Project Grey by Montana Burnett
With her editorial-trained eye, Toronto-based interior designer Montana Burnett creates visually arresting spaces that lean into neutral palettes, natural materials and an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary finds. Project Grey is no exception – a beautiful family residence that is as effortlessly livable as it is elegant.
Photography by Lauren Miller
What was the first piece of design that mattered to you?
The first thing I remember that made an impact on me was when my mom had our house redesigned by one of her talented friends.
Tell us a bit about your career journey – who are some of the people who have inspired and mentored you along the way?
Design was a bit of a hobby that turned into a profession. I worked at Canadian House & Home magazine as a Market Editor for several years and [that] gave me a good base to understand suppliers and finish houses [with] styling. Once I got into design myself, I learned a lot from my peers – I was always inspired by Michelle Lloyd and Kelly Wearstler – and have a great group of designer friends to help me with any business-related questions.
How has your editorial background shaped your approach to designing interiors?
Having a background in editorial helped in the sense that I sort of went to school that way for interior design because I’m not formally trained. I learned sourcing, I was exposed to being on shoots and styling houses that designers had completed that were beautiful, and it exposed me to a lot of inspiring ideas and creative spaces at an early stage.
Tell us a bit about your brief for Project Grey. What references made it to your mood board?
Project Grey was supposed to encompass a family comfortably yet be a little bit on the feminine side. The reds and pinks throughout the house speak to that. The kitchen was the jumping off point; we wanted a real cook’s kitchen functionally, but aesthetically pretty. I wanted to inject a lot of vintage design and a slight wooden palette throughout to create a little bit of contrast and interest. Considering a family lives there, it had to withstand wear and tear so we couldn’t go with anything too precious in the high-traffic areas.
What were the client’s “must-haves”?
The client had to have a lot of seating for entertaining and hosting large dinner parties, as well as comfortable and livable lounging spaces.
What are some favorite pieces that you sourced for this project?
The chair in the formal living room in the corner is probably my favorite piece in the house. It was sourced from a chalet in the French Alps and is from the 70s, and we had it re-covered. It adds that bit of woodsy vintage into the otherwise formal living room. I also love the extra coffee table in the family room sourced from SALT by The Caza Project.
“Follow your intuition when sourcing any unique or vintage pieces for your home.”
We’re honored that our Agra and Eden rugs made their way into the bedroom and living room. What considerations were front of mind when specifying them?
The Agra and Eden rugs make me happy every time I look at them. They bring a pop of color and texture into the rooms. They really ground each space and [allow] the rest of the magic to happen.
The house is filled with lots of clever storage solutions. Do you have any tips for striking a balance between functional elements and more decorative design details?
We were working with an existing structure with this house. Instead of putting the everyday closet in a corner in the front of the house, we decided to use the length of the hallway as an extra storage closet – it really leads your eye down the length of that hallway and gives the client ample space for all things.
When designing a house, having a combination of open and enclosed storage is important because pretty things can be displayed while practical things can be hidden. We will often use that combination to elevate the kitchen – when it comes to everyday dishes, they’ll be covered in closed storage, then we love a shelf along the top of a working counter to display more beautiful objects. This idea can apply to almost any room in a house.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to curate more unique objects for their space?
I would suggest that you follow your intuition when sourcing any unique or vintage pieces for your home. It doesn’t need to have a predestined spot to live [in order] to buy it. I often work backwards – if I see something, I will find a space for it as opposed to the other way around. If an object speaks to you, then you should have it.
Finally, interiors or otherwise, what has been inspiring you lately?
Traveling always gives me fresh eyes and inspiration, so I try to do it as much as possible to stay fresh in the office.
