Inspiration

Francois & Co was founded in 1997 by Thierry Francois, a visionary who wished to revive the movement of heritage and artistry in modern day living. Hailing from the picturesque and charming Mediterranean island of Corsica, Thierry was raised with an acute awareness of beauty, history and culture. Combined with the warmth of family and home, and a sense of the rarity and importance of true craftsmanship, Thierry became captivated with the concept of paying homage to a key element of any European dwelling- the mantel.

Thierry scoured the European continent, seeking the finest examples of carved stone mantels. An experience never to be forgotten, he stumbled upon the ruins of a 12th century chateau, and discovered a spectacular mantel nestled in the rubble of an old hall. Moving onward, his collection today is a striking selection of singular masterpieces of incalculable historical and artistic value. With this collection, Thierry has been further inspired to create, bringing together innovative methods with traditional standards and growing Francois & Co’s offerings into other key architectural elements and surfaces.

Authenticity

An avid studier of ancient European crafts, Thierry is fascinated with restoring one in particular,Scagliola, to its rightful place. This time honored technique allows for creating a literal thumbprint of an original, down to the tiniest detail. It flourished in 17th through 19th century Europe as the highest form of ornamental stone artwork and architectural applications, and was used in the most luxurious residences and ornate churches. Using Scagliola, Thierry has been able to create exact and perfect replicas in the Francois & Co. Historic Collection of French and English antique mantels. Through Thierry’s efforts and innovative spirit, Francois & Co now offers an array of finishes in its trademark Scagliola Stone TM.

Thierry’s love for exploring new concepts has led him to evolve his dream of curating the finest selection of antique European mantels into designing and creating an exceptional collection that also includes range hoods and surfaces. He has built an extraordinary team of talented artisans, along with a plethora of designs and quality materials, to make Francois & Co a powerhouse for architects, designers, builders and homeowners.