Founded in 2019 by young mother and entrepreneur Paola Bernardotto, Ettomio is an all-Italian brand of Montessori furniture that combines design, quality and function. Quiet luxury beds, bookcases and tables created as sustainable answers to excess.
"A concept that inspires us at Ettomio," explains Paola, "is the 'gentle push', a term we borrowed from the book 'Nudge' by Thaler and Sunstein. It's about the influence that our chosen objects have, serving as powerful tools for teaching and connecting deeply with the world around us." The concept of quiet luxury, both in fashion and in design, refers to the choice of buying fewer objects but of high quality, designed to last longer with less impact on the environment. Ettomio's children's furniture embodies a vision that puts quality and durability at the forefront. It encourages avoiding superfluous objects, fostering deep awareness, and resisting impulsive consumption in favour of meaningful furnishings.
Ettomio Evolutionary Children's Furniture
A tangible example of Ettomio's conscious approach is the transformability of its furniture: the evolutionary beds, the evolutionary desk/table, and the evolutionary bookcase are designed to adapt and grow with children, meeting their changing needs.To this end, they are designed to be transformed over time by means of small and simple gestures and are made from certified and sustainable materials that will last for years to come. Ettomio Montessori beds can be converted into 'adult' beds in a few simple steps; users only need to remove the safety guards and add a riser. In some cases, they can also be converted into double beds. Tablò is a table that grows with children, evolving to cover the first 14 years of their lives. It is a creative and multifunctional object that can serve as a play area or a study desk. Libiola is an adaptable and evolutionary Montessori bookcase. It is frontal but can transform into a shelf, a place for a school bag, a cupboard for books and games, and even a coat and shoe rack for the little ones.
Designed to maintain its integrity and beauty over time, all Ettomio Montessori furniture has a timeless, simple and sober aesthetic. It is crafted in the Veneto region by small family-run artisan workshops, using natural and sustainable materials: only birch wood, covered with ash and varnished with oil for a natural effect. A "neutral" object, perfect for all rooms and styles.
This Year's Big News: Personalisation with Colour
Paola's first obsession was undoubtedly the pursuit of a natural effect. For those who love the organic and timeless nuances of wood, Ettomio children's furniture is an ideal choice; it is treated with a unique finish that protects the wood while respecting its details and preventing it from yellowing over time.Then came the decision to explore colour, made in collaboration with architects.
"Our beds," says Paola, "have been chosen by designers and architects for beautiful projects and bedrooms. We were sceptical at first, I have to admit. But in the end, the colours chosen for the bespoke projects made our beds even more beautiful". Now, it is possible to paint the entire bed frame in any colour, from antique pink to sage green, from light grey to light blue, and even in darker shades up to black. All that's left to do is choose. Ettomio does the rest.
"Our beds," she explains, "are made in what we can call an Ettomio production 'district'. They are crafted by carpenters and finished by a small shop with amazing painting skills. Thanks to the flexibility and help of our subcontractors, we can offer personalised colours".
Ettomio on Archiproducts.com
