GIOVANNI is the son of Mimmo Girbino, whose artistic creations can be seen throughout this region of Sicily on church doors, memorial statues, ceramic facades and elsewhere.
Giovanni learned his craft as he grew up under his father’s watchful and teaching eye, thereby embracing his own personal technical vocabulary. Today he sculpts clay portraits and casts them in bronze. He also designs and creates stained glass windows, doors and decorative items. Additionally, Giovanni is astute at creating handmade furnishings as well as renovating antiques and used furniture.
PATRICIA studied marquetry in one of the last traditional Parisian Studios, the Atelier Lacroix-Marrec. To complete her training in arts and crafts, she then studied the techniques of decorative painting faux wood, marble and metals.
In 2002, Patricia painted the backdrop décor framing the exhibition "Modigliani” at the Luxembourg Museum. In 2003, she launched the brand “Ka-I Ka-O,” a charming decorative brand for children which includes paper angel wings, three-dimensional colorful framed insects and many other curiosities.
When GIOVANNI and PATRICIA met they began to work together, and Palazzu Stidda was one of their first dreams and goals. They have since revived the memory of this historically acknowledged building.
The Palazzu Stidda mansion was built in the XIX century as a residence for the family of a composer, of whom time has forgotten. Giovanni and Patricia have restored it to what it is today; a residence for travelers fortunate to discover it, be its guests and leave their footprints among its history.
After 10 years of overseeing these charming flats and meeting so many wonderful guests, they have decided to fulfill their goal of concentrating 100 percent on their art and handcrafts.They now operate thier business as FAMIGLIA MANIDORO.
You still can reach them through their new website www.famigliamanidoro.com. While there, we invite you to join their newsletter so they can stay in touch with you.
Giovanni learned his craft as he grew up under his father’s watchful and teaching eye, thereby embracing his own personal technical vocabulary. Today he sculpts clay portraits and casts them in bronze. He also designs and creates stained glass windows, doors and decorative items. Additionally, Giovanni is astute at creating handmade furnishings as well as renovating antiques and used furniture.
PATRICIA studied marquetry in one of the last traditional Parisian Studios, the Atelier Lacroix-Marrec. To complete her training in arts and crafts, she then studied the techniques of decorative painting faux wood, marble and metals.
In 2002, Patricia painted the backdrop décor framing the exhibition "Modigliani” at the Luxembourg Museum. In 2003, she launched the brand “Ka-I Ka-O,” a charming decorative brand for children which includes paper angel wings, three-dimensional colorful framed insects and many other curiosities.
When GIOVANNI and PATRICIA met they began to work together, and Palazzu Stidda was one of their first dreams and goals. They have since revived the memory of this historically acknowledged building.
The Palazzu Stidda mansion was built in the XIX century as a residence for the family of a composer, of whom time has forgotten. Giovanni and Patricia have restored it to what it is today; a residence for travelers fortunate to discover it, be its guests and leave their footprints among its history.
After 10 years of overseeing these charming flats and meeting so many wonderful guests, they have decided to fulfill their goal of concentrating 100 percent on their art and handcrafts.They now operate thier business as FAMIGLIA MANIDORO.
You still can reach them through their new website www.famigliamanidoro.com. While there, we invite you to join their newsletter so they can stay in touch with you.
