Old Montreal is reborn after two difficult years under the sign of the pandemic. The arches of flowers that embellish the storefronts of certain businesses seem to represent a symbol of this renaissance. Two of these installations, in front of the LOV and Bloom sushi restaurants, are signed Bonsoir Fleurs. We spoke to the tandem behind these floral creations.
Posted at 12:00 p.m.
Accustomed to bouquets of flowers for weddings and other delicate floral objects, Stéphanie Proulx Michaud and Emmanuelle Castilloux-Gaboury really had to step out of their comfort zone to create these restaurant arches. For example, they had to rent scaffolding to carry out their project, which was a first for them. “We had to find a place that rents out big construction tools. And we, at the base, we like to touch flowers! “laughs Emmanuelle.
An impact
But let’s start at the beginning. It was Jacinthe Piotte, designer of the LOV restaurants, rue McGill, and Bloom sushi, rue Saint-Paul Ouest, who entrusted them with the mandate, wishing to bring a breath of fresh air to the already existing arches. Made during the summer, these floral arches should last a good six months. The idea is to have two per year, one more summery and another designed for the winter season.
“For the summer decor, it’s really white, flashy, super pretty,” says Stéphanie, adding that unfortunately, the amount of dust in town quickly diminishes the brilliance of the flowers.
We really wanted to go there to make it look, to have an impact when we walk down the street.
Stéphanie Proulx Michaud, co-founder of Bonsoir fleurs
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PHOTO MORGANE SHOCK, THE PRESS
Stéphanie Proulx Michaud and Emmanuelle Castilloux-Gaboury, founders of Bonsoir fleurs
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PHOTO MORGANE SHOCK, THE PRESS
Each restaurant has its own style: the designers have designed their arches differently depending on the location.
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PHOTO MORGANE SHOCK, THE PRESS
Zoom on the arch in front of Bloom sushi, rue Saint-Paul Ouest
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Art, never far away
“We both studied art, so it seems like that’s where we start our creative process,” says Stephanie. As a result, their creations are similar to sculptures for them. “When you make a structure like that, you approach an artistic composition, adds Emmanuelle. We understand the masses of colors, the layout of things, we work a lot with textures, shape. »
Despite the difficulties that stand in their way in such projects, the result is extremely rewarding, they believe. The girls therefore aspire to do more. For these, they were lucky that the mechanics were already installed. Whereas if they’re starting from scratch, they’ll have to get to grips with even bigger construction tools. But on the strength of their experience, they are, more than ever, ready to take up the challenge!