Tableau is a dramatic retail space in the heart of Copenhagen where flower design becomes an art installation. The shop is characterized by the theatrical combination of raw materials and the softness of flowers, unique lines of design and contemporary art.
Behind Tableau there is Julius Værnes Iversen who runs Copenhagen’s popular BB Blomster flower stores together with his brother Magnus. The inspiration for the retail space comes directly from its name: “tableau” origins from the french ‘tableaux’, which in the world of opera, ballet and art is another word for scene. A scene that represents a significant story and its universe and stages them in a new way.
Iversen imagined a new type of design, art and flower studio, where new and creative objects and vases for flowers and plants were staged as an installation. Located in a 19th century building in Copenhagen, the studio celebrates craftsmanship, multiple industries and layers of expressions where steel is an ongoing material.
David Thulstrup is behind the interior creation of this atmospheric gallery-style space. According to the architect, the brief included designing architectural podiums in single materials such as terrazzo, glass bricks and polished metal profiles for staging floral arrangements and a growth rack for pot plants that doubles as a light sculpture. In keeping with Tableau’s theatrical theme, walls and ceilings were stripped back to expose raw concrete but retain old wallpapers and textures as a way of celebrating the layered history of the space.
“With Tableau Julius wanted to take flower selling to the next level and open the best flower shop in the world where flowers are still the main game, but the space is super-cool and inspiring,” says David Thulstrup.
At Tableau, it’s all about the monumentality in the materials which are made into geometric shapes with as little intervention as possible to keep a clean frame for the floral displays. The podium used to display the floral creations are also available to buy, as the vases created in collaboration with artists such as sculptor Poul Isbak.
As Iversen wanted a platform where the flowers would shine and stand out at the back of the space, Thulstrup created a light sculpture inside a bespoke rack. The piece irradiates a cool white light during the day that turns pinky-purple at night, a special color which enables the plants to grow and add a distinctive, disco feeling to the shop at night.
If you are in the mood to discover the latest installation trends, check our post from 2019 Milan Design Week here!
Photography by Irina Boersma
