WHEN TALENTED PROFESSIONALS TALK, WE LISTEN.
Borgo in italian means a small neighborhood community where people gather together to talk about life, drinking a coffee or a glass of wine. When owner and creative director mimmo rosati had the vision of a lifestyle concept store, rosati thought about people in bend coming not just for shopping but also to clear their minds in an enviroment with a curated lifestyle, to enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of prosecco made for borgo rosati. Rosati selects all products around the world, from furniture to one-of-a-kind rugs, from artworks to home décor, from tableware to entertaining items. His wife, kristin, selects clothing and jewelry.
Borgo Rosati
Mimmo Rosati, Owner & Creative Director
Kristin Rosati, Clothing & Jewelry Buyer
“When I was producing ceramics in Italy and traveling around the world I saw so much talent and skill in people and artists, that I wanted to take that experience to Borgo Rosati.”
-Mimmo Rosati
What services do you offer?
Interior design, consultant for residential and office spaces.
What geographic area do you serve?
U.S.A. (we ship all our products across the country).
Do you have any special certifications or specialties?
I have been in production, product development, and design for tableware and giftware for over 40 years from Europe to North and South America, from the Middle East and Far East, South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.
When did you know that you wanted to go into this field and what motivated you?
When I was producing ceramics in Italy and traveling around the world I saw so much talent and skill in people and artists, that I wanted to take that experience to Borgo Rosati.
What inspires you?
The Renaissance period in Italy and the talent of the artists and the design in any products involving our lifestyle.
How do you see your field changing in the next five to ten years?
Improving the quality of the products and the designs that Borgo Rosati offers to its network of customers and helping artists and artisans to find a channel or bridge to the community through Borgo Rosati.
Describe your process. how do you work with clients, contractors, designers, and architects?
We listen to our clients and designers about their needs, to understand the environment of the property that they are working on and make sure that we keep an organic relationship with the ins and outs of the person and the environment.
What other specialties do you have in-house?
Our collections in any department are top of the line, and we stand by our products and services so that our clients can have complete trust in what we suggest and what they purchase from us.
What project(s) are you the most proud of?
We are all proud of any projects we are involved in, from a setup of a dining table to the designing of a living room.
Do you have favorite products you prefer or are known for?
Our Middle East one-of-a-kind rugs, our found pieces, especially from the South Pacific, our collections of ceramicware, glassware, and tabletop items. I am very proud of each piece Borgo Rosati offers in its space.
What tricks of the trade have you learned over the years that you’d be willing to share with us?
The goal is to acquire a customer, not to have a sale. Treat your customers with professionalism, build trust and solve the problems; when they show up they will stick around for the next project. Our goal is to have our clients with a smiling face every time they come to our space.
What word(s) do people use to describe your work?
The funniest one is: coming to Borgo is like going to a happy place for meditation and relaxation. That means a whole world to me because that is the vision I embrace for Borgo Rosati.
What is the most exciting new product or development in your field?
We are presenting a new collection of Cisco in the beginning of the fall and we’ll extend the Libeco Collection to bedding.
What do you enjoy most about your line of work?
Meeting people in our community: it is very exciting to get to know all the interesting and talented people in different enviroments who live in central oregon, all year-round or for vacation.
How did you get your start?
There was not a starting point. I feel like I have been looking for beautiful things since I was a kid. It helps to grow up in a country like Italy surrounded by beautiful architecture, unique artwork, and people with great skills. As an Italian I learned to be a materialist rather than a consumer. I still wear shoes or clothing that I bought more than 10 or 15 years ago. Buying quality is the cheapest purchase you can make: it makes you save money through the years.
What music do you listen to when you work?
American Folk is my favorite but I like any kind of music that gives you an emotion, it could be Johnny Cash, or Pavarotti, or Lady Gaga.
If you could own any piece of fine art, and any “toy” what would they be?
I would like to own one of our Kader Boly pieces, The Stars Basket: it is about our dreams and how we can get close to them. AND I’d own Harley’s Bad Boy Motorcycle: a symbol of America and freedom.
Last book you read that you would recommend?
I read again Milan Kundera’s “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”. It is about growing and transition from a light life to real happiness throught the drama that life gives us.
What is sure to make you smile?
A smile from my grandson, Edoardo.
What’s on the top of your list as a great getaway?
On the vespa with my wife, Kristin, on the Amalfi Coast.
