Banc Hazel & Hunter

Une chaise victorienne en parfait état. Un banc ancien avec un tissu éclatant. Impossible à trouver dans de telles conditions ? Plus maintenant ! Hazel & Hunter recouvre et restaure de beaux meubles anciens et vous propose une collection de pièces uniques. Créée depuis peu (avril 2009), la jeune entreprise montréalaise s’enligne vers un avenir prometteur dans le monde du design.

De son studio de la Petite Italie, la designer Julie Deault rhabille ses dernières trouvailles.  De nouveaux tissus sont appliqués. Le bois est traité. Les meubles anciens retrouvent toute leur splendeur en plus d’obtenir une touche de modernité.  Avis aux intéressés, Hazel & Hunter peut maintenant répondre à vos demandes spéciales. « J’ai réorganisé mon studio pour faire davantage de commandes sur mesure », mentionne Julie Deault. « Je crois que c’est super que des personnes souhaitent redonner vie à leurs meubles anciens ». La designer travaille également sur  une nouvelle collection de coussins conçus à partir de tissus imprimés à la main.

J’ai posé quelques questions à Julie Deault afin d’en apprendre davantage sur ses créations et ses inspirations.

Oreiller Hazel & Hunter

How did you start reupholstering (recouvrir) furniture?

I think reupholstering furniture stems from my desire to create things and my love of vintage. I’ve always loved working with fabric – my mom taught me how to sew when I was very young, and after that, I spent many years designing and making my own clothing and altering vintage clothing that I found. I guess it just happened naturally that I extended this to working with furniture since I love the beautiful and clean design of vintage, and also think it’s a great way to recycle old pieces. I studied with a local upholsterer/designer, and then practiced on any piece I could find. Finally, I started Hazel & Hunter to offer my furniture to anyone interested in one-of-a-kind pieces for their space.

What is your favorite piece of furniture to reupholster?

I’m not sure if I can name a favorite since each piece is completely different. While the process and methods I use are the same, the actual reupholstering is unique each time. Since the first part of reupholstering is to take the piece apart, it’s then that I see how it was put together, layer by layer, and it’s always interesting. I can say, though, that my favorite part of the reupholstering process is finding the perfect fabric – I love discovering new textile designers and collections. Once I find a piece to work on, it can take me weeks to find a fabric that will complement it and make it look fresh – but it’s the best part!

What are your inspirations?

I’m inspired by almost everything around me – urban landscapes, nature, fashion, traveling, vintage shops, etc. I also find a lot of inspiration in the work of textile designers such as Lucienne Day and Josef Frank to name a few. For example, one of my latest furniture pieces was inspired by a vintage scarf from textile designer Vera Neumann that I found. I’m also inspired by living in Montreal – there’s so much creativity everywhere!

Can you tell us where you find all the nice vintage furniture?

I find things all over the place! I spend a lot of time hunting for pieces in antique/second hand shops, garage sales, eco centers, estate sales and even street corners. I always look for furniture that has good bones and is structurally intact and solid, and that I know can be revived to look stunning. It’s surprising how many little treasures are ignored in the corner of antique shops simply because the fabric is ruined or outdated!

chaise victorienne Hazel & Hunter

What’s waiting Hazel & Hunter in 2009/2010?

I’m working on a collection of hand-printed pillows called ‘Neighborhoods,’ which is inspired by various places I’ve visited while traveling. I currently have three designs available (Kreuzberg, Montmartre and East Village), but will be adding many more in the coming months. A few of my pillow designs will be available in shops in New York soon – stay tuned to find out more! And as always, I’ll keep finding great vintage furniture to revive!

Les créations de Hazel & Hunter sont disponibles en boutique chez Général 54 dans le Mile-End et sur ETSY. N’hésitez pas à contacter la designer Julie Deault pour toute demande spéciale.

- Hazel & Hunter: www.hazelandhunter.blogspot.com