Luis Barichello and Design that Transforms Lives

From carpentry to entrepreneurship in the USA, how the author transformed technique into art and environments into life narratives.

In 2025, Luis Barichello launches a guide work on interior design and entrepreneurship. From a simple shed in childhood, next to his grandfather, to innovative projects carried out in American territory, Luis Fernando Barichello's trajectory reveals much more than the mastery of carpentry and design: it shows how each space can tell a story, arouse emotions and transform realities. In his book Interior Design: From Joinery to Complete Execution, Barichello offers a true immersion in a universe where technique, aesthetics and functionality merge to create memorable experiences.

But what makes this book so relevant? And why does its approach impact design professionals as well as families, entrepreneurs and those passionate about well-planned environments? To understand this, it is necessary to delve into the proposal that guides all of Barichello's work: the creation of spaces as a strategy for life, well-being and identity.

Wood as language and memory

Luis Barichello did not choose carpentry — he was chosen by it. As a boy, he saw his grandfather transform pieces of raw wood into objects full of function and beauty, in a workshop where each splinter carried memory and each tool was an extension of the body. It was more than a craft: it was a silent ritual, a conversation between hands and raw material, a process of listening and presence that early awakened in Luis a sense of form, structure and detail.

This sensitive and manual experience shaped his aesthetic perception even before any academic training. While his childhood friends dreamed of superheroes or video games, he spent afternoons watching how the saw cut straight, how the sandpaper smoothed out imperfections, how the perfect fit dispensed with screws. It was there, in that shed with a strong smell and yellowish light, that not only furniture was built — but values: respect for time, precision, process and matter.

Throughout his youth, Barichello immersed himself in business and management studies, building a solid career in the field of logistics and production. Learned how to work with timelines, metrics, teams, and resources. He discovered the importance of predictability, efficiency, and the ability to deliver. But, contrary to what it might seem, this path did not distance him from carpentry — on the contrary, it provided the ideal tools to professionalize it. With a keen strategic vision, Luis understood that what the market needed was not only good products or good projects, but complete, personalized and reliable processes.

It was this understanding that guided him in one of the most challenging decisions of his life: migrating to the United States. With courage, humility and a lot of planning, he started from scratch, in a competitive and demanding market. And it was exactly in this scenario that he saw a gap — an absence of solutions that combined the artisanal care of carpentry with the contemporary execution of interior design, all within a logic of humanized service and professional management.

From this vision was born JL Work Company LLC, a company that brings in its essence the DNA of Barichello: technical precision, creative eye, active listening and absolute commitment to the customer. Much more than a service provider, JL has established itself as a studio of spatial experiments, where each project is treated as a unique piece — from custom-made furniture to outdoor kitchens, from LED panels to multifunctional room partitions.

The company's differential is in its hybrid structure: on the one hand, it offers the rigor of engineering, with assertive schedules, budget control and optimized processes. On the other hand, he maintains the spirit of the craftsman who measures twice before cutting, who feels the grain of the wood, who closely follows the final assembly, who dialogues with the customer as if composing a visual symphony.

This synthesis between past and future, between root joinery and visionary design, is what defines Luis Barichello's style. His book Interior Design: From Carpentry to Complete Execution is more than a technical manual: it is a testimony of trajectory, a manifesto for projects that are born with purpose and are carried out with excellence.

In the pages of the book, Luis shares not only techniques and methods, but a way of thinking about design: as a bridge between cultures, as an expression of identity and as a well-being strategy. It is a reading that invites us to reflect on the role of space in our lives — and on how the way we inhabit the world can profoundly transform the way we feel in it.

Design that transforms lives

For Luis Barichello, interior design is a language that speaks, silently, to all the senses. It communicates welcoming, functionality, identity. More than visual beauty, well-executed design has the power to reorganize our routines, relieve tension, expand perceptions, facilitate movements, and even awaken affective memories. It is at this point that his approach distances itself from passing fads and ready-made formulas: Barichello defends design as a tool for everyday transformation, which improves lives from attentive listening and care for detail.

"Each choice in interior design must prioritize functionality, ergonomics and the user's personal identity," he says.

This phrase, present in the book, summarizes a philosophy that runs through all his work: design should be an extension of the body and the history of those who inhabit it. A good project starts not with the pencil, but with questions. Who will use this space? At what times? What kind of comfort does this person value? What are their habits, their priorities, their rituals?

It is based on these answers — and not on trends — that Barichello builds the environments. He understands that each house is a particular universe, and that a truly effective project is one that respects and enhances the client's routine. To do this, he introduces a series of practical and, at the same time, sensitive concepts into the book. Concepts that any professional — or even a layman interested in rethinking their home — can apply clearly and gradually.

One of the first points highlighted by Barichello is the conscious use of light — both natural and artificial. In his view, lighting is a design element as important as furniture. Light defines atmospheres, expands spaces, guides looks. A well-lit environment can increase productivity, stimulate concentration, or even generate relaxation and welcoming, depending on the intensity, color temperature, and direction.

Luis shares practical examples in which small changes in the positioning of luminaires or in the choice of LED panels have resulted in significant changes in the experience of an environment. He reinforces that the light must follow the function and rhythm of each space: warm and diffused for moments of rest; cold and directional for focus activities; modulated for subtle transitions between integrated environments.

Another central principle in Barichello's thinking is harmony between materials. He observes that each texture, color and surface dialogues with the senses and with the affective memory of those who occupy the space. Therefore, the choice of materials must consider not only the aesthetic appeal, but also the tactile sensation, durability and the symbolic bond with those who live there.

In his projects, wood occupies a prominent place — not only as a construction material, but as an ancestral language that refers to nature, coziness, and authenticity. It appears in panels, countertops, partitions and even in structural details, always treated with artisanal care and strategically positioned to generate contrasts with stones, glass, fabrics or metals. This balanced combination of rusticity and sophistication is a trademark of his work.

Luis also highlights the importance of the circulation of spaces, often neglected by projects that prioritize aesthetics over usability. He argues that good interior architecture should respect the body in motion. It should allow people to walk, sit, stand, interact, and live the space without visual or physical obstacles.

One of the examples brought in the book involves the complete reorganization of a kitchen integrated with a social area. The simple change in the layout of the island and the countertops allowed not only better use of natural light, but also facilitated the interaction between residents and their guests, transforming the kitchen from a functional space into an affective meeting point.

Another essential chapter is dedicated to the strategic choice of finishes — and not by chance. For Barichello, finishes are the final layer of a project, but your choice must come from the beginning. They carry not only the texture of the environment, but also its symbolic character and durability. Easy-to-maintain finishes, for example, can represent not only practicality, but also accessibility and emotional comfort for families with children or elderly people.

And most importantly: they must be personalized. For Barichello, there is no standard solution that works for everyone. Each project must carry the client's marks: their affective palette, their gestures, their routine. A planned piece of furniture, a custom-made shelf, a partition that respects the height of the children or the position of the sun. Design, according to him, does not impose itself — it listens, adapts and proposes.

Throughout the book, this posture of active listening reveals itself as the guiding thread of the entire methodology presented. Barichello does not see design as a product, but as a process. A process made of conversation, empathy, attempt and refinement. That's why his projects are so renowned for balancing functionality and emotion, precision and poetry, planning and presence.

"A space is only truly complete when it fits the body and heart of those who live it", he summarizes.

It is this type of vision that transforms a project into an experience. An apartment in a home. A bench in memory. A piece of furniture in history.

Each project is a listening

Luis Barichello proposes, in his book, a subtle and powerful provocation: what if we treated the house as a sensible company? What if each decision about a piece of furniture, a texture or a point of light was, at the same time, aesthetic, functional and strategic? Thus, Barichello develops, throughout its pages, a methodology applied to the management of the home as a design project — a living, moldable system deeply connected with those who inhabit it.

In this model, the house is no longer just a physical space and becomes an expression of values, habits and aspirations. Every detail — from the positioning of a sofa to the height of a shelf, from the type of handle to the temperature of the light — is designed to align form, function and identity. Design, therefore, is no longer just a final step, decorative or luxurious. It becomes the guiding thread of a sensitive organization of life, which unites aesthetics and purpose, economy and well-being, planning and affection.

With a degree in Business Administration and a solid background in production and logistics, Barichello has a rare background among designers: he deeply understands the operational backstage that sustains a good project. And for this reason, he dedicates a large part of the book to what is usually left out in many publications in the area: the management process.

