Renowned as one of the last remaining Lighting Historians on the East Coast, Matthew Santoro, owner and director of Crystal Renaissance Fine Lighting Inc., was trained in a traditional lighting background which started when he was a high school student in Brooklyn, New York. But before he entered the lighting and design industry more than 30 years ago, Matty (as he is known to associates and colleagues), grew up in a 15 room Brooklyn brownstone surrounded by period Victorian antiques and objects of art – amount such treasures, brilliant crystal chandeliers and usual lamps – some from the studios of L.C. Tiffany. It was around these surroundings that his love affair with history and fine art started to evolve into one of the rarest art forms that took him all over the world.

 

Matty started his apprenticeship at Greene’s Lighting Fixtures, a popular designer showroom specializing in custom crystal chandeliers. Working under the most demanding conditions for some of the nation’s most distinguished designers, he honed his skills as a custom designer, manufacturer and restoration specialist of the world’s finest and most prestige chandeliers, being mentored and inspired by some of the world’s most influential antique lighting experts. His love of history and pedigree of each chandelier gave him the knowledge that many designers seek in this ever changing industry. Many of his designs and restorations can be seen in such places as The Plaza Hotel, The Pierre Hotel, and the Waldorf Astoria, as well as some of the city’s finer antique galleries, museums, and estates across the nation. His expert restorations include many masterpieces by some of the most famous English designers and makers.

 

Matty opened and developed Crystal Renaissance Fine Lighting., Inc. to bring a "re-birth" or "renaissance" to the neglected masterpieces of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century. He specializes in replication any historic lighting from the drawing board to the final installation, and can replicate and refinish any piece to its original historic importance. His artistic and creative wirings, restorations and knowledge of this rare and unusual art form is what keeps designers and collectors visiting his studios again and again, where every project bears his personal touch.

 

 

 

The Devenish Group welcomes Matthew Santoro, a craftsman of "The old school" where attention to detail and quality of workmanship always was the number one requirement. Matthew prides himself on a great track record of many years of satisfied dealings and commissions with New York's top Interior designers and notable clients. A dedicated and meticulous craftsman his well-organized and stocked atelier attests to his expert capabilities. We wish him every success!