Bruno de Maistre is our Artisan of the Month!

Bruno de Maistre is a cabinetmaker, furniture architect, and a laureate of the Fondation Rémy Cointreau. Working from his workshop in Auffargis, Bruno has been crafting wood for almost 15 years. In this new episode of “Artisan of the Month!” , discover his journey and his story.

The trade

While some episodes have already highlighted woodworking, this one will explore the universe of Bruno de Maistre, where wood fosters a dialogue between tradition and innovation. There are many wood artisans, yet they all share a common thread: a love and respect for this living material. This ancient craft boasts a wide range of applications, and furniture creation constitutes an essential part of it. Following a career in communication, Bruno found his passion in cabinetmaking, where he crafts unique pieces. He uses precious and solid woods for his creations, which is fundamental to furniture design.

The gesture

The cabinetmaker’s craft is extensive, rich in multiple gestures. But if you ask Bruno, he would reveal his special affection for marquetry. Marquetry is far more than a technique: after precisely cutting the veneer sheets, it’s when you begin to assemble them that you start writing veritable stories with the wood’s designs. Each grain, each nuance becomes a word, each assembly a sentence, and that’s how the story within the wood is told, page after page, in his marquetry pieces.

The transmission

The cabinetmaker’s trade is currently experiencing a constant transformation and adaptation to new developments. For Bruno, this evolution presents an opportunity to unveil the individual’s potential, to educate the craftsmen of tomorrow by broadening their perspective on the richness of this profession. It is, above all, about passing on passion’s flame, teaching traditional know-how, all while fostering innovation and creativity.

In woodworking, the planer is an essential reference, guiding the entire production process. Offering accuracy of a tenth of a millimeter, this machine has received support from the Foundation for its acquisition by Bruno de Maistre.