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A Small Start in a Big City – Cisco Brothers Celebrates Their 25th Year
The family-run, Los Angeles based company brings a west coast flair to their showroom in High Point. The cozy and inviting space is sprinkled with iconic Los Angeles pieces – graffiti pillows, blue hand-blown glass light fixtures and a life-sized text reminder stating, “MADE IN LA.”
Walking into the brightly lit showroom, you quickly recognize the urban influence of an always fashionable, but not fussy family. A few steps in and it feels as if you have been transported to an exquisite large loft-like downtown apartment. Casual. Curated. Calming. The Cisco Brothers style seems to combine chic comfort with inquisitive centerpieces. And as a reminder of their light-hearted approach amidst a sea of white linen couches and fluffy oversized throw pillows, two indoor swings sway casually from reclaimed crane strapping – for this market they have become instagram magic.
From Low-Riders to Lounges
Francisco “Cisco” Pinedo started in the upholstery business doing low-riders before making the switch to furniture. A talented craftsman from LA – his knack for design and comfort led him to create furniture that was both comfortable and beautiful. In 1990, he took the leap by emptying his savings account and starting Cisco Brothers. The company’s humble beginning was quickly skyrocketed by their creation and use of slipcovers. Their big break came at a Culver City furniture store where the first signature Cisco Brothers slipcovers sold so many orders in one night that they thought the fax machine might have been broken.
Since then, Cisco Brothers has grown to become a driver in sustainable furniture manufacturing. As the company has grown and evolved, one thing has remained at the center of their inspiration and success – their hometown, Los Angeles. Cisco was born and raised in the city, growing up during the LA riots. His choice to stay enhanced his love for his community and provides an unending source of inspiration for the brand. This same inspiration and philosophy has been passed down to his talented pair of daughters Maurishka and Natalie, who are leading in marketing, development and design.
“Inspiring environments that feel good – that’s our goal.” Maurishka and Natalie, share, “Its about feeling good – eating well, wearing soft clothes, and taking care of yourself while surrounding yourself with friends that make you feel the same. We work hard to create an environment around those ideas.”
The Cisco philosophy also overflows into the location and selection of their showrooms, “We will not settle for a space that does not speak to us or the product or does not tell the Cisco story well,” states Maurishka.
When asked about the other inspirations, Maurishka and Natalie are quick to offer food as a driving source for inspiration. “A lot revolves around food,” says Maurishka, “when we go on vacation we are always planning what we are going to eat for lunch at the breakfast table and what we are eating for dinner at lunch.” Food has been so influential in both their family and professional lives that they even added a kitchen to their showroom where Cisco plays chef with fresh local and seasonal ingredients.
Additionally, colors influenced by seasons play a big role in their design process. Spring brings out the dramatic white linens, while winter lends itself to rich deep green leathers -like our Moore & Giles Echo Autumn Leaf. “We like to view leather as jewelry pieces,” says Maurishka. Though leather may not be an overwhelming site in the Cisco showroom, the leather pieces are very intentional. They are quick to take advantage of the beauty marks of natural leather, showcasing our Absolute collection’s beautiful pull and color variation on bright colored one-of-a-kind stools.
As tradition goes, the family business – a mix of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and daughters to Cisco – genuinely seek to create pieces that will be passed on from generation to generation. One of their favorite, and most well loved sofa frames, “The Donato.” is posed at the front of their showroom as an invitation to sit, rest and be with family. After our time with Cisco and the girls, that is exactly where we could be found.
Find out more about Cisco Brothers here: http://www.ciscobrothers.com/
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