[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Published: May 2025<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We had the pleasure (the honor<\/em>, really!) of chatting with Zo\u00e9 Grenier-Laroche, the founder and designer behind @maisonfauves<\/a>. She talked to us about their Delgado-Metcalfe project\u2014and spoiler alert\u2014it was fascinating! Huge thanks to her![\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”75242″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”75220″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The city didn\u2019t 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.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]It\u2019s a young family. They wanted a lively and colorful living space.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The home dates back to the 1950s. The mid-century style was a natural fit to keep the architecture cohesive.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Because of its artisanal charm! It\u2019s very typical of mid-century design, thanks to its \u201chandmade\u201d look and deep color variation.<\/p>\n The countertop had already been selected\u2014it had shades of gray with touches of brown and green. We wanted to highlight those tones! The Hanoi backsplash really brings them out.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”75226″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”75228″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Because of its artisanal charm! It\u2019s very typical of mid-century design, thanks to its \u201chandmade\u201d look and deep color variation.<\/p>\n The countertop had already been selected\u2014it had shades of gray with touches of brown and green. We wanted to highlight those tones! The Hanoi backsplash really brings them out.<\/p>\n We\u2019re big fans of the Hanoi tile\u2014it\u2019s bright and timeless. I\u2019ll admit I have a soft spot for the caramel color. Oh, it\u2019s just so<\/em> beautiful!<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”65355″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n At Fauves, our philosophy is to always<\/em> start with function. Define the storage layout<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Map out the functional triangle<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ensure clearance and spacing meet ergonomic standards<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Then for aesthetics, we make sure the design makes sense for the age and style of the home. I wouldn\u2019t put a farmhouse kitchen in a mid-century house! That way, the project lasts through time. It tells a story\u2014and together, we give it a soul.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Always think about function and ergonomics first! A kitchen is a tool. The design has to work.<\/p>\n Only after that<\/em>, you draw up the plan and choose materials. Build the beauty around functionality\u2014even if it means tweaking the layout a bit for your design choices.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”75224″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”75222″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Have fun!<\/strong> Life\u2019s too short for boring designs. So enjoy the process. (At La Tuilerie, we LOVE that philosophy!)<\/em><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Right now, my motto is: no more gray!<\/strong> I\u2019m also obsessed with tile sizes\u2014like 4 x 4 on the floor, for example. [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”75235″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/products\/stage-zellige-ceramic-4-x-4\/”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n And what do I hate the most lately? Metal Schluter trims<\/strong> for finishing. Whereas tile… I LOVE it. It\u2019s one of my favorite materials. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We genuinely have fun<\/strong> with our projects. [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Published: May 2025 [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We had the pleasure (the honor, really!) of chatting with Zo\u00e9 Grenier-Laroche, the founder and designer behind @maisonfauves. She talked to us about their Delgado-Metcalfe project\u2014and spoiler alert\u2014it was fascinating! Huge thanks to her![\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”75242″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 1. Three keywords to describe this project? [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”75220″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text] Functionality [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The city […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":80345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Maude Lavertu","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/maison-fauves-article-header.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75212"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75212\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75246,"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75212\/revisions\/75246"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.latuilerie.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}1. Three keywords to describe this project?<\/h2>\n
Functionality<\/h3>\n
Color<\/h3>\n
Mid-Century<\/h3>\n
2. Why did you choose the Hanoi tile?<\/h2>\n
3. How do you balance aesthetics and functionality in a kitchen?<\/h2>\n
Here\u2019s how we approach it:<\/p>\n\n
4. What are your best tips for a kitchen renovation?<\/h2>\n
5. Any tips for choosing backsplash tiles?<\/h2>\n
In my opinion, timeless design doesn\u2019t really exist. We\u2019re always influenced by our current era.
Plus, a backsplash is relatively easy to change. Don\u2019t worry about resale\u2014no one buys a house for the backsplash! A bold, confident design brings visibility.<\/p>\n6. What\u2019s your favorite tile color right now?<\/h2>\n
My current favorite tones: blues, yellows, burgundy, greens, and pinks.<\/p>\n
Pro tip: choose a format that lets you create your own<\/em> patterns. It adds so much character!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the easy way out\u2014but lacks soul.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s become one of our signatures at Fauves\u2014we use tile in creative ways.
Now, contractors even recognize us for that!<\/p>\n7. What\u2019s the philosophy behind Fauves?<\/h2>\n
Nowadays, clients come to us because they love our style.
And we work 100% for<\/em> our clients.
We don\u2019t take ourselves too seriously\u2014but we take our work very seriously.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So what\u2019s the takeaway?
In a kitchen, always start with functionality<\/strong> first!
And again, a huge thanks to Zo\u00e9 Grenier-Laroche, founder and designer at Fauves @maisonfauves<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"