Artefacto is a well-known name among interior designers and residents of the Miami area, but its roots are all Brazilian. Born out of São Paulo, the luxury furnishings and design firm evokes elements of its native country, such as natural materials and an organic color palette, in the sleek, high-end pieces that have found their way into the most luxurious South Florida residences. Paulo Bacchi joined the family business at 18, following in the footsteps of his father Albino Bacchi, and realized his dream of bringing Artefacto to the US in 2002. Since arriving in Florida, Paulo has led Artefacto to stage residences such as Porsche Design Tower, Palazzo del Sol on Fisher Island, as well as a $5.8m home on the 17th floor of One Thousand Museum. When his father retired in 2014, Paulo took on the role of CEO and has since grown Artefacto to three stateside showrooms offering an elevated shopping experience for discerning buyers. Celebrating Artefacto’s 15th year in the US, Paulo speaks to Elite Traveler about Brazilian design, sustainability and the family influence.
How did having a father in furniture manufacturing influence you?
Artefacto was founded in São Paulo in 1976. My father’s passion and discipline for excellence is my greatest inspiration. Growing up, I was always in and out of the warehouse watching the creative process. My father sent me to Italy to better appreciate international design. It’s been over 40 years since he founded the Artefacto brand, and I am tremendously proud to see how far we have come. Artefacto is respected worldwide and continues to grow with each collection and generation. Seeing my twin boys express the same interest, as we mark 15 years in the US, is a blessing that takes us into the future. Family is everything, and our business philosophy is something we celebrate together.
What makes Brazilian design unique?
Warm contemporary designs, using the highest quality organic materials. An Artefacto home feels timeless, natural and seamless from room to room. We keep things simple and extremely sophisticated.
Why did you decide to bring Artefacto to the US?
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I knew from visiting Miami at a young age that the brand would resonate here. Our designs connect to the inherent energy and vitality of this city. I believe the same is true for Los Angeles and New York City.
What inspires your designs?
Brazilian culture and fashion is the inspiration behind all of our designs. Recently, we’ve been incorporating pieces with curves and soft lines that shift away from the traditional modernist approach.
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What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment?
Our priority is, and always has been, excellence in quality and service. Anyone who walks into an Artefacto showroom is greeted warmly, where the experience begins. This is very personal to me. I moved my wife and young twin boys from Brazil to Miami and felt a personal obligation to all of them. Thanks to my wife’s intuition, we opened in Coral Gables, while every other high-end home design brand was moving into the Design District. Our first few years in Miami, I never took a day off because I wanted to know every customer and make sure we exceeded their expectations. My wife worked in our Coral Gables showroom while learning English with a tutor. We were committed to success, not just in the showroom, but we also bought a warehouse to keep an expansive inventory to ensure homes can be fully furnished within 48 hours. It’s what was needed to be done in order to establish our reputation in the US. We pride ourselves in being able to turn around a dream home in a few days.
How does Artefacto take the environment into consideration?
The surrounding environment is one of our driving influences. The water, views, and energy inform our entire design approach. I am also particularly proud of Artefacto’s green approach to manufacturing and its commitment to Brazilian reforestation. We use only timber that is certified sustainable, taken from tracts that require immediate reforestation as soon as trees are harvested.
Tell us about your involvement with the upcoming Art Basel Miami Beach.
Art Basel is a magical time for Miami. The city becomes even more alive. It’s a convergence of design, architecture and art. This year, Alejandro Estrada installed oversized panels of carved geometric shapes in our Aventura showroom. The pieces shift from various angles and viewpoints, creating a dialogue between spaces. These designs can be a focal point for a room and add dramatic texture.
What can we look forward to seeing from Artefacto in 2018?
Next summer, we break ground on our newest and largest showroom ever: a 40,000-sq-ft space in Coral Gables by DOMO Architecture + Design.
The Alejandro Estrada exhibition for Art Basel is now open to the public at Artefacto in Aventura, 17651 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, FL 33160. For more information, please visit artefacto.com.
Image Credit: Maria Lankina
