It was in 1985 that 21-year-old craftsman, Mark Boddington, founded what has since become one of Britain’s most respected names in bespoke furniture – Silverlining. Four decades on, Mark reflects on a journey shaped by artistry, innovation, and the enduring power of craft.
More than most, Mark’s flair for craftsmanship is rooted in his blood. “My passion for craftsmanship began early – I built my first bookcase at the age of five alongside my mother, who had a natural flair for art and design and was a lifelong mentor,” Mark explains.
That creative lineage runs deep. Mark’s maternal great-great-grandfather, George Rae, was a patron of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, commissioning and collecting some of the movement’s most celebrated works, including The Beloved (1863) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
His paternal great-great-grandfather, Henry Boddington, was an advocate of the Century Guild – a collective of artists and designers who sought to elevate the decorative arts to the realm of fine art.
“I trained in furniture making at Parnham College under the tutelage of John Makepeace OBE,” Mark continues. “Following a successful graduate exhibition, I founded Silverlining in 1985 at the age of 21.”
With this fascinating background – awash with ancestors and mentors dedicated to preserving and perfecting handicraft – it’s little surprise that Mark was motivated to forge his own path in the sector.
“Deep appreciation of the arts, design, and craftsmanship has always been central to Silverlining,” he affirms. “Today, we’re the last UK furniture maker to house more than 30 specialist skills under one roof, from cabinetmaking and marquetry to our own leather atelier and an expanding R&D department.
“Over time, that appreciation has evolved through curiosity and innovation – by combining time-honoured techniques with contemporary materials, and by reimagining traditional ones through new processes.
“Our work now sits at the intersection of craft, design, and innovation – a dynamic combination that continues to challenge and inspire the team every day.”
In those formative years, a number of early, yet prestigious commissions, set the course for Silverlining’s remarkable journey.
“Two relationships spring to mind,” says Mark. “The first came through our workshop location on the Grosvenor Estate in Cheshire. Working with the Dowager and late Duke of Westminster, and their interior designer John Stefanidis, made our work known to international aristocratic families and established our reputation for combining traditional skills with innovative techniques.
“The second pivotal moment came in 1993 on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. I struck up a conversation with Kevin Costner’s architect. That chance encounter led to Hollywood commissions; David Bowie, Madonna and Tom Ford, clients who pushed boundaries and asked, “Can this be done?” Those projects challenged us to match creative ambition with technical innovation, which still drives us today.”
Today, Silverlining has an impressive 70-strong studio in North Wales. Its team of designers, engineers, and craftspeople work at the cutting edge of material and technological innovation, whether this entails pioneering sustainable alternatives such as rattan-based composites or pushing the boundaries of contemporary craftsmanship with biomaterials, nanoceramic coatings, and AI-driven design processes.
An ability to embrace the modern resources and technological advances available to the industry, and apply them to traditional craft methods, enhances Silverlining’s ability to create truly original workmanship.
“The biggest shift over the past 40 years has been recognising that tradition and innovation are complementary, not opposing forces,” Mark explains.
“We’ve pioneered ‘nature-first’ materials, transforming straw, flax, and cork into structural luxury finishes. Our honeycomb straw technique casts naturally dyed straw in bio-resin, creating translucent, robust composite surfaces. We’ve also developed stacked leather finishes from waste and off-cut materials and combined veneer offcuts with bio-resin.
“We’ve transformed heritage crafts like marquetry through our own training programme and advanced laser techniques. Our precision vacuum dyeing has built a library of over 6,000 custom colours since 1985.”
Each month, Silverlining holds “Innovation Friday”, which is dedicated to passion projects. Giving its staff the time and freedom to explore has resulted in key breakthroughs, including translucent wood and 37 square metres of resin-encased wall panelling combining marquetry, airbrushing, and mother-of-pearl.
These plentiful opportunities for creative exploration play a key part in the company’s impressive levels of staff retention, and its appeal for new talent at a time when recruitment is strained across the industry.
“Our reputation for design innovation and exceptional craftsmanship continues to attract both aspiring and experienced makers,” affirms Mark. “Individuals who are drawn to the level of mastery our complex, technically demanding projects require.
“At the same time, we actively welcome those with no prior experience in furniture-making, including people entering the industry for the first time or pursuing it as a second career. This broadens our talent pool and brings new perspectives. We also recognise that many skills from other sectors – such as automotive, horology, or saddlery – are highly transferable to our craft.
“Brexit significantly impacted our ability to attract talent from Europe. In response, we’ve redoubled our efforts to invest in homegrown talent, accelerating training and building a pipeline of future master craftspeople.”
Legacy, and specifically the passing down of skills and a passion for craftsmanship, led Mark to launch The Silverlining Academy of Skills. Providing theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice of 21st-century craftsmanship skills, CNC programming and operation and leatherwork, trainees receive a competitive remuneration and benefits package from the start.
“I’m proud that the average age of our craftspeople is only 31, and that we’ve trained over 200 craftspeople in 40 years,” explains Mark. “The Silverlining Academy of Skills is central to our future, preserving endangered crafts like marquetry, while training people from diverse backgrounds.”
Another recent development, and one Mark is particularly proud of, is the launch of ‘Layers in Time’ – the debut limited edition collection from SL Studio, Silverlining’s in-house creative department.
“Although SL Studio has existed for over two decades, primarily focused on bespoke commissions, this collection marks a pivotal moment: the team’s first independently conceived and executed body of work,” Mark explains.
“Layers In Time represents the studio’s own creative vision – a distillation of its longstanding fascination with materials, craftsmanship, and innovation. It also signals our formal entry into the world of collectable furniture, with the intention to release a new limited edition series annually.
“We unveiled the collection in London during PAD and Frieze, where it received an exceptional response from both private collectors and interior designers. It’s a significant milestone for the studio, and for Silverlining more broadly.”
