Salvatore Cuiffo was born in Palermo, Italy, the son of master carver Gaspare Ciuffo. He moved to New York City with his family in 1912 and grew up learning woodworking from his father. Later he went into business on his own doing custom upholstery integrated with carvings and custom furniture. In 1931 he had a son, Gaspare Ciuffo, who also became a master craftsman.

Alfonso Ciuffo was born in Palermo, on the island of Sicily, in 1909. His family immigrated to the United States in 1912 and settled in New York City. He was educated in the New York City school system and attended the Schools of Arts there. In his youth he worked as bench carver for W. J. Sloan and company. His responsibilities included carving chair legs, table legs, case goods, fret work of, apron and anything else that needed carving. This is where he developed his skills as an expert wood carver. While at W. J. Sloan, Alfonso was chosen to carve various pieces of furniture as gifts for President Roosevelt, paid for by his ardent supporters. In 1934 he moved to Oneida New York to take a job as a wood carver and furniture maker. Mastercraft Co. employed Alfonso during WWII. After the war he started his own business called Ciuffo Studio. The business lasted only a few years, not long enough to really become established. His middle son Lawrence would later reestablished Ciuffo studio in San Diego CA, which eventually became L. Ciuffo Studios in 1986.

Son of Gaspare Ciuffo, Born in 1922, taught by his father, master wood worked, Angelo, the son of Gaspare, was born in 1922. His father, master wood worker, Gaspare Ciuffo, trained him. He began carving at the age of fifteen at Gaspar’s studio in Manhattan. He kept active in wood working his entire life and has passed on his extensive knowledge to his two nephews Gary and Michael Ciuffo. Angelo visited the factory at least two times a week, until his passing in 2012, just to make sure thing were still being done the right way.

Gaspar is the son of Salvatore Ciuffo. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1931. Salvatore was the founder of Ciuffo Cabinetry At Ciuffo Cabinetry he taught his sons Gary and Michael, all phases of millwork, at an early age. The boy’s Uncles assisted him in his teachings. Gaspar learned first hand, all the methods of the Ciuffo’s old world craftsmanship. Obtaining all of skill and quality standards handed down from his grandfather. He helped carry these techniques into the new century and led the way for his sons Gary and Michael to combine Old World quality with modern production techniques.

Furniture for most people is something to sit on or something to store things in. For Larry Ciuffo, furniture has always been a work of art and a way of life. Since 1974 he has owned and operated Ciuffo Studios, a furniture restoration and re-finishing business, specializing in preservation of wood to its original color and luster. He is a third generation furniture craftsmen. Many of the old world methods he uses today were learned from his father and grandfather. His grandfather, Gaspare Ciuffo, was a stone sculptor from Palermo, Italy who immigrated to Manhattan and opened a furniture business in 1911. His father Alfonso carried on the family tradition of woodcarving. Larry grew up making furniture and by the time he was twenty years old he had served his apprenticeship emerging as a furniture builder, restorer and re-finisher. A career in the military and construction business interrupted his work until 1974 when he and his family moved to Rancho Penasquitos, in California. He started a furniture business in his garage. Before long he out grew it, expanding Ciuffo Studios to larger quarters in Poway, where his burgeoning cottage industry is currently located. The reputation and integrity of his craftsmanship is promoted by word of mouth and quite often he does work for people in another states, as well as San Francisco and Beverly Hills.

Gary, Gaspar’s eldest son, was born in 1965 and started woodworking at the age of twelve by working with his father. Throughout his school years, Gary developed and increased his knowledge and his father thoroughly trained him in all phases of millwork. After graduating high school, Gary took the front seat right away working side-by-side with his father and brother to build the business into what it is today. Gary has two sons, Joseph and Christopher.

Gary is a Certified Kitchen Designer and proud NKBA member. He attends countless trade shows, conventions, and events around the world to ensure that the company utilizes the most cutting edge technology and materials to create the finest millwork and designs available.

Mike, son of Gasper, has worked his whole life as a wood worker, developing the skills at a young age to become a master craftsman. His father Gaspar and brother Gary trained Mike. He has helped integrate old world skill with modern technology for Ciuffo Cabinetry. He is currently active in all phases of building and maintaining the high standards of millwork created by the company. He has helped to develop CNC Technology that enables us to create the best custom millwork there is to offer.

Joe, Gary’s first son, makes the fifth generation of skilled artisans and craftsmen in the family business. While Joe has always been in and around the family business and learned much of the trade at a young age, he originally worked for several years as a Trust and Estate Consultant after graduating from SUNY Oswego with a dual major in Economics and Business Administration.

Joe brings something new to the table – he combines his economic and business background with the old world knowledge and craftsmanship that has been passed down to him since he was a child. He has been thoroughly cross-trained in every aspect of design, construction, installation, project management and machinery operation. As Vice President, he is active in all phases of the business. On any day he can be found working on building, installation, project management and designs.

Joe was recently selected by the National Kitchen and Bath Association as a 2018  Thirty Under 30 Honoree for his accomplishments in the design industry.  Joe is proud to carry on the family business and looks forward to leading the business into the future.