Unmistakably Mark Wilkinson
“Just as we should be truthful, real and frank ourselves, and look for these same moral qualities in those whom we select for our friends, so should the things with which we surround ourselves in our homes be truthful, real and frank. We are influenced by our surroundings more than we imagine.�
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THE FINEST DESIGNER OF OUR TIME
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Mark Wilkinson OBE. OLM. FCGI. FSBID. FRSA .
Lifestyle VISIONARY - the man who changed kitchen design for all time Mark Wilkinson is the founding designer of two of the country’s best known bespoke kitchen design and manufacturing businesses, Mark Wilkinson Furniture and Smallbone of Devizes. When Mark designed his first iconic kitchen, he changed the role that this important space plays in our homes. What had been in the past an unseen area of utility became an inspiring and stylish place to prepare food in, focussing on the social aspect of kitchen design bringing ‘heart’ and ‘humanity’ to European kitchens.
This was effectively the start of kitchen development as the centre of modern family lifestyle and an important part of the investment we make in our homes today.
Furniture design and making was an obvious choice for Mark with a father in the film industry who created and made film sets. At a young age this is where Mark learned much of his carpentry skills. Rebelling against conformity in these early years combined with his ability to think ‘outside the box’ helped direct his future into that of a designer with highly innovative ideas.
In 1979 when asked to design and make a fitted kitchen for a record producer and his wife in London, Mark snapped up the challenge. Reclaimed timber was the material of the time and with Mark’s style of designing with an emotional content and balance, it ‘hit the spot’ and was a huge success.
This first kitchen design set hearts pounding and word quickly spread throughout the music and media world, pioneering the start of the English style country kitchen industry.
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What followed from Mark has set the style icons for classic
each style, designing every component to get the look and
and contemporary furniture in the generations to come and
feel completely right.
has brought the fitted kitchen into the highest echelon of fine luxury living. His work is now recognised worldwide, summed up by idFX, the leading magazine for designers,
For him furniture design is his way of speaking and, being an inventor and visionary, he rises to the challenges that new designs always create.
as ‘the finest designer of our time’. AWARD WINNING DESIGN The trade marks that add up to the difference that is ‘Unmistakably Mark Wilkinson’ are; original design without compromise, attention to detail, unquestioned quality and furniture that invites us all to appreciate and enjoy excellence
In recognition of the work produced by Mark Wilkinson Furniture, The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers of the City of London invited Mark and his company to join their Livery.
and beauty through an emotionally intelligent approach to design and making.
In being awarded the Livery’s Guild Mark, the company’s furniture is identified and deemed as being of excellence in
Although beauty might be in the ‘eye of the beholder’, Mark Wilkinson has always believed that ‘beauty is in the heart of the creator’ and he goes to extraordinary lengths to create 6
design, materials and workmanship and to be a representative record of amongst the finest British furniture of the age.
Mark Wilkinson OBE. OLM. FCGI. FSBID. FRSA.
Mark has been pleased to accept a Fellowship from the
Recognition and value is an important part in the clients’
Chartered Society of Designers (FCSD) and the Royal Society
investment of Mark Wilkinson Furniture for their home,
of Arts (FRSA) and Fellow of the City & Guilds Institute (FCGI).
adding to the enjoyment of owning furniture that is often described as the best in the world.
Mark Wilkinson is also a Founding Fellow of the Society for British Interior design (FSBID) -awards which further confirm
His unmistakable design style combined with an unrivalled
that, today, good design really does matter and has real value.
standard of excellence in the art of furniture making and eye for meticulous detail is acclaimed as the benchmark for
THE FIRST OBE AWARDED IN 50 YEARS FOR SERVICES TO all that is new and exciting in furniture today. THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY. Mark was honoured with an OBE, presented by the Queen,
His influences and his passion for translating an emotional
for services to the industry and to charity in the 2010 New
idea form the basis of his design notes in this brochure for
Years Honours Listings.
each style of furniture.
He was awarded the Order of the League of Mercy (OLM) for his support of the specialist teaching charity Dyslexia Action.
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Furniture Index MIL AN
NEW
P 10 - 2 5
ENGL AND P 26-43
COOK’S
ENGLISH
P 44-55
CL ASSIC P 56-63
N E W LY N
P RO V E N C E
P 6 4 - 71
P 72-79
ETRUSC AN
MAI
P 80-87
P 88-93
ARTS &
SHAN GAR A
CR AFTS
P 10 0 -10 7
P 94-99
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M E T RO
THE L ARDER
P 10 8 -113
P 116 -121
THE NEW
EXQUISITE
ARTFORM
D E TA I L I N G
P 12 2 -12 3
P 12 4 -12 5
ST YLISH &
STUDIES,
P R AC T I C A L
MEDIA ROOMS
P 12 6 -12 7
P 12 8 -13 7
B E D RO O M S ,
MAKING THE
B AT H RO O M S
DIFFERENCE
P 13 8 -15 5
P 15 6 -161
FURNITURE
THE
FOR
M A R I LY N
CHILDREN
CABINET
P 16 2 -16 5
P 16 6 -16 7
OUR
OUR
COMPLETE
INVITATION
SERVICE
P 174
P 16 8 -17 3
A s yo u t u r n th e s e p a g e s we h o p e yo u fe e l th e i n s p i r a t i o n that compels Mark to create his designs and that this por tfolio o f b e a u t i f u l f u r n i t u re b r i n g s re a l j oy to yo u r l i fe .
