Building & Investment (May - Jun 2016) (May - Jun 2016) | Page 69

Design Feature

floor. Boards were reclaimed as finishing
materials for the kitchen, resulting in subtle
and effective integration coordinated with the
stainless-steel finish of the appliances.
Two back-to-back banquettes, one in
lighter wood, are designed as a single piece
and form the space’s central element. On one
side, guests can sit down and eat, while the
other side is geared for play and relaxation.
The banquette includes integrated storage
space. One side of the seat is covered in slate
to add a playful aspect and allow children to
use the space as they play.
The pool echoes the lengthwise spread of
the patio, complementing the house’s linear
architecture. The required safety fence is made
entirely of glass, preserving the space’s fluidity.
After dark, the pool becomes a beacon, casting
bluish light that gives the space a theatrical,
soft ambience, perfect for long, relaxing
evenings among friends.
Brisson’s unusual career path has given

her an approach to space that sometimes has
more to do with architecture than interior
design. Before she becomes involved with the
content of the space, she concentrates on the
envelope that defines it. “I like to create boxes,
like jewel boxes, that my clients can arrange
in their own image.”
Before engaging in training as an interior
designer, Brisson began her professional life as
a lyric soprano. It was during her international
tours that she cultivated her talent for design
and her love of architecture and spaces. “I
always had a little notebook and a pencil
so I could sketch the places I visited,” she
recalls. After working as an on-stage artist,
she became a fashion designer and opened
a women’s clothing boutique in Montreal. A
few collections later, she launched her career
as an interior designer. „

More information at www.martinebrisson.ca
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