Samuel Thibodeau: An ode to slowness

Few people make the conscious decision to slow down in our fast-paced world. Yet this is exactly what Samuel Thibodeau, Motion Designer at our Montreal office, has chosen to do. While he may not express this choice in those exact words, he’s driven by things that require time, patience, even contemplation. He’s the kind of person that finds beauty in the smallest details, whether it’s his knitted creations, his appreciation for homemade fermented foods or the care he puts into entertaining the people in his life.

A true enthusiast when it comes to pursuing a hobby, Samuel finds it difficult to stop once he dives into something new. The proof? He recently took up knitting. After only a few unsuccessful attempts – and a bit of frustration – he quickly mastered the art and now devotes two to three hours a day to it. Clothing items and accessories such as faux collars, headscarves, sweaters, balaclavas and much more are quickly filling his closet. His latest creation, a tank top, is the result of more than 70 hours of work!

Knitting has become a way for him to switch off and stimulate his mind in a different way. Surprisingly, it’s the process rather than the final result that draws him in. Settled comfortably in his living room, he takes the opportunity to watch classic films he’s never seen while his hands are busy at work.

Everything in his home is designed to make the people he loves feel welcome. Several times a year, he enjoys hosting large dinner parties and treating his guests to a meal prepared with the utmost care. For Samuel, a successful experience means careful planning. He logs every detail in the Notion app, outlining each step of the preparation process so that nothing is left to chance.

Just like at a restaurant, a menu is designed and printed. On the back, it reads “Le deuxième étage” (The Second Floor), a name that describes both where he lives and the elevated approach he brings to his parties. The dishes he prepares are often inspired by South Korean cuisine, combining his favourite flavours and ingredients.

And since time-consuming projects are right up his alley, his fondness for fermented foods should come as no surprise. Since developing this passion during the pandemic, mustard and kimchi are now regularly made in-house with care and attention to detail. He’s also started making raw cider, which he and his boyfriend have branded “Impocidre.” Complete with a distinct visual identity, each batch gets its own custom label. It’s all about the details.

One thing is certain about Samuel: he doesn’t shy away from the unknown. “When I want to learn something, I go all in,” he tells us. His wide-ranging interests led him to take up ballet in his late teens and dive headfirst into the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, which centres on storytelling and imagination.

Samuel says he’s aggressively himself. His outlook on life may seem out of step with the world we live in, but who could argue against the value of slowing down to enjoy the little things?

LG2 would like to thank Biscotte Yarns andMon Ami BBQ coréen for welcoming us as part of the PEEK series.