In the high-stakes world of luxury interior design, where the line between functional utility and fine art often blurs, one name has steadily risen to become a global benchmark of craftsmanship: Fabio Luis Gomes Dos Santos. With a career spanning 34 years, the founder of Marcenaria Girotto is currently making waves across both the Brazilian and U.S. markets by blending centuries-old woodworking traditions with cutting-edge 21st-century technology, and is notable for his extraordinary abilities as a Luxury Furniture Designer.
Dos Santos’ journey began not in a boardroom, but as a young apprentice. It was there, amidst the scent of sawdust and varnish, that he mastered the foundational skills of resin application and wood finishing. Today, that humble beginning has blossomed into an international empire that caters to the most discerning architects, builders, and designers in the industry.
In a recent discussion regarding his process, Dos Santos revealed that the secret to luxury lies as much in the selection of materials as it does in the design. For Dos Santos, the choice of wood is dictated by the environment it will inhabit.
“For interiors, I typically use MDF and melamine, which are versatile, durable, and perfect for custom finishes and detailed designs,” Dos Santos explained. “For exteriors, I choose materials that withstand weathering and moisture, often combining treated wood with protective coatings to ensure longevity while maintaining a sophisticated look.”
What sets Dos Santos apart from traditional carpenters is his willingness to experiment. His portfolio features unique modular furniture and custom inlays that seem to defy the standard limitations of wood. By combining wood with metal and resin, he transforms simple surfaces like tabletops into artistic focal points.
His technical approach is a hybrid of the old world and the new. “I combine traditional hand-carving with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology to achieve intricate and precise details,” Dos Santos said. This synergy allows for a level of complexity in his “Girotto” pieces that was previously impossible, influencing emerging trends in the luxury sector.
Since founding Marcenaria Girotto in 1994, Dos Santos has seen his work cited in professional publications as a “benchmark of craftsmanship.” However, his impact on the industry extends beyond the physical pieces he creates. He has become a vital mentor for the next generation of artisans, ensuring that the “soul” of hand-crafted furniture isn’t lost in an era of mass production.
“Beyond design, I have mentored emerging artisans, preserving traditional techniques while fostering innovation,” Dos Santos noted. “Each collection and project I have contributed to has a significant artistic and commercial impact.”
As Marcenaria Girotto continues to expand its footprint in the United States, Dos Santos remains hands-on, overseeing every concept from the first sketch to the final polish. For his clientele, a piece from Fabio Luis Gomes Dos Santos isn’t just a purchase—it’s an investment in a 34-year legacy of excellence.
With a presence at international exhibitions and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what wood, metal, and resin can achieve together, Fabio Luis Gomes Dos Santos has solidified his standing as a visionary leader in the global furniture landscape. For those looking to transform a living space into a gallery, his work remains the gold standard.
