Toronto-based interior designer Montana Labelle, of Montana Labelle Design Inc. may have launched her namesake company in 2013, but she’s proven herself to be one to watch. Having studied at the Parsons The New School for Design in New York City, she returned to Toronto to study under Brian Gluckstein and since then has taken on a wide range of projects from residential to large retail redesigns (the latest being Augustina in Yorkville). “I feel very grateful that I get to spend my days making peoples homes and lives more beautiful, comfortable and unique,” she says.
Travelling regularly for both business and pleasure (she just came back from Los Angeles where she got engaged!), Montana’s stylish background has given her a penchant for design-worthy hotels (prepare to swoon over La Réserve Ramatuelle), not to mention a highly-covetable airplane style (take notes). Read on to find out more of Montana’s luxurious picks.
How much travelling do you do? Last trip you took was for?
I love to travel. I try to go on a trip at least once a month for design inspiration. Whether its just a quick trip to sunny Miami or New York, I love the quick jolts of inspiration I am given in these amazing cultural centres. In the summer, I always like to plan a trip to Europe. My latest trip was to Los Angeles about two weeks ago. It was a gift for my birthday!
What’s your carry-on bag?
I was fortunate enough to be given a Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Keepall that is my all-time favourite travel bag.
What are your top 3 carry-on essentials besides your phone?
1. Headphones
2. Latest Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, or House and Home
3. Cozy cashmere scarf that can double as a blanket.
Travel & Style’s Picks: Alpine Headphones, $299.95, apple.com and Banana Republic Cashmere Scarf in grey, $185, bananarepublic.ca
Travel accessory/app you can’t leave home without?
Two incredibly helpful apps that I can’t live without are Uber and the Air Canada app. Uber is perfect for getting to the airport so you don’t need to ask someone to drive you! It’s also great when it can be used in the city you are travelling to. It’s super reliable and convenient. The Air Canada app is also incredible for travelling as it cuts down your time at the airport with check-ins, etc.
How do you kill time waiting for your flight/during a layover?
I really enjoy browsing through all the airport stores. I love walking around looking through all the stores and unique gift shops that the airport has to offer.
Travel & Style’s Pick: Smythson Mara Marshall Travel Wallet, £320, smythson.com
Favourite hotel?
Hotel amenity you can’t live without?
Bathtub!
Hotel design features or rooms that have inspired your own work personally or professionally?
Every time I go to any luxury hotel I am inspired by their decor. It certainly influences all of my work.
After visiting La Réserve Ramatuelle this past summer, I started to refer to design elements if they were “La Réserve-y” enough. I began designing with a lot of cerused oak and felt very very inspired from this travel destination.
Most memorable meal. Where and what did you have?
I would have to say my most memorable meal was at Hotel Du Cap last summer. The scenery there is absolutely breathtaking. Eating lobster with a glass of champagne was the most perfect way to begin our vacation!
Current travel reading material/playlist?
I absolutely love reading novels on airplanes. It makes the flight go by very quickly.
Travel & Style’s Pick: Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham, $19, amazon.ca
Favourite travel-friendly beauty product?
La Mer Creme, Palmers Coco butter lip balm, and Dermalogica Antioxidant hydrating mist.
Biggest travel pet peeve?
Sitting at the back of the plane as I sometimes feel claustrophobic.
Tell us what your airplane style is.
My airplane outfit is always the same. I like to wear a great pair of very comfortable super skinny jeans — medium blue — usually with holes (my current favourites are Rag & Bone and Frame Denim). Up top, I always like to wear a loose fitting white shirt or tank top (James Perse), and then usually a thin black Rick Owens sweater or light jacket. Shoes: I like to wear YSL runners as they are super easy to slip on and off. Purse: I like to carry the Chanel 2.55 jumbo in black with gold hardware which stores the items which don’t fit in my carryall.
Travel & Style’s Picks: Rag & Bone Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans, $200, net-a-porter.com & Saint Laurent Leopard-Print Canvas Sneakers, $445, net-a-porter.com
Last vacation – where, with who & best memory?
The Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles where my fiancé proposed and surprised me with my whole family being there!
Most memorable souvenir?
I always like to buy a great home accessory whenever I travel — something that will remind me of my travels. My favourite item is a print I bought at the Picasso museum in Spain — every time I look at it I am reminded of my amazing trip.
Where are you headed to next and what for?
Miami — to scope out venues for the wedding!
Dream destination?
Four Seasons Hawaii.