"Design doesn't end when the project is approved. It is only realized when the last screw is tightened precisely and the last pad is in the right place."

This commitment to excellence leads the author to treat seriously steps ranging from the initial briefing with the client to the final assembly of the environments. For him, each phase carries crucial decisions that directly impact the quality, cost, and user experience of the project. Therefore, it defends an integrated look, which articulates creative vision, financial planning, logistical control and empathy with the customer.

It all starts with one question — or rather, with several. The briefing, for Barichello, is much more than a technical questionnaire. It is an active and affective listening, a process of getting closer to the history, needs and desires of those who will live in that space.

This moment requires sensitivity, time and attention to what is between the lines. A customer who says they want "a brighter space" may actually be asking for lightness in their routine. Someone who asks for "more closets" may just need an organization strategy that frees up space for the essentials. The role of the designer, here, is to interpret these signals and translate them into concrete solutions, without ever imposing ready-made formulas.

With the briefing in hand, one of the most delicate — and crucial — moments of the process comes into play: the planning and budgeting stage. At this point, Barichello reveals one of his great qualities as a project manager: the ability to balance dream and feasibility, beauty and financial responsibility.

It teaches, for example, how to build realistic schedules, calculate safety margins, predict risks of delay in the delivery of materials, and define service packages that allow the customer to clearly understand what is being contracted. For him, trust is born from clarity and transparency — values that are reflected not only in communication, but in the way the project is conducted to the end.

If the budget stage requires calculation, the choice of materials requires curatorship and intention. Barichello argues that each material used in a project carries with it a series of meanings and effects. A floor can be more than beautiful — it can be thermal, non-slip, weather-resistant, and environmentally friendly at the same time. A wood panel can be an acoustic insulator, affective memory and decorative resource at the same time.

Therefore, it proposes that the choice of materials be conscious, functional and symbolic. It takes into account durability, origin, environmental impact, maintenance and consistency with the user's lifestyle. It is an approach that combines the technical precision of the manager with the aesthetic sensibility of the craftsman — and that results in cohesive, ethical and deeply personalized projects.

Another highlight of the book is the attention to lighting and circulation — two themes that Barichello treats with the seriousness of someone who understands that interior design is also a form of everyday architecture. Light, as we have seen, defines atmospheres and moods. Circulation, on the other hand, defines the movement, use, and real functionality of the space.

Luis shows how small decisions — such as the distance between furniture, the width of corridors, the positioning of outlets and switches — can directly impact the usability of a space. His vision is based on a simple but powerful maxim: "the house must obey the body of those who inhabit it, not the other way around".

At the end of the process, what many books ignore comes into play: execution. Here, Barichello shares behind-the-scenes footage that shows how much a project can get lost (or consecrated) in the assembly stage.

It describes how to organize teams, manage suppliers, create checklists, coordinate schedules, oversee deliveries, and maintain excellence even in the face of unforeseen events — which inevitably arise. It brings to light, with honesty, the dilemmas of the work: the part that came wrong, the customer who changes his mind, the assembler who is missing. But it also clearly shows how good management, communication, and leadership turn every setback into learning.

More than a technical methodology, what Barichello proposes is a way of thinking about space as an ecosystem. A place where conscious choices generate comfort, where efficient management generates tranquility, and where well-conducted design generates belonging. Your book isn't just a lesson in interiors—it's a lesson in life design.

Technology to serve, not to impress

For Luis Barichello, thinking about design today is more than composing shapes, volumes and harmonic palettes. It is to work in a complex field, in which technology, sustainability and innovation are not props, but structural foundations of contemporary design. This triad — combined with listening to the client and artisanal precision — is what defines interior design as a transformative practice that is up to date with the challenges of the twenty-first century.

In the book Interior Design: From Joinery to Complete Execution, Barichello proposes a practical and visionary approach to how new technologies and innovative mental models can be applied from the conception to the final execution of an environment. At the same time, he warns of the trap of empty fads: innovation, for him, is only valid if it is intelligent, functional and humanized.

One of the pillars of innovation in design is the conscious use of digital technology. For Barichello, three-dimensional modeling software is not just for aesthetic visualizations — it is cognitive tools that help the designer simulate, correct, and predict behaviors of space even before the first piece is cut.

