Local artisans | Atelier Cocotte: wood at the heart of lighting

In her Centre-Sud location in Montreal, Isabelle Auger is busy assembling one of her Canadian wood veneer lights. Today, it will be maple, even if it could have been walnut, oak or cherry. The gestures follow one another almost mechanically, with an assurance acquired in more than 10 years. And this is how a suspended lamp takes shape before our eyes while the craftswoman tells us about her journey without losing the slightest thread.

The signature of Atelier Cocotte is recognizable among all. Aerial and natural, modeled on organic forms inspired by a certain poetry of life: a leaf, a fruit, a flower, a tear… Unless it recalls the capillary flamboyance of Tina Turner. In any case, wood – Atelier Cocotte’s favorite material – is brought to light in a charming way. The use of edgebanding, which has become the house’s signature, allows for flexible assembly and a range of curves.

“I didn’t invent the wheel,” says Isabelle Auger. There were wooden fixtures before I made them, but nothing that uses natural veneer in this way. »

A niche

Quebec has no shortage of inspiring lighting designers. However, Atelier Cocotte has found a niche that sets it apart and a design that lends itself to Scandinavian and refined decors that remain in tune with the times. His organic style pleases.

“Sometimes I pinch myself… I feel privileged. I have many craftsman friends for whom it is not easy. His career took shape with a certain fluidity, initially propelled by publications in the media and commissions from key players such as the Musée d’art contemporain and the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.

However, the trend suggests the opposite. More and more, its clientele is made up of people who want to buy local and who understand the amount and quality of the work done.

Like many others, the story of Atelier Cocotte began “a bit by chance” during a second maternity leave. Isabelle Auger multiplied small projects with a voracious desire to accomplish and a lack of motivation to immerse herself in the grueling schedules of an advertising graphic designer. The use of edge banding when restoring furniture sparked the idea of ​​creating light fixtures from this malleable and accessible product. Inspired, the designer made a model, then another, thus building the framework of her collection.

From the few friends who wanted to get their hands on his creations, the clientele quickly extended to residential and commercial projects. Atelier Cocotte has thus become a third offshoot that is flourishing across Canada, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario, where there are many requests.

At his own pace

“Having a business alone is demanding, but I can work at my own pace. I like to have my freedom and be my own boss”, underlines the craftswoman while punching her wooden slats.

Certain lights, such as the Noisette, are those that she refined until they were “nickel” and that she manages today to go upstairs with her eyes closed, alone at the helm, from 12 to 16 per week. A new prototype is added to the collection each year, which includes 65 pendant lamps or table lamps.

His grandfather was one of the great lumber merchants in Quebec. This interest is closely shared by subsequent generations. “Like all artisans, I have had ups and downs. Every time I feel like it’s over, more orders come in and it starts again. I’m crossing my fingers that it never ends. And if one day it was the case, I would have another project. Which ? I don’t know. But it will definitely be wooden. »