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Giovanni Vianello

Upholsterer | Venice, Italy

Upholstery the traditional Venetian way

The Vianello family runs their business in Venice since 1947
They master all the techniques of traditional upholstery
Their offer includes furniture creation and restoration but also curtain and awning making

The history of the Tappezzeria Vianello is extremely traditional, as it is their approach to upholstery. Uncle Guido founded the Bottega in 1947, right after the end of World War II, and his nephew Giovanni Vianello developed the business in the 1970s. Today Giovanni is passing the workshop on to his son Davide, while remaining active in the workshop. One of the oldest addresses in Venice for this craft, the Vianello Bottega offers a wide range of services matching the needs of a city whose exceptional heritage requires the ability to master traditional techniques as much as contemporary ones. Among their clients are some of the best-renowned landmarks of the city: the Saint Mark’s Basilica, La Fenice Theatre, the Gritti Palace Hotel, the Accademia Galleries and some of the noblest palazzos in town.

Interview

What is traditional upholstery?: For us it is extremely important to highlight that traditional upholstery is a matter of using traditional materials like horsehair, wadding, hemp or jute instead of foam. The techniques used and the result, in terms of quality and lifespan of the piece, are completely different compared to modern upholstery.
Is your approach a traditionally Venetian approach?: I would rather say that traditional upholstery is still strong in all art cities, as it is linked to their historical heritage. In Venice, as in Rome, Florence or Paris, there is an extraordinary amount of period pieces that can be restored only in the traditional way.
Is there any specific method that you master?: The most opulent Venetian palazzos used to decorate their walls with upholstered fabric mounted on a frame. This technique, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also grants thermic isolation, is still popular today, especially in luxury hotels.
What is the most satisfying part of your craft?: Craftsmanship always requires passion. One of the most gratifying parts of our craft is restoring sacred furnishings, outstanding pieces dating back to the Renaissance or the Baroque era, from our incredible Venetian churches. It is an honour, a way for us to leave a small trace in history.

Giovanni Vianello is a master artisan: he began his career in 1960 and he started teaching in 1995