It all began with a trip to the island of Tinos, in the Greek Aegean sea
In the sun-dappled villages of the Greek island of Tinos , in Cyclades, huge clumps of marble spout out of the ground like daisies. In days gone by, the demand for this glittering rock to be turned into functional , immortal sculptures and objects was high. The light there is extraordinary. A hazy dapple that is unique even by sun-drenched Mediterranean standards. In these villages, the endless expanse of white crystalline rock reflects the golden sun, making the entire places glitter. Everything is from marble : the sidewalks, the fountains, the street signs, the gutters, bus stops, and motifs decorating the facades of houses, too.
Being fascinated, I couldn’t stop thinking about all these sustainable forms and mindful objects that could come to existence - offering us unique home and personal experiences - unprecedented rituals and new born routines. A new mission was born.
Process and construction
We collect the finest marble blocks from the quarries in Tinos and in Greek mainland. A network of internal roads enables us and the machinery to move without obstacles. The quarries are well organized and easily accessible. The choice of marble is crucial. It is important to find the right block. It must be pure, with not a single deformity or impurity.
The blocks are transferred to our local workshops. When it comes to creating beautiful pieces from natural stone, there is no substitute for traditional craftsmanship. Being a natural material - the stone - no two blocks are alike and they must therefore be categorised by tonality. We undergo some sort of cutting and processing that involves a machine. And then comes the craftsmen. The experienced artisan, recognises and values the unique characteristics of its stone that are simply part of their make-up and fascination. They treat them with respect and care.
For us there is no substitute for the human hand and eye when it comes to working with this material. Hand finishing releases the warmth and the true essence of stone, allowing every single product, from the smallest paperweight or soap dish to an oversize dining table, to tell its own unique story.
We respect the glorious and varied veining, the consequence of a metamorphic process that takes place over millions of years.
From choosing the correct surface of marble to work on to knowing that a piece just needs one last gentle pass of abrasive paper to be absolutely perfect, this is the skill of a true craftsman. They also understand in depth how its veining or particular patterning will impact on the look of the final product.
This is the magic of a material that is gifted to us by nature, enhanced then by human interpretation