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Milan
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Duomo Statues, Milan. ŠAdam Shelton
Spirit of the catwalk Milan owes it’s name not just to the city but also to what it represents; to its feeling of promise and excitement and above all style‌ embracing the Haute Couture tradition that by the 1950’s was deeply embedded by the creative legends of the era.
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‘Design’s’ Elysian Fields
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Mark recalls, “I wanted to create something that possessed lithe sinuousness, the spirit of the catwalk, all that chic, cheek and panache”. Once the idea was born I turned to ‘how’. I had to keep the complexion clear, to portray pure style without clutter. I chose quietly spoken hand-stitched leather handles and addressed swing and movement by developing soft curved lines that create fluid elegance.” 13
Cutting-edge sophistication 14
Contemporary good looks, combined with sophisticated design and meticulous attention to detail, create a real ‘wow’ factor in this Milan kitchen. 15
Spectacular spatial living
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The Milan kitchen, dining area and living room blend seamlessly together to create a continuous feeling of light and space. Taking inspiration from the beautiful shape of the windows the theme was carried through to the island breakfast bar and lighting extractor. A stunning Milan side-cabinet complements the finished design.
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Mark Wilkinson’s Milan is considered by many aficionados of style to be the first kitchen that has taken contemporary living to a new level, luxury without limits. It features hand-crafted semi-circular wall units, and a fusion of beautiful materials, including the highest grade Walnut, stone and leather.
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Opposite & Above: A new extension to the kitchen (and what an extension!) helps to create a wonderfully efficient workflow from cooking to preparation, through to the breakfast bar and dining area. Intergrated living at it’s most stylish.
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The sweeping work surface is Porto Blanco Granite; black with flecks of white, the paint is one of Mark Wilkinson’s own water-based eco-paints in the shade named Quail, a stunning contrast to the darker shades of Walnut. The equipment in the Milan kitchen also features the ver y latest cooking and cooling appliances by Miele and Sub-Zero. Elements that combine in the vision of the finest designer of our time to produce a living space that simply exudes cutting-edge contemporar y style ‌Milan style.
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Above: Same stable, same winning combination. Mark Wilkinson meets Murano glass to create a fusion between British and Venetian craftsmen that will stand the test of time.
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The last word in style
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No limit to luxury
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“Our client’s brief was that he wanted the same feeling of exquisite craftsmanship and nothing but the finest veneers to give him that exultant feeling of pedigree he experiences every time he gets into his Bentley”
Opposite & Above: The beautiful Milan furniture handles are made from stainless steel and stitched Mocca leather, with the same sumptuous leather being used in the bar seating. Natural Jura Beige Limestone, a wonderfully opulent stone, was chosen for the worktops. Each pane of glass in the glazed cabinet is heat slumped by hand to ensure perfection in the curvature. Fine Walnut veneers were chosen to match the quality of those in the clients Bentley.
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...bringing it home again
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“An abundance of seafood, forests for building timber and beautiful scenery saw the coastal region around Nantucket Bay quickly populated by communities of seafaring people and fishermen. This effectively opened the book on the cultural history of New England, USA, the culture that inspired me to create one of my most loved designs.
Colonial era houses with their wood frames and whitewashed timber cladding became a seductive potion when mixed with ingredients of fresh lobster, sea air and the spectacular landscape. This attracted tourists and ar tisans drawn to the primal drama of the ocean.�
New England 27
Above: Light is the hero in this kitchen in the way that it falls invitingly across this classic furniture. Also used to great effect is a span of illuminating glazed top boxes that are both useful and bring a special dynamic to this uplifting project.
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For the sheer joy of living 29
Above & Opposite: A perfect example of how the timeless Mark Wilkinson New England design complements this elegant room of Georgian proportions with high ceilings, generous windows and exquisite stucco wall friezes, accentuated by three Godolphinesque balloon ceiling lights... period place harmony.
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“Travelling the Eastern Seaboard is what influenced me to create my own New England style, classic overtones with a contemporary twist.
New England is the cultural twin of the Cook’s Kitchen style and embodies the same sense of timelessness. It takes its inspiration from the inherent style of places like Providence, Nantucket and the beautiful coastal homes of New England.
The entire region shares so much more with us than just the language. So I’ve brought New England home again.”
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The art of living ...of life ...of food infused with the art of glass. Simply relax and be creative!
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New England is available in a palette of beautiful painted finishes and in a range of natural woods.
