Some Quebec furniture and decorative object designers have chosen to produce less but better. These responsible creators beautify our decor and contribute, in their own way, to easing our ecological conscience. They are mindful of the environment, the durability of their pieces, and respecting ethical values. We applaud their commitment (and their artistic vision, of course!).
Bottë
Founded in 2018
Based in Montreal
What Lighting fixtures made of upcycled materials. Outdated or broken lamps, Venetian blind slats, fan grille, or ceramic vases that were on their way to the garbage can are repurposed and transformed into new objects.
Who is behind the brand Philippe Charlebois Gomez, a designer-artisan who studied at the Lambert & Fils lighting studio before opening his own company.
Eco-friendly Recycling used objects • Delivery within a 650 km radius to limit their carbon footprint • Local workers
Success Bottë lighting fixtures adorn the exquisite decor of Montreal’s Pastel Rita café. The Cirque du Soleil and the architectural firm Zébulon Perron are also clients.
Prices From $425 (wall sconce) to $2,100 (floor lamp). Custom creations start at $3,000.
studiobotte.com • @studio.botte
Kastella
Founded in 2003
Based in Montreal
What Wood furniture at the intersection of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism. Design longevity and sustainability over time are core values.
Who is behind the brand Jason Burhop, a psychology graduate who is self-taught in renovation and construction. One summer, he helped a furniture-maker friend who wasn’t able to fulfill his contracts. Jason developed his cabinetmaking skills and eventually took over the workshop, where he crafted his first pieces. Today’s team is made up of about 30 artisans.
Eco-friendly Preferred wood varieties (black walnut, American white oak, and Quebec maple) are hardwoods from sustainable forestry operations. • Wood scraps are used to make multi-functional furniture. • Natural, water- and oil-based finishing products • Kastella supplies sawdust to a Montreal mushroom farm called Blanc de gris. The residue serves as a substrate for cultivating oyster mushrooms.
Success In 2016, the C401 stool received a Residential Furniture award at the Grands Prix du Design (9th edition).
Prices From $595 (stool) to $6,095 (bookcase)
kastella.ca • @kastella_furniture
Cyrc.
Founded in 2021
Based in Montreal
What Recycled plastic vases and bowls in surprising sculptural shapes.
Who is behind the brand Guy Snover and Daniel Martinez. Guy studied in architecture and sculpture, and Daniel in design. They first used their combined talents and passions to create lamps and, later, decorative objects using a 3D printer.
Eco-friendly Use of plastic recycled from post-industrial food packaging and medical tray wastes • With their 3D printers, they produce on demand.
Bravo! The duo is committed to a circular economy. If one of their products is no longer right for you, Cyrc. will arrange to have it picked up free of charge.
Prices From $23 (wall hanging) to $260 (vase)
cyrcdesign.com • @cyrcdesign
La Petite léonne
Founded in 2018
Based in Montreal
What Organic cotton linens, pillows, pillowcases, and swaddling blankets for babies in soft colours from vegetable dyes.
Who is behind the brand Marie-Élodie Molle, a former marketing, communications, and digital content strategist who felt inspired to make ethical and environmentally-friendly products after the birth of her first daughter.
Eco-friendly GOTS-certified organic cotton • Natural vegetable dyes • Fabric scraps used to create small accessories (baby mobiles and hair bows) • Limited production to reduce wastage • Local stitchers
Bravo! A re-dyeing service is offered to re-colour items that have lost their sparkle. • Irregularly coloured pieces are sold at a discount in the “Almost perfect” section of the website.
Prices From $17 (decorative garland) to $112 (pillowcase)
lapetiteleonne.com • @lapetiteleonne
De Gaspé
Founded in 2014
Based in Montreal
What Wood furniture with a discreet and timeless design for residential and commercial markets.
Who is behind the brand Four best buddies who are passionate about furniture: Nicolas Turgeon, Robin de Millo Terrazzani and Benoit Therrien (metal specialists), and Frédéric Landry (cabinetmaker).
