A Little About Us
We met in high school, reconnected after college, and eventually built a life together—family, career, and a shared dream. Alessandro's background in architecture and furniture design and mine in graphic design and photography naturally led us to create SOBU.
Named after our kids, Sofia and Bruno, SOBU started in 2011 with an idea for a kids' bed. That led to a pop-up shop, then a shared space in Rockridge, and finally, in 2016, our very own store.
We set out to design modern, well-crafted furniture from natural materials—pieces made to last, not disposable trends from corporate giants. SOBU is about connection, quality, and the personal touch. We love getting to know our customers, hearing their stories, and seeing our designs become part of their homes.
We're not here to chase rapid growth or sell to the highest bidder. We're a small, family-run business, doing what we love while making time for our kids before they head off on their own adventures.
Beyond our own designs, we showcase furniture, art, and home accessories from local and global artists we admire. We believe in authenticity, generosity, and community. That's why our Oakland shop always features work by local artists—offering them a space outside the traditional gallery world.
SOBU isn't just about furniture. It's about people, creativity, and meaningful connections. Welcome to our neighborhood shop—we're so glad you're here!
Alessandro Latini – Designer & Craftsman
Born in Rome and raised in places like Sardinia and Rio de Janeiro, Alessandro developed a deep appreciation for design and craftsmanship early on. While studying architecture at UC Berkeley, he discovered his passion for furniture making in the school's workshop.
After graduating, he moved to New York, designing and building custom furniture from a basement apartment in the East Village. A chance encounter with his high school friend Laleh (more on that below) brought him back to San Francisco, where he worked in architecture before transitioning to furniture design. His work has been featured by major retailers like Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel, but his true expertise lies in sourcing sustainable materials and collaborating with skilled artisans worldwide.
Laleh Latini — Designer & Photographer
Born in Iran, Laleh moved to San Francisco with her family at age eight. After high school in Marin, she studied interior architecture at UC Davis before shifting to graphic design, film, and photography. Post-college, she set off on a budget-friendly, around-the-world adventure, exploring 13 countries across four continents.
Back in San Francisco, she worked briefly in commercial photography before deciding freelance graphic design was a better fit. She built a career with clients like Pottery Barn and Design Within Reach, all while staying devoted to photography. Her images are woven throughout the SOBU website and can sometimes be found for sale at the Oakland shop.
Crossing Paths Again
While visiting from New York, Alessandro spotted Laleh riding her Vespa and left a note in her helmet, inviting her for coffee. That coffee led to a shared life—moving all over San Francisco, a (somewhat ill-fated) year in France, a brief relationship hiatus, then back together, kids, and eventually, SOBU.
Laleh's high school Vespa is still around and being restored by a friend (Michael, almost done?). Their latest addition? A 1976 Alfa Romeo.
At SOBU, we love hearing from our customers—your thoughts, ideas, and stories inspire us. We hope you love what we do as much as we love creating it!