Spotlight: Inspired by Cannata

Family-run business Cannata & Sons are proud to supply world-class quality products, including natural stone, terrazzo slabs, porcelain slabs and tiles. We caught up with Marketing and Sales Manager, Claudia Cannata King, about what inspires this brand to reach new heights.

DIESEL / Blind

Claudia and Italo.

What’s your go-to colour of choice for marble?

“White. The vast array of white marbles available means, whatever look and feel you’re trying to achieve, there’s always a unique white marble that ticks the box.”

Is there a hotel, interior or building that’s most inspired you and your work?

“Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town. This was a project Cannata worked on in the 90’s. The quality and excellence of the marble used and the hand craftsmanship (all details of which was moulded with hand held tools) still endure and resonate today. For visiting international clients, a visit to the formal lounge to showcase the success of selecting the most suitable materials for the desired application, is always a highlight.”

Places you love to visit to get inspiration from?

“Anywhere out of Cape Town… family time is spent mostly up the West Coast with mom and dad but also the Elgin winelands, and most definitely an annual visit to Italy to discover the latest gems in the stone industry.”

Where do you go to spot new styles and what can we expect to see from The Dialogue Room?

“We travel regularly to various fairs and exhibitions in Italy, depending on the needs of the business at the time, whilst focusing on improvements for the next season.

We are thrilled to be presenting our latest project called The Dialogue Room (opening on 19 September 2019). We’ve partnered with Aimee Wolfaardt of creative studio Haardt and together with our more than a century of innovation, think this will transform how people engage with stone and marble.

We feel this is the answer to the call for an exploratory space in which designers, architects, creatives and their clients can cross-pollinate and create. The Dialogue Room is a sensory and interactive space that eschews the typical showroom model. We envisage this as fertile ground for discussion and discovery, a fluid environment that’s as dynamic as the Cannata brand.”

Do you have a favourite restaurant?

“Our mom and dad’s kitchen in Yzerfontein!”

Who or what is your biggest design influence?

“Our clients locally and abroad. We learn and grow on every job which encourages us to reflect back on every success whilst challenges help us to always improve.”

Any interesting projects you are working on?

“We’re working on a very exciting commercial project (which we sadly cannot reveal just yet) that has pushed the boundaries of standard tiling application and allows our skill and craftsmanship to be showcased (all will be revealed soon!). We’re also working on a handful of exciting bespoke hospitality projects in and around Cape Town. We recently completed the AURUM Presidential & Luxury Suites in Bantry Bay, plus several new lodges including Delaire Graff Wine Estate and Singinta in Rwanda.”

From your latest collections, which brand most inspires you…

“Very hard question to answer as they each have their own niche offering which is why they work so well together. Each brand has created a product offering that enhances the base raw materials whilst allowing us to apply it in the most suitable context.

With SALVATORI we are most inspired by the core of this family business and the quality of the product offering. Whilst always striving to create new collections, SALVATORI uses the characteristics of the natural raw materials to enhance new surface designs and product ranges.

IRIS CERAMICA’s versatility and quality of the product range as well as their trend-forward collections are always inspiring.

AGGLOTECH offers an everchanging development of new product and colour options which is always energising.”

Cannata sources material from quarries and suppliers around the world which enables the company to fulfil the demanding needs of the interior and architectural industry.