Atelier Vaste Raises the Standard on Contemporary Canadian Furniture Design

Founded by designers and woodworkers Frédérique Beaubien and Yannic Ryan, furniture design brand Vaste was created to make high-end wood pieces that would last for generations. Intended for both residential and commercial use, each handcrafted piece raises the standard on contemporary Canadian furniture design, letting the quality of the wood shine through simple silhouettes and stellar craftmanship. Every Vaste piece is designed and made in the downtown Montreal workshop, establishing Beaubien and Ryan’s commitment to keep their work Canadian.

As its name suggests, Vaste takes inspiration from the land and its natural resources. The Olmsted collection of simple tables, chairs, and stools was conceived to integrate the outdoor environment into homes. Renowned U.S. landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed not only New York’s naturalistic Central Park but also Montreal’s Parc du Mont-Royal.

The Dune chair, originally created in a call for projects for the redevelopment of Quebec’s National Assembly’s restaurant Le Parlementaire, highlights the timeless elegance of carefully considered lines. Now part of the wider collection, Dune features a backrest carved from a solid block of wood, curving to meet the human form, while rounded legs add a note of whimsy.

Blending functionality and elegance, the strong lines of the Nord chair were initially designed to accommodate commercial settings, with padding on the seat and back for comfortable sitting all day long. Now, 10 years after its launch, the Nord chair is also semicustomizable—available in both oak or walnut, with or without armrests, and in a multiple leather options. The versatile collection extends beyond the chair, with much-loved Nord stools, tables, and benches making a welcome contemporary addition to nearly any space.

In a more subtle but equally stylish body, La Cache optimizes small space, providing unexpectedly roomy storage and additional seating all in one. Its half or full oval form is finished inside and out with a wood veneer, with a removable lid that can be topped with leather.

Central to Beaubien and Ryan’s business practice at Vaste are the relationships they fostered in their 12 years of creating furniture for the hospitality industry before launching their company. Connecting with like-minded people who share their creative vision and passion for craft, most recently Vaste has collaborated on a new collection with designer and woodworker Frédéric Bouin.

Photography by Alex Lesage.