What Is Modern Marquetry? A Modern Twist on a Classic Craft
Modern marquetry merges centuries‑old craftsmanship with a bold, forward-thinking approach to sustainability and design. At Stratum Marquetry, we use reclaimed materials—such as plastic offcuts, CD cases, and discarded timber—to create entirely new surfaces, art pieces, and interior details. This isn't about nostalgia. It's about rewriting the rules of what surface design can be in the 21st century.
A Brief History: Traditional Roots, Contemporary Purpose
Marquetry originated in the 16th century as a decorative technique in which intricate patterns and pictorial scenes were created by inlaying thin veneers of wood, metal, ivory, or shell into furniture surfaces. It was a craft of opulence—refined, ornate, and time-consuming.
Today, we’ve reimagined marquetry for modern spaces and modern values. While the essence of precise pattern-making remains, we work with waste stream materials, not rare tropical hardwoods. We create surfaces that are contemporary in both form and function—sustainable, vibrant, and highly original. Each piece tells a story, not just of design, but of circular economy, resilience, and innovation.
How We Do It: The Stratum Marquetry Process
Our process blends artistry with engineering, intuition with precision. Here's how we bring waste materials back to life:
1. Sourcing and Sorting Reclaimed Materials
We partner with like-minded businesses and suppliers across the UK who share our values. Materials come from surprising places—such as joinery offcuts, recycled CDs, or plastic found during local beach cleans. Each batch is sorted by type, texture, and colour for visual cohesion and design clarity.
2. Designing Bespoke Patterns
Using both hand sketches and digital design tools, we explore pattern layouts that best suit the material’s qualities. Sometimes the design leads the material—other times, the material leads the design. This is where concept and sustainability intersect.
3. Precision, Planned Production
With carefully perfected procedures, each pattern has been built by hand. Our team painstakingly arranges and builds upon every pattern ‘block’, layering and manipulating each piece. A seamless process curated by us and us only. We then bond it to a high-quality substrate using eco-conscious adhesives.
4. Finishing and Sealing
Once bonded, the surface is sanded, refined, and sealed to withstand everyday use. We use durable, non-toxic finishes to ensure longevity while preserving the material's character.
Why It Matters: Sustainability Meets Individuality
Our modern marquetry pieces aren’t just beautiful—they’re purposeful. Every commission diverts waste from landfill and repositions it as something valuable, meaningful, and built to last.
We don’t believe sustainability should look boring. It should look bold and shout luxury. Daring. Beautiful. By reworking waste materials into luxury surfaces and objects, we challenge conventional ideas of beauty and push for a more responsible design industry.
Modern marquetry is our way of contributing to the movement toward circular design—and doing it with soul.
Ready to Create Something Uniquely Yours?
Whether you’re an interior designer looking for a statement surface, a homeowner with a passion for sustainable design, or simply curious about our craft, we’d love to hear from you.