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Above & Opposite: A wonderfully impressive Oak-beamed extension frames this elegant hand-painted New England kitchen. A perfect blend of taste and technology with windows, lighting and audio/visual systems controlled by iPad.
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Everything in it’s place and a place for everything. Here is a kitchen that has got the lot! You’ll find everybody in this kitchen at parties, in fact you’ll have to tempt them out when it’s time to leave.
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The finest of fine living...
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Opposite & Above: New England style brings luxury living to the heart of this home with stunning kitchen, flexible dining including alfresco eating on the integral garden patio and the ultimate in modern wine storage.
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Above & Opposite: With an outlook over a beautiful Cornish cove the kitchen in this beachside home reflects that sense of tranquillity when you are at one with coastal living. The overriding feeling can be expressed in two words, “Yes please!�
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Bringing the outside in
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Opposite & Above: New England expresses eclectic freedom in the greatest of style... the pleasure of cooking in soft summer breezes, when the inside extends out and the sunshine comes in.
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That feeling of ease and quality
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“ As I had always wanted to create something essentially Edwardian in its purest and simplest form, with the Cook’s design I went beyond my earlier Countr y Victorian style to progress, as it were, through history, from the daffodil bordered lakes of Wordswor th to the Lagonda murmurings of Betjeman’s gravel drives. A time of ease and confidence
...our golden age.”
Cook’s 45
“I designed this style to be easy on the eye and utterly comfortable . The kind of furniture that, once installed, you are never going to have to change, nor want to change.�
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Opposite & Above: The Cook’s style; a way of enveloping ones self in the arms of true timelessness bringing a peaceful reward. So special one feels impelled to share it with family and friends.
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“What especially attracted me to the Edwardians was that here was a society which had, at last, come to terms with their wealth and success as a nation with an Empire unprecedented in history. The Victorians had been surprised at how rich they were and this ultimately expressed itself in a wonderful sense of gentility (Granny Beetons country cuddles!)�
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Opposite & Above: The kitchen is called ‘Cook’s’, the dog is called ‘Quince’. The house is a haven of friendship where laughter drifts with the aroma of country cooking. The character Oak and bold colours complement the love of life of those that live there.
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The Cook’s style looks so comfortable in this wonderful Oak beamed extension to a traditional village home. 50
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When the Cook’s design is used like this, expressing classic overtones with contemporary colours, it begs the question - is it a style, or a natural part of life?
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“By contrast to the Victorians, the Edwardians were at ease. They had canvas bags with leather corners (indeed all their corners were gently rounded) and armchairs you could lean well back in. There was only the quietest ostentation about these people.”
Opposite & Above: ‘ Archie’ the dog is the family’s Labradoodle and he shares something in common with this traditional hand-painted Cook’s kitchen in that they are both specially bred to look this good!
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... the
best of
Britishness
“The way I design is to develop an emotional idea, to take the feeling, the spirit of the place that means something to me as a readable art form. I had to think about what our heritage meant to me, which included modesty, Englishness, a sense of style, a feeling of permanence, a feeling of kindness, graciousness and tolerance, an Albion, Elgarian feeling - all that is considered fine, the best of Britishness and our heritage for tomorrow.�
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English Classic
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Pewsham Manor, Wiltshire. ŠSteve Harris - Resolution Digital
Our heritage for tomorrow
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Above: The art of kitchen design at its finest, with wonderfully soft and calm colours so that paintings in the client’s art collection can be changed and still have a perfect setting everytime.
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The heart of this kitchen and the soul of the cook meet here with an air of such natural confidence you feel almost empowered by the alchemy. From family meals to fine dining ...no problem!
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Character Oak, hand painting, a wealth of top storage and a traditional Aga help to create a warm living space with a classic feel appropriate to what was once a brewery hall annexe to this historic vicarage. 63
Inspiration for artists through the centuries
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“ It was works such as this painting ‘Tucking a School of Pilchards’ by the 'Newlyn School' artist Percy Craft that, many years ago, ignited an ember that grew into a love of this area of Cornwall. My design ‘Newlyn’ takes inspiration from the purity of expression and the innovation of the ‘Newlyn School’, coupled with the unpretentious toil of the Newlyn fishermen and their environment.”
Newlyn 65
Newlyn is a very stylish, modern and linear design that is at the heart of the culture that inspired it. This kitchen is made in Walnut, randomly selected, so that the grain gives a visually pleasing effect (also available in a hand-painted finish). The doors are frameless with ‘handles’ that are innovatively channelled into the door and drawer facades. A polished nickel ’flashline’ is laid into the doors, drawers and cornice which contributes to the dynamic and sophisticated look.
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Deceptive simplicity creates absolute style 67
Mark salutes the purity of the Newlyn School with his 'pared back' Newlyn style that is contemporary and understated. Perfectly attuned to the light and airy space of this dining area the grain and character of the Walnut is a stunning contrast to the neutral colours of the kitchen extension.
