HISTORY
"I was destined to go to Reading University to study land management and then join our family business, but my sibling rather bravely said to me, 'Why don't you do what you love and follow your passion?'"
Silverlining Furniture started as a young craftsman's passion for creating exceptional furniture. Four decades later, this vision is shared by a team of over 70 designers, engineers and artisans, who together, with our clients, create extraordinary furniture that embodies visions of tomorrow.
1985
Driven by a love of wood and a passion for furniture making, Mark Boddington age 19, opted out of his family's famous brewing business to train under the renowned furniture designer/maker John Makepeace OBE.
1988
With an eye for extraordinary materials and fine furniture-making skills, Mark quickly became sought after by British patrons, including the Duke and Duchess of Westminster. Silverlining’s creations grace both indoor and outdoor spaces at the family’s historic home, a testament to his artistry and precision.
1990
Through the work for Her Grace the Duchess of Westminster Mark was commissioned by other British aristocratic families and the American-born art collector Stanley J. Seeger of Sutton Place. Through these connections, the Hollywood era began, with furniture then being made for Madonna, David Bowie, Kevin Costner and Tom Ford, among many others.
1995
Thanks to his commitment to groundbreaking craftsmanship, Mark received his first yacht commission for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, introducing him to the world of furniture making for homes on the sea. The workshop’s reputation for innovative materials and craftsmanship brought a new of detail to yacht interior design.
2005
A dedicated design department is established at Silverlining, testing the limits of modern furniture making by combining groundbreaking original design ideas with innovative contemporary craftsmanship techniques.
2008 - 2011
Silverlining embarks on a visionary journey to change the future landscape of furniture making. The thinking is captured in three influential books: ‘Silverlining The Art of Furniture’, ‘Design, Innovation and 21st Century Craftsmanship and ‘Future Perfect A Manifesto for 21st Century Craftsmanship’. These publications serve as sources of knowledge, providing a legacy, raising awareness and fostering a community dedicated to advancing the art and science of furniture making.
2015
Silverlining launches its own research and development department driving innovation in the furniture industry. As a means of capturing our latest design thinkings, Silverlining unveils a collection of maquette artworks every year, showcasing our very latest material, finish and technical innovations. They serve as inspiration for our clients and a starting point for the commissioning journey.
2018-2019
Now recognised as a global team with commissions from all five continents of the world, Silverlining is honoured with two Queens’s Awards – for export and innovation – acknowledging the company’s international expansion and pioneering work in the development of new materials and techniques.
The company launches the Silverlining Academy of Skills, as part of Mark’s focus on legacy – not just for his business, but to advance and preserve craft, skills and techniques for future generations. Mark has established a clear focus on bringing people into the industry and providing a clear path for growth and progression.
2024 & beyond
As Silverlining celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, the company sets its sights on the next decade with new ambitious projects to redefine modern furniture making by pushing further the boundaries of creativity, user interaction and sustainability, in luxury furniture creation.
