Reflections on My 39 Years in Umbria

Long before we ever opened our Genius Loci Country Inn, I decided I wanted to proudly showcase several Umbrian artisans. I always knew I wanted to promote and support Brozzetti Textiles (please refer to a former entry) and a ceramics producer in Deruta. I have known Giulio Gialletti (actually his two sons, Antonio and Carlo) for many years. While over the years I have visited, taken friends, purchased items from many of the Deruta artisans, Antonio and Carlo have stood out: they have always been extraordinarily helpful, knowledgeable, and extremely pleasant to me, my friends and my daughter the numerous times we have gone, even though we made small purchases - or none at all - and never mentioned our plans for Genius Loci.

Giulio Gialletti produces a lovely assortment of items from very significant pieces, objects for everyday use, to small items...all with the same attention to detail and dedication to quality.

Their large showroom is a treat: well-displayed, varied, with excellent lighting - a true "festa per gli occhi".

Antonio and Carlo willingly show interested customers their workshop and explain the various phases of their production.

My choice to showcase the work of Giulio Gialletti depends on ALL of these reasons, knowing that guests we send from Genius Loci will be treated with courtesy, sincere personal attention and interest whether they purchase the smallest item, a significant work...or nothing at all.

More and more I feel we need to actively promote and support our glorious local artisan tradition. If we skip a generation of this tradition...it will likely be lost forever!
I share an enormous respect for our Umbrian heritage, its magnificent artistic history, its meticulous dedication to the very highest standards of quality (inspite of the invasive "Chinese factor"). These are extremely hard times for those who so proudly strive to carry on that tradition on our behalf, who so fervently believe in the art of their craft, who so adamantly protect this heritage for all of us and for generations to follow.