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Details that make the difference Above: The hand-painted island has a segmented curve which is mirrored in the ceiling ‘cloud’ housing an extractor and lighting. Labrador Antique Granite forms the work surface inset with a sophisticated flush-fitting induction hob. Integral to the design is the breakfast bar and seating.
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Above Left: Carousel corner unit with beautifully curved doors. Above Top: The wall cabinets either side of the plate rack have a motorised automatic lift up mechanism to raise the bi-fold doors which is activated by a gentle touch on the door. To close, one simply needs to touch the sensor on the base of the cabinet.
Above Centre: A purpose-built drinks centre offers a colourful artist’s palette-like choice of beverages in the selection drawer. Above Bottom: Everything in its place with bespoke storage such as this crockery drawer and deep pan drawer.
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...contentment and warmth
Provence 72
“Some years ago, I was travelling in France, and realised that once you get beyond the bijou bistro there’s a special something about life there, especially in the South, that I wanted to express in kitchen furniture. It was that feeling of contentment and warmth, and faded glory that is associated with the South of France”.
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Above: Classic Provence and the Mediterranean sun is a magic combination that never goes out of fashion. A very individual kitchen with the client’s preference of Mark Wilkinson nickel-plated handles.
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...a special something about life
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“In the creation of the distressed paint finish, I was compelled by memories of small town street doors that for undecorated years have been passed and passed again by pealing laughter. What time could ever be spared for new paint and more importantly... why?�
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“Pause a while and you will notice there is an architectural correctness to the dwellings in the area; it is in the generous depth of the eaves that, like the right summer bonnet, are never too mean; it is in the well used shutters that resist the clattering of the Mistral, not by magic but by the use of good materials.”
Opposite & Above: Mark Wilkinson helps Dave Myers to prepare a light snack on the Teppanyaki cooking plate in his Provence kitchen. Dave is one half of the duo in the highly successful BBC2 series ‘The Hairy Bikers’.
He says “As each programme is part travel, part cookery, my life is trailed by a film crew across the world. So when I step into my Mark Wilkinson kitchen I know that I really have arrived home, it’s my culinary sanctuary, it’s where I recharge my batteries and think about the next series”.
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Etruscan 80
Classical influences with
a contemporary twist “Taking a leaf from the early Victorians and their
classical influences is exactly how I created the
Etruscan kitchen. The twisted pilasters, Egyptian
hockey stick moulding, period architraves and
Grecian dentil moulding all go together to make
a style that works well in a town or country house.�
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Above & Opposite: A long way from the manse of old but still
celebrating the tradition of grand country living. Produce from the kitchen garden, fresh baking from the Aga that’s illuminated by paintings of their much loved farm animals.
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“In any kitchen, whether one chooses to have natural woods or painted effects, choice is dictated by personal taste and the individual setting, expressing both the moment and the history of the house.�
Opposite & Above: Fine detailing comes alive when bathed in the freshness of morning daylight. Note that each pair of pilasters is cleverly curved inwards to visually balance each other.
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This new Etruscan dining room extension was added 15 years after the original Mark Wilkinson kitchen was installed. Proof that excellent design and quality always stand the test of time. 87
Mai
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Gothic Cottage, Stourhead. ŠAmanda White
Insights into such past greatness “This new Mai style influenced not by a forward
focused stare, but rather by glimpses - glimpses of
such masterful and sophisticated styles as 3rd Sung
Dynasty, 15th Century Gothic and 18th Century
English ‘Fine’ furniture. They all have something
in common and that is life.”
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...subtlety never shouts, it is whispered
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“They had a voice, the echos of which have drifted down the ages and still show us cherished insights into such past greatness. Subtlety never shouts, it is whispered and it is a privilege to design with these influences�
Above: The elegant Mai style interprets subtlely into a hide-away media centre and display cabinet.
Opposite: Generous use of softly hued Maple wood and contrasting wall colour creates an unmistakably fine kitchen with integrated appliances.
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Above: Beautiful Cherry wood and use of space makes this a very individual and special kitchen. (Adding to the feeling of grandeur by using Deco door handles.) Would Hercule Poirot have found this the perfect place for a soiree complete with grand piano?
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So much elegance for grand living 93
...beauty within itself
“ My Arts & Crafts furniture is the culmination of much that I've done before. I'm still filled with the excitement of its creation. It’s inspired by so many different influences - in particular the paintings of Edward Burne-Jones and the architecture of James Stirling. The Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart by Stirling is breathtaking; it’s an unbelievable, soaring piece.
That inspiration has somehow combined in my imagination with the medieval romanticism of Burne-Jones and the idealism and chivalry loved by Morris and Mackintosh, translated for our times.”
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Arts & Crafts 95
...a pure feeling of elevation
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“As with all my work, I’ve designed it from the heart. What I have tried to express is a pure feeling of elevation - the kind of feeling you get when you stand in the great medieval buildings in King’s College Chapel, or in the cathedral that rises with the mist out of the fens at Ely. Yet Arts & Crafts is not harking back. It’s time is now.”
