A true tradition begins before living memory, the unseen roots that anchor the living tree. At Parenti & Raffaelli, Ltd. those roots begin in Italy where as a boy, Peter Parenti learned the all of cabinetmaking under the watchful care of his father.

Peter's father was taught by his father, an old world tradition of craftsmanship passed down from father to son by untold generations.

As a young man working as a cabinetmaker in Italy, he saw many of his friends leave for the opportunities of America. Peter decided to bring the woodworking craftsmanship of his ancestors to a burgeoning America.

Peter Parenti arrived in America and settled in Chicago with his skills as a craftsman and his ambition to use them. Striving always to enhance those skills, he studied furniture design at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Peter took a job with a major woodworking company, where his exceptional woodworking skills proved invaluable. In ten years, he became one of the owners of the company.

Peter encouraged his sons, Ron and Bob, along with a skilled cabinetmaker, John Raffaelli, to start a woodworking firm. In 1951 Parenti & Raffaelli, Ltd. was born.

In the early 60s, Peter joined his family at Parenti & Raffaelli, Ltd., guiding a tradition of craftsmanship handed from father to son. Today, Peter's two sons and three grandsons, Bob, Don & Jim operate the business carrying on a tradition of old-world excellence.