Process and ethics
A fully handcrafted process
Every Forêt Laurentienne piece is the result of a fully handcrafted process. Michaël Veillette personally handles every step from start to finish. No middlemen and no outsourcing. Each ashtray is made by hand, from raw wood to the finished object.
From tree to object
The work begins long before the workshop. Michaël Veillette personally selects the trees used, handles the cut when needed, then moves on to breaking down the logs, drying, planing, and machining the wood. Each step is done with care, taking into account the material’s unique characteristics and natural behavior.
A responsible approach to wood
Forêt Laurentienne does not cut down trees for production purposes. The wood used comes exclusively from naturally fallen trees, dead trees, or trees removed for safety reasons. This approach values existing material without dedicated forestry for manufacturing.
Respect for the material
Wood is a living material—imperfect and unpredictable. Rather than trying to hide its marks, Forêt Laurentienne chooses to respect them. Knots, grain variations, and micro-cracks are part of each piece’s identity and reflect its natural origin.
Small-batch, human-scale production
Forêt Laurentienne produces in small quantities, at a deliberately slow pace. This approach helps maintain a high level of quality, control, and consistency, while respecting the time each step of the process requires.