Interview

I’m grateful for the journey that has led me to become a furniture designer. Here’s a glimpse into my background and what inspired my design passion in an interview with Home Design Magazine.

Offering unique and collectable designs, FrancoCrea is the award-winning Australian furniture brand on everyone’s lips. Creating sophisticated indoor and outdoor dining and living furniture for those who seek something truly special for their homes, the eponymous brand of designer Franco Crea is known for crafting pieces that transcend ordinary furniture, instead crafting timeless heirlooms that enrich spaces and tell stories across generations.

“My passion for design and furniture grew from watching my father – a hobbyist furniture maker and woodturner – working in our backyard workshop,” says Franco Crea, founder and creative director at FrancoCrea. “The moments my family shared around his creations inspired me to pursue a career where I could create something that brings people together.”

As well as childhood nostalgia, Franco’s success stems from his academic pursuits. He studied interior architecture before specialising in furniture design to deepen his understanding of materials, fabrication techniques, ergonomics and production. Following his scholastic sojourn, Franco got his foot in the door working for an Adelaide furniture brand, designing pieces in-house. In 2006, he started a joint studio with a fellow designer before opening his own studio in 2013. Initially, the FrancoCrea studio operated out of Adelaide before a second studio was opened in Melbourne in 2017. Today, all FrancoCrea pieces are proudly designed and crafted in both Adelaide and Melbourne.

“Over the years, I naturally developed my own specific design language,” says Franco. “I want each of my pieces to reflect this language consistently, allowing them to be paired together seamlessly, even if they are different designs. The furniture I create is contemporary and minimalist in style, with a regenerative quality that feels both nostalgic and brand new. Materiality and thoughtful detailing underpin my design style. Each of my pieces features subtly angled elements instead of conventional straight or square forms, adding a layer of complexity and visual intrigue.”

From plush sofas to grand dining tables, the FrancoCrea collection has something for everyone. Franco’s personal favourite piece is the Mena sofa and armchair, named in honour of his late mother. “Mena is a tribute to her grace and elegance and will always hold a special place in my heart,” he reflects. “The design features unique layered hand-stitched diamond quilting, crafted using traditional Italian production methods, but produced locally here in Australia.”

Undoubtedly, the most popular pieces in the FrancoCrea lineup come from the Mila dining collection. Comprising a dining table, dining chair and stool, the collection was designed to complement a variety of interior styles and also includes a grand table and stool version.  The grand versions feature a solid brass or stainless-steel shadowline detailing for that added touch of luxury and opulence. A penchant for working with timber is evident when viewing the entire FrancoCrea collection, which Franco describes as ‘an antidote to fast furniture’. “I aim to combat landfill waste and conserve precious resources,” he states. “Each piece is designed with the intention of ‘buy once, buy well’ serving as future heirlooms to be passed down through generations.”

Franco is constantly seeking new materials not commonly used in furniture design to create truly special pieces. One such material he has been working with for a number of years is Corian, a low-maintenance material that is stain-resistant, hardwearing and easy to clean and repair.

Regardless of the material he uses to fashion his spectacular offerings, Franco always remains true to his focus on creating designs with longevity in mind rather than being influenced by short-lived trends. “I feel truly blessed to share my designs with the world and am grateful for each client who values my design aesthetic and quality,” Franco shares. “My goal is to continue creating unique pieces that clients will cherish for decades to come.”