Fernando Setién

Miniature maker

©Guillaume Darribau

©Susana García San Vicente

The modern miniature maker

Fernando uses solid wood and experiments with new materials
He is fascinated by the emotional bond collectors have with their pieces
His work features in Kansas City Museum of Toys and Miniatures

A fully trained and experienced carpenter, with a childhood passion for building wooden toys, Fernando Setién taught himself to make miniature furniture as a career change resulting from the recent economic crisis. He focuses on making replicas as well as his own designs, generally at 1:12 scale. By applying his carpentry skills, experimenting and adapting materials, and even devising a technique of steam bending wood, Fernando rises to the challenge of miniaturising, choosing the right materials and wood grain to best suit each project. Inspired by architecture, modern and industrial design, he works with ingenuity and patience and never ceases to learn on the job.

Interview

©Guillaume Darribau

©Susana García San Vicente

What inspires you?: I am really into 20th century industrial design and mid-century modern furniture since it is functional and ergonomic, less ornamental, while still using noble woods. The combination of functionality and tradition in raw materials is what epitomises my passion for miniatures.
How does your process begin?: I like to spend time thinking, without making, designing or studying historical pieces. That’s when you will find me wandering around my workshop, in the shared space I have with other craftsmen who usually get tired of me doing so!
What makes a miniature special?: The level of realism the maker is able to achieve. When you see a photo of a piece, it should be assumed to be full size, unless a scale is indicated. This is the biggest challenge, it is what urges me to experiment and improve every day.
How are your miniatures used?: My pieces are mostly used as elements in dollhouses, but also as decorative objects. Dollhouses traditionally reflect the owner’s taste and their playful spirit while growing up, recreating historical homes, while I encourage people to get into 20th and 21st century designs.

Fernando Setién is a rising star: he began his career in 2017