Published: May 2025

We had the pleasure (the honor, really!) of chatting with Zoé Grenier-Laroche, the founder and designer behind @maisonfauves. She talked to us about their Delgado-Metcalfe project—and spoiler alert—it was fascinating! Huge thanks to her!

1. Three keywords to describe this project?

Functionality

The city didn’t allow us to extend the home. Fun fact: such expansions used to be approved but are no longer permitted. So we had a big program to work with in a smaller space! Our clients handled that hurdle with a lot of grace. It allowed for a bigger budget to design and optimize the kitchen. We went for higher-end materials, like a natural stone countertop.

Color

It’s a young family. They wanted a lively and colorful living space.

Mid-Century

The home dates back to the 1950s. The mid-century style was a natural fit to keep the architecture cohesive.

2. Why did you choose the Hanoi tile?

Because of its artisanal charm! It’s very typical of mid-century design, thanks to its “handmade” look and deep color variation.

The countertop had already been selected—it had shades of gray with touches of brown and green. We wanted to highlight those tones! The Hanoi backsplash really brings them out.

Because of its artisanal charm! It’s very typical of mid-century design, thanks to its “handmade” look and deep color variation.

The countertop had already been selected—it had shades of gray with touches of brown and green. We wanted to highlight those tones! The Hanoi backsplash really brings them out.

We’re big fans of the Hanoi tile—it’s bright and timeless. I’ll admit I have a soft spot for the caramel color. Oh, it’s just so beautiful!

3. How do you balance aesthetics and functionality in a kitchen?

At Fauves, our philosophy is to always start with function.
Here’s how we approach it:

• Define the storage layout

• Map out the functional triangle

• Ensure clearance and spacing meet ergonomic standards

Then for aesthetics, we make sure the design makes sense for the age and style of the home. I wouldn’t put a farmhouse kitchen in a mid-century house! That way, the project lasts through time. It tells a story—and together, we give it a soul.

4. What are your best tips for a kitchen renovation?

Always think about function and ergonomics first! A kitchen is a tool. The design has to work.

Only after that, you draw up the plan and choose materials. Build the beauty around functionality—even if it means tweaking the layout a bit for your design choices.

5. Any tips for choosing backsplash tiles?

Have fun! Life’s too short for boring designs.
In my opinion, timeless design doesn’t really exist. We’re always influenced by our current era.
Plus, a backsplash is relatively easy to change. Don’t worry about resale—no one buys a house for the backsplash! A bold, confident design brings visibility.

So enjoy the process. (At La Tuilerie, we LOVE that philosophy!)

6. What’s your favorite tile color right now?

Right now, my motto is: no more gray!
My current favorite tones: blues, yellows, burgundy, greens, and pinks.

I’m also obsessed with tile sizes—like 4 x 4 on the floor, for example.
Pro tip: choose a format that lets you create your own patterns. It adds so much character!

And what do I hate the most lately? Metal Schluter trims for finishing.
It’s the easy way out—but lacks soul.

Whereas tile… I LOVE it. It’s one of my favorite materials.
It’s become one of our signatures at Fauves—we use tile in creative ways.
Now, contractors even recognize us for that!

7. What’s the philosophy behind Fauves?

We genuinely have fun with our projects.
Nowadays, clients come to us because they love our style.
And we work 100% for our clients.
We don’t take ourselves too seriously—but we take our work very seriously.

So what’s the takeaway?
In a kitchen, always start with functionality first!
And again, a huge thanks to Zoé Grenier-Laroche, founder and designer at Fauves @maisonfauves.