Visions of Enduring Beauty

Tato’s main objective is to make things well. For a company that produces lighting fixtures this translates into working with meticulous understatement. Tato’s idea of design takes an age-old tradition of manual skill, and projects it into the future. Excellent design always starts with people, and is firmly rooted in research and experimentation, where the knowhow of local artisans is as important as the relationships with the international partners who contribute to the expansion of the brand.

The motto “Dreamed and Made in Italy” has always inspired TATO, a young company that blends love for artisanal tradition with a constant search for innovative design. How is the “dream” behind each creation born, and how does the production process come to life at TATO?

TATO’s dream stems from a deep respect for the history of Italian design and a desire to revive creations that defined an era. Our re-edition work begins with extensive archival research into the works of iconic Italian and Milanese masters of architecture and design. The goal is to breathe new life into timeless pieces by updating them with state-of-the-art techniques and the highest quality materials.

The production process is a delicate balance between craftsmanship and innovation. We collaborate with the finest Italian artisans to ensure that every detail remains true to the original designs, while also guaranteeing that each piece meets the functional needs of contemporary living.

Which past influences guide your stylistic choices and material selection? And what elements of the contemporary world shape your aesthetic vision?

Our collections are inspired by the great masters of 20th-century design—figures who defined elegance and good taste. We delve into the archives of historic architects and designers to revive projects that maintain a timeless relevance. Materials such as brass, opaline glass, fine woods, and carefully selected marbles are central to our work, chosen for their intrinsic quality and their ability to retain beauty across generations.

When it comes to new designs, our goal is to maintain a coherent dialogue with the historical pieces, creating new products that can live harmoniously within the same collection. We use materials and finishes that are historically faithful to the originals, so that even our contemporary creations carry that same measured elegance and timeless atmosphere that define the TATO brand.

Our view of contemporaneity doesn’t follow fleeting trends. Instead, it’s rooted in conscious design—where each piece is created to be valued and used for decades to come.

TATO is known for creating objects that defy time. What does it mean to you to design creations that maintain their relevance and beauty through the years?

To us, designing objects that stand the test of time means creating products that are not tied to passing trends, but instead possess a strong, authentic, and recognizable aesthetic. Our commitment to historical research and material excellence ensures that each TATO product has enduring character—able to integrate into a variety of settings while preserving its iconic identity.

We believe true sustainability goes beyond recycled materials—it lies in creating objects meant to last a lifetime. Our products are conceived and crafted with the utmost care, so they never need to be replaced. Instead, they become part of a home’s story, passed down through generations.

“Don’t buy twice, buy TATO”: choosing a TATO piece means investing in enduring beauty and quality that transcends time.