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Artedomus and the Heart of Italian Craftsmanship
Built on a deep mutual respect and a shared appreciation for each other’s expertise, Artedomus’s relationships with its Italian partners are key to the company’s continuing success.
For more than three decades, Artedomus has played a pivotal role in Australia’s design landscape. Established in 1985 by Angelo Schepis, Tony Varano and Brad Hancock as Domus Ceramics, the company began by importing exclusive Italian floor and wall finishes, quickly earning a reputation for sourcing products with distinct and enduring beauty. Today, Artedomus is recognised not just as a supplier of high-quality stone, tiles, surfaces, bathware and furniture, but as a brand that continually inspires creativity in the design community.
Central to Artedomus’s success are its enduring relationships with a select group of Italian suppliers. “Angelo played a critical role in establishing some of our longest-standing and most valued partnerships with our Italian suppliers,” reflects Phil Brenton, the brand’s managing director, who became a partner when Schepis retired in 2012. “It’s been an honour to pick up the reins and continue to nurture those relationships that Angelo originally built and grow them into decades-long partnerships based on our shared commitment to leading through innovation and design within our respective industries and markets.”
These partnerships have allowed Artedomus to offer products that are unique in the Australian market. “Our core purpose – our raison d’etre – is to inspire creative people and help them bring their ideas to fruition with enduring quality,” says Brenton. On a recent trip to Italy, Artedomus visited four of its key partners to experience not only their design culture but the beauty and hospitality of their respective regions. Here, we explore those four partnerships, which form the heart of Artedomus’s Italian connection.
“Manetti’s exceptional craftsmanship and artistic vision have resulted in truly original pieces, showcasing what can be achieved when we marry remarkable Australian design with the skills of our partners.”
Cotto Manetti: tradition meets innovation
Cotto Manetti, a family-run company based in Tuscany, is renowned for its expertise in terracotta manufacturing. Since 1780, Cotto Manetti has been producing terracotta tiles to the exacting standards of the storied Impruneta tradition. This deep connection to the land and tradition is reflected in the care and craftsmanship the family bring to its products. Recently, the Artedomus team had the opportunity to visit the Manetti family’s home in Ferrone, gaining a deeper appreciation for the traditions that have shaped their craftsmanship for centuries. “The home was beautiful and humble, giving us a memorable taste of the region and its culture, which is strongly connected to the land,” says Brenton.
For Ginevra Manetti, one of the siblings now running the company, the partnership with Artedomus holds significant meaning. “Having Artedomus here was an honour for us,” she says. “Artedomus is one of our most important clients, and sharing our work and time over meals with the team was so interesting and beautiful.” The application of Cotto Manetti terracotta in contemporary Australian architecture and design exemplifies the timeless and enduring qualities of the ancient natural material. The Artedomus New Volumes terracotta furniture and homewares collection, a union of Australian design and Cotto Manetti’s craftsmanship, highlights the strengths of both partners. This unique range showcases the versatility of terracotta in contemporary design, bringing a blend of traditional skill and modern aesthetics. As Brenton notes, Manetti’s “exceptional craftsmanship and artistic vision have resulted in truly original pieces, showcasing what can be achieved when we marry remarkable Australian design with the skills and creativity of our partners.”
Fiandre: pushing the boundaries
Another cornerstone of Artedomus’s supplier network is Fiandre, a leader in the Italian ceramics industry, known for both pioneering advancements in porcelain slabs and continually pushing the boundaries of what porcelain can achieve. The company’s commitment to both innovation and quality aligns perfectly with Artedomus’s core values. “The commitment to design in Italy is evident in the way Italian artisans and manufacturers have honed their skills over centuries,” says Brenton. “Companies like Fiandre have led the way with porcelain slabs, setting the standard for innovation and quality.” One of the most impressive outcomes of this partnership is the Arden Station project in Melbourne, where Artedomus provided a solution that met the brief, and collaborated with various teams to bring the project to fruition. Fiandre produced large-scale porcelain panels using cutting-edge technology, onto which was custom printed Come Together, a work by Australian multidisciplinary artist Abdul Abdullah. The porcelain slab extends across the entire facade, incorporating a welcoming gesture that symbolises the coming together of diverse cultures. This project exemplifies the effective integration of design and innovation, a hallmark of the partnership between Fiandre and Artedomus.
