Exploring not what is, but what might be…
It usually starts with a spark: a photograph, a piece of vintage hardware…. or perhaps a bit of a conversation, taken out of context. These “bits” settle in and percolate….., for days, weeks, sometimes years.. before they emerge in my handcrafted Boxes: finely detailed and decoratively painted. By themselves, the boxes make an artful statement, but their fanciful exteriors mask the real magic of the work~ that which lies within.
It isn’t until one peers through portals of varying size and shape that the box gives way to the artful and exotic miniature interiors, or as it has been said…
“Vignettes of Imagination”.
At first glance, the interior rooms appear quite normal, but upon closer inspection one realizes they move well beyond a simple re-creation of what is ……and instead move the viewer down a path towards a whole new reality.
A careful observer will notice the almost-out-of-sight furnishings and inspired artwork tucked away on walls and ceilings. More obvious in the piece are the cubby holes, secret and not-so-secret drawers, ladders, exotic (and sometimes mundane) furniture, all working in chorus to tell the story of the unseen characters. Here and there, abundant details step aside and leave room for a bit of ambiguity: no titles on books, no labels on boxes, thus allowing the viewer to ponder the situation and conjure up their own narrative.
You may come across an old rusty skate, and see… “an old rusty skate”. When I saw this skate, I immediately knew that it was an undercarriage of an old miniature bookmobile! My favorite part? The ladder. Especially when it’s hanging off the side brackets, in preparation to drive into the next neighborhood… Bookmobile / $1,700.
Featured Room Boxes
Dear Mother and Dad
Serving in WWII, this young man’s letters home...
A Loft for the Opera-Loving Philatelist
...a glorious ceiling covered with vintage stamps!
A-Z Print Shop
A working pully hauls blocks to upper level for storage…
WORKS IN PROGRESS!
To see more “behind the scenes” action…
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Returning To My Roots
15 + 15 + ?
Fifteen years of high-end residential design,
fifteen years designing and building full-scale furniture, and…
… I now embark on “the next 15”.
Returning to my roots as a model-maker, I still get the same thrill of the full-scale furniture, BUT… this work is easier to ship, AND as an added bonus, I don’t hurt at the end of the day!
I was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, (go Phillies!) and am now having a grand time in Cumberland Maryland. I volunteer with the Arts Council, and actively promote all manner of arts to the community that I love.
Flashback to the seventies.
There was no television in my house
This freed up lots of time for other recreation: digging for salamanders, bike riding, and days-long Monopoly. Most exciting, this lack-of-television afforded me plenty of time for the Cyclopedia of Things to Make.
This tome by American Craftsman was waaay over my head: all I could do was look at the well-defined projects and dream of the day that I had the tools to actually build this amazing stuff!
Hours! Days! Summers! They went whizzing by as I sat hunched, studying the diagrams: the Pentagon Box Kite, the Lapped Circle Trellis… the Tip Top Table.
Is this where I fell in love with furniture?
THE STUDIO
Like the proverbial “Box of Chocolates”, you just never know what you’ll find in my studio! Any given day, there are projects in the wood shop, the workbench, and the drawing board. Colors! Fabrics! Wood! Those “preposterous elements”!
It’s Wonder and Excitement, from one end to the other…
My husband’s photography studio is next to mine, so that makes us a one-stop, artful experience! His studio, Vibrant Image, is full of the same wonder and excitement, but he keeps it very organized and very neat.
I work in varying degrees of artistic foment.
A Saturday at the flea market, searching for “preposterous elements” (antique finials, old glove forms, wooden shoes), followed by a week of woodworking, a week of finishing, two weeks of building miniature details and furnishings.. a week of writing and PR.
My husband knows what stage I’m in by listening to the soundtrack…
…silence for arithmetic and problem-solving, gentle music for designing, building and writing. For afternoons that include tasks like “fabricate 300 miniature books”, I’ll pop in an audio book ( biography, historical fiction) or a favorite movie (one with a happy ending or at least some great furniture!).
PURCHASE
I sincerely appreciate your interest in my work!
In addition to designing, building and finishing, I am an excellent packer and shipper, and I would be honored to have your business! If you would like to include my work in your collection please contact me.
Looking for something a bit more personalized?
I am honored to use your treasured love letters, hardware and special, well-used tools to create a piece that is extra special for you! I can even upholster a miniature chair with your favorite necktie.
If you’re curious about the process, just contact me, and we’ll see what kind of hijinks we can get into… (this is always FUN!)
Press
And from my furniture making days…
CONTACT
My small, creative company is recognized in the industry for excellent design and high quality craftsmanship. If you like to be in-the-know
with late-breaking news and events from my studio…
Join the mailing list!
Plan a visit to the studio!
The historic town of Cumberland, Maryland is located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. We’re just two hours from Washington DC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Meg Romero Studio
55 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 USA
(240) 478-5989 / meg@megromerostudio.com