meristem
The actively dividing and multiplying cells that differentiate to form all parts of a plant. Found in the root tips, branch tips and lateral growth areas, the meristem is where the magic of plant growth happens.
It’s the starting point for the life of a tree, and thus the starting point for the furniture I build.
Meristem Woodworks is the home for the furniture and interior carpentry work of Philip Shelton.
I characterize my furniture design style as wood-forward; showcasing the wood for what it is, without diminishing or masking it. The wood itself is the centerpiece and the aesthetic of my work.
Wood is a living medium, and the furniture maker an artist who works that life into new forms. In crafting new forms from living materials, I strive to imbue each piece with the honor and respect that the trees deserve as they become part of our daily lives.