More Montreal stealth stores – let's go!

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 12 of 13, SS25 *
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Let's continue our tour of Montreal "stealth stores" – those under-the-radar showrooms that are appointment-only, or hidden from street-level, and often both at once. Two weeks ago, we visited Full Room for a glimpse of rare industrial designs for the home. Now, let's go see three more unique vendors of vintage furniture.

The first two are conveniently housed in one location – Studio Façon, founded by Maria Kapovska, and Maison Singulier, founded by Elif Filyos. Maria was presiding over the shared space during my visit, giving me a friendly overview of some of their showstoppers.

On the Studio Façon side of the equation, I was dazzled by this Togo modular sofa, freshly reupholstered in dark green leather:

Designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, this modern classic is enjoying newfound popularity over fifty years after its 1973 debut. No matter how many times you've seen it in magazines or Instagram feeds, it still wows in person.

Also catching my eye was this unusual bookcase, its shelves crafted from one undulating wooden strip bolted to an L-shaped frame:

Moveable dividers make it possible to cradle books on the slanted surfaces. Though the designer is unknown, this piece makes an original statement, and is well-suited for dividing a larger space.

In the Maison Singulier collection, this leather armchair rigged with a support of knotted nylon cords made my design sense tingle:

It's a rugged piece from the Sixties by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon, and it's sure to add personality to an interior that needs something startling.

Also on my admiration list was this suave pair of armchairs by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova:

Part of the fun of visiting showrooms like this is being able to test drive the merchandise. Although these chairs look a bit forbidding, the flexible rubber sling adapts to your body, resulting in form-fitting comfort.

Throughout this space, there's no strict dividing line between Studio Façon and Maison Singulier, but you can consult the Instagram accounts, linked above, if you need to sort out what's what. There's a common appreciation of materials here that keeps it all feeling seamless.

Just south of this stealth-store duo is Le Centerpiece, a similar warehouse setup packed with bold room-defining pieces. Founder Julie Johnson and marketing pro Samantha Jin were my tour guides, patiently elucidating design histories as I meandered from one impressive sight to another.

My favourite was this étagère, already sold, made to present wares at fashion retailer Rodier. I love its gently rounded shelves and totem-like presence:

A Tic-Tac-Toe like presentation of design books also drew my attention, looking smart on a burl wood coffee table:

Sofas by design legends Lella and Massimo Vignelli felt grand and intimate at the same time, pairing honey-coloured cushions with glossy black frames:

Sometimes in a room full of epic gestures, it's the smallest item that wins you over with its charm. I felt that way about the adorable stool designed by Le Centerpiece and made in Canada from reclaimed wood:

Given the proximity of these stealth stores, you could try to book visits for the same afternoon. Together, they're lessons in the power of mixing materials – wood, leather, glass, chrome, and more. The right proportions for your home may be completely subjective, but the principle of unleashing beauty through contrasts is universal.

Thank you for reading.