Programs such as SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit, and Blender are used in their routine not as an end, but as a means to refine the user experience, anticipating challenges of circulation, ergonomics, lighting, and proportion. For the author, 3D modeling is a way of thinking with the body — or rather, of designing already thinking about the body that will inhabit that space.

In line with Don Norman (2013), who in The Design of Everyday Life argues that good technology is that which disappears in favor of the human experience, Barichello uses the digital to bring the client closer, not distance, from the work. The client sees his space take shape with realism, understands the choices and becomes a co-author of the process — strengthening the relationship of trust and clarity between the parties.

Another field explored in the book is that of home automation, a resource that, according to Barichello, should be incorporated sparingly and coherently into the project. Automated curtains, remote lighting control and intelligent air conditioning are resources that offer comfort and practicality, but that must be planned based on the resident's real use profile.

"Innovation is only useful when it improves the lives of those who use it. Otherwise, it becomes an expensive and frustrating decoration", says the author. This maxim reveals its adherence to the thinking of Roberto Verganti (2009), who argues in Design-Driven Innovation that the true value of innovation is not in the technology itself, but in the new meaning it brings to the human experience.

Thus, Barichello avoids generic solutions and seeks to customize automation, integrating it naturally into everyday life: presence sensors in corridors, security systems integrated into cell phones, voice commands for lights and blinds, among others. Small gestures that make the home more intuitive, safe, and functional — without losing simplicity.

Lighting, a separate chapter in the book, is treated as one of the areas in which technology and aesthetic sensibility meet the most. Barichello is an advocate for the strategic use of LED lighting, both for its ecological benefits and the creative flexibility it provides.

With a long lifespan, low energy consumption and availability in different color temperatures, LED lamps are seen by the author as allies to build atmospheres, enhance textures and save resources. It teaches, for example, how to use built-in profiles, dimmable LED strips and smart lighting fixtures to compose scenes that change throughout the day, adapting to the circadian rhythm of the residents.

Light, for Barichello, is language. It is with it that one says whether a space should welcome, activate, relax or inspire. For this reason, he values projects that explore light not as a final adornment, but as a structuring part of interior design – in full agreement with Richard Sennett (2009), who, in The Craftsman, argues that "the way we illuminate the world is also the way we relate to it".

One of the most original points of Barichello's approach is the use of 3D printing in carpentry, a resource that he has explored for prototyping pieces, creating personalized supports and even bespoke decorative elements.

The combination of cutting-edge technology and manual knowledge is, for him, the most promising path of current design. The 3D printer does not replace the carpenter — it expands its possibilities, allows you to test fittings, develop molds, and customize details in a more agile and accessible way. It is the meeting between tradition and innovation, between the workshop and the laboratory.

This vision dialogues with the idea of maker culture and the new technological craftsmanship, in which the design professional assumes multiple roles: creator, engineer, programmer, manager and artist. The result is works that carry industrial precision without losing the artisanal soul — trademarks of the projects signed by his company, JL Work Company LLC.

Last but not least, Barichello's book devotes special attention to sustainability as a concrete practice and not just advertising speech. He defends the reuse of materials, the choice of responsible suppliers, the use of certified wood and the intelligent disposal of construction waste.

It shows how simple practices, such as the separation of leftover MDF for donation to schools or the use of waste in new internal projects, are part of the daily life of a studio committed to the environment. And he insists that sustainable design doesn't have to be more expensive — it needs to be smarter, more thoughtful, and better planned.

Barichello also shares his quest for less toxic dyes, recycled fabrics, and long-lasting finishes — all of which, combined, reduce environmental impact over time. It is, once again, sustainability integrated into the complete cycle of the project: from conception to execution, from the choice of inputs to the daily use of the environment.

From concept to practice: design as experience with real value

Transforming spaces is transforming lives. This phrase, which could seem just a beautiful expression in a decoration catalog, takes on a concrete, applied and profoundly human meaning in Luis Barichello's work. In Interior Design: From Joinery to Complete Execution, the author generously and accurately presents a set of practical principles that serve as both a methodology and a working philosophy for those who want to plan truly effective environments.

