Meet Janusz Maszkiewicz

We recently connected with Janusz Maszkiewicz and have shared our conversation below.

Janusz , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

For me, resilience comes from knowing that nothing lasts forever, storms pass, seasons shift. You just have to stay with it. I had to learn to be resilient early in my life because I was still a small boy when my father died suddenly. I grew up on a farm in post-war Poland, and things were not easy for anyone and they were especially difficult for my mother and I now that my father was gone. Eastern Europe was in a lot of turmoil back then. There was political danger and many of us felt a sense of desperation. I knew from a very young age that I would have to find my own path and learn to be strong in the face of adversity. Even though I worked on the farm that my father left behind I found solace in creative work. It seemed to be a calling for me. A place I could go to escape the demands and pressures of my life without my father to protect me. I knew I had talent, but I also knew that if I wanted to become an artist, persistence mattered just as much as talent.
My family’s history, especially the challenges they endured and overcame during World War II, gave me perspective. I carry that with me, knowing persistence is as essential as skill. That persistence allowed me to survive those difficult times. I was able to complete a university degree while helping my mother to keep the farm running. After university I knew I needed to leave Poland if I was going to find a better life so, with almost nothing but the clothes on my back, I moved to London and found work in antique conservation and training in restoration. There I learned the discipline of detail, veneer inlay, marquetry, French polishing, crafts that don’t allow shortcuts. My whole world changed during those years. I had found my calling. My love for this discipline carried me from London to New York where I immersed myself in the city’s vibrant art scene, a chapter I truly enjoyed. Eventually, I settled in Los Angeles, where the same love for this work encouraged me to build Vienna Woods.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

At Vienna Woods LA, we design and restore custom fine furniture. Our inspiration draws from Biedermeier, Empire, Art Deco, Mid-Century, and modern design. Every piece is handmade using traditional European methods such as veneering, marquetry, and French polishing, crafts that connect directly to 19th-century Danhauser tradition.
What excites me most is blending tradition with innovation, taking wood, metal, stone, or organic forms and turning them into pieces that are both functional and poetic.
Right now, we’re expanding our studio practice, collaborating with artists and designers, and preparing a new body of work which incorporates everything I’ve learned over the many years.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Curiosity, persistence, and craftsmanship. Staying open to new ideas and materials has been essential. Persistence, because the most worthwhile projects always take longer and test you more than you expect. And craftsmanship, because developing skill with my hands gave me both confidence and freedom as an artist.
For those just starting out, my advice is simple: don’t rush. Learn deeply, practice consistently, and don’t fear mistakes, they’re part of the path forward.
And just as important, find balance. Creating is vital, but so is living fully with the people and places you love. For me, that means spending time in nature and with my family.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

offered both critique and encouragement, from them I learned that you can’t rush mastery, that practice and mistakes are part of the process.
Collaborators have also played a big role. Opening the studio to greater collaboration has brought in fresh perspectives and energy. It’s been a reminder that craftsmanship isn’t only about individual mastery, it’s also about building a community of makers who will carry the work forward. Collaboration keeps tradition alive and evolving, and I’m especially interested in working with architects, interior designers, and fellow artists who share an appreciation for natural materials and refined craftsmanship. Anyone who feels drawn to that can connect with me through the Vienna Woods LA website or by visiting our studio.
But above all, Vienna Woods has always been a family effort. My wife, Margo, is not only our administrative lead but also a creative advisor. Without her, the studio wouldn’t exist. She has been essential to our growth and resilience.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season

Highlighter Series
What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?

With so many high-achievers in our community it was super interesting to learn about the

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger