This Interior Designer from Small-Town Italy Is Living the American Dream in L.A.
The design world features professionals of all ages and backgrounds.
We first introduced you to a Cantoni designer who found her passion later in life, but now it’s time to meet her coworker, Valentina Cannito, who knew what she wanted to do with her career almost right away.
“As a kid, I always liked to rearrange furniture around the house to create new looks and layouts,” Valentina says. “I’ve always loved to make things from scratch and believe I inherited my creative abilities from my mom, who is a very talented seamstress.”
The Italian-born designer also attributes her passion for architecture to where she grew up.
“I was born in Italy, so just walking the streets of my hometown was inspiring,” Valentina says. “I grew up in a small Roman town called Acqui Terme. I was constantly surrounded by history, art and architecture.”
However, she learned quickly that her mind was set on interiors.
“When I decided to go to architecture school, I wanted to understand buildings as a whole, not just interiors,” Valentina says. “But what I discovered was that interior design was my real, true passion.”
Since then, Valentina has grown from a little girl in small-town Italy, to a successful L.A. design consultant for Cantoni.
“As cliché as it may sound, I’ve always believed in the ‘American Dream’ and wanted to apply my creativity in a place where opportunities and possibilities were ever-present,” she says.
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Although she attributes this pursuit of the “American Dream” to her success, Valentina realizes her international background is an asset to her growth in the industry.
“My background has made me able to combine styles that belong to a different time in history in a fluid way,” she says. “I am working on a pretty big project for two homes in Mexico City at the moment. The client loves our customizable selection at Cantoni and trusts my expertise, which makes us a great team.”
Valentina is passionate about many of Cantoni’s offerings, but she says she has two favorites.
“My favorite piece at the moment is the River Dining Table by Cattelan Italia. I also love the new Fashion Affair Collection from Malerba. The buffet and its interiors feature a nice surprise that is definitely worth discovering in-person. Plus, it’s a collection exclusive to Cantoni throughout the U.S.”
When she’s not working, Valentina’s dog Gaia keeps her active on hiking trails and along the boardwalk in Santa Monica.
“I love the diversity of architecture in Santa Monica. It’s amazing to see a historical building and very contemporary homes co-existing within the same neighborhood.”
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