Design enthusiasts can experience the best products, brands, and distributors that Quebec has to offer at La Maison Noire- a unique living experience that blurs the lines between art and architecture as part home, part showroom. Undertaken by Index-Design, in collaboration with La Firme and Bolitomino Studio, this private residence offers a conscientious staging showcasing today’s and tomorrow’s trends in residential and commercial design, exclusively created to present the 16th edition of the Guide 300 Design Listings to Design and Renovate from Index Design, Quebec’s community of architects and designers.
Furniture, lighting fixtures, objects, and artworks, including an in-situ piece by Quebec artist François Morelli, all revolve around the master color of black. The color choice amplifies the theatrical effect, bringing together strong pieces of design from yesterday and today in a rich, soothing visual signature rarely used in residential interiors. Both furniture and artworks blend into a neutral palette, at times enhanced by white and black walnut.
Take a look at some of the project partners below:
Lambert & Fils: An ode to light
Hundreds of custom lights are created and handmade every month in the company’s studio, from design to installation. Here, Lambert & Fils’ custom projects team imagined the Parc collection to create a unique and suspended light.
François Morelli: The art of home wall drawing
In addition to being a major figure of visual art in Quebec, François Morelli is considered one of the pioneers of relational art. He uses a multidisciplinary technique —including drawing, printing, installation, sculpture, and painting— influenced by a constant reflection on the status of an object within the creating process and the perception of the work.
The fireplace is the canvas for a piece created on site by Morelli in the tradition of home wall drawing. For this work, called La nuit, tous les chats sont gris, five images were produced and translated using stamps to complete images already existing in Morelli’s work. The mural, the first to be printed on black support, inspired a series on canvas called Les grandes eaux nocturnes, which is available at the Chiguer Art Contemporain gallery.
Simon Johns: A bar imagined as jewelry
Simon Johns is a designer who lives and works in Bolton-Est, in Southern Quebec. His artistic process is centered around unique and sculptural furniture and lighting made in limited series. Pictured, the Ledge Dry Bar is a floating wall bar. Its sculpted solid ash surface represents the textures of cliffs collapsing around the studio. The interior has two surfaces in solid wood to house a bottle collection and an adjustable shelf in smoked glass for glassware.
Will Choui: Between the shadows and light
Will Choui contributed this rug, made in natural wool and recycled cotton. Its checkered middle section creates a visual continuity with the extrusion of the fireplace, which reinforces the unity of the space. The interlocking of a part of the rug in the stone of the fireplace adds a touch of delicacy to the whole composition, which exhibits the attention to detail used to create this space.
Mobilier Avant-Scène: Timeless icons
Mobilier Avant-Scène is an essential destination for high-end modern furniture in Montreal. From B&B Italia, to Knoll, Foscarini, and Maxalto, the biggest names can be seen in a space in the heart of the city. Here is the Knoll table Tulip from Eero Saarinen, an icon of design whose collection was created in 1958. Above the table is the 2097-30 light by Gino Sarfatti from Flos, created in 1958, and, in the kitchen, a Skybell light by Bover can be seen.
Kelli: From Italy to Quebec
Editions Milano is an Italian brand that edits the work of various world-renowned designers, with a unique collection of modern and high-end objects, furniture, and lights. The brand is distributed by Kelli, the destination for lovers of Scandinavian and European design. Born from a love for high-quality furniture and accessories, Kelli offers a collection with timeless charm, with an elegant and bold aesthetic.
Blouin Division: Works for distinctive architectural projects
Created in 2008 by a pair of collectors, this gallery presents contemporary Canadian artists whose work can be found in the collections of companies and museums. Many works from Blouin Division were chosen for La Maison Noire including Matière Noire I, 2017 (pictured above), by Nicolas Baier, a visual Canadian artist who is presented as one of the 10 most important contemporary artists in Quebec; Myrias 04, 2021 by Caroline Monnet, a multidisciplinary artist of Algonquin and French origins known for her work in video, sculpture, and installation; as well as Grande échappée XV, 2020 by François Lacasse, a Quebec painter, and Anthropométrie (2005) by Michel de Broin.
Kartell (at Skedio): Star designers and acrylic
Founded in Italy more than 70 years ago, Kartell has made acrylic its material of choice. Pictured here is the Bookworm shelf by Israeli designer Ron Arad in collaboration with Skedio.
See the full list of collaborators here.
Art direction, selection of furniture, and artwork: Bolitomino Studio
Design and conception: La Firme
Photos: Maxime Brouillet
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.