Maestro Luca - Italian Wood Artist
IDRQQ | Maestro Luca – Italian Wood Artist and Visionary of Four Legged Tiles | Luca Vezzaro, or Maestro Luca to many, is an esteemed Italian wood artist who has been residing in the Philippines for over two decades. He has redefined the essence of wood, elevating it to an art form that commands attention and deserves a prominent place within the domestic sphere. As the founder of Four Legged Tiles, launched in 2017, Vezzaro and his company specialize in crafting exquisite wooden tiles, wall art decors, artistic doors, and accent furniture, all handcrafted with precision and care.
Maestro Luca, with over thirty years of experience in various artistic fields and a deep appreciation for Filipino culture, continues to innovate and inspire, proving that passion combined with resilience can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Wood, when transformed through the skilled hands of an artisan, transcends its natural state to embody a more vibrant and colorful existence.
Vezzaro’s amalgamation of artistic flair and technical prowess has been instrumental in the creation of Four Legged Tiles‘ distinctive offerings. His fervent passion for wood has propelled the company into realms of innovation previously unimagined, resulting in a diverse array of handmade wooden tiles renowned for their exceptional textures and enchanting colors. 
Maestro Luca: Drawing Inspiration
Maestro Luca, drawing inspiration from his familial lineage, has significantly advanced the art of woodworking through innovative practices. A third-generation craftsman from the Venezia region and the visionary behind Four-Legged Tiles, he inherited his passion for woodworking from his predecessors.
Among the myriad of companies, Four-Legged Tiles stands unparalleled in the Philippines for its manual craftsmanship of authentic wooden tiles, blending Italian expertise with Filipino artisanship.
The company utilizes quality wood sourced from sustainably managed forests worldwide, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring ethical procurement practices.
“We acquire wood from FSC-certified sources, thereby avoiding any involvement with illegal logging activities,” Vezzaro asserts.
He reveals that tiles are a staple in interior design but have undergone transformations in terms of materials and finishes. Despite these changes, there is a clear preference for traditional designs enhanced with contemporary touches, distinguished by their unique textures and inherent character. Thus, Vezzaro emphasizes, there is a growing demand for wooden textured tiles.
Resilience and Embracing Challenges
Not all has always been rosy for Maestro Luca. The year 2020 was poised to be a landmark for Four Legged Tiles with its planned debut at the prestigious Philippine International Furniture Show at the SMX Convention Center. However, like a sudden storm, the pandemic arrived, altering plans for industries and individuals alike.
Despite the event’s cancellation just days before its commencement, Luca’s enthusiasm remained undiminished. He had meticulously prepared a series of new, innovative collections featuring handcrafted, hand-carved, and hand-painted wooden tiles destined to transform any space into a work of art.
“The pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns seemed gloomy for the business, but it challenged our creativity and resilience. It was a call to adapt and innovate.” Maestro Luca recalls.
Embracing the challenge, Vezzaro swiftly pivoted to digital platforms to showcase his new creations, believing in the resilience and appeal of his products. This strategic shift not only sustained the business but surprisingly boosted sales during the initial lockdown months. Luca’s foresight in maintaining a substantial inventory of raw materials enabled the team to fulfill new orders seamlessly once operations resumed.
The dedication to his craft and his team was evident as he ensured the well-being of his in-house carpenters, who stayed at the company’s accommodation during the lockdown. They were not only compensated but were also cared for, receiving essentials and means to stay connected with their families.
As the pandemic persisted, Four Legged Tiles adapted to the new normal, replacing physical client interactions with digital engagements. Luca observed how adeptly Filipinos navigated this shift, leveraging social media to engage with brands like never before.
“The unique ability of Filipinos in adapting to new circumstances is truly inspiring,” he notes.
The extended time at home has also shifted consumer behavior, with more people investing in enhancing their personal spaces. Luca’s insights into these changes have spurred him to continuously innovate, ensuring his creations meet the evolving desires of homeowners. “If their home is their sanctuary, our mission is to make it visually stunning,” Vezzaro asserts.
With a profound belief in his mission and a love for his craft, Luca maintains, “Believing strongly in what you do and loving your work unconditionally, assures you of success. In fact, I believe that Four Legged Tiles has elevated wood craftsmanship to a whole new level.”
