By Amanda Giuliani
The history of Gambineri Arredamenti has deep roots rooted in Ponte a Poppi, in the heart of Casentino. The history of this company is a family story of passion and resilience, which began in 1979 thanks to Pietro Gambineri, in love with the profession of carpenter and interior designer, who decided to take this path after working for several years in the local company “Mazza e Lombardi” – active since the post-war period. Pietro, conquered by this work, decided to open his own company after the closure of this historic business: Gambineri Arredamenti took its first steps, in a small fund next to the church of Ponte a Poppi.
Initially, the company sold wood-burning stoves, cabinets, and beds, but the positive response from the market quickly led to expansion. Already a year later, the small fund proved to be too narrow, leading the company to move to the square in Poppi, where, within a few years, it had to acquire four additional spaces to be able to display the entire range of furniture. Despite the expansion, the fact that these display cases were located in several places was inconvenient, and in 1991 the Gambineri family decided to invest in a large piece of land, where the company is still based today.
The company is to all intents and purposes a family business: in addition to Pietro, his wife Grazia and children Gianluca and Federica are actively involved in the business: Gianluca takes care of the designs, now done entirely on the computer, while Federica, who arrived in the company once her studies have been completed, takes care of sales and customer relations. Despite technological evolution, Pietro still remains at the centre of the company, preserving those personal ties that over the years have contributed to building the success of Gambineri Arredamenti.
2006 marked a difficult time for the family and the company, as a fire destroyed everything they had built up to that point. However, with great willpower and determination, the Gambineri did not let themselves be discouraged. The day after the fire, a symbolic gesture by Grazia’s brother, who placed pots of red geraniums along the stairs, represented their willingness not to give up. Thanks to the deep passion that animates the Gambineri family, with dedication and sacrifice they have managed to revive the company from the ashes, transforming a misfortune into an opportunity for growth and renewal.
Today Gambineri Arredamenti stands out not only for the quality of its products, but also for its attention to customers. The company specializes in the design and construction of customized furniture, with a particular focus on kitchens. They have one of the largest exhibition spaces in the province of Arezzo, entirely dedicated to kitchens of different styles and materials, including ecological kitchens – with an important commitment to sustainability.
One of the main strengths of Gambineri Arredamenti is the tailor-made service, as well as complete assistance. They don’t just sell furniture but follow the work at every stage of the process: from design to construction, up to the management of systems and drains. This means that the company interfaces directly with electricians and plumbers, ensuring that the work is carried out optimally.
In addition, the assembly of the furniture is carried out personally by Pietro and Gianluca, thus guaranteeing impeccable quality, given by direct knowledge of the product.
Gambineri Arredamenti also offers the possibility of creating tailor-made solutions, collaborating with external craftsmen when necessary, to meet specific needs. Today, their clients range from individuals to professionals, mainly in Casentino and the province of Arezzo, although in the past they mainly served the Florentine area.
Pietro’s passion for his work is tangible and reflected in his daily dedication. When someone asks him why he never goes on vacation, his answer is simple and sincere: “I am on vacation every day,” thus expressing how much he loves what he does.
Gambineri Arredamenti is a reality that continues to grow and innovate, always with an eye to the future, without ever forgetting its roots.
Info: Gambineri Arredamenti, Via Aretina 28, Poppi (Ar) / Tel. 0575 529706 / www.gambineriarredamenti.it / arredamentigambineri@alice.it