In the heart of Montreal, where the echoes of history meet the colorful vibrancy of modern artistry, lives Marianne Plaisance, a 33-year-old creative spirit who has transformed a former bank into a vibrant sanctuary that is as unique as her artistic vision. After a two-year search, Marianne and her boyfriend found their dream home, nestled inside an old bank building, where every corner speaks to both their love for design and their desire for a living space that reflects the kaleidoscope of ideas swirling in their minds.
“From the moment I saw the listing for this place, I knew it was meant for us,” Marianne reveals, reminiscing about the time she discovered the property listed at 0,000 CAD, a price that would eventually drop to 0,000 CAD before they made their bid. The couple embarked on the purchase journey in September 2022, seizing what others overlooked despite the challenging real estate market. “It was like finding a hidden gem. The house was on the market for about six months, and when we walked in, we immediately fell in love with the original features that still lingered from its days as a bank,” she states.
Marianne’s home is a masterclass in intentional maximalism—a design style that boldly embraces color and creativity while avoiding a cluttered appearance. “I always envisioned myself living in a space that was artistic, colorful, and reflective of my inner world. It’s absolutely not comfortable, but it’s beautiful,” she explains. Her home is a vibrant tapestry where every color, pattern, and piece of furniture harmonizes to create a unique atmosphere. With around 3,500 square feet between the first floor and the basement, the home’s layout is as inviting as it is expansive.
Upon entering, one is greeted by the entryway, creatively repurposed as her dog’s bedroom, alongside the original safe of the bank which Marianne has ingeniously transformed into a stylish storage solution. This safe serves as both a nod to the building’s history and an example of her clever decor choices. The space is dotted with thrifted treasures, such as her prized giant cherries, which she rescued and restored. “These cherries are my pride and joy. They add a whimsical pop of character to the house,” she shares.
The living area unfolds into a vibrant amalgamation of her living room, dining room, kitchen, and studio, all bathed in natural light. “The first thing I did when I moved in was to hang rainbow curtains throughout the space, and when you close them, they create one giant rainbow—this is the energy I wanted to cultivate,” Marianne reflects with enthusiasm. This radiant setup serves as her canvas where she delights in filming DIY projects and creating home decor content for her online platforms.
Her dining area features a set of rattan chairs, which she has covered in a striking shiny paint, showcasing both her artistic flair and her commitment to sustainability through thrifting. Marianne’s keen eye for distinctive pieces led her to a lip-shaped couch—“It’s absolutely not comfortable, but it’s beautiful”—adding a layer of playfulness to her space. “I wanted to make sure that the couch could create cozy seating areas while also being a statement piece,” she explains.
As we venture into the kitchen, a bright open space lacking upper cabinets can be observed. “I appreciate the airiness. It feels like a creative hub where I can cook and entertain,” she says. Her pink bedroom, reminiscent of a whimsical Wes Anderson film set, is a delightful blend of a Parisian castle and a space-age aesthetic, showcasing her dedication to personal expression in every room.
Perhaps the most unique feature of her home is the walk-in closet, hidden dramatically within the confines of the former bank vault. “This is my dream closet, filled with all the things I love,” she describes, beaming with pride. The surrounding bathroom, completed with an element of chic design, is another testament to Marianne’s vision. “Having my walk-in closet inside the vault adds such a cool factor to our home,” she emphasizes.
As we shift to the basement—a space described as slightly odd yet charmingly quirky—everything feels like a performance on a stage. Here, Marianne describes a bathroom distinguished by its public pool-like aesthetic, complete with tiny blue tiles, juxtaposed with an inspiring workshop that resembles a hardware store. “It’s got everything I need for my DIY adventures, and it’s so much fun to create in this space,” she notes.
When it comes to the financial side of home ownership, Marianne admits that the investment has been substantial. “To decorate and furnish everything, I estimate I’ve spent around ,000 USD. I had a vision for each space, and my background in graphic design and commercial photography played a huge role in bringing it all together,” she explains. Every decision from painting the walls a crisp white to creating custom moldings with her father showcases their joint creativity and dedication to crafting a visually stunning environment.
Despite feeling a sense of completion in some areas, Marianne sees her home as a continuous work in progress. “I think the bedroom took the longest to do simply because I knew it was going to stay that way for a long time. I estimate it took me a year to get it just right,” she admits. Future renovations are on the horizon, most notably a kitchen overhaul, where she plans to bring in professional help for what she considers her “first big renovation project.”
In a world where the fleeting nature of trends can pull our attention away, Marianne’s home serves as a vivid reminder of the importance of authenticity in personal spaces. “I don’t think there will ever be a time when I won’t be doing something in the house. Maybe in ten years, I’ll redo everything I’ve done, but for now, I want to immerse myself in what I’ve created,” she says with determination. The old bank is no longer just a building; it’s a cradle for creativity, a canvas that perfectly encapsulates Marianne’s artistic journey and her evolution as a designer.
Through her vibrant home, filled with light and color, Marianne Plaisance not only exhibits her unique design style but also invites others to consider the stories behind their spaces. Her journey transforms a simple house into a joyous expression of self, showcasing that the places where we live can truly reflect who we are. As she moves forward, the possibilities for further transformation and creativity remain endless, eternally expanding like a multicolored rainbow. This house, once a financial institution, has beautifully transcended its original purpose and has been reborn as a realm of creativity, comfort, and joy.
