Santambrogio Handmade Italian Sofas Names Sass Lassley National Sales Director USA

Old World Meets New World

By Sass Lassley

By the time you read this I will be back home preparing for my new role as National Sales Director USA for Santambrogio Sofas and Chairs. Claudio Santambrogio and I will discuss our plans, goals and vision with Rebecca E. Parsons this Sunday {5/8} on Artistically Speaking Talk Show.

Santambrogio Sofas
~The Best Italian Handmade Sofas and Chairs
are now available in the US

It is with immense pleasure that we announce the launch of the American version of the Santambrogio website: www.bestitaliansofas.com.  We have been working nearly one year developing the website. It is my distinct privilege to serve as National Sales Director USA for Santambrogio Handmade Italian Sofas and Chairs. I will assist online customers in the selection and walk them through the ordering process of their fine Italian sofas and chairs delivered directly from the factory in Milan to their front door with no middle men or delivery charge.

I am delighted to be in Milan Italy once again continuing my education in the fine furniture business with Claudio Santambrogio. Santambrogio, The Best Handmade Italian Sofas, is my school. Claudio, third generation furniture craftsman and grandson of founder Giovanni Santambrogio, is my instructor.

My school is located in the quaint little area of Brianza, a melting pot of furniture factories and fabric shops. Nestled at the foot of the Alps in north-western Italy, Brianza is located between Milan and Como Lake in the Italian region Lombardy. The people are friendly and groups gather at the local cafes and coffee bars to talk and play cards. Everyone seems to know one another. I am continually delighted with the sense of humor Italians have particularly the older gentleman who laugh and gesture to one another on the streets with a good deal of animation. It is a lovely place to study and my time spent here is cherished.

History of Excellence

In 1964 Claudio’s grandfather opened a factory producing sofas and chairs near Milan. Soon he is creating custom designs for architects, designers and discerning clients throughout Italy. Eventually the Santambrogio name becomes the benchmark for excellence in Italian furniture design.

Fast forward to 2011… A Santambrogio designs every sofa as it has been for three generations. Santambrogio merges ancient traditional methods with innovative modern technology and cutting-edge ideas, which become market trends. Giuliano Santambrogio, Claudio’s father, oversees production and quality control. Only in this manner do they proudly allow the furniture to bear the Santambrogio family name.

Claudio studied at Milan and San Diego University holding degrees in both design and interior design. He is skillful at mechanical drawing. In addition to teaching me, he recently taught a college course in interior design.

The Tutoring of Sass Lassley

My education began when I visited the prototype factory for the first time…seeing the fabrics and leathers and viewing firsthand the Santambrogio creative process in action! It is in this factory I first see the black and white photo of Claudio’s grandfather on a horse and carriage cementing the tradition and long standing values of the Santambrogio clan. The respect in and for this family is immense.

 

All models are handmade internally by skilled Italian artisans, meticulous upholsterers and seamstresses who have worked for the company, in many cases, for several decades. Only superior quality leathers and fabrics are considered for use on one of their original pieces. Every piece is inspected, guaranteed and marked with the much sought after Santambrogio insignia which is hand sewn into a back seam…a mark of true Italian heirloom quality and excellence, certifying that the product was entirely made in Italy.

I also learned about the Santambrogio vision of customer service from Claudio and his Father. A client came from Rome to view his custom made sofa and to approve the making of several more just like it. I watched with interest (my Italian is not so good) the special way they conduct business with this customer. Personal care from the head of the company is amazing.

Claudio’s days are filled greeting customers at the showroom and paying personal calls to their homes and businesses for ‘made to measure’ furniture. He assists with the selections of fabric and leather combinations. Every custom piece of Santambrogio is guaranteed Italian made and delivered with a certificate of authenticity naming both its craftsmen and the date the piece was created.

Claudio also treated me to a driving tour where I quickly learned not a moment of the day is ever wasted. I saw how the leather is processed; vegetable dyed and tanned using only the finest hides. I learned that all the suppliers are nearby. The foam and the down feathers used in the cushions (called plumes) are produced locally. Mattresses for the sleeper beds, the arms and legs for the sofas and chairs are also handcrafted nearby.

I also visited the finest fabric mills. The fabric supplier was just about the cleanest environment I have ever been in. It was refreshing to see the hustle and bustle, which is very much like the US even though I was unable to understand everything being spoken. Claudio left this particular fabric supplier with several fabric books to be shipped to a customer in Rome.

At another factory, I watched the beautiful hand quilting of a Classic Chesterfield sofa with leather buttons. (See video) I knew the Italians made beautiful shoes, but I was amazed to witness the perfection and painstaking detailed work in creating a sofa.

The Santambrogio factories are located in the North of Italy but they do business across all of Europe, Japan and Emirates. Recently the Santambrogio company received an award for always being the first company to come up in Google searches. Claudio’s parents traveled to Rome to receive this prestigious award. It is no surprise to me after having been in the showroom and examined the quality and expert craftsmanship of every piece.

Claudio provided a well-rounded educational experience, as he just happens to be an excellent cook. Our long days at the showroom were punctuated with delightful, delicious dinners prepared by his hand. I received several much-needed cooking lessons in his cucina. (Thanks Claudio!) Truthfully, I observed while enjoying a glass of local wine. Every night I tool photographic evidence of my incredible Italian meals and share on FaceBook with friends.

The pace here is nothing like I’d imagined having always been told that Italians take three-hour lunches and lay off early. All can say to that is a resounding No, No and No! They work hard and days go long so dinner is much later than in the states! It is, however, always worth the wait.

My education continues.

Claudio and Sass will discuss plans, goals and vision with Rebecca E. Parsons this Sunday on Artistically Speaking Talk Show. Visit the website to browse the selection of beautiful handmade sofas and chairs.

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