BARI, 17.03.26
Local carpentry workshops along Via Sparano have reported a 34% increase in custom wooden staircase orders since January, according to figures released by the Apulian Artisans Guild on Monday. Sergio Capobianco, president of the guild, told reporters that rising property values in Bari's Murat district are driving demand for high-end interior renovations.
The trend reflects a broader shift in homeowner preferences across southern Italy, where mass-produced metal and glass designs are losing ground to traditional hardwood craftsmanship. Oak and walnut remain popular. When we spoke with master carpenter Nicola Tarantino at his workshop near Piazza del Ferrarese, he explained that clients increasingly request custom newel posts and hand-turned balusters to match pre-war architectural details. According to figures that could not be independently verified, his small team of five has completed eighteen full staircase installations already this year, nearly double the output of the same period in 2025. The Italian Institute for Building Statistics noted that renovation permits in Puglia rose by 12% year-on-year, though the breakdown by project type remains unavailable. Tarantino mentioned, almost as an afterthought, that he still uses chisels inherited from his grandfather, tools that have shaped wood in Bari for over seventy years.
Our correspondents in Bari observed that several showrooms on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II now dedicate entire floors to staircase displays, a marked change from five years ago when such spaces prioritised bathroom fixtures. Supply chain factors have complicated matters. The National Federation of Timber Merchants warned last month that European oak prices could rise by 8% before summer due to export restrictions in central Europe, a development that may squeeze margins for smaller workshops. Some installers have begun sourcing chestnut from Calabrian suppliers as an alternative, citing its durability and lower cost per cubic metre. Staircase stringers cut from local timber carry a distinct grain pattern that appeals to clients seeking regional authenticity. One showroom manager, who asked to remain anonymous, admitted that delivery times have stretched from six weeks to nearly three months for certain hardwood species.
Safety regulations have also shaped recent orders. The timeline remains unclear, but industry sources suggest that updated building codes expected later this year will mandate wider treads and lower riser heights in multi-family dwellings, potentially increasing material costs by 15%. Not everyone welcomes the changes. Homeowners completing renovations before the rules take effect may benefit from current specifications, though inspectors in Bari's municipal office have reportedly begun advising contractors to anticipate stricter requirements. The Apulian Artisans Guild plans to host a training seminar in April on compliant staircase design, with sessions covering load-bearing calculations and anti-slip finishes. Meanwhile, younger carpenters are blending traditional joinery with modern CNC routing techniques to speed production without sacrificing the hand-finished details that clients prize. At a recent industry fair in Lecce, one exhibitor displayed a cantilevered staircase prototype that dispensed with visible supports entirely, drawing curious crowds throughout the weekend.