Opposite & Above: Glorious Maple is a perfect complement to the soaring Oak beams. Every detail enhances the beauty of the room, the elegance of the cornice, curved doors and exclusive Mark Wilkinson latches. A real craftsman’s ‘tour de force’, William Morris would have been proud!
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...it’s time is now
Opposite & Above: The richness of Walnut and the simplicity of style run together in a lyrical rhythm exemplified by the plate rack.
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The art of serenity
Shan Gara 100
“It is a feeling, almost a passion, that evolves when true efficiency meets tranquillity. Oriental influences, pure and evocative forms that become state-of-the-art. The finest English cabinet making, restful on the eye and pleasing to use - well being to the point of serenity, a design destination that brings calm to contemporary living�
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Shan Gara is a design that brings sophistication - a new form of minimalism that has soul and humanity creating unequivocal beauty that will rest in the eye of the beholder over the coming years. Shan Gara is the first in a new genre of furniture design. It has been years in the development and is Unmistakably Mark Wilkinson.
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Above & Opposite: After years of travelling the Far East with ‘The Dooleys’ pop group, Jim Dooley and his wife took the opportunity to create an amazing collection of exotic trees and plants, along with wonderful momentos of their famous concerts in the Orient.
They chose Mark Wilkinson’s Shan Gara as the kitchen style to express that feeling of peace and serenity that prevails in their spectacular Japanese garden.
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A calm environment for modern living
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Discover the secrets of Shan Gara
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“We can’t ignore the tumult of present day living, but we can design peace and serenity into our lives. This tranquil linear style cancels out 21st century tumult with sliding walls that can hold fast against the tide of business when the hidden preparation and storage areas behind the kitchen are not required. Here I have created a feeling of Penthouse calm however intensive the guest list�.
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Embracing
Art Deco
“The Paris Metro epitomises Art Deco and my Metro style draws its energy and its strength from that vibrant source. The power within the style is so urgent that I chose as its central motif ‘The image of creation’ from a painting by Tamara de Lempicka (1898 to 1980), a notable artist from the Art Deco group, working in Paris. It is entitled ‘Adam and Eve’. I interpreted the work as an icon in glass that is a signature for each piece.”
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Metro
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Porte Dauphine, Paris Metro. ŠSteve Gerdes
Above: Style like language develops with time. With Deco many influences have, for decades, churned together creating the grammar of this distinctive design style. There are so many partially hidden and quiet influences expressed in this instance with the use of Sycamore and contrasting Walnut.
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“In designing Metro I pulled together influences that described where we were at the time of ebb and flow between the Millennia. Celebrating the style, form and craftsmanship we inherited, but reinterpreting them, empowering those important principles with cutting edge technology; directing it in the same way that an orchestral conductor uses a baton.�
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Above & Opposite: The detailing is simply stunning in Mark Wilkinson’s Metro style. Wave upon wave of creative metaphor suffuses together to create a contemporary elegant style.
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Metro’s vibrant energy exudes elegance
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...the finest of the craftsman’s skills "We are a British company with complete dedication to the pursuit of excellence in the design and makers art. Our time-served craftsmen draw on centuries of traditional 'eye to hand skills' in the British tradition of fine cabinet making. This coupled with the latest technology in the engineering of metals, glass, stone, leather and fabrics allows us to push the boundaries of creativity.
Our attention to detail and commitment to producing the highest quality with such an acclaimed designer has earned us a worldwide reputation for 'The finest furniture of our time'. Only craftsmen trained in the Mark Wilkinson ethic can produce such beautiful furniture.�
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The Larder 116
Your best friend quietly organising your kitchen “Our larders are made in all of our designs to be fitted or
freestanding and to suit any room layout or scheme. Special
design features include our unique sliding mechanism for
maximum storage and ease of access. Any combination of
storage can be incorporated with a choice of bottle or wine
racks, stepped storage for cans or containers, wicker baskets,
wood, marble or glass shelving.�
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“As a storage solution our larder design manages to place a ‘roomful’ of storage at your fingertips”
Previous Page Centre: Food storage meets Milan chic in this beautiful Walnut and stainless steel free-standing furniture.
Previous Page Right: New England hand-painted larder ...simply stunning.
Above: Even a small larder in the Cook’s style can organise a lot of storage
Below: An attractive Provence larder which opens up into your own mini-market!
Right: English Classic larder featuring wine rack, multiple drawers, shelving in glass, wood and marble plus our unique sliding mechanism for access to the pull-out drawers.
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“Larders are available in any of our design styles, fitted or free-standing� 120
Above: Clever sliding doors are a feature in this Shan Gara walk-in larder, with pull-out shelf units and glass fronted drawers.
Opposite: An English Classic larder with fold-back doors, multiple drawers, illuminated shelving in glass and sliding front racks.
