"From the Renaissance workshops of Florence to the manufacturing powerhouses of China, I spent two decades learning how great furniture is conceived and created. But it wasn't until I arrived in Seattle that I understood what it should feel like."
My design education at the University of Florence wasn't just about learning techniques—it was about understanding that furniture carries cultural memory. In Italy, a dining table isn't just functional; it's where families gather for hours, where decisions are made, where life happens. The Italians taught me that furniture should invite people to linger.
For a decade, I worked as a design consultant across China, witnessing the intersection of ancient craftsmanship traditions and modern manufacturing innovation. I learned how to honor traditional joinery techniques while embracing contemporary forms. More importantly, I learned patience—that rushing craftsmanship always shows in the final piece.
When I founded Atelierluer in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood in 2021, I finally had the freedom to synthesize everything I'd learned. The Pacific Northwest's emphasis on natural materials and honest construction resonated with my South American roots—both cultures understand that wood should look and feel like wood, that craftsmanship should be visible, not hidden. Here, I could create furniture that combines the warmth of Chilean design, the sophistication of Italian form, and the meticulous execution I refined in China.
