Working exclusively with natural materials like linen, wool, and cashmere, Falli crafts each piece on wooden looms he builds himself. His fabrics are tactile reflections of his surroundings—the dusty paths, soft hills, and muted tones of the Tuscan countryside.
The designs are minimalist, but rich in meaning: fragments of place, woven into patterns that honor both tradition and ecology. Every detail matters. From selecting ethical suppliers to embracing a plastic-free, low-impact production cycle. But this is not just sustainability as a label—it’s a lived practice, shaped by inherited values.
© Courtesy of the artist
Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?
I live and work in a country farmhouse in Tuscany between Certaldo and Barberino Val d’Elsa, in the province of Florence.
Where is your studio located & how does it look?
My studio is nestled in the countryside between Certaldo and Barberino Val d’Elsa, just 10 minutes from the medieval town of San Gimignano. It is part of the traditional farmhouse where I live and serves as both a working space and a showroom. Here, you’ll find my wooden handlooms, the natural yarns I work with, and all the tools essential to the craft of weaving, alongside a display of my finished pieces.
The space is informal yet full of charm and has welcomed visitors from all over the world—some come to purchase unique handmade textiles, others to take part in workshops I offer. Surrounded on all sides by the breathtaking Tuscan landscape, the studio is immersed in vineyards, olive groves, forests, and rolling hills that offer truly spectacular views.
© Courtesy of the artist
Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether recently completed or currently in progress?
Since opening my studio, one of the aspects I’ve come to appreciate most about my work is the opportunity to collaborate. Through these collaborations, I’ve had the chance to meet fascinating people, explore different crafts, and deepen my knowledge of new techniques.
Over the years, I’ve worked on many projects—so many, in fact, that it’s hard to choose just one as a favorite. To name a few: a series of lamps created with a ceramicist friend, where he crafted porcelain stoneware bases and I made the pure linen fabric lampshades; a folding screen made of teak wood and a blend of linen and hemp, in collaboration with a skilled woodworker; and a collection of notebooks designed with talented Florentine bookbinders who used my handwoven fabrics for the covers.
There have been so many collaborations that it would be impossible to mention them all—but each one has been a unique and enriching experience.
© Courtesy of the artist
© Courtesy of the artist
© Courtesy of the artist
Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?
My home-studio is located in a hilly area surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and small woods. I don’t need to go anywhere else to relax.
© Visit Certaldo
Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?
I live in an area that I love, with enormous potential thanks to tourism from all over the world, often highly sensitive to the theme of craftsmanship. Florence (about 40 minutes by car) has always been a highly sought-after tourist destination, and the area where I live, which is very close to San Gimignano and Certaldo, has been experiencing an exponential increase in visitors over the years. With this introduction, small artisans like myself have to deal with the terrible Italian bureaucracy, which requires a lot of time and resources and many expenses to sustain even a small business.
In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?
As already mentioned, in recent years, tourism has continued to grow in my area, and not all of it is positive. Although there is a need for labor in the facilities, the working conditions for people are not always optimal and/or well-paid, also because Italy does not have a minimum wage law. What is developing well, I believe, but I speak in common knowledge, is a certain awareness and sensitivity to certain issues such as the climate change.
©Evelyscher, Certaldo Alto Stadtmauer Mittelalter, CC BY-SA 4.0
©Evelyscher, Certaldo Alto Mauerbogen, CC BY-SA 4.0
©Ingo Mehling, San Gimignano – View – 2, adjusted colors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?
Yes, I know and recommend few, all small but excellent artisan activities:
– Atelier GK (Florence) bookbinding
– Aembrosia (Monza) luxury embroidery
– Claudio Campana (Castelfiorentino) scagliola and ceramics
– Meracu Leathergoods (Venice) leather
– VS Ceramics (Venice) ceramics
– Woo Class (Florence) custom wooden eyewear
– Marta Benet (Asola) ceramics
– Bianca Hodselle (Florence) embroidery
– Studio Puliti (Barberino Val d’Elsa) interior and restoration
© Marta Benet
© VS Ceramics
© AtelierGK
Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?
Fortunately, the surrounding area is rich in medium-sized manufacturing activities and is well-equipped, from tool shops to raw materials such as yarns, wood, or iron. However, I don’t think there’s anything that can be found exclusively here, perhaps only the art in the kitchen!
What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?
– Gmail
– Camera
Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?
Internazionale, L’indipendente and some other things.
© Visit Certaldo
Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?
Mayors don’t really have all that much power, but if I were one, I would try to make taxation more progressive.
One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?
I’ve had the opportunity to live both in England and Germany, and although I love to travel, I’m always happy to return to my hills.
