Textile Wonders by Valentina Giovando
Meet Valentina Giovando, founder of her eponymous artisanal workshop in Sarzana, and discover her selection of completely handmade furnishing pieces skillfully crafted employing elegant textiles to embellish furniture surfaces, décor and lighting. Her fountain chandeliers, royal side tables and ceramic vases create a dreamy and elegant atmosphere.
How did you first become interested in the world of design and hand craftsmanship?
I started working with antiques at a very young age. The search for singular objects, both antique and vintage, led me to find interesting pieces that I began to revisit over time, giving them new life by transforming them using artisanal techniques. Over the years, this approach of mine developed into a real technique, unique in its kind. The ultimate evolution occurred with the shift from revisiting existing objects to developing a new concept for a piece of furniture or a chandelier as a unique object, conceived, designed and created entirely from scratch.
What serve as the main source of inspiration for your pieces?
The inspiration comes from nature and past décor styles, predominantly Deco and Liberty, both of European origin and Eastern provenance. The floral motifs - with flowers and leaves - are a recurring feature in all my creations.
How would you describe the style expressed by your creations?
My style doesn't really fit into any specific box; however, I would say that the adjective “eclectic” best captures its essence.
All your magnificent pieces are crafted entirely by hand. What is the most fascinating material you have worked with?
Textiles; fabrics and textiles are the most commonly used materials for my creations, whether it is a chandelier, a piece of furniture or furnishing accessories.
What makes your pieces unique?
My creations are unique and cannot be reproduced exactly: while it is indeed possible to create similar pieces, they will never be identical. Their singularity lies in the ability to recreate natural elements from materials that are entirely dissimilar. In fact, the materials I use are often industrial in origin, such as iron and brass in the case of chandeliers or fiberglass, nails and studs for furniture.