Apartment Crush: Michel’s Bachelor Pad

Post by Nimali Ramanayake. See more of her writing and photography on her blog, Capturing the Vibe.

In this edition of Apartment Crush, I visited Michel Lacroix, an Ottawan bachelor who rents an apartment nestled on a quiet street in between the Glebe and Centretown.

At first glance, what I admired most about this boy’s apartment was how he separates his professional life from his real life. As a part-time professor for the School of Media and Design at Algonquin College and part of a freelance studio, there is not one computer gadget in sight. Instead, he has garnished his apartment in a way that deeply reflects the roots of his natural core with Aboriginal art, indigenous plants, healthy foods, bundles of sage, an unbelievable collection of fashionable kicks, organic soap and two cats, to list the least.

As a stellar b-boy and a big supporter of the arts in the Nation’s Capital, after hours, Lacroix shared an interesting vision of what Aboriginal art can further teach Ottawa and gave some liberating, apropos male advice on how folks should make a home out of a small apartment.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Describe your style in three words.

Natural. Majestic. Rad.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from where I am in my life. For instance, my apartment 10 years ago was more of a punk-raw skateboard-den. Now it’s kind of a cultural, colourful space that is more organized and chill.

What’s your favorite element of your apartment?

I like that it is small because I don’t need much. The apartment feels like a tree house!

What’s your biggest challenge about this apartment?

The price. I don’t own it, so it’s difficult to accept.

What do your friends say about your apartment?

People enjoy staying a while here…they say it is like a collage. There are various little collection of things: lots of instruments, blank canvases, books, teas, coffees, incense, VHS tapes, etc.

What’s your proudest DIY project?

Sewing my own drapes.

What’s was your biggest indulgence?

My ongoing collection of VHS tapes. I spent $300 on VHS tapes over Christmas.

What is your best advice on apartment living?

Make your place cozy and have fun where you live. Put a hammock over your bed. Buy a projector and aim it at your ceiling. Buy plants, have food fights and make sure there is enough space to dance!

What are your favorite spots in the Glebe?

The Glebe is clean and the houses have character, built with love. I don’t have any favorite hangouts though because there is nothing much here, except the street to skateboard on. What’s missing is a quality jazz joint.

I notice a lot of Aboriginal art in your apartment. What can Aboriginal art further teach Ottawa?

From my point of view, its simplicity and link to nature helps me be clearly spiritual in a simple way. Ottawa is the capital of Canada, so to speak on behalf of Canada, we can be leading in terms of a country that is the most harmonious. We have the freshest water, vast land, not many predators, green trees, winter kills a lot of disease, which keeps us strong. We could be the country that is starting trends to free possibilities and take care of each other!