Domenico Minchilli , my Italian architect husband, has been a bit envious of my blogging the last few months. While he thinks he has time to blog on his own, (and certainly has lots to blog about), I suggested he take a trial run by guest blogging here. Here follows his photo essay on following the making of a chair by the tappeziere extraordinaire team of Luciano and Renzo Luciani:
“Making a Chair on Via Baccina in Rome”
by Domenico Minchilli
The clients wanted to find a chair like one they had seen in a magazine. This is often the starting point for commissioning a bespoke piece of furniture. 
After I make a series of drawings, a specialized carpenter- fustarolo- builds the frame of the chair out of wood. This is the frame sitting in the upholsterers shop, waiting to be turned into a chair.
The first step is to form the base. A series of jute strips are nailed on the bottom of the chair, in a cross pattern. Then heavy steel springs are laid on top of that, covered by twine to keep them in place. 
A layer of foam covers the springs, and begins to soften the edges. Burlap is used to form the first layer of the surfaces of the side of the chair. 
Another layer of jute and springs goes along the back of the chair. Foam and then canvas covers the arms. 
The final layer is the fabric.
While some of the fabric is sewn by machine, much of it is applied and finished by hand.
The chair, finished and in place in the client’s home in Umbria.
Renzo and Luciano Luciani
Via Baccina
+39 347-763-9403
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This is amazing. To possess those skills is but a dream for me.
Love this! have chair from Rome envy, we Americans just don’t make stuff anymore
Gorgeous. Glad to see artisans are still appreciated some places in the world.
What a joy to see the work of Renzo and Luciano. They were our neighbors when they, and we, were next door to each other in the Via Madonna dei Monti, and they were the unofficial concierges of our building. When they moved to the next block, we moved back to the States (no causal connection); now it’s great to see their handiwork. Che bravi!
LB
Fascinating blog and great step-by-step presentation. Almost felt like rolling up my sleeves for a moment! Obviously you switched from the uphosterers near Campo dei Fiori long ago?
Karen: The ones near Campo moved ages and ages ago. Plus they got outrageously expensive. The Luciani’s are great. And Luciano actually lives in Baschi, so if you need stuff done up in Todi, he can do that too.
What a grand guest chair. Obviously you take extreme pride in your work and it truly shows. I love the pictures you’ve provided showing the steps of this build. Thanks for the inspiration!