Getting to know Nicola Zanin

GETTING TO KNOW NICOLA ZANIN

Simply stepping into the family business was never going to be enough for Nicola Zanin. Born in Venice in 1972, Nicola studied Business and Marketing before joining the fold. As he worked, managing the sales department of his Father’s company, his passion for engraving ran very closely alongside.

The production process, knowledge and the experience Nicola gained on the job, proved to be a mere starting point for his both his new career within the company, and also the stylistic evolution of Arte Veneziana.

Literally, in the hands of Nicola, Arte Veneziana's products changed from being simply exquisite handcrafted objects to embracing a more contemporary vision which combined handmade glass techniques, historical tradition, aesthetic value, international taste and artistic expression.

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Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Know-how… I like the meaning and the sound of this word!

What is ALWAYS in your fridge or pantry?
Cold Prosecco wine and chips!

Which talent would you most like to have?
Speak English properly and fluently

What is or would be your favourite city to visit (holiday) and why?
New Zealand. I travelled all over the world but not there – yet!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Managing a stable and taking care of horses

What is your greatest regret?
Haven’t run a horse stable company – yet!

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Diet self-control

What is your greatest extravagance?
Wearing the same format of a T-Shirt yet buying all possible colours (lol!)

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My kids

What would your last meal be?
Spaghetti alla Carbonara… and some my daughter’s handmade muffins!

What is your most marked characteristic?
The bad one – losing attention quickly
The good one – I am a team-building maker

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Gaining total control of my mind, which allowed me to win the 1st prize at trapshooting national competition in 2018

In this modern world, where so much has been done by so many, where do you gain your design inspiration?
Getting back to our roots, our land, our city, our artistic glass traditions… there is so much that we are used to seeing - in terms of inspirations and decorative techniques - and not properly evaluated. It is time to rediscover and promote our Venetian heritage and allow others to appreciate it – niche products are valuable as much as art pieces.

What is your greatest fear?
Having nothing to do – get bored

What is your motto?
“Labora et labora."Mocking the original Latin quote "Ora et labora", which refers to the Catholic monastic practice of working and praying

Who (in your opinion) is the greatest furniture designer that ever lived?
Gio Ponti

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
“A lavare la testa all'asino si spreca acqua e sapone” / “Washing the donkey’s head wastes water and soap" The proverb advises us not to spend our time trying to reason with a stubborn and unreasonable person because our efforts will be wasted.

Which 2020 Interior design trend you're most excited about?
Artistic Eclectism

What are your 3 favourite Arte Veneziana furniture pieces?
Formosa, a Venetian style mirror. Gustave, a make-up desk with flip top and Cupido, a six-legs dining table

My perfect day would look like…
Starting with a trapshooting workout, taking care of the horses and then enjoy spare time with my Father sailing his boat

An afternoon in the garden or call the gardener?
Afternoon in the garden – no doubts!

Which season brings you the most joy and why?
Winter… I hate sweating in summer

Name 2 Instagram accounts everyone should follow.
Arte Veneziana and Sarsfield Brooke – of course!

What is the most critical thing for your company to do right now?
Finding new ways to “travel” and promote our artistic handmade production

What are the two biggest lessons that you have learned in the last 10 years of business?
Lesson 1: the interior design market constantly evolves – you must keep updated and be forward-looking
Lesson 2: the client loves custom solutions – they wants to feel unique