Us & Coutumes
Text & Photography / Catherine Bernier
Finding well-designed and durable furniture for rental cottages is not easy, but it is surely doable when you take a closer look at the local options! Led by two industrial designers based in Montreal, Vincent Cloutier and Alicia Baron, Us & Coutumes specializes in accent furniture in natural and lacquered solid wood. Their deep motivation is based on the desire to improve everything and to beautify the lives of those we touch through design, by creating furnishing solutions that respect everyone's life.
When I first spoke to Vincent, I knew it was a natural fit. From a first creative discussion we ended up collaborating on a custom project aligned to our needs for our new cottage by the lake: a storage bench designed to be as aesthetic as functional for our guests.
When we received the three benches we were in awe. The finish was impeccable and the custom sand color was matching the raw linen bed foundations perfectly. With the help of my muse, Marie-Laurence Denis, I’ve tried to showcase the functional attributs of the benches as much as the beauty of the design. The flat light was very appropriate to demonstrate the practical use of the benches, while the light at golden hour was revealing much more of the details of the white oak and the other textures.
“We want to design useful things by thinking deeply about how we shape and interact with our environment every day.”
- Vincent Cloutier
The Sierra bookends designed by Us & Coutumes
Creative Director: Catherine Bernier
Photographer: Catherine Bernier / @cath.be
Muse: Marie-Laurence Denis / @mayolaurence
Brand: Us & Coutumes / @us.et.coutumes