Eco-friendly Wood and steel are sourced from Canadian forests and steel mills • Locally made (except for chairs and stools, imported from Italy) • For every piece of furniture purchased on the site, 1% of sales are donated to Eden Reforestation Projects, an organization specializing in reforestation.
Bravo! No wholesaler or store means no intermediary between the company and the customers. Consumers buy directly from the showroom or online, which lowers the price.
Prices From $160 (dining room chair) to $5,290 (buffet)
degaspe.ca • @degaspe_
Amulette
Founded in 2013
Based in Montreal
What Macramé sculptural lamps (some more than 10 feet high!) and rugs.
Who is behind the brand Annie Legault, a fiber artist who loves architecture and the Japanese aesthetic concept of wabi-sabi—beauty in imperfection. Her creations are sometimes reminiscent of cocoons, sometimes of graceful medusas. The word “amulette” refers to a magical power that Annie attributes to her products: to protect from darkness and cold.
Eco-friendly Natural materials (cotton, wool, hemp, jute, and merino wool) • Limited series production
Success People’s Choice Award of the Rado Star Prize 2019
Prices From $325 (lamp, model 1940) to $1,250 (rug)
annielegault.com • @amulette_par_annielegault
Dear Human
Founded in 2010
Based in Montreal
What Furniture and wall tiles crafted out of recycled paper which is worked to look like stone. The playful style is reminiscent of the fun designs of the Italian Memphis Group in the 80s.
Who is behind the brand Jasna Sokolovic and Noel O’Connell, who both have degrees in architecture and fine arts. Business partners (and life partners), they share a passion for ceramics.
Eco-friendly Their primary raw material—post-consumer recycled paper—is recovered from Montreal businesses.
Success Dear Human Furniture has toured the globe at major design shows (Milan, London, New York, Stockholm, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal).
Prices From $58 (planter) to $1,200 (table lamp)
dearhuman.ca • @dear_human
Atelier Cocotte
Founded in 2010
Based in Montreal
What Lyrical lighting with wood veneer lampshades. Malleable wood ribbons are shaped into sculptures inspired by plants: flowers, bulbs, and pinecones.
Who is behind the brand Isabelle Auger designs and produces these handmade lamps. With studies in educational science, visual arts, and graphic design, she has worked as a photographer, prop stylist and graphic designer before creating her brand, Atelier Cocotte.
Eco-friendly Local wood sourcing (walnut, oak, white birch, and Canadian red birch) • Limited series production
Prices From $190 (Hazelnut model) to $500 (Goutte model)
ateliercocotte.com • @ateliercocotte
Ubu Design
Founded in 2016
Based in Granby
What Kitchen accessories and accent furniture in walnut and aluminum, with a Scandinavian touch.
Who is behind the brand Ivan Brousseau, a Saguenay native who graduated in industrial design in Quebec City and honed his skills in several large firms before setting up his own business. He enlisted the help of a ceramic artist for the cups and a stitcher for the furniture.
Eco-friendly Use of walnut waste, Ivan’s favourite tree! • Handcrafted
Success His ceramic espresso cups with wooden sleeves were honoured at the Grands Prix du Design (12th edition in 2019).
Prices From $42 (cup) to $880 (accent table or bench)
ubudesign.ca • @designubu
Woodstock
Founded in 2017
Based in Terrebonne
What Solid wood furniture with a clean Scandinavian style.
Who is behind the brand Philippe Lefebvre and Catherine Tapin. Philippe, artistic director and furniture designer, manages workshop operations, while Catherine handles marketing and administration.
Eco-friendly Use of native wood—white oak, walnut, and cherry—which are also durable species • Production made in their workshop (80% of orders) or by local artisans during busy periods • Direct online purchases, eliminating the costs of storefronts, showrooms, wholesalers, etc. • Partner of One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization for the reforestation of North American forests
Prices From $120 (wooden bookshelf) to $2,350 (outdoor table)
woodstockcie.com • @woodstockcie
