Behind the scenes at Renata Bonfanti (carpets and textiles)

Carpet and textile company Renata Bonfanti was the final stop arranged by the Vicenza Chamber of Commerce during my recent trip to Italy. The business was started by Mrs. Bonfanti herself in 1954, and she and several family members still work at their facility outside Vicenza. The building is just large enough to house every aspect of the company from design to execution but small enough to ensure everybody’s within sight of everybody else. And aesthetic was not sacrificed when creating the space. A chocolate brown ceramic tile floor is the perfect backdrop for the bright red staircase railing and the many colored threads in various states of stitching. Behind the row of multi-colored thread spools, vintage industrial sewing machines in spotless condition reflect the care the Bonfanti’s take in their facility and their products. The handmade (and extremely soft) rugs sport sophisticated, contemporary patterns, but they’re simple enough to look good with a variety of styles. Ditto the pillows.

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The gorgeous products are a natural result of Renata Bonfanti’s business model and operation, which seems dignified, sane, understandable and sustainable. Nobody seemed like they were just going through the motions. They’re not just cogs in a machine. Each and every person is an integral part of the process, and everybody sees and understands their contribution to the product life cycle. Which seems so much more satisfying than clocking in and jamming part A into part B for eight hours every day. With an environment like that, of course Renata Bonfanti offers extraordinary products. Perhaps one of you will decide to distribute or carry Renata Bonfanti in the U.S. (I’ll be your first customer).

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Renata Bonfanti. by Plan East, 52, 36065 – Mussolente, (Vicenza – Italy), 0424 577008, info@renatabonfanti.com

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Renata Bonfanti (L) and her cousin.

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Sandra Lorenzato (L) from the Vicenza Chamber and her friend Sabina, who loves Renata Bonfanti’s products so much she joined the tour.

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Renata’s nephew Alessandro Bonfanti gave the tour.