Principles that become pillars

Barichello argues that, in addition to aesthetic sense and visual creativity, impactful interior design requires discipline, method and listening. Every project should be born from the question: for whom is this space being created — and why? From this reflection, he structures an approach that can be applied by professionals at different levels of experience, from beginner woodworkers to established designers, businessmen, and creative entrepreneurs.

Efficient planning: More than a mere schedule, planning is seen as the sacred moment of alignment between client and creator. A well-done briefing, with a clear understanding of the demands and expectations, a budget compatible with the client's reality and a schedule with realistic safety margins are, according to the author, the pillars that support any lasting and successful project.

Strategic choice of materials: Barichello emphasizes intelligence in the choice of materials. For him, it is not enough that something is beautiful or fashionable. It needs to be functional, resistant, easy to maintain and, whenever possible, with a low ecological footprint. Certified wood, eco-friendly MDF, low-VOC paints, natural fabrics and recyclable coatings are pointed out as key elements for a design that respects both the planet and the resident.

Attention to lighting: One of the most recurring topics in the work, light is treated as living matter in the project. The author teaches how to maximize the entry of natural light through the arrangement of furniture, the use of mirrors, the choice of curtains and the painting of surfaces. At the same time, it devotes chapters to explaining how different types of light bulbs, color temperatures, and control systems (such as dimmers and sensors) can make or break the desired atmosphere in a space.

Sustainability as a premise: Environmental ethics runs through the entire work. Barichello does not treat sustainability as a marketing differential, but as an ethical commitment to the future. For him, thinking about design today requires responsibility with resources, with the production chain and with disposal. Practices such as the reuse of leftover material, the use of local suppliers, and the durability of furniture are naturally incorporated as part of the creation process.

Integration with technology: To keep up with a constantly changing world, Barichello argues that the contemporary designer must be aware of emerging technologies — but always with discretion. Home automation, motion sensors, integrated audio systems, furniture with a modular structure and even 3D printing are discussed in the work as ways to increase the efficiency, comfort and personalization of environments.

This vision is aligned with the thinking of authors such as Ezio Manzini, who defends design as a social and relational practice, and Don Norman, who places the user and the experience at the center of every creative process. Barichello combines these references with his practical experience with real clients, translating theory into action.

Entrepreneurship with design: a story of resilience and innovation

In addition to a technical book, Interior Design: From Joinery to Complete Execution can also be read as an entrepreneurial biography, where the reader follows Luis Barichello's trajectory from his roots in the countryside to the founding of JL Work Company LLC, in the United States.

The story is particularly inspiring because it reveals the behind-the-scenes of a difficult and courageous transition. Far from home, in a country with a different language, norms, and habits, Barichello didn't just find space to work as a designer—he redefined his craft, adapted his repertoire, and created value in a competitive and demanding market.

He shares, with honesty, the challenges he faced: adapting to industry regulations in the US, the need to revalidate knowledge, the search for credibility in a culture where trust is built over years. But it also reveals the strategies that made him grow: personalized service, impeccable delivery, active listening, and the constant search for technical and relational improvement.

Therefore, the work also serves as a manual of entrepreneurship applied to design, being useful not only for interior designers, but also for architects, carpenters, construction managers, self-employed professionals and all those who seek to use the space as a way to deliver real value to their customers.

A book to inspire, teach and transform

At the end of the reading, it is impossible not to notice that Luis Barichello's project goes far beyond decoration. He argues, with solid arguments and vivid examples, that design is a form of care. Care for the other, for time, for space and for the planet.

Barichello proposes that design also begins with listening, gesture, attention to stories and the flows of everyday life. Every detail of a well-thought-out environment is, for him, a way of honoring the individuality of those who inhabit it.

What the book delivers, in the end, is an invitation to transformation. Not only of spaces, but of the professional mentality. He shows us that design is not just a set of formal choices, but a way of seeing the world, of intervening in it responsibly, and of building memorable experiences through space.

Do you want to transform your home, your business or your career through design?

Discover how Luis Barichello's vision can help you transform spaces into experiences with real value. Whether you're a professional in the field, a design enthusiast, a creative entrepreneur, or someone looking to create more functional, beautiful, and sustainable environments, this book is a rich source of inspiration and practical application.