Inspired by a building that once stood on this majestic site, this home honours the history of the place, while embracing views in every direction.Inspired by a building that once stood on this majestic site, this home honours the history of the place, while embracing views in every direction.
This property overlooking Lake Tremblant stands on a site steeped in history. “The site was first developed in the 1940s by James Franceschini, a Canadian construction magnate, as a year-round mountain residence and an elite equestrian centre,” explains Amanda Xenos, design director at Patty Xenos Design. After the 1960s, the original building fell into disrepair.
Today, the new home sits very close to the site of the former main house and pays homage to its predecessor and its owner’s passions. It is divided into three sections so that each generation of the growing family can maintain their privacy, yet all are connected to the main living room. The living room remains the heart of the home, a central hub where everyone can come together.
Resulting from a close collaboration between Patty Xenos and architect Brian Burrows, the building has been designed to frame sweeping, postcard‑like views in every room and maximize natural light through generous windows. They took care to preserve the property’s original character and mountain style while incorporating thoughtful contemporary elements. The prevalence of wood—primarily high-quality species from the Laurentians—creates a warm atmosphere throughout, even in the most spacious rooms with high ceilings.
The chosen colour palette celebrates the surrounding natural settings and unifies all the areas. For example, when a space offers a view of the mountains, the colour scheme includes a shade of green reminiscent of conifers that subtly amplifies the connection.
Decorated in blue, white, and wood tones, this spacious, bright, and inviting space is designed for convivial family cooking and gathering.
The staircase connects the three floors of this home, which spans over 1,800 square metres. It has no risers and is fitted with glass railings that maximize natural light, which reflects off the majestic chandelier made of glass leaves. This enchanting light fixture continuously changes the atmosphere of the space through the interplay of light and shadow, shifting with the weather and the seasons.
Despite its vast size, the property feels welcoming and comforting thanks to several rooms designed for specific purposes. This is particularly true of the Gentlemen’s Parlor, personalized with antiques originally part of the property. In this room, as elsewhere in the house, objects inspired by the equestrian world and handcrafted by local artisans complement the decor.
“Each end of the house catches the sun at different times of the day, positioned to capture the changing light from sunrise to sunset,” says Patty. “The large windows are oriented to embrace this natural choreography, while framing the spectacular panoramic views of the lake or the mountains.” The master bedroom offers a view of the water; naturally, it is decorated in shades of deep blue. In this way, nature extends into this room, imbued with softness, comfort, and tranquility, just like the entire interior.
Cover photo: Photo André Doyon
