Exquisite homes of adoration.

As faith practices changed and the need for a house of worship took on a more modest, homey feel, churches became expensive propositions for dewindling congregations to maintain. In many cases these former centers of communal activity were left abandoned and untimately demolished. However, most chuches were well built buildings and, notwithstanding the heavy ornamentation, some land developers saw an amazing window of opportunity, acquiring these structures and modifying them into residential projects, factories, discotheques, restaurants and funky design shops, to name but a few of the revolutionary makeovers. As some of the contents of these buildings were making their way into the marketplace, art and antique dealers became involved, creating and developing a market with a very demanding and wealthy clientele. These 'godly' items found homes in both period and extremely modernist environments; regardless of their faith, discerning collectors purchased the pieces to enjoy and display with pride. Some of the best art pieces were, indeed, created for temples, churches, synagogues and mosques, and deserved to be preserved for their historic significance and beauty. This area of collecting became popular with the elite, who created homes to host these artifacts, homes that today are the subject of beautifully photographed books and well researched interior design magazines.

Some rules apply to a Divine Home; if the home is built in an old place of devotion, keeping high ceilings and taking advantage of the acoustics is a must; some of the best modern interiors are designed inside these structures. On the other hand, if this movement is applied to a newer building, the need to integrate the different objects and display them appropriately is the job of extremely meticulous Interior Designers, as one of the golden rules of divine living is 'no wires exposed'.

My studio is the only example I know of this movement in Downtown Montreal. Cathedral ceilings and a lofty modern feeling contrast with the rich and sumptuous decoration; Designers Guild silks, Etro velours, Beaumont & Fletcher, Rose Cummings linens; a one-of-a-kind microchip-operated eight -foot chandelier contrasted with Artemide Industrial light fixtures; statuary, religious paintings set against a wall I had painted with graffiti by Funkill, my favorite local urban artist; all set against white floors. The actual space is small and the white flooring lightens and enlarges it; a stunning effect!

I have collected pieces of different faiths, crucifixes, santos, buddhas, african masks, etc. and although I am not Catholic, the dramatic feel of the pieces once displayed in catholic churches top my list of favorites for their dramatic impact and elaborate craftsmanship.

In his book "The divine home - Living with spiritual objects" Peter Vitale features homes I would be ready to move into in a second! I just ordered several copies of the book as I am giving it as my three presents of choice for the holidays, the other two are "A Girl's Guide To Decorating" by Abigail Ahern and "Storage" by Terence Conran. Eros Greatti is a Westmount designer. For more information or to suggest topics, he can be reached at The New Maison Eros Greatti & M Interior Design Studio & Atelier at 514-839-2565.