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Every style that Mark Wilkinson creates has it’s own unique handles specially designed and precisely made to complement the look and feel of the furniture.
Ever y one is a masterpiece in it’s own right ...per fect form, with per fect function.
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Mark Wilkinson door furniture... the new art form
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Exquisite Detailing Meticulous attention to detail is our own benchmark and central to all of Mark Wilkinson’s designs. It is inherent in the initial concept all the way through to the finished installation.
These details distinguish and enhance each of his design styles making them contemporary classics, which never go out of fashion.
It is the detail which will add up to a design which is right for you and your home. While it is the look that attracts first of all, the furniture has to work and work well to be enjoyed fully. That is why attention to detail is so important.
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A place for everything... and everything in it’s place 1. Bow fronted cutlery drawer. 2. Curved unit with two-tier carousels.
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3. Pull-out spice racks. 4. Chopping board waste chute with stainless steel receptacle. 5. Worktop waste chute with disposal bin. 6. Twin waste bins with ‘secret’ drawer above for bin liners. 7. Engraved bread drawer. 8. Wicker vegetable storage baskets.
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9. Drawer with two-tier storage and organiser pegs. 10. Soft-close crockery drawer with organiser pegs. 11. Pull-out bottle storage. 12. Traditional wine racks. 13. Knife drawer with safety recesses. 14. Neat butler’s tray storage. 15. Pull-out larder with adjustable shelving integrated with
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fridge freezer. 16. Pigeon hole wine storage. 17. Mark Wilkinson demonstrates his tray concept. Tea anyone! 18. Unit with a mass of storage featuring carousels, tambour shutters and wicker baskets.
All of these features and more are available in any of our design styles.
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So stylish and practical 127
Studies & Media Rooms 128
“It goes without saying that these rooms must be functional and fit for purpose. To make them also beautiful is for us a pleasure. It has been said many times that we all enjoy the things we are best at.
Whether you wish to control an international business empire, play your favourite movie or even help the children with their home work, all is within reach. Your wish is our command. We will simply and without unnecessary fuss house all your IT/media requirements within beautifully designed furniture made by the skills of our classically trained craftsmen.
As with all our projects the affirmation of your lifes’ achievements is our goal.”
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Milan study in Cherry, complete efficiency and a pleasure to work in.
Previous spread: Mai study and media unit beautifully made in Walnut.
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Essentially Mai, designed and made in Walnut with book-matched burr panels, a luxuriously rich environment in which to reflect on global markets.
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Metro media room and bar, entertainment at its best. 135
Above: Commissioned by Michel Roux for guests staying at the Waterside Inn, Bray, this bar is expressed in the Metro style with Mark Wilkinson’s iconic stepped table in the foreground.
Opposite above: A multi-screen media room, the last word in entertainment integrated with the home control systems. Opposite below: A wide screen TV features in this Metro style entertainment and media suite.
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Client comment: “Our Mark Wilkinson entertainment room in the Metro style is absolutely stunning, it’s a real talking point. The contrasting woods of Maple and Walnut create an inspired effect and the wave patterns on the panelling are like the rhythms of music. The whole family entertain their friends here. It is very sociable space and with the latest technology, it’s like having a full concert in the room”
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“We create these tranquil settings using naturally beautiful materials such as wood, cotton and stone. Our bedrooms and bathrooms offer refuge - sanctuary, a place of peace and privacy in which to unwind from the day’s stressful world. Having bathed, how simple and what greater luxury can we have than to surround ourselves with the generous warmth of a heated towel.
We pay close attention to the detailing of your furniture ensuring that traditional warmth melds together with the most contemporary luxuries, imparting a sense of personal worth, values and relaxation.”
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Bedrooms & Bathrooms 139
In the pink with a Deco style bed, made in Walnut, with ‘sunburst’ detailing and matching bed seating, vanity unit, bedside tables and wall panelling.
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The contemporary cool of Milan
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Opposite & Above: A wonderfully tranquil environment with the contemporary cool of Milan in Maple. Furniture with gently curving legs and leather handles unite with luxurious fabrics in the bedrooms at Michel Roux’s Waterside Inn at Bray. Sleeping to match the fine dining experience.
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Cosseting you with luxury and comfort
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Opposite & Above: The clean lines of this bedroom suite in the Mai style are gracefully enhanced with touches of Walnut as a contrast to the Maple wood. A haven for sleeping, with ensuite bathroom featuring deep-fill bath and plenty of warming towel rails.
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Opposite & Above: Suitably stylish and chic, a Milan dressing room with bespoke storage.
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Beautifully organised dressing rooms
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Whirlpools and jetted tubs with deep bathing wells can soak and massage away the rigours of the day. The complete bathing experience can include aromatherapy, a water sculpture shower and audio/visual entertainment.
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Your own private oasis
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Flowing rhythms of rare Cipollino Euboea Al Verso Classico marble create a stunning backdrop to this opulent bathroom. 150
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Above: The tiniest of rooms can seem more spacious with good design. Below & Opposite: Ash wood panelling further enhances the feeling of calm and tranquility when relaxing in a beautiful bathroom.