Elevating Craftsmanship
At the heart of Four Legged Tiles’ enterprise is world class quality kiln-dried wood. The FSC-certified wood undergoes a kiln-drying process to enhance its durability. While Vezzaro’s forebears specialized in traditional furniture, he has expanded the scope of their craftsmanship by experimenting with various unique and innovative finishes and materials.
Maestro Luca elaborates on his unique approach in crafting various designs in his projects. He revealed that not all techniques are the same.
“Our tiles are adorned with accents of melted metal gildings, mother-of-pearl, engraving, glazing, distressed finishes, and designs that mimic gemstones, just to name a few. Each tile is meticulously crafted by hand, ensuring no two pieces are identical,” Vezzaro said.
He is supported by a team of more than 15 well-trained Filipino artisans.
Four-Legged Tiles specializes in producing an array of decorative items including wall décor, wall cladding, sculptures, statement doors, and accent furniture for both private and commercial clientele.
“We cater to clients seeking exclusivity and uniqueness,” Vezzaro notes, sharing an anecdote of a widow who commissioned a seashell-shaped wall décor in memory of her late husband, a Shell executive.
The company also offers custom mosaic tiles, meticulously hand-painted and assembled to create personalized images, including photorealistic mosaics.
One of Vezzaro’s most ambitious projects involved creating an 80-square-meter accent wall for the Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Tugbo, Masbate City, featuring over 90,000 handmade and hand-painted tiles.
For a client in Baguio, Vezzaro crafted an 8-meter wall decoration inspired by the Kalinga tapis, incorporating wooden shells, each intricately made by hand to achieve a unique aesthetic effect complemented by hanging Capiz shells that produce melodious sounds in the breeze.
Mixing Both Italian and Filipino Innovation and Dedication
Maestro Luca narrates that in 2017, he established the company by drawing upon his extensive background in various artistic and manufacturing disciplines spanning over three decades.
Vezzaro’s journey began in 1994 when he moved to the Philippines, following an invitation from a German client. What was intended to be a brief visit transformed into the inception of a business that initially focused on handmade paper products for major retailers in Europe and the United States, including Walmart and Costco.
“I am an Italian with a Filipino heart, proud to have introduced a novel product that was non-existent six years ago,” states the 60-year-old artisan.
In 2017, Maestro Luca returned to his first love, woodworking, and established Four-Legged Tiles, concentrating on furniture accented with wooden tiles. As demand for decorative surfaces grew, he shifted focus to wall décor, setting up a 2,209-square meter manufacturing facility in San Pedro, Laguna.
Today, the business primarily serves the local Philippine market, attracting clients willing to invest in the elegance and uniqueness of their products.
The Road Ahead
Four Legged Tiles distinguishes itself as the sole producer of these artisanal wooden tiles, suitable for a variety of applications including framed wall art, wall claddings, and accents. Vezzaro’s reverence for nature’s bounty is evident in his work; each tile is a testament to the unique beauty and narrative inherent in wood grain, enhanced through modern manufacturing techniques and a broad palette of colors.
Currently, the company boasts an impressive portfolio of over 30 collections, with ongoing research and development efforts aimed at expanding their design repertoire.
“Our philosophy is simple: ‘We transform wood into the products of your dreams. We are committed to customization, striving to exceed our customers’ expectations by bringing their visions to fruition,” Vezzaro remarked.
The Four Legged Tiles factory and showroom, situated in San Pedro Laguna, operates with a dedicated team including Arlie Mae Gomez, co-owner and Vice President of Operations and Maria Monica Briones, Marketing Manager and business partner.
The company goal is to showcase the unparalleled beauty and uniqueness of wood tiles, demonstrating the transformative power of combining natural grain patterns with inventive color schemes.
Vezzaro concludes, “What sets our company apart is our ability to materialize the product of your dreams. We introduce an entirely new concept to the Filipino market, unmatched locally. The creation process is driven by emotion and artistic vision. Our foundational principles are rooted in our knowledge, passion for craftsmanship, and the essence of wood, love, and soul as our core materials.”
Looking forward, Maestro Luca remains optimistic about the resilience of the local furniture industry, bolstered by the talent of Filipino designers and craftsmen. His journey is a testament to the power of creativity, determination, and passion.
