From Workshop to Cannes: How the Schertl Family’s Love for Craft Won International Applause

The bright lights of Cannes seemed worlds away from the quiet German workshop where Marvin and Dr Sina Schertl first dreamed of Casa Padrino. Yet there they stood on 22 May, accepting international recognition for their family furniture business at one of the world’s most glamorous film festivals. The moment felt surreal – a testament to what happens when old-fashioned craftsmanship meets global appreciation for authentic quality.

The Family Behind the Furniture

Marvin Schertl never expected his furniture business to earn applause alongside film stars. He and his wife Dr Sina Schertl built Casa Padrino the old way – one piece at a time, with attention to detail that seems almost quaint in today’s rush-to-market world. Their approach centres on something increasingly rare: taking time to do things properly.

For the Schertls, handcrafted furniture isn’t just about business – it’s about preserving something meaningful. Each piece tells a story, from the careful selection of wood to the final hand-rubbed finish.

Unlike mass-produced furniture that prioritises speed and cost, their artisans pour hours into perfecting dovetail joints and ensuring every surface feels exactly right under your fingers.

‘This recognition at such a prestigious event during the Cannes Film Festival fills us with pride,’ Marvin reflected after the ceremony. ‘It motivates us to continue setting benchmarks in the luxury furniture segment.’ His words reveal someone who understands that recognition isn’t the end goal – it’s fuel for continuing to create something lasting.

From Workshop Floor to Red Carpet

One day the Schertls were in their German facilities, discussing wood grain and joint techniques with their craftspeople. The next, they were walking into the Majestic Beach Club in Cannes, surrounded by the international glitz of film festival glamour.

The Beach Ball Gala Dinner & Awards, organised by AI Films Awards, Congress Awards and The Royal Gentlemen, represents more than just another industry ceremony. It’s an evening where different worlds collide – where the patience required for handcrafted excellence meets the fast-paced energy of international recognition.

The nervousness was natural. Standing among film industry luminaries and luxury brand leaders, the Schertls represented something different: the quiet dedication of family craftsmanship rather than corporate machinery. Yet their story resonated because it speaks to something people crave – authenticity in a world of shortcuts.

Why Handmade Still Matters

While others chase efficiency and scale, Casa Padrino maintains its commitment to what Marvin calls ‘classic elegance with handcrafted excellence’. This isn’t marketing speak – it’s a philosophy visible in every joint, every finish, every thoughtful detail.

The difference lies in the small moments: running your hand across a surface that’s been individually sanded and finished, noticing joints that were carefully measured and cut rather than mass-produced, feeling the weight of solid wood rather than engineered materials. These details accumulate into furniture that doesn’t just fill space – it enriches it.

Traditional craftsmanship techniques, passed down through generations of furniture makers, create something mass production cannot: uniqueness. No two handcrafted pieces are identical because human hands, not machines, guide their creation. Each bears subtle variations that mark it as individually made, individually special.

The Art of Taking Time

Where factory furniture races against deadlines, handcrafted pieces develop slowly. Artisans select premium materials, considering not just appearance but how wood will age, how finishes will wear, how joints will hold over decades rather than years. This patience translates into furniture designed to become family heirlooms rather than temporary solutions.

The environmental benefits matter too. Sustainable luxury creation typically involves smaller workshops with reduced energy consumption compared to massive manufacturing facilities. Local artisans often source materials responsibly, creating pieces meant to last generations rather than contributing to disposal cycles.

An International Celebration of Living Well

The Cannes gala perfectly embodied what organisers called the ‘Grand Art de Vivre’ – the philosophy that living well involves surrounding yourself with beautiful, meaningful things. Guests from art, fashion, philanthropy and film gathered for an evening celebrating not just luxury, but the human passion behind exceptional work.

The international sophistication was unmistakable: an exclusive art exhibition, high fashion runway shows, live musical performances and carefully curated cuisine. Yet beneath the glamour lay a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship and dedication – values the Schertls understand intimately.

This wasn’t simply about expensive things. It was about recognising the difference between items produced for profit and objects created with genuine care. The distinction matters more than price tags suggest.

Recognition with Heart

The evening honoured others whose work goes beyond commercial success. Ioanna Efthymiou received recognition for her philanthropic work with the Maria Callas Charity in Monaco, while filmmaker Toby Hyder was celebrated for his film ‘Bones of Yew’. These acknowledgements reflected the gala’s broader mission: celebrating excellence that enriches others’ lives.

Casa Padrino’s inclusion among such company underscores how furniture-making, done thoughtfully, becomes more than commerce. When craftspeople pour genuine care into creating something beautiful and lasting, they contribute to a tradition of human creativity that deserves recognition alongside other arts.

The Schertls found themselves among kindred spirits – people who understand that doing something well matters more than doing it quickly or cheaply.

Beyond the Spotlight

Returning to Germany after Cannes, the Schertls carried more than just an award. They brought validation that their approach – prioritising quality over quantity, craftsmanship over shortcuts – resonates internationally. In a marketplace increasingly dominated by fast furniture and disposable design, their commitment to creating lasting pieces stands out.

Marvin’s reflection about continuing to set benchmarks reveals the real motivation behind Casa Padrino’s work. This isn’t about chasing recognition – it’s about the satisfaction of creating something that will outlast its makers. It’s about running your hand over a perfectly smooth surface and knowing someone cared enough to make it that way.

The Cannes recognition simply confirmed what their customers already knew: in a world racing towards the next thing, there’s profound value in taking time to do something properly. The Schertl family’s story reminds us that excellence isn’t about following trends – it’s about staying true to values that matter, regardless of whether anyone’s watching.

Sometimes the best response to a fast-moving world is to slow down and create something beautiful. The applause in Cannes was just the world’s way of saying thank you. As we look towards building legacies that matter, the Schertls show us that true recognition comes not from shortcuts, but from the patient dedication to doing something properly – one carefully crafted piece at a time.