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The warmth of natural wood
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Opposite: Easy and stylish living with dual sculptured glass basins. Above: Milan brings so much style to a contemporary bathroom. Below: Metro is a dream - wake me when I live there.
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Relax and revitalise
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“The canvas of work undertaken by our dedicated team of professionals is not just evergrowing but unique and exceptional. Our portfolio has encompassed art work, housing, fitted and freestanding furniture, enfolding on its way the crafts of glass design and engraving, metal work, jewellery and even clothing.
I hope this gives a glimpse of the lengths to which we are driven in pursuit of the designer and maker's art�.
- Mark Wilkinson OBE. OLM.
Above: This beautiful table designed by Mark Wilkinson is made in Walnut featuring 1,000 Sterling Silver bows in its construction.
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Making the difference 157
The pursuit of excellence...
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Opposite & Above: We take pride in triumphing over technical challenges and go to extraordinary lengths to get the details absolutely right. In this specially commissioned kitchen cutting-edge technology was used by Mark Wilkinson in the designing and making of these unique glass panels... that is what makes the difference.
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“The feeling I set out to convey with this work was one of ‘Medieval naiveity’ that expresses itself into a feeling of ‘now!’. To get to that place meant employing care and subtlety in the textures of the finishes, and unusually a look back at the ‘Silver bound books’ of the period.
Once found, the key opened the door to beautifully softened ‘sawn’ textures with Silver panels first created in wood to become the moulds into which we electroformed the Silver. Add nine eggs, four grammes of magic dust, season to taste, fold gently together. Voila...
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timeless pleasure”.
Unrivalled in the art of furniture making
Above: Any Mark Wilkinson design style can be interpreted into furniture, fitted or free-standing, for any room in the home.
Left: Hand-carving a ‘master’ in Oak for one of the Sterling Silver door panels.
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Above: The Cinderella coach - five past twelve and it is still here.
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Furniture for Children “I believe that children’s imagination is quite naturally stimulated by the design of their surroundings. The bedroom is your children’s magical domain and I see no reason not to apply as much invention to the furnishing of children’s rooms as goes into the books and stories that furnish their minds. If the stories have magic, why not the furniture?”
Above: It starts with the Goldilocks Dove cradle and grows with time.
Below: Goldilocks dressing table with chair and laundry basket.
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Opposite & Above: ‘Toy Town’ furniture shown here and other magical styles including ‘Tom Thumb’ and ‘Sir Galahad’ are featured on our website www.mwf.com This furniture appeals to children because it understands and values them. It is utterly practical, very durable, and beautifully made.
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“Best in the World”
German publisher Axel Springer described Mark Wilkinson’s children’s furniture as ‘Best in the World’ on their Welt website.
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The Marilyn Cabinet The Marilyn bedroom cabinet is designed to hold a lady’s finest lingerie and jewellery. It is a salute by Mark to Marilyn Monroe, who, in her film, “Gentlemen prefer blondes” chorused her belief that “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. You can be sure that she would have loved to keep her own diamonds in such a beautiful cabinet. Marilyn is handmade in the company’s Wiltshire workshops where limited numbers of this sensually sculpted cabinet are made each year to an individual specification according to the wishes of the client.
Left: This delightful Marilyn, made in eco-sourced Walnut, features cast sterling silver handles designed to create a sensuous laced bodice effect.
Opposite: A vision of Harlequin Walnut and Maple, diamonds edged with sterling silver strings and solid silver flower petals with saphire crystal centres.
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Luxury without limits
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Our complete service help you choose the right finish by guiding you through the
Our personal approach
moods and effects that can be achieved in each of our styles, especially using our own range of eco-friendly odourless paints.
Our whole approach to designing and making furniture is a very personal one. It is quite natural therefore that we should carry
Finest British Craftsmen
this philosophy through into all the services we can offer you. Our expertise, which goes well beyond furniture design and
We take great pride in our heritage of hand-crafted furniture
appliance knowledge, is available to you from the beginning
made by the finest of British cabinet makers and master
to the end of your project.
craftsmen in our own British workshops. In addition, we are pleased to offer clients the professional services of our equally
Interior design
skilled builders who are experienced in all aspects of building and alterations.
Our professionals can advise on interiors and soft furnishings. Whether it’s advice on room co-ordination and colours or on
Electrical and plumbing work, general building, flooring and
curtains and covers, our team is ready to offer their professional
decorating are all part of our service. Detailed estimates for
skills. Just ask and arrangements will be put in hand.
these are given to coincide with our furniture estimates. Projects are scheduled accordingly with the benefit of all ‘on site’ work
Colour plays an important part in the overall design of our furniture and its setting. Our colours and finishes lead the field after many years of pioneering work in developing hard wearing waterborne lacquers. Although the choice is limitless we will
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being undertaken by one team. We are also used to working co-operatively with other builders, surveyors, interior designers and, of course, with you as our client.