“This project is an outstanding example of how our solutions can be combined to create something extremely unique,” reflects Federica Minozzi, CEO of the group that includes Fiandre. “These surfaces are anti-pollutant, antibacterial, antiviral and self-cleaning. This means that the installation will not only maintain its vibrant appearance over time but also contribute to reducing pollutants in the air, creating a healthier environment for the community.” For Artedomus, the relationship with Fiandre represents more than just access to premium materials – it’s about building a partnership rooted in shared values and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of design. By working closely with Fiandre, Artedomus can offer Australian architects, designers and artists access to industry-leading products that meet the highest standards of innovation, ultimately driving forward the evolution of design.
Agape: crafting timeless elegance
Agape is another esteemed partner in Artedomus’s network, synonymous with refined Italian design, particularly in bathware and furniture. Founded in 1973, Agape has spent the past 50 years dedicated to furthering bathroom design, placing this intimate space at the heart of domestic life. Known for its commitment to timeless style, Agape’s products are crafted entirely in Italy, using high-quality raw materials and environmentally friendly production processes, as confirmed by its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. One of the key milestones for Agape was the creation of the Spoon bathtub, the first bath to be made of solid surface material with a soft, freestanding shape, adding a sculptural element to the bathroom. “This design marked a turning point for us and helped establish Agape as a leader in innovative bathroom design,” explains Emanuele Benedini, the company’s co-founder.
The partnership between Artedomus and Agape is built on shared values, with both companies dedicated to creating enduring and innovative design solutions. “Agape’s design philosophy has been shaped by various developments and influences over the years. For instance, we have worked to innovate the way bathroom furniture and fixtures are designed, focusing on integrating them seamlessly into the living space,” says Benedini. This alignment of values has enabled Artedomus to introduce Agape’s exquisite products to the Australian market, offering architects and designers unique solutions. By working together, Agape and Artedomus have successfully brought a refined sense of everlasting elegance to bathroom design, making it a space where form meets function in the most sophisticated way.
Decoratori Bassanesi: a fresh perspective
The newest addition to Artedomus’s portfolio of Italian suppliers is Decoratori Bassanesi, a brand renowned for its incredible tiles that bring a distinctly contemporary aesthetic to decorative surfaces. Established in Italy in 1988, Decoratori Bassanesi has expanded the dialogues of tradition to encompass modern Italian artistry and progressive approaches to materiality. At the heart of the brand is a passion for research and meticulous attention to detail – values that permeate every element of its tile production, from material choices to experimentation and innovative fabrication techniques. The company’s collaboration with established designers has led to the creation of challenging and cutting-edge collections that push the boundaries of traditional tile design.
For Paolo Serraiotto, the founder and president of Decoratori Bassanesi, like-minded partnerships have been essential to the company’s growth. “Strategically, for the growth of the company, it is very important to find the right partner,” he says. “I like to think of Artedomus as more than just a shop – it’s like a design centre. We share the same philosophy and values, making it very easy to communicate and collaborate because we are essentially speaking the same language.”
The enthusiastic response to Decoratori Bassanesi’s four tile collections launched in Australia this year has been a testament to the strength of the partnership. “Our recent visit to their headquarters in Italy allowed us to explore their extensive product range and gain insight into their design capabilities,” says Brenton. “This promises exciting new developments and offerings for our customers in Australia, and we can’t wait to share more soon.”
Decoratori Bassanesi’s ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities results in products that are both timeless and contemporary – qualities highly valued by both Artedomus and the Australian architecture and design community. This partnership enables Artedomus to introduce fresh perspectives while maintaining its commitment to innovation and tradition.
Crafting the future together
The relationships Artedomus has cultivated over decades with its Italian suppliers are built on shared values, respect and a passion for advancing design. These collaborations enable the company to offer products that are original, sustainably produced and tailored to the highest standards of quality. “Our partnerships are grounded in mutual trust and a shared belief that, together, we can achieve remarkable things. That trust and respect allows us to collaborate on exciting custom projects and create innovative, one-of-a-kind products that are perfectly tailored to the client, the project and the space,” says Brenton.
“Together with our Italian partners, we have been able to develop industry-leading products, from custom stone shapes and sizes to innovative new concepts like our New Volumes collections. Our partners are leaders in their respective fields, just as we are in ours. This mutual respect and recognition of quality standards ensure that the products we create together are of the highest calibre, truly setting us apart.” With a steadfast commitment to quality and a clear vision for the future, Artedomus continues to lead the way in bringing the finest Italian craftsmanship to Australia.
