The green frame shop

A short interview about Lakoi.

Lakoi: A Frame For Life

How Michael Aiello Put Sustainability at the Core of His Framing Business

In a world where products are increasingly designed to be replaced quickly, Michael Aiello, founder of Lakoi, chooses the opposite. His framing business revolves around quality, craftsmanship and above all sustainability. Where many people do not immediately think of framing businesses when they think of environmentally conscious entrepreneurship, Lakoi proves that there is a world to be won.

A washing machine as an eye-opener

Three years ago, an everyday conversation changed Aiello’s perspective on his craft. “A friend told me his 20-year-old washing machine had been fixed and was ready for another thousand washes. It made me realize: in the past, products were built to last a lifetime. Why should that be any different today?” That realization led to deeper reflection on his own work. “Every frame I make should be a sustainable product. From that moment on, I really went down the rabbit hole.”

Local wood and recycled materials

Lakoi uses only wood and cardboard from Europe, with FSC or PEFC quality marks. “I ask my suppliers exactly where their materials come from and discuss this with them,” says Aiello. But he goes one step further: “We are the only frame shop in the Netherlands with local cardboard – a fact and a joke,” he laughs. The standard interchangeable frames also come exclusively from the Netherlands and Germany.

In addition, Lakoi is experimenting with innovative solutions, such as black paint made from air pollution. “And in the future, I hope to use white paint that absorbs pollution from the air. Eventually, I want to make all colors that way.”

Minimize waste material

One of the biggest sustainability gains Aiello achieved was by adapting its production process. “Previously, we bought wooden rods and cut frames from them, but that created a lot of residual waste. Now I have my supplier cut the frames directly to size, so that leftover pieces are used better.” This not only results in less waste, but also ensures that Aiello never buys too much or the wrong material.

Waste is also considered in the studio. “We cut materials as efficiently as possible and save larger leftovers for future framing. Anything that is really no longer usable goes straight into recycling.” Even small adjustments, such as switching off shop window lighting, contribute to a more sustainable business operation. “One evening I walked past the shop and saw how bright the lights were. The next day I turned the lights off. Sometimes awareness is the first step.”

Quality versus fast fashion

Most customers don’t think about the origins of a frame—until Aiello points it out. “People recognize the problem. Everyone has bought a cheap frame from a big box store that quickly warps or falls off the wall.” According to Aiello, these mass-produced products are the “fast fashion” of the frame world: “They’re made of plastic or molded material and meant to be thrown away.”

At Lakoi it is different. “Whether a frame costs 50 or 1000 euros, it has to last at least a generation. That is what customization means.”

Leading the way in a conservative sector

Aiello doesn’t feel that sustainability is a priority in the framing industry. “I suspect that many framers do recycle materials and strive for quality, but whether they actively communicate that? I don’t know.”

His dream? A complete change in the industry. “One of the biggest challenges is the protective plastic we use to transport frames without scratching them. It is recycled, but there must be a better alternative. I have an idea to tackle this problem and hope to find a solution soon.”

For now, Aiello continues to focus on awareness. “People used to buy a Miele washing machine because they knew: this thing will last a lifetime. I want to bring that feeling back to frames. You pay a little more, but then you never need one again.”

With this mission, Lakoi not only stands for craftsmanship, but also for a future in which craftsmanship and sustainability are inextricably linked.