Enrico Giannini's Workshop

About Enrico

Enrico Giannini is a premier Florentine craftsman who carries on a five-generation family tradition of excellence. His handcrafted, beautifully detailed products reflect the ideals of the Italian Renaissance; they are centuries away from the modern age of mass production.

At age 13, Enrico began his artistic education when his grandfather invited him to apprentice at Giulio Giannini e Figli. This family workshop has been internationally recognized for its exquisite bookbindings and leather desk accessories since 1856. Continuing the family legacy into the fifth generation, Enrico first started by embossing gold designs on leather bookmarks, and later became the product designer for the whole company. He became famous for being the first artisan to revive the all-but-lost tradition of marbled paper, and to use it to cover desk and office accessories. He also originated the of use of old manuscripts in his designs and adapting silkscreen for a totally new look. Many have copied his designs, but only a few make each piece of paper by hand.

In February 2002, he appeared on the nationally televised Martha Stewart Living show to illustrate how beginners can create simple designs for themselves at home. He has been called upon numerous times to create special gifts for such renowned people as Pope John II and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Recently, Enrico opened his own workshop in the Oltrarno neighborhood of Florence and is now introducing his own production of high quality paper designs, hand-crafted leather and paper books, photo albums, frames, boxes and other unique items. He is also teaching classes in bookbinding, so the next generation of artisans may learn to follow in his footsteps.

Enrico Giannini with Martha Stewart on the set of the nationally syndicated how-to program Martha Stewart Living. Photo by Vanessa Lenz.