[Self-Introduction] A "spare key" handed to you from a workshop in Florence. Polished over 32 years.

(Updated April 22, 2026)

Buongiorno a tutti! (Hello, everyone!)
I am Mitchy,
a furniture restorer in Florence, Italy.

Thank you for knocking on this door among the many notes available.

I run a small workshop in Florence, the city of flowers, where I work to bring light back to damaged antique furniture.

After a long voyage of 32 years, I am now in the midst of a major challenge.

Challenge for the 2026 Creative Awards: The birth cry of 2,493 characters

In April 2026, I wrote a story condensing my thirty-two-year journey and knocked on the big door called the "2026 Creative Awards."

The task of narrowing down a 12-part serialized essay into a single story. It was a grueling yet light-filled time of polishing, like carving a single sharp "chisel handle" out of a main pillar.

Without compromising until the very last wipe, I arrived at "2,493 characters" by shaving off two characters. It contains not only the techniques of furniture restoration but also my conflicts with my father, my survival in Iran, and my prayer that "life can be restored as many times as needed."

My current "masterpiece," which I carved out of my soul, is here.

The "three borders" that shape me and "32 years of patina (aging beauty)"

My life has progressed by crossing the borders of three completely different cultures: Japan, Italy, and Iran.

Decision at 24:
A "normal woman" who was feeling stifled in rural Japan defies her family's opposition and goes to Italy alone.


Transformation into a craftsperson:From aspiring designer to the world of furniture restoration, where I was taught that "things that are damaged are the most beautiful."


Baptism in Iran:Meeting my Italian-Iranian husband and experiencing child-rearing and turbulent days in Tehran.


The present, and the beginning of "dialogue":
Completing my 32-year voyage and returning to my workshop in Florence.From April, through my subscription magazine "Spare Key,"
I am opening a "door of dialogue" to savor the depths of life together with you all.

What appeared after overcoming many wounds was the beautiful wood grain of a one-of-a-kind "life of my own." I have compiled that journey into three treasure chests (magazines).

[Chapter 1] Crossing Three Borders: A Record of Italian Training, Setbacks, and Recovery

Going to Italy alone at 24.
A story of how I carved out my "pride as a craftsperson" in workshops in Florence and Rome, while experiencing loneliness and setbacks.

[Chapter 2] Crossing Three Borders: Baptism of Different Cultures and the Primary Colors of the Soul

To Italy, and then to Iran.
Survival days of being tossed about by different cultures and finding my own "primary colors."

[Chapter 3] Crossing Three Borders: Regeneration and Fruition

Setting up a workshop in Florence, as a mother and as a craftsperson.
The final chapter of the story of restoring and bringing to fruition the furniture called life.

Launch of the subscription magazine "Spare Key": Toward a "dialogue" with you

The story has concluded, but my daily life as a craftsman and my 'challenges' continue. In my subscription magazine, I deliver my honest thoughts and ways to polish one's life, as if handing you a 'duplicate key' to my workshop.

[Friday] A Craftsman's Monologue (Free):

The breeze of Florence and the daily life of a restorer.

[Saturday] Behind-the-scenes stories and dining tables from three countries (Paid/Magazine exclusive)

Surprising behind-the-scenes stories that couldn't be written in the series, and multinational recipes.

[Sunday] A restorer's life philosophy (Paid/Magazine exclusive)

A deep and quiet letter for cherishing your imperfect self.

The paid articles for Saturday and Sunday will all be added to the magazine as back issues during your subscription period.

Even if you miss them during a busy weekend, or if you want to read past articles again,
they are accumulated as an 'archive' that you can pick up at any time you like.

Please accept your 'duplicate key' here.

Florence felt through the ears (stand.fm)

I deliver the main article every Friday in my own voice. I hope it becomes a 'door to anywhere' that connects your housework or commute to my workshop in Florence.

A promise to the future: To one day hand it over as a 'book'

Currently, my big goal is to one day release the 32-year trajectory I have written about in this note as a 'book' into the world.

If the note magazine is an 'exhibition room you can stop by anytime,' then a book is like 'a chair you can keep on your precious bookshelf for a lifetime.'

At first, I was thinking of quietly making it a Kindle book by myself, but through this challenge of the 'Creative Grand Prize 2026,' the wish to polish the story together with professional editors and deliver it as a paper book has become my great driving force now.

Finishing the journey, polishing the chair, and handing everyone a duplicate key. I dream of the day when we can talk about the beautiful grain of your life, with the completed book in hand, in a room opened with that key.

Why not gently open the door to the workshop?

If you follow or 'like' my posts, I will jump for joy under the sky of Florence.

Thank you for your continued support.

Grazie di cuore! (With heartfelt gratitude!)

Michy