Fifty years of considered living: The family values behind one of Australia's most enduring furniture destinations

A family built around furniture

When Giuseppe Fanuli arrived in Australia from Italy in 1956, he wasn't setting out to build one of Australia's most respected furniture businesses. He arrived as a cabinet maker.

For the next two decades he immersed himself in the local furniture industry, working with Australian manufacturers before gaining retail experience and, eventually, opening the doors to the first Fanuli showroom in Sydney in 1976.

Furniture wasn't simply his profession. It was his craft.

"My father had been making furniture long before he opened Fanuli," recalls Fabio Fanuli. "We've always come from a furniture background, so craftsmanship has never been something we've talked about. It's just always been part of who we are."

That passion extended well beyond the workshop.

Growing up, Fabio remembers school woodworking projects that quickly became father-and-son collaborations, while furniture making continued at home long after the workday had finished.

"The attention to detail Dad had is what's been instilled in all of us," he says. "It's become part of the way we approach everything."

Even after stepping away from the day-to-day running of the business, Giuseppe remained deeply involved. Well into his eighties he would regularly visit the showroom, checking displays, presentation and every last detail.

"If something wasn't quite right, he'd ring us on a Sunday," laughs Marco Fanuli. "That level of care became part of our DNA."

It is a story that feels increasingly rare today. Three generations of the Fanuli family have worked within the business, not simply inheriting it, but learning it from the ground up.

Marco's own journey began much the same way.

"I'd come in during school holidays helping with deliveries or doing odd jobs," he says. "Over time I worked in accounting, sales and eventually marketing. It meant I understood every part of the business before taking on the role I have today."

Growing without losing sight of what matters

The Fanuli of today looks very different to the business Giuseppe first established.

During the early years, much of the showroom was dedicated to Australian-made furniture produced by manufacturers Giuseppe had worked alongside throughout his career. Italian furniture was present, but it represented only a small part of the collection.

That changed during the 1990s, as the next generation strengthened relationships with leading Italian manufacturers, establishing partnerships that continue today.

Now, Fanuli represents some of Italy's most respected furniture brands while continuing to expand its own Australian-made collection.

Rather than seeing those two worlds as separate, the family believes each strengthens the other.

"The Italian brands really inspire what we do with our Australian-made pieces," says Marco. "Many of them have been around for eighty or even a hundred years. They've stood the test of time, and that philosophy naturally influences how we approach our own collection."

That same thinking shapes every decision the business makes.

Instead of chasing seasonal trends, Fanuli looks for furniture that will feel as relevant twenty years from now as it does today.

"We always come back to the word timeless," Marco explains. "We try not to follow colours or shapes that might only be popular for a year. We look for simple forms, beautiful materials and designs that people genuinely enjoy living with."

Furniture designed for real life

Spend enough time talking to the Fanuli family and one theme continues to surface.

Furniture isn't meant to be admired from a distance.

It should be lived with.

"Our clients appreciate good design, but they also want furniture they can actually use," Marco says. "They've got children, they've got pets, they entertain friends. They don't want something that belongs in a museum."

Instead, the goal is to create pieces that improve with age.

Sofas that can be reupholstered decades later.

Dining tables that develop character through everyday use.

Furniture that gathers memories rather than being replaced when fashions change.

"We've got clients who've owned our sofas for thirty or forty years," says Fabio. "They come back to have them restored or reupholstered, and then they're ready for another twenty years."

That philosophy has become increasingly relevant in a culture dominated by fast consumption.

For the Fanuli family, longevity isn't simply about sustainability.

It's about value.

"People often have a story about buying something that needed replacing after only a few years," Marco says. "If you invest in something that's genuinely well made, you'll often spend less over the long run."

Service as part of the product

While craftsmanship sits at the heart of Fanuli, the family believes furniture is only one part of the experience.

The relationship is equally important.

"Our furniture lasts a long time," Marco says. "That means our relationship with our clients needs to last as well."

Many members of the Fanuli team have worked within the business for more than two decades, creating a level of continuity that mirrors the longevity of the furniture itself.

That experience extends to architects and interior designers, who rely on Fanuli's team to support residential projects from concept through to completion.

Many of the showroom consultants have interior design backgrounds, helping homeowners confidently select finishes, proportions and layouts. Dedicated trade specialists work closely with design professionals, ensuring furniture integrates seamlessly into the broader architectural vision.

"We try to make their job as easy as possible," Marco explains. "If an architect or designer calls needing help with a project, we're there straight away. Those relationships become long-term partnerships."

It is another reflection of the family's belief that good service, like good furniture, should endure.

Built to last

Asked what they hope Fanuli represents fifty years from now, neither Marco nor Fabio speaks about growth, expansion or market share.

Instead, they return to the same principles their father and grandfather built the business upon.

Quality. Service. Family.

"We've been here for fifty years," Fabio says. "We want to be here for another fifty."

For a business built on craftsmanship, perhaps that's the most fitting measure of success. Not simply the furniture that leaves the showroom, but the relationships, homes and family stories those pieces become part of over generations.

As design trends continue to evolve, Fanuli's greatest achievement may be something far quieter… proving that thoughtful furniture, genuine craftsmanship and personal service never really go out of style.

Whether you're furnishing a single room or an entire home, explore Fanuli's profile on ArchiPro, browse their Australian-made and Italian furniture collections, or discover the residential projects and design professionals specifying their pieces to see how considered furniture shapes homes designed to last.