
Itās a sunshine-fueled morning out of the windows of Long Beach Lodge Resortās The Great Room, but Laurie Boudreault isnāt worriedāsheās already been out in the water today. āI was the first in the car park,ā she says. āSix a.m.ā
Fresh off the back of the seven-year anniversaryĀ celebration for her Tofino lifestyle shopĀ Merge, she takes a well deserved moment to reflect on its successes. Tucked down an alley in this quiet Vancouver Island oceanside town, Merge showcases Boudreaultās exceptional eye for design. With a mix of muted tones, fun pops of color, handmade goods, and artistic waresāincluding vitruvi scents and diffusersāMerge promotes a slow and steady choosing of objects that tangibly draw their users into the present.
On collaboration
Merge is driven by Boudreaultās own taste and vision (although she admits to being a little āfunkierā in her personal style). And despite being a bit of a one-woman show, she consistently makes a point of bringing other local creatives into the fold: from working with her good friend Cristina Gareau on Mergeās photography; to theĀ various independent brands she stocks; to collaborating with a Ucluelet-based maker on Mergeās pottery line. Even thoseĀ who may initially not fit the Merge aesthetic are considered; if Boudreault sees potential in an artisan, sheāll work with them to meet in the middle. When it comes to her internal team, she allows plenty of room for creative license and always praises new perspectives.
On intentional design
Mergeās own apparel, self-care, and homeware lines are a growing chapter for the company. Boudreaultās background in fashion design has come full circle, allowing her to use her know-how to tweak designs and foresee a lot of issues that newcomers might overlook. Itās important to her that these pieces are timeless, design-forward, and of a quality that allows them to be cherished for years to come; sustainability and slow moments are at the forefront of her business decisions. Contrasting todayās throwaway culture, Mergeās ethos focuses on developing a real connection with the objects we use.