Carlos Toledano, CEO of BANNI – Elegant Interiors, leads a brand that has redefined high-end design and furniture in Spain. Founded in 2007, just before the global financial crisis, BANNI has experienced steady growth, demonstrating its resilience and ability to adapt in times of adversity.
With showrooms in Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca and Marbella, and a team of 40 interior designers, BANNI has consolidated its presence in the sector, offering services to high and medium-high profile clients. In addition, its own brand of made-to-measure furniture has allowed it to expand its offer in kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes and sofas, integrating quality and exclusivity at competitive prices.
BANNI’s track record includes more than 11,000 national and international projects, from private homes and executive offices to boats and hotels, consolidating itself as a reference in luxury design and customisation.
Carlos, BANNI was born at a time of crisis in 2007 and has shown great resilience and growth in difficult times. What factors do you think have been key to the brand’s sustainability and growth in times of uncertainty?
In February 2007, at a time of great uncertainty, we decided to open the first BANNI showroom in Madrid, driven by the need for a company in Spain that could offer quality services in interior design projects, both partial and integral, aimed at a high standing market and that integrated a luxury service and product. From the beginning, our mission was clear: to offer a differential value in the sector, combining a detailed and exclusive approach in the choice of materials and design with a personalised service that would attend to each project with extreme care.
Several factors have been key to our resilience and growth. Firstly, the influence of my parents, both experts in history and art, who passed on to me a deep passion for architecture and the visual arts during our travels together. This cultural background has been essential in building a brand that, beyond the functional, manages to connect with the artistic and emotional side of each space we design.
Another key element has been our perseverance and relentless pursuit of trends in high-end real estate. My work routine is deeply integrated with this vision: I spend much of my time travelling to studios and showrooms, not only for our brand but also for other companies, to keep abreast of innovations and oversee each project from conception to detail. The selection of collaborators is equally rigorous; we make sure we only work with people who share our commitment to quality, design and impeccable service.
Finally, I believe it is our focus on excellence and ability to adapt to the changing needs of our customers that has allowed us to grow even in difficult times. It’s not just about selling a product or service, it’s about building strong and trusting relationships with each customer, which for us is the very foundation of BANNI.
BANNI has expanded with showrooms in Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca and Marbella. What kind of projects stand out in each city and how does BANNI adapt to the specific needs of each market?
Each of our locations in Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca and Marbella specialises in unique projects that reflect the demand and character of each market. Madrid and Barcelona excel in luxury residential interiors and corporate projects, while in Mallorca and Marbella we work extensively with holiday homes and high-end villas.
We are in the key locations in the country, so we do not foresee opening more showrooms in Spain, as clients from other areas tend to travel to our headquarters. Moreover, our demand is not limited to Spain; we serve international projects, especially in Latin America and Saudi Arabia, and range from homes to yachts, hotels and jewellery stores. We have even worked for high-profile clients such as elite footballers.
With more than 11,000 completed projects, BANNI has worked on unique spaces, from exclusive homes such as La Pleta Arriu in Baqueira to boats and offices. Is there a recent project that particularly represents you?
Every project at BANNI is unique and special, but we are currently working on one that represents our skills and experience well: the largest house in Spain, located in the south of the country and managed from our headquarters in Madrid. It is a spectacular project that includes multiple lounges, private suites, cinema rooms, and customised spaces such as games rooms. In addition to this, we are developing a project on a private island, which adds unique access and logistical challenges. We have also worked on yachts and other exclusive residences in complex locations, where every detail is a reflection of our commitment to luxury and excellence.
The BANNI brand offers products from the best international firms, but you also have a line of customised furniture. What added value do you consider your line of customised furniture brings and in which categories does it stand out?
Our customised furniture line is one of the aspects that best represents the brand values and brings a unique value to each project. It allows us to offer pieces that not only adapt to the exact dimensions and style of each space, but also reflect the personality and specific tastes of each client. This flexibility allows us to create everything from integrated kitchens, bespoke dressing rooms and spa-like bathrooms to outdoor furniture that maintains the same aesthetic as the interior of the home. Thanks to this approach, we are able to design exclusive and sophisticated spaces that turn each room into a personal expression of luxury and functionality. But we also show special importance to our Premium brands such as: Bebi Italia, Maxalto, Antonio Lupi, Minimal Cocinas, Arclinea, Vitra and Knoll, among others.
We know that BANNI works with its own team of 40 interior designers and collaborates with renowned professionals in the sector. How does this combination influence the quality and exclusivity of each project?
Having an in-house team of 40 interior designers and collaborating with leading professionals in the sector allows us to offer projects of the highest quality and exclusivity. This combination gives us a unique balance between creativity and precision, ensuring that every detail meets the highest standards. Our clients value the quality and durability of our products, as they are people with good taste and a high sense of elegance. They recognise the value of what we offer, and that drives us to constantly strive for excellence.
Your customer profile is high and medium-high level, including celebrities and executives. How does BANNI manage to meet the expectations of such a demanding public, and what values do you think they appreciate most in the brand?
Our customers, both in Spain and internationally, are people with a high sense of aesthetics and a great appreciation for quality, something that requires us to maintain the highest standards. To meet their expectations, we offer a personalised approach that takes care of every detail of design and material selection, ensuring that each project is as exclusive as it is durable. In addition, we continually work with world-class interior designers and skilled craftsmen, which is reflected in the impeccable finish of each space. Our clients value authenticity and luxury, not only in fashion or jewellery, but also in their surroundings. For them, decoration is no longer an accessory luxury, but an expression of lifestyle, and at BANNI we respond to this change with commitment, innovation and excellence.
You offer a variety of services, from kitchens and bathrooms to outdoor furniture and decoration. What are the current trends in luxury design that you are seeing reflected in your clients’ requests?
We are seeing several key trends in luxury design reflected in our clients’ requests. In kitchens, integration with the living room is a big demand, creating spacious and functional spaces that unite the kitchen and social area. For bathrooms, many are looking for a spa-like experience at home, including water systems and thermal centre elements that elevate personal comfort. In terms of materials, colours such as terracotta are gaining strength, as are fabrics with vintage textures, although neutral tones remain the main choice for their elegance and timelessness. Clients are looking for a balance between classic and a personalised touch, using tones or accent pieces to complement spaces.
Since the pandemic, the demand for high-quality outdoor furniture has grown dramatically. Customers now expect the same quality in their outdoor spaces as they do indoors, and are opting for furniture that allows for visual and material continuity, especially in homes with large windows connecting the two spaces.
Technology also plays an essential role in our process. We use virtual reality tools to allow clients to visualise their home in an immersive way, with the necessary realism to understand the distribution and details of each material, getting as close as possible to the experience of touching them. This allows our clients to make better informed decisions, ensuring that each final project accurately reflects their expectations.
In addition to interior design, is BANNI involved in social or corporate responsibility projects in the communities where it is present? Can you tell us about any recent initiatives?
In addition to its interior design work, BANNI is actively engaged in corporate social responsibility initiatives in the communities where it has a presence. Among its recent projects, BANNI has collaborated closely with the Avintia Foundation, sponsoring various charity events.
Also, next week, BANNI will organise a support campaign for the communities affected by the recent DANA in Valencia. The BANNI team, along with several company vans, will be on the road to transport, organise and distribute aid to the impacted localities, demonstrating its commitment to the wellbeing and recovery of these communities.
