I'm truly grateful to call Tuscany home—not just for its breathtaking landscapes and incredible fresh foods, but also for the creative souls I've encountered over the years. From artisans and artists to authors, winemakers, and cheesemakers, these talented individuals are a constant source of inspiration, enriching the region with their craftsmanship and traditions. I hope you, too, will experience this cultural bounty when you visit Tuscany.
Here are a couple of remarkable people I’ve recently met and had the pleasure of featuring on my YouTube channel—a small way to celebrate and preserve their extraordinary arts and skills.
Filippo Romagnoli, a skilled wood-carver from Florence, is among the last of a fading generation of traditional artisans. Once a thriving trade, wood carving in Florence has nearly vanished, with few young apprentices continuing the craft. Now in his fifties, Filippo faces an uncertain future as demand for handcrafted woodwork declines, and his children pursue other careers.
To adapt, he revived an old family tradition—hand-carving corzetti pasta stamps, once used in Ligurian noble households. Inspired by his grandfather’s past work, Filippo now sells these intricate stamps online, reaching pasta lovers worldwide. Despite the rise of machine production, he remains dedicated to preserving his artistry and keeping his heritage alive, one handmade piece at a time.
While exploring San Miniato, Tuscany, I discovered a charming glass shop called Lo Specchio Magico run by Rebecca and her husband. Captivated by the exquisite craftsmanship, I decided to commission a custom-made flower frame for one of the bedrooms at Campo Sasso. Inspired by the irises that grow in our valley in Chianti, Rebecca took on the challenge of incorporating them into the design, despite never having worked with irises before. The final piece turned out beautifully and now adds a special touch to one of Campo Sasso’s bedrooms.
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