Fotini Tataroglou, a wood inlay artist, was born in 1986 in Thessaloniki.
Her first memories of working with wood go back to childhood, as her father was a furniture maker. She studied Wood and Furniture Design and Technology at the Technological Educational Institute of Karditsa, where she discovered her greatest passion — marquetry. In 2017 she made one of her biggest dreams come true by opening her own workshop, “Ksilo Pelekito!”
She deeply loves her veneers — her “my precious,” as she often calls them — and strives to apply them on every kind of wooden surface. She’s particularly drawn to geometric shapes, using the natural grain of the wood to create the illusion of volume, depth, and movement in her designs.
Driven by her love for literature, Fotini has created a unique collection of wooden bookmarks, which can be found exclusively through her — nowhere else in Greece.
Beyond marquetry, Fotini also specializes in restoration and refurbishment of antique furniture, while simultaneously designing and crafting small-scale furniture pieces and functional wooden objects.
She works exclusively with eco-friendly and sustainable materials, always respectful toward both people and the environment.
Fotini has participated in four group and two solo exhibitions.
Her most significant project to date was the creation of twelve entirely handmade marquetry tabletops for the twelve tables adorning one of the carriages of the Orient Express.
This dining carriage is now on display at the Railway Museum of Drama, open for visitors to admire.
Do you have a favorite movie and director?
“I have many favorite movies, but one of them is Dead Poets Society.
As for directors, I’d name Kubrick, Tarantino, Tim Burton, and David Lynch.”
What kind of music do you listen to while working?
“In my workshop you’ll definitely hear reggae, rock, orchestral/classical music (it helps me focus immensely), new wave, alternative rock, and generally anything that makes me happy and gets me moving.
After all, I live by the motto: ‘Dance, or we’re lost.’”
Discover Fotini’s world on her website.
