Header: David Boyer
La Maison Lavande, celebrated for its lavender-infused self-care products and tranquil farmstead in Saint-Eustache, now shares its brand with the heart of Montreal with its first shopfront boutique at Complexe Desjardins. The interior design by Lemay of this new and minimalist 500-square-foot retail space is grounded in natural elements and contemporary functionality and creates a sensory-driven shopping experience that services urban retail and e-commerce.
Taking cues from the brand’s namesake crop, the boutique channels the calming essence of lavender fields into its enduring yet modern design. White oak shelving, soft cream and lavender hues, and lavender-flecked terrazzo podiums recall the brand’s minimalistic aesthetic. The space’s light, rounded forms, and cove lighting mimic natural light. A curved velour wall softly envelops the space with a bespoke and tactile presence, while the aroma of seasonal lavender products enhances the ambiance. These choices were made not only to evoke calming textures and natural tones, but also to create a timeless background that showcases various collections.
“We wanted to create a boutique that would be both a sensory extension of the La Maison Lavande estate, inspiring well-being and calm through intentional materiality and forms, and a thoughtful boutique offering a personal experience both in-store and online.”
Hani Diab, Design Director at Lemay
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the boutique adapts to the realities of today’s retail landscape. A hidden workstation and discreet storage maximise a compact footprint, combining e-commerce operations and in-person customer experiences for everything from everyday retail to events and activations.
Strategically located, the boutique’s design strikingly contrasts with its shopping centre’s Brutalist-inspired architecture. Both a visual and experiential destination, its interior invites passersby to pause and experience a natural presence and a sense of calm.
The space also reflects La Maison Lavande’s forward-looking approach. By marrying sustainable materials with timeless design, it serves as a blueprint for future locations, striking a balance between luxury and authenticity, and practicality and innovation.