The Fratonity
What are the key elements that go into all of Frato’s collections?
At Frato, we are guided by three main achievements: perfection, elegance and quality. More than ever, I think our latest pieces reflect these values. Also, we keep professing the doctrine of conciliation between our aesthetics and the clients’ creative flair. Our collections are customisable, bearing in mind clients’ specific needs as well as their personal interpretation of life. From the beginning Frato’s designs were inspired by influences from some of the most magnificent places on earth. It is our wish to describe a unique universe where exclusivity is nurtured and individuality can flourish.
The concept of family seems to be an important factor for Frato, especially since you are a husband and wife team and the brand is named after your children.
Yes it is. Everything in Frato is part of an agreement, of a negotiation between parts, with Carlos as the CEO and Patricia as the creative director. We have a twoman management style, which is reflected in everything. While each individual may oversee a specific area of the business, all the decisions are made as a team and it really influences the kind of harmony we inject into our designs.
What do you think of homeowners in Singapore?
They are a very savvy group and eager to learn more about design. I’m glad to say that we are gaining great recognition and acceptance from local homeowners. In fact, we’ve already managed to treble our initial store space in Singapore within three years since our launch here at Marquis Studio. We now have an area of approximately 5,000 sq ft to showcase our collections.
What is a dominant trend in furnishing at the moment?
It would be the combination of natural elements with bolder forms. When incorporating this ideal, we are careful to maintain the delicate balance between these elements to ensure that they remain within our brand’s design philosophy. You can expect to see a mixing of materials, such as wood, metal and stone in our collections. For colours, we remain inclined towards soft colours, such as white, grey, and beige. We’re also making room for stronger shades, such as green, orange and yellow to lend some vibrancy to the spectrum.
In your opinion, are there stark differences between Asian and European homeowners?
Although the Middle Eastern market is more inclined towards opting for golden and shiny finishes, we don’t really see a great difference between the preferences of homeowners in the countries that we are present in. We feel that globalisation has reached a point where most homeowners are updated of the latest trends and share similar views on furnishing styles.
Carlos Faria and Patricia Serra Santos, founders of Portuguese brand Frato, explain why a family-centric philosophy is essential to its global success