CANTORI | Arredo - The Latest from the Design World

CANTORI From a small workshop to an international company.

Based in Camerano in Italy’s Marche region, since 1976 Cantori has been an example of artisanal production and innovation, rooted in tradition yet looking to the future

by Micaela Zucconi

Macao Composizioni, a modular bookcase in metal and wood, is by Maurizio Manzoni, as is the set of Ninfea coffee tables in front of the Twist armchair (all from the Avantgarde collection), shown below with the Voyage table (Bohemian collection), both by the Castello Lagravinese Studio

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rom brass beds to a product range taking in the entire

the Artisan Village, created to host the various skilled craftspeople

living area, featuring a wide selection of high-quality

– cabinet makers, smiths, decorators, tailors and upholsterers – in-

materials in an elegant, eclectic style. The story of the

volved in the company’s activities. It is regarded as the heart and

Cantori company, based in the Marche region, began in

soul of Cantori. Here classic materials like wrought iron, one of the

Camerano (Ancona) in 1976, when Sante Cantori launched a small

company’s signature products, are worked alongside new elements,

business along with his brother Fabio and sister Fiorella. Nowadays

all embodying the finest Made in Italy quality and flair. Research

company president Sante Cantori continues the adventure accom-

and development are a second facet of the company’s operations,

panied by his son Marco, daughter Federica and grandson Milo,

underpinning its success. After starting with the bedroom, the com-

proof of the strength of a family company that started out as a wor-

pany has gradually expanded its product offer to the living area

kshop and has now become an international concern without ever

with tables, chairs, sofas and complements like mirrors and coffe-

compromising the centuries-old artisanal tradition of the Camerano,

e tables, always using high quality materials, often revisited and

Castelfidardo and Osimo regions. This heritage has taken shape in

reinterpreted, and emphasising durability in a total integration of form and substance. This diversification has always remained true to the principles that shape the company philosophy – artisanality, precision and collaboration with highly-skilled, intensely creative designers and home decorators. The materials used are all traceable and are selected on the basis of their quality and sustainability. The ability to offer long-lasting products is one of the company’s main aims. In the words of company president Sante Cantori, “To imagine a discreetly luxurious, intimate home family furnishings, books, rare objects, memories and the future all find a place in a natural way. A perfect blend of personalisation, comfort and innovation. An object that is carefully designed and made expresses the intelligence of the person who created it. The added value of Cantori products, lies in the perfection of their production, a result achieved together with all the people who work with me”. www.cantori.it

The Twist by the Castello Lagravinese Studio with leather or econabuk back and personalisable seat. Below, the Portofino sofa (Bohemian collection) in leather, velvet or fabric. Left, part of the presentation sketch for the Twist. Right-hand page, an exterior furnished with the Twist armchair

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questions to Federica Cantori Head of Marketing for the Cantori Company How has the Cantori style developed over time, and what are its most popular products? Cantori was founded over forty years ago, and it’s inevitable that stylistic evolution, materials research and aesthetic experimentation have all played a role in our development – the market sets us new challenges every day. When they’re overcome, they yield wonderful results. The most popular and always personalisable products, in the yacht building industry, too, are the Twist chair, the Voyage table, the Portofino and Montecarlo sofa and the daytime furnishing line from the Shanghai collection. We started from brass beds and have gone on to create a unique style for every interior.

Wrought iron and more besides – let’s talk a little about materials, artisanality and sustainability. Metal working is our history. Every product offered is a jewel assembled with the expertise of cabinet makers, upholsterers, decorators and fitters. Artisanality is our hallmark. Our designers always start from a detail in metal and build the unit, the table, the bed and every individual complement around it. The collaboration with home decorators and interior designers and the entirely in-house manufacture enables our products to be personalised, so we make furnishings that reflect our clients’ desires. In recent years we’ve invested increasingly in sourcing raw materials from local suppliers, Italian or at most European, who respect all the standards, recovering and re-using materials whenever this possible. For us, sustainability also means creating long-lasting products. We have clients who own pieces they bought from us over forty years ago.

What designers are working with you at the moment? In recent years we’ve developed a wonderful collaboration with Maurizio Manzoni, who designed the entire 2019 collection and much of the 2020 and 2021 collection. He’s an exceptional talent and knew how to take advantage of Cantori’s strong points, designing products that have strengthened the company’s international drive. We’re also collaborating with Luca Roccadadria and Davide Montanaro, two young designers with fantastic personalities.

How important is product customisation? At the moment it’s really important. We’re working with finishes supplied by our clients or requested by external textile companies. Personalised colours and sometimes even personalisation of the piece of furniture itself. We have a range of bed sizes. The fact that we use entirely artisanal methods in our production and make everything in-house helps achieve this.

What projects do have in the pipeline? We’re widening distribution in the USA and China and we’re increasingly trying to emphasise a style that embodies the Italian ideals of good taste and respect for the object. We want to distance ourselves even further from the “use and throw away” culture people have unfortunately become used to. We want to produce quality products that last.

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