OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our design philosophy is simple:
our inspiration comes from nature,
from all of its intriguing possibilities.
Bringing this beauty inside, appreciating its grace, its poetry, its fleeting nature and it's imperfections is what we strive to do every day. This translates into compositions that feel authentic and organic, and just a little bit wild. We embrace a flower’s natural personality, it’s movement and texture, to create arrangements that are layered and lush, with that elusive “just picked” look. We like our bouquets to speak of a place, a moment in time…
Inspired + Artistic
Unique + Unexpected
Natural + Organic
Seasonal + Local
Authentic + Soulful
Timeless + Sophisticated
Elevated + Refined
Romantic + Effortless
FORAGING
Nothing is more inspiring than the amazing materials we can find around us... The use of seasonal produce that we forage ourselves is a cornerstone of our design philosophy and a fundamental part of what makes our creations so unique and recognizable.
We won't think twice about driving hundreds of kilometers for perfectly semi-dried ferns, branches heavy with ripe berries or airy pillows of moss and lichen. That being said, most of the treasures we use are foraged in Montreal on abandoned industrial lots or other unlikely places. Each week we hit the road in search of the buds, branches or vines that will serve as the foundation of our arrangements. By using locally sourced greenery and blooms we're able to infuse a sense of seasonality to our designs that is just impossible to achieve using traditional imported materials.
LOCAL FLOWERS
We focus on local and seasonal products, choosing from a wide variety of blooms and greens that are not commonly used in traditional floral design and we work closely with local growers who experiment and produce varieties that are mostly ignored by mass markets, (or too fragile to ship from overseas). Each winter we take time to sit down with the floral farmers we love and trust and discuss new crops to try out, interesting new varietals we want to try or cool new colours that have just become available.
The quality, freshness and originality of these flowers are an essential part of what makes an Atelier Carmel arrangement different. There's nothing quite as fun as surprising our clients with varieties or colours they've never seen before, offering them flowers that are grown in small quantities in a sustainable way.
I'M CARMEL
It’s pretty hard writing a bio about yourself. I could tell you how my childhood spent in the country surrounded by wild plants (ok, weeds) is the reason I’m so passionate about flowers. Or how I’ve wanted to become a florist since an age when my classmates talked about becoming astronauts and firefighters. How I used to dress up as a flower for Halloween… You get the picture.
After a few detours, including studies in graphic design, I just naturally ended up working with flowers. First in a minuscule kiosk in downtown Montréal, then from shop to shop, always looking for the best place to perfect my craft. As the years went by, my interest in my art grew, along with my desire to create something that was meaningful and representative of me. After a decade of realizing someone else’s vision it was time to focus on my own...
THE ATELIER
And so in Spring 2008, Atelier Carmel was born. As the creative director of my own studio, I was finally able to approach floral design in a way that felt intentional and purposeful. Striving to reimagine floristry, I focus on the things that feel most personal to me, finding inspiration in fine arts, the natural world and my travels around the world.
I'm surrounded by the most amazing team of passionate and dedicated florists but also talented artists, designers and makers of all kinds. Each wedding season we are lucky enough to do somewhere between 50 and 75 events, our experience rich in all types and sizes of celebrations. Everyone on the team has in common an unparalleled work ethic, an almost obsessive attention to detail and an emotional connection to nature. This ensures the cohesive and harmonious execution of all our events and weddings.