Copper Kitchen Cabinets Add to the Refined Rustic Feeling Inside This Renovated Historic Loft

MU Architecture has renovated a historic loft in Montreal’s Old Port, combining heritage with modern design. The clearest example is the kitchen, where copper kitchen cabinets sit against the original stone walls and add to the refined, rustic feel of the apartment.

Copper cabinets and stainless steel

The kitchen is the focal point of the loft. It keeps original structural elements while adding contemporary materials, giving a space that feels sophisticated yet welcoming. The striking copper cabinetry is by Cuisines Illo and stands out against the stone.

Stainless steel countertops bring a modern edge. An oversized island and seamlessly built-in appliances keep the room practical, so it works as a kitchen for everyday cooking and as an artistic statement at the same time.

Restored stone, wood and oak

The exposed stone walls and wooden elements were carefully restored. Their raw character was kept, while the restoration adds warmth and texture. Wide oak planks and a sculptural black metal staircase give the space a sense of grandeur.

Bedroom suites and three bathrooms

The upper level holds the bedroom suites, each with a spa-like bathroom. One bedroom has an en-suite enclosed in glass. Another bathroom features an artistic floral mural that brings colour into the room, while the third takes a minimalist approach, with square white tiles on the walls and black tiles on the floor.

Mixing old and new materials

In general, a heritage interior can take a bold new material when the original fabric is left visible around it. Here copper and stainless steel read as clearly contemporary, while the restored stone and wood keep the history of the building in view.

Project credits

• Project: renovated historic loft, Old Port, Montreal, Canada
• Architect: MU Architecture
• Copper kitchen cabinetry: Cuisines Illo
• Photography: Ulysse Lemerise Bouchard
• Source: Contemporist