Dezeen Magazine

Flur by MSDS Studio

Toronto flower shop by MSDS Studio features pale walls and linoleum-covered furniture

Speckled linoleum furniture, pale walls and minimal shelving provide a neutral backdrop for flower arrangements and plants at this Toronto florist by MSDS studio.

Flur by MSDS Studio

The Canadian studio overhauled the store to create a space for selling flowers, house plants and accessories at ground level, and a mezzanine studio where the florist can create flower arrangements.

Working to a tight budget and with a strict brief not to alter the existing brickwork walls, marble floors and ornamental ceiling, the designers used cheap sheet materials to overhaul the shop.

Flur by MSDS Studio

"We were asked to stretch a modest budget to create a space that would work with the client's style and approach to flower arranging," MSDS co-founder Jessica Nakanishi told Dezeen.

"We decided early on to use exposed particle board and linoleum," she continued. "Both materials are humble, affordable, and speak of their natural origins."

Flur by MSDS Studio

Inside the shop, which is named Flur, bare particle board with a grainy texture covers one of the existing brickwork walls. Shelves and hooks are fitted on front to store and hang the potted plants and ceramics.

In the centre of the space a stepped linoleum-covered island with softly curved edges provides different levels for displaying items.

Flur by MSDS Studio

At the front, the large shop window floods the space with natural light. The recessed doorway creates two bays on either side for floor pots and a green table with smaller plants.

In the corner, a linoleum L-shaped shop counter meets a lower level green table, which highlights the greenery on sale.  Pink-coloured, cone-shaped pendant lights hang above the counter, while the built in shelves and wall behind are also painted pink.

Flur by MSDS Studio

These hues are intended to complement the colours of the white marble floors and bronze ceiling also dictated the limited colour range in the space.

At the back of the space, a set of steps lead up to the florist's studio, featuring a long corner desk, two work benches and a bathroom.

Flur by MSDS Studio

Flur follows a series of other renovated flower shops. Previously, Athens studio Point Supreme Architects added white-tiled furniture to a Greek florist, while British firm Buchanan Partnership added a rippling timber facade to a London flower kiosk.

Photography is by Angus Fergusson.

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Flur by MSDS Studio
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