M STUDIO

Dave Metzger's career as a filmmaker, composer and professional creative both here in Chicago and in New York, has been a journey marked by a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, storytelling, and the profound impact of visual elements on the overall narrative. So I made the decision to expand my creative pursuits into a new realm—establishing M Studio, a custom woodworking shop. Drawing parallels between the artistry of filmmaking and the craftsmanship inherent in woodworking, I envisioned M Studio as a fusion of these two worlds, where each piece of custom furniture tells a unique story of the person having it built. Just as a filmmaker carefully edits each frame to convey a specific emotion or message, M Studio crafts bespoke pieces with a similar intention, ensuring that every curve, joint, and finish contributes to a narrative of individuality, style and quality. Most furniture in the big box stores is, well, not great.  It's pressed particle board made in sweat shops across the globe designed purely to maximize profit.  So this venture is a testament to my belief in that in some small way, we can change that.  Creativity, quality and self expression matter.  M Studio strives to inspire through beauty and quality.  We build pieces that not only enhance living spaces but also serve as an expression of who you are.

 

 

 

The work of other creative professionals has been an enduring source of inspiration throughout my career, influencing and shaping my perspective.  The commitment to excellence and the pursuit of beauty inherent in their work have not only ignited my own artistic aspirations but have also served as a reminder of the endless possibilities that lie within the realm of craftsmanship.  Here are three people who have done incredible work and perhaps may inspire you as well.  

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Nick Pedulla is a master craftsman from Sydney, Australia.  Not only is he an incredible woodworker, he's also a super nice guy.  He specializes in very personal designs that are truly unique to him and are mostly for folks who want individual pieces that speak to who they are.  I'm a Patreon supporter of Nick's and email him frequently as I develop and improve my skill set.  

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Nathan Day is a designer + woodworker and also from Sydney.  He specializes in more corporate design work but it is still absolutely beautiful and unique to his aesthetic.  

 

Frank Pollaro is one of the great designers + woodworkers in the world today.  His specialty is working with the Fortune 100 and his work is every bit as grand.  These budgets are in the "if you have to ask" category but super fun to look at.  

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M Film is my film company.  One of my favorite clients happens to be Haworth, a global leader in design and workplace solutions.  With a history deeply rooted in woodworking, their mission has been marked by a commitment to transforming workspaces into dynamic and aesthetically pleasing environments. As a filmmaker, collaborating with Haworth was a joy and little did I know at the time, but it would be one of the inspirations for the creation of M Studio.  Working with such a renowned design company was one of the inspirations behind building well-crafted, custom furniture, although on a slightly smaller scale!  I thoroughly enjoyed contributing to their legacy of innovative design solutions as well as telling their storied history.  This is a film about how the origin of the company was based on woodworking.