Maison Melba

Sustainability and Serenity in the Eastern Townships

Refurbished and made LEED Platinum-level sustainable, this former country garage’s much lauded architectural update was handled by Atelier L’Abri, after its owner discovered it on a rural bike ride. The redesign infuses the mansard-roofed building with subtle overhead light, and the space has been refurbished with stone, Douglas Fir flooring, white oak furnishings, and oversized picture windows, creating a space that blends seamlessly with its rural setting. It’s been featured in Dezeen and Archdaily, among others, and has a mission of inspiring culinary creativity and gastronomic innovation.

A combined residence and public gathering space connected by a bright common living room area, the 450sqm property’s exterior remains broad and barn-like but has been updated by a steel roof, rustic wood siding and support beams. The public wing occupies the building’s right side, a loft-like space with a spacious Vipp commercial kitchen, office, and industrial-grade interiors.

The left wing is the residence, with bedrooms and minimalist bathrooms and its own Vipp kitchen for six guests. Fitted with oversized windows in lime-plastered walls, with light, Dinesen wood floors and stairs, the residence features furnishings by Vipp, Duravit, Ligne Roset and Frama, as well as pieces by local designers and makers such as Clara Jorisch, Kastella, Atelier Vast, and Ema Ceramics.

Outdoors, regenerative landscaping and permaculture was designed by Ecomestible, in keeping with the rural setting of Frelighsburg. A greenhouse and garden also support the property’s culinary mission.

Experiences

The residence/workshop space is dedicated to immersive gastronomic experiences and offers four-night culinary escapes to discover local foods and wines as well as locally produced homewares in addition to more standard stays. The rural location supports an on-site greenhouse and garden, and the property stands under the filtered shade of a giant weeping willow tree.

Around

Located in Frelighsburg, Canada, in Quebec’s Eastern Townships (or Estrie) near the US border with the state of Vermont, the property is about an hour’s drive from Montréal. Nestled in Québec’s wine country, the village of Freligsburg is considered one of the Eastern Townships’ most beautiful, a bucolic setting surrounded by rolling hills and fertile orchards in the Pike River Valley. The historic village stands in the shadow of Pinnacle Mountain. Picturesque buildings such as the Grammar School (1856) and General Store are village originals, and the region is known for its local cider houses and orchards with production sites.

Set within the greater wine region of Québec, the locality offers opportunities for tastings and vineyard visits as well, and it has long drawn artists and craftspeople to its scenic hills, meaning there are great independent boutiques and galleries for shopping. Outdoorsy types can enjoy all the seasonal recreational opportunities of the Eastern Townships, from water sports, fishing and hiking, to winter favorites such as skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

Location

Frelighsburg, Eastern Townships, Québec, Canada. Nearest airport: Montréal (1 hour)

Best time to visit

Year round, depending on activity