design by Paul Gunther and Gay Giordano – Pub. Rizolli
Immerse yourself in these photographs to discover Iceland through the lens of talented photographer Feifei Bui Paoluzzo. With wild island vistas, she transposes organic matter into sparkling images that bring the reader beyond the role of spectator, inviting them to be witnesses. Ochre mountains, volcanic rocks and geysers: get ready to delve into the landscape’s Viking spirit and Icelandic lore. Learn about the beginning of the Earth through petrified lava flows and witness a blurred horizon through the northern lights.
Islande by Feifei Cui Paoluzzo – Éd. Favre