Amid this legacy emerges Leo De Carlo, the visionary designer behind the Penasa Mirror with Shelf. Born in Venice in 1972, De Carlo’s journey reflects the essence of his city — where art, water, and reflection coexist in perpetual motion. A graduate in Industrial Design from the Milan Polytechnic, he began his career alongside the legendary Philippe Starck in Paris, working on projects spanning furnishings, lighting, and interiors. These early experiences shaped his distinctive approach: a fusion of minimalist structure and emotional fluidity. Returning to his native Venice, De Carlo founded his studio, devoting his practice to designs that explore the poetry of materials. His works often oscillate between precision and imperfection, geometry and nature — mirroring the organic unpredictability of glass itself.

It was this philosophy that gave rise to the Penasa Mirror, part of Arte Veneziana’s MELT Collection. Drawing inspiration from the Murano furnaces, where glass takes form through the alchemy of heat and craftsmanship, De Carlo conceived the mirror as a living homage to Venice’s lagoon. The piece’s curved baked glass, layered and irregular, transitions from aquamarine to transparent, mimicking the shifting hues of water as daylight dances upon its surface. With its matt silvered finish, black lacquered wooden frame, and integrated shelf, the Penasa Mirror blurs the boundaries between art and architecture. It captures not just a reflection, but an atmosphere — a sense of serenity and liquidity that only Venetian artistry can evoke.

At its core, Arte Veneziana remains a celebration of Italian mastery — where tradition meets innovation and every creation is born from the hands of passionate artisans. With a nearly fifty-year heritage of Venetian glass engraving and bespoke furniture design, the brand continues to redefine contemporary luxury while preserving the soul of its craft. Each mirror, each surface, and each shimmer of silver tells a story of human artistry and devotion. The Penasa Mirror stands as a testament to Arte Veneziana’s enduring philosophy: that true beauty is not mass-produced, but crafted with heart, heritage, and imagination — an art form made in Venice, destined for the world.