Each piece - a softly contoured armchair, a minimalist ceramic table, a lamp that seems sculpted from light - tells a story of craftsmanship, research and tradition. And behind that story is Steven Berengo, the director and grandson of the company’s founders.
Steven represents the third generation of a family that turned a passion for Italian design into a stalwart of high-end furniture in Australia.
“It all started almost fifty years ago,” he recalls with the enthusiasm of someone deeply connected to their roots, “My grandfather came to Melbourne from Venice for a holiday.
“Here, he met my grandmother and decided to stay. He was a painter by trade, but it was during the renovation of his first house that he discovered the world of kitchens and furniture.”
The couple’s first attempt to import Italian kitchens ran into a crucial obstacle: Italian standard measurements didn’t align with Australian dimensions. That’s when they had the idea to import custom-made Italian furniture.
From that moment on, container after container arrived from Europe, marking the true beginning of the Berengo family’s entrepreneurial adventure.
The real turning point came in the 1980s, with the opening of their first showroom in Armadale. It broke with tradition and introduced a modern, innovative design to the city, showcasing brands that were virtually unknown in Australia at the time, such as Poliform and Noto.
“These were products that even most Italian immigrants in Australia didn’t know,” Berengo pointed out, “They weren’t the baroque or classical furniture people expected. Our stuff was, and still is, contemporary, refined and functional.”
Today, Living Interiors is synonymous with carefully selected, customisable and made-to-order Italian design. “Most of the pieces we sell don’t exist until they’re ordered,” the director explained.
“They’re made to measure by the manufacturer in Italy. Each table, each sofa is crafted for the customer; you choose the material, the finish and the dimensions based on the brand’s available options.” The furniture is not the product of total customisation, but tailored like haute couture.
The company’s objective is clear: to offer quality, beauty and versatility while keeping customers’ budgets in mind.
“Not everyone can furnish an entire home with Italian designer furniture, but many choose an iconic piece for the living room or kitchen,” shared Berengo, “We also aim to offer other valid European alternatives, sometimes more affordable ones.”
Aesthetic appeal matters too, and Berengo has honed his eye over the years, thanks in part to his roots.
“Living and travelling in Italy since I was young, and growing up in tastefully furnished environments, shaped my sensitivity to design,” he revealed, “But today, we also base product selection on hard data like what sold last year, what architects are asking for, what international trends are emerging.”
One key event for this is the Salone del Mobile in Milan, one of the design world’s most prestigious trade fairs.
“Going there means seeing new collections, speaking with suppliers and discovering innovative materials like technical ceramics, which are very popular now for kitchen counters and tables, and finding inspiration for what might work here in Australia.”
Innovation, in other words, isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
In a market far more competitive than it was in the 1980s, Living Interiors continues to stand out through its attention to detail and focus on quality.
“Every piece we offer has to make aesthetic sense, but also meet the customer’s practical needs,” Berengo adds.
And for those looking to take advantage, this weekend marks the annual May Sale, with discounts of up to 20 per cent on exclusive brands.
“It’s the perfect time to order custom furniture and receive it in time for the holiday season,” said the director.
“The wait is part of the value; when a piece is made just for you, you appreciate its beauty even more.”
Living Interiors isn’t just a successful business. It’s a family vision that, for three generations, has brought the best of Italian elegance to Australia. They’ve done it quietly, passionately and with the unmistakable touch of those who know that true beauty takes time and is all in the detail.
