About Taddei Studios

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 So here’s the whole story... Forty and I met when we were 19 and in design school taking a well-rounded program of industrial design, interior design, and graphic design. After getting married (to each other that is), we ventured out together to start a marketing and business development company that went on for 34 exciting years! As successful as that was, we spent most of our off hours during those years creating experientially through wood, clay, fabrics, and acrylics. As designers and artists by nature and education, raw materials of any kind were and continue to be an invitation to us to create.

Fortunato’s personal world at that time revolved around anything three-dimensional he could create. That began with sculpting fine art, for which he’s won awards and has been represented as the sole artist at gallery shows. From there, he saw possibilities to create with almost every piece of raw material he could see or touch. And like every inspired artist, he kept a swipe catalogue called 'One day I'll do that.' 

Well, that ‘one day’ arrived. Fort traded his computer for tools and began Taddei Studios in Okotoks Alberta, where he now designs and builds original benches and home furnishings using beautiful wood, leather, and hides. The studio and workshop are places where there are no mandates, or restrictions, just pure inspiration from all sources. Form and function have always been the creed of good design, so he’s been able to take all his graphic design experience and apply it to his unique and innovative creations.

“Holding a piece of wood that has taken 50-75 years to grow and forming that into an object that could last another 50-75 years in a different form is a humbling thought for me. There’s nothing quick or easy about building a piece from scratch; it requires an investment of thought and time, but the finished product is worth it. The pride and sense of accomplishment I receive from designing and constructing, drive me to continually explore new ideas.” Fortunato

I on the other hand during my off time, focussed my love and attention on colour, pattern, and texture, and their impact on spatial design, and of course on my acrylic fine art painting (I‘ve never had a solo show like Fort, but my house is filled with dramatic canvases that I’ll perhaps show you one day.) Today, I enjoy working to support homeowners, as well as amazing and talented interior designers and architects fulfill their projects with our creations at Taddei Studios.

“Fabric has always captured my heart and my hands. It is tangible colour and art that I can manipulate to create something new from it. As a fine art painter, I realize not everyone can afford an original piece of art, so I embarked on a journey to create functional art. I choose glorious fabrics to create bold and colourful custom lampshades to suit any interior..” Athena

Today, we work together again in the next chapter of our lives. We start each morning like we used to; having coffee while he shows me his latest furniture designs, and while I choose stain colours, hides, leathers, and fabrics. Then off we go… Fort to his workshop to build and me to my studio to make lampshades and engage with you all.