About me
The travelling joiner
I am Rostás Árpád — master furniture-joiner, woodcarver, marquetry maker. The name “travelling joiner” came from the work itself: a castle staircase doesn't fit into a workshop, so I go to where the wood that needs saving is.
“I have worked in wood preservation for 43 years…”
Forty-three years with wood
I have worked in this trade for forty-three years. Furniture and heritage-building restoration, woodcarving, marquetry — and I have worked in wood preservation for just as long. For me, the two belong together: a restored surface means little if the wood keeps decaying from within.
“I have worked in wood preservation for 43 years, and with my own inventions I have been able to save many heritage buildings and artefacts.”
43 years
Furniture and heritage-building restoration, woodcarving, marquetry.
Just as long
Wood preservation — a restored surface means little if the wood keeps decaying from within.
In forty-three years, a person doesn't just gather routine. You learn that every piece of wood asks for something different — that a church pew, a manor house veranda and an inherited chest of drawers each speak their own language, and all three must be understood.
The two awards, and what they mean
Hungarian Heritage Award (Magyar Örökség-díj)
I don't mention it to boast — but because whoever entrusts me with a heritage building or a family piece of furniture has a right to know that far stricter eyes than mine have already measured my work.
Pro Architectura Award
Both recognitions were earned by the work of my hands, not by my words.
Press coverage
The press has written about my work too: in articles and video pieces showing what I do and why.
The standard I measure myself against
I don't measure myself against my competitors, but against the Great Masters — Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello. Not because I imagine myself alongside them, but because they showed how far a person can go if they give a lifetime to their craft.
“For as long as I live, I want to create and bring glory to my homeland, Hungary! To create, create, create. To learn from the Great Masters.”
What I give back to the trade
For years I have organised free trade camps for children in need, at home and abroad. A workbench, tools, wood — and a master who shows what can be made from them. The goal is simple: that these children learn a trade, because a trade is a way out and a secure livelihood.
For 2026 I am planning an international trade conference with speakers who grew up beside the workbench — joiners, wood-preservation specialists, architects, restorers. Because skilled-trade training is dwindling, and I cannot sit by and watch.
“As long as I can lift my hand, I can teach, carve, create, make marquetry, teach young people — as long as even one person cares about this trade, I will keep teaching.”
A handshake
“I would like to ask for a personal meeting, where there can be a peaceful handshake between us — a friendly Roma-Hungarian handshake.”
If you have a building, a piece of furniture or an idea from which you want something lasting, write or call. Let us create together for those who come after us, as our forebears did for us. Blessings and peace!