Made in Milan | Part I – At the source

As part of Lowe Living’s visit to Carrara, Co-Founder Tim Lowe travelled alongside David Campagnino from Signorino to experience the quarries firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship, heritage and expertise behind one of the world’s most celebrated natural materials. Together, they discussed the importance of sourcing materials at their origin and how those insights influence the homes Lowe Living creates.

Why was it important for Lowe Living to visit Carrara and experience the quarries firsthand?

Tim: For us, it’s not just about seeing the finished stone in a showroom it’s about understanding the craftsmanship behind it at the source. We want to carefully select materials firsthand to ensure every piece feels considered and right for its final placement within our homes.

What does standing inside the quarry teach you that a showroom never can?

David: When you stand inside the quarry itself, you gain a completely different appreciation for what goes into every slab. Watching the stone being extracted from the mountain, seeing the scale and the precision involved, gives you a much deeper understanding of the material.

How does that firsthand understanding influence the design process?

Tim: That experience allows us to make more informed decisions throughout the design process. You’re not simply selecting a material based on appearance you’re understanding its origin, its characteristics and the craftsmanship behind it, which ultimately creates spaces with a stronger sense of authenticity and quality.

Carrara has supplied stone for centuries. Why does that heritage still matter today?

David: There’s a real sense of history here. Learning about how the stone travelled down the mountain decades ago, and seeing parts of that process still exist today, highlights the heritage and expertise behind this craft. Carrara has supplied material for some of the world’s most iconic architecture for generations, which reinforces the importance of selecting timeless materials for the projects we create.

Beyond material selection, what value do visits like this bring to the design journey?

David: It’s about going deeper into the design process. Understanding where materials come from, building relationships with the people behind them, and ensuring the selections we make have genuine integrity and longevity.

Why is the partnership between Signorino and Lowe Living such a natural fit?

Tim: Visiting Carrara with Signorino reinforced the importance of working with partners who share our commitment to quality and craftsmanship. That firsthand insight allows us to make more informed decisions and ultimately create homes with a deeper sense of authenticity, quality and lasting value.