IMAGINE A HOME REMODEL THAT REQUIRES LITTLE MORE THAN POINTINGa finger and nodding approval—while sipping a demitasse of espresso. Enter the world of Giovanni Laucella, an Italian craftsman who left his home in Nusco, Italy, in 1998 to launch a business in the United States with his sons. Combining old-world aesthetics with new-world ingenuity, they’ve built Giovanni’s Tile Design into one of Atlanta’s top showrooms. The company specializes in high-end decorative tile and natural stone, offering unmatched expertise in design and installation services for the kitchen, bath and anything else you may desire.

Laucella’s hometown is located in Southern Italy’s Campania region, nestled in a remote, rural valley. Counted among i borghi più belli d’Italia—the most beautiful villages in Italy—its centuries-old architecture informed his sensibilities and inspires his artisanal tilework today. The entire family, Laucella’s wife and co-founder, Maria, sons Antonio and Silvio, and daughter, Giovanna, worked together to bring to fruition their vision and unique approach to the business of home improvement.

“Shops in Nusco are full of beautiful old tiles and original wood counters. My father brings that artistic background he grew up with to the designs we create here, especially the mosaics,” says Giovanna Laucella, whose responsibilities include attending trade shows and buying all the product for the company in addition to providing interior design for kitchen and bath projects. While she has a degree in international economics from Georgia State University, she’s worked for her parents’ company since she was a teen, inspiring her love for kitchen and bath design. She’ll soon have her certification as a kitchen and bath designer (CKBD).

The company’s brand of quality extends into every level of service offered by Giovanni’s Tile Design. An expert sales team guides customers with their own contractors and designers seeking product for their renovation project. The company is also equipped to provide clients with its own team of professionals, offering three different levels of services, from planning through installation. Projects unfold with a consultation (and espresso) with Giovanna Laucella in one of two showrooms that feature an abundance of product and options. “The client and I meet to discuss their vision,” she explains. “I evaluate the scope of the work and propose the appropriate budget point.”

A site visit at the home follows, where she comes to understand the client’s lifestyle and space. For the client seeking a comprehensive level of service, everything is performed in-house by the company’s extensive team. “I do the design, the elevation and construction plans. My brothers oversee a team of installers. We’re a one-stop shop,” she adds.

Project manager Silvio Laucella takes on a general contractor role, interfacing with customers and overseeing workers. In addition to handling installation matters, brother Antonio Laucella is charged with executing delicate custom tilework.

“When you sign up with them, they take care of everything,” says Alpharetta homeowner R.C.C., who says she was convinced, after seeing her neighbor’s beautiful remodel, that Giovanni’s Tile was the company she would go with. “They have a roster of trusted painters, plumbers, carpenters, electricians they work with. I didn’t have to do any scheduling—which was great because that’s hard to do on your own. And all the contractors they work with were expert at what they did and wonderful to have in my home.”

R.C.C.’s project involved a bath remodel and full gut of the home’s kitchen, replacing cabinetry, the backsplash and kitchen hood. Sink faucet plumbing was updated to match the new hardware on the cabinetry. “I met Giovanni the day we launched the project,” notes R.C.C. “He was very attentive. Silvio came out and did all the measuring. Antonio did the backsplash tiling—he did a beautiful job.”

R.C.C. took the opportunity to visit a local slab gallery to inspect the many varieties of semi-raw stone to determine the colors and veining best suited for her projects. Giovanna Laucella says she brings samples of cabinet, backsplash and hardware materials to ensure the match is perfect.

Giovanni’s Tile Design sources marble from around the world, especially stone quarried in Italy, Turkey and Brazil; Taj Mahal is a top-selling favorite. The company partners with Porcelanosa, a group based in Spain, renowned worldwide for its selection of state-of-the-art ceramics. Other partners include top names in the appliance industry, like Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove; Bertazzoni; and Riflesso Interiors, as well as Atlas Concorde, Hansgrohe and Wellborn Cabinet.

“We import large-format 24-by-48-inch porcelain tiles from Italy, which are mainly a marble and concrete look,” says Giovanna Laucella. “They offer beauty and durability—the best of both worlds, especially for high-traffic areas.”

“We want our work to last for many years,” adds her father. “We take great care with the design and with the install. So, we strive for a sense of timelessness in what we offer design-wise to our clients, for the product to stand the test of time.”

With a track record of almost 30 years serving the Atlanta area and beyond, Giovanni’s Tile Design has built a reputation among its predominantly residential clientele for meticulous craftsmanship, and it continues to garner multiple industry accolades, among them a 2024 NKBA (National Kitchen + Bath Association) Selection Studio award and a 2025 NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Residential Interior Feature Under $15,000 award.

Giovanni’s Tile imports semi-custom cabinet lines from Italy, choosing a design aesthetic tending toward the transitional and modern. The company also creates fully customized cabinetry on an as-needed basis. Other Italian imports include high-end furnishings for living spaces, like sofas, chairs, rugs, tables and media centers.

What makes the company truly unique is a strong commitment to customer service. The entire family supports it and will go the extra distance to accommodate a client who, for example, is waiting for a back-ordered showerhead, by delivering it themselves.

“We put a high value on understanding exactly what the client wants and make that come to life for them,” says Giovanna Laucella. “If they’re hoping to save money on an item, we’ll find a way to make that happen.”

“They take a lot of pride in their work,” notes R.C.C. “They want to make you happy. Our projects moved forward in a very timely way, and we trusted them throughout the process. My husband and I are very happy with the results and will go to them for our next project.” *

Wendy Swat Snyder is a Charleston-based freelance writer (sweetgrassandgrits.com).

What makes the company truly unique is a strong commitment to customer service.