About

The founder of Atelier Giorgio, Giorgio Tatsakis, is an interior designer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Born in Johannesburg, he was fortunate enough to broaden his horizons when emigrating to Athens, Greece, in 2007 until 2009, where he fluently learned the language, indulged in the culture and began the journey of his appreciation for the Mediterranean, its food, architecture and design.

Whilst completing a BA degree in Interior Design at Greenside Design Centre, he worked on hospitality and residential projects, including Ethos in Sandton and Ethos in Rosebank. Now further completed are , Gigi Restaurant Waterfall, BGR Rosebank (Oxford Parks), and GRK in Rivonia. Additionally, Giorgio is currently busy with two luxury, over 1500sqm, residential homes in Morningside and Houghton, Sandton. Giorgio is also the co-owner of a ceramics and woodware company called Clay by MG, which he owns with his sister, Mary.

The focus of Atelier Giorgio is to ultimately create spaces which people feel comfortable in. Whether it be a residential project, commercial or hospitality, Giorgio really believes it is important that everyone feels comfortable and welcome. To him there are two things that continue to inspire him in his working life. His family and his travels. From a young age, he always had the biggest admiration for his family and the hard work which they put into everything they did/do. He boasts that he comes from a family that continuously outdoes themselves and that manages to create experiences for people, even in the most tough and almost impossible times. Secondly, his frequent and yearly travels to Europe continue to inspire him.

“There is something about Europe that draws me in. I cannot help but feel this major burst of inspiration every time I travel. There is nothing I love more than taking things I’ve seen whilst on holiday and using it as inspiration in my projects, whilst complimenting them with a South African flavour!” says Giorgio.

In 2020, his work at the original Ethos in Sandton won the Style Award for its interiors, atmosphere and ambiance at the Luxe Restaurant Awards. In 2022 Ethos Rosebank won the International Restaurant of the Year Award, and its interiors were shortlisted for the 2022 International Hotel and Property Awards that took place in Capri, Italy, in July 2022, placing in the top four. Furthermore, his work has been entered into the global Restaurant and Bar Design Awards twice.