In Conversation with Living Interiors 

Can you share your personal journey within the family business, from your early experiences to becoming the Director of Living Interiors?  

My earliest memories are from the late 1990s, when I was in the showroom and warehouse with my family, including grandparents, uncles Mark and Paul, and Dad. 

As I grew older, Dad would often bring me to the office to help with basic tasks, which became weekend work in my teens. In 2011, both my dad and grandfather passed away six months apart. I then worked in the property industry briefly before travelling the world in 2014. 

 On my return, I became Sales Manager while completing my university degree. In 2019, I shifted to Business Development, focusing on clients, new brands, and marketing. In late 2020, amid pandemic uncertainty, I grew into the role of Director, working closely alongside my uncles, who provide crucial insight and knowledge, which is invaluable within our niche industry. 

 Since then, we've focused on re-establishing Living Interiors as one of the market leaders of luxury Italian furniture and joinery, adding new brands, and renovating our Melbourne showroom, which we have occupied since 1995. 

As the third-generation leader of a family business, how do you maintain Living Interiors' legacy?  

Maintaining Living Interiors' legacy means staying true to who we are and what we do, which is showcasing luxury Italian furniture, joinery, and lighting. The furniture industry is more competitive and global than ever before. That said, the 'Made in Italy' trademark is becoming more prevalent, as Italy is by far the global leader in craftsmanship and quality. We are fortunate to be a part of an industry where Italian design and craftsmanship continue to gain recognition and exposure. 

Can you elaborate on the process of selecting new brands to introduce to the Australian market?  

We carefully curate our range to provide options for any interior design project, from one-off pieces to complete fit-outs. Living Interiors now caters to both high-end and medium-to-high-end markets, focusing on brands that are sold in significant quantities in the local Italian market, which is highly driven by quality and price.  We attend Italian furniture fairs to select brands and products that best fit the Australian market and our unique client mix. We continually monitor trends to ensure we bring the best luxury furniture to Australia. 

In what ways does Living Interiors collaborate with architectural design firms and interior designers across Australia?  

Living Interiors collaborates with various architectural and interior design firms on projects across various sectors. Between 2018-2023, Living Interiors collaborated with designers on primarily residential projects nationwide. From 2023, we expanded to low-to-mid-density residential, hotels, offices, and commercial spaces. 

 Projects range from full fit-outs to singular lighting installations, like a custom order from the master Venetian crystal brand Barovier&Toso for The Ritz Carlton's Presidential Suite in Melbourne. Exclusively representing such bespoke products allows unique collaborations, which we will continue to focus on. We look forward to ongoing partnerships with architectural and design firms. 

What are your long-term visions for Living Interiors? 

Many know luxury Italian car and fashion brands, but fewer recognise equivalent "Made in Italy" furniture brands. My long-term vision for Living Interiors is to increase awareness of these brands in Australia, offering products at various price points. We will explore new brand opportunities to expand our collection, cementing ourselves as Australia's premier luxury Italian furniture destination. 

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