By Chiara Sebastiani
Every entrepreneurial story has a precise starting point, but it does not always arise from a pre-defined project: it is often the result of meetings, experiences and choices that mature over time. This is the case of Gabriele Saccone, now at the helm of G&B together with his partner Simone Erra. A reality built step by step, between construction sites, professional growth and an increasingly conscious passion for wood and its infinite expressive possibilities.
G&B was officially born on February 1, 2010, when Gabriele decided to set up his own business after a period of training alongside his father. A solo start, between Versilia and Milan, which represents a real professional gym: intense years of work in the field, different experiences and constant technical growth. The return to Viareggio marks a turning point: this is where Simone Erra comes into play, met years earlier and called back at a time of expansion. From employee to partner the step is short, but significant: in 2017 G&B SRL was born, and with it a reality that today has ten people and two offices, in Viareggio and Lucca.
A growth built without forcing, following a simple but decisive philosophy: do well what you love.
“We do what we like,” says Gabriele, and in this sentence perhaps one of the key elements of their success is condensed. In the craft sector, especially when dealing with living materials such as wood, passion is not an accessory element, but an integral part of the final result.
Gabriele’s path in the world of parquet was born almost by chance, but soon turned into a conscious choice. After leaving school, he began working with his father and it was in that experience that he discovered a growing interest in wood and its ability to transform spaces. When the father steps aside, leaving him autonomy, that curiosity consolidates until it becomes a real profession.
Today, G&B stands out for its comprehensive approach, combining technical expertise and listening skills. It is not simply a matter of selling or laying a floor, but of accompanying each project in all its phases: from the initial consultation to the choice of materials, from design to construction, up to maintenance. A tailor-made path, which always starts from a dialogue: understanding needs, tastes, habits, and then translating them into concrete solutions.
In an era dominated by industrial and standardized materials, parquet retains a unique identity. Wood is a unique material: every board is different; every surface tells a story. G&B has made this uniqueness a strength, also developing a niche dedicated to fully customized products. Sizes, finishes, colors: everything can be defined together, to create a real “tailor-made suit” for the space and for those who live in it.
The selection of raw materials is a crucial step. G&B relies on structured suppliers such as Italwood and Strenia, companies that guarantee quality, continuity, and a wide range of solutions. A choice that allows you to work on several levels, offering products ranging from more accessible ranges to high-end proposals, always maintaining a balance between aesthetics, functionality and durability.
The theme of sustainability, now more central than ever, finds a natural ally in wood. But the company’s commitment also extends to processes. Water-based paints, certified adhesives, attention to the healthiness of the environment: every choice is aimed at reducing the impact, protecting both those who work and those who will live in those spaces.
The two offices, in Lucca and Viareggio, make it possible to intercept a heterogeneous clientele, ranging from residents to owners of second homes, up to an international presence. Despite the differences in origin, each project is unique, with specific needs and tastes. Those who come with an architect often already have a more defined vision, but the role of the company remains that of interpreting and transforming ideas into concrete solutions.
The parquet sector has experienced a strong evolution in recent years. Where solid wood once dominated, today pre-finished products offer a much wider range of possibilities. The nature of wood does not change, but its variations are expanded: colors, finishes and sizes allow it to be adapted to very different contexts, from rustic to contemporary.
Among the most interesting trends is the French herringbone installation, a classic design that in recent years has regained great popularity for its timeless elegance. Alongside this, G&B offers special materials such as fossil oak, a thousand-year-old wood with deep tones, and Sabine oak, an expression of an all-Italian supply chain.
If there is one mistake that Gabriele recommends avoiding when choosing a wooden floor, it is to focus exclusively on savings. A parquet is not a temporary element: it is a surface destined to last, to be lived in every day. Investing in quality means guaranteeing resistance, stability and beauty over time. Today, wood has gone beyond the traditional boundaries of interior design: it is also used outdoors, by the pool, in bathrooms and even in the nautical sector. An evolution that requires specific skills and constant maintenance, services that G&B guarantees even after installation.
Within G&B, the roles are complementary: Simone mainly follows the administrative and operational part, while Gabriele deals with the management of customers and construction sites. A natural division that reflects different but perfectly integrated skills.
At the end of each work, what remains is the satisfaction of those who will live on that floor every day. A transformed environment, a successful project, a positive review: these are the elements that give meaning to the path. For G&B, the value of work lies not only in the finished product, but in the relationship between material and people, between technology and the quality of everyday life.
Info: Via Aurelia Nord 75, Viareggio / Via Barsanti e Matteucci 21, Lucca / Tel 328 9164268 Gabriele – 327 6681018 Simone