Installation Installation is an important process when commissioning bespoke furniture. Our expert installation teams have been privileged to work on all manner of projects in every kind of property (around the world), and no two design challenges are ever quite the same. We are also used to working co-operatively with architects, builders, surveyors, interior designers and, of course, with our clients. We are always aware that we are guests in a client’s home, and take care to minimise any disruption.
International projects The desire to own the finest furniture of our time increases for many of our clients with properties abroad. With many years of experience in designing, making, shipping and installing our furniture in countries across the world our international team can provide a service which can make the experience enjoyable from start to finish.
Worktops, tiles and floors Work surfaces are an integral part of any kitchen and some twenty five years ago Mark popularised the use of natural stone as worktops by fitting Carrara marble into his own kitchen. At Mark Wilkinson Furniture we specialise in all types of stone from around the world. We also use natural wood, laminate, stainless steel and glass for special situations. Ceramic tiles, stone upstands, plain painted walls and trompe l'oeil are all options to add the final touch. We can also advise on and supply flooring be it stone, wood, ceramics or other ecologically friendly materials.
Appliances Over many years we have developed unique relationships with the best manufacturers. We have trained our designers with the latest applications, and we continue to research new products in pursuit of excellence. The quality of build and service is of paramount importance to us. From commercial and domestic range cookers to refrigerators and freezers, from fresh ground coffee makers to teppanyakis, from steam cookers to refrigerated drawers, from pure water systems to purpose built extraction, we can advise on and supply the best appliances for your home. 169
The finest furniture of our time Designers and makers
Our responsible attitude to the environment
The difference is in our uniqueness and exclusivity. We believe
It is environmentally friendly to buy furniture which will look good,
we are technically more advanced than any other company in
work well and last for a long time. From the very beginning of our
our field and definitely more capable of designing, making and
business in the early 1980s, we have taken the view that a forward
installing the things that make a home so distinctive and a real
thinking responsible attitude to the environment is central to our
pleasure to live in.
business. We take great care to ensure the wood that we use is grown in sustainably managed woodlands.
Be it a kitchen; a media and entertainment room, bedroom or bathroom cradle for the baby, or a practical study, we design
At this time of growing ecological emphasis it may be comforting
and make them all ‌beautifully
to note that we are no mere band wagonists. In additional to being the first in our industry to research and pioneer waterborne stains
The furniture identified herein has, by the Guild
and lacquers, we have a tree planting initiative running back some
Mark Committee of the Worshipful Company of
twenty five years.
Furniture Makers of the City of London, been deemed of excellence in design, materials and
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Mark Wilkinson also runs the ‘Trees for Schools’ programme which aims to help young children develop valuable understanding and
workmanship. Further, to be a representative record
appreciation of the natural world, whilst also enhancing their
amongst the finest British furniture of the age.
enjoyment of the school environment.
“
The Best - It’s official; Mark Wilkinson is the best furniture in the world, according to
the Robb Report published in the USA. For the past 30 years The Robb Report has been written for ultra-affluent connoisseurs, who are seeking the very best in life. The report covers homes and home design, yachts, cars, private aircraft and a number of other products to inform their sophisticated readership on which brands are best. Of Mark Wilkinson their comment was very simple: “Mark Wilkinson Furniture creates the best kitchens in the world and is known for bringing precision furniture-making detail to kitchen and cabinet design.
“
”
More than an Investment
- Mark Wilkinson has such a great reputation amongst
buyers of higher quality properties and these days, with house buyers having much more design savvy, they are not only demanding a wonderful interior, they are expecting the right ‘make’ of fitted furniture - at Savills, we include the Mark Wilkinson name in all our relevant literature - and we make sure that the name is high up in our sales messages. Mark Wilkinson gives us a name in fitted furniture that we know will enchant potential clients - his furniture is an investment that pays back many-fold, not only in lifestyle, but also in nett worth. - Jonathan Bateman - Associate of Savills
“
”
Outstanding service - To us, Mark Wilkinson Furniture is like the perfect dining
experience... beautiful presentation, the right balance of ingredients and flavours, masterful skill and craftsmanship with outstanding service. That is why Alain and I commissioned them for the guest rooms at the Waterside Inn, Bray. - Alain & Michel Roux
“
”
Vanesa Brady - President of The Society of British Interior Design
- Mark Wilkinson furniture is designed with thought, built with passion, assembled with pride and
owned with love. It takes tenacity by skilled craftsman using traditional methods, the latest technology and innovation to create sustainable British furniture. Furniture built to last ...and to love.
“
Actress Susan Hampshire
”
- One of Mark Wilkinson’s most revered clients, hardly
surprising, as in addition to admiration of her obvious acting ability Susan has commissioned 17 rooms of Mark Wilkinson Furniture in the last 12 years. That’s 6 kitchens, 5 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 cloak rooms and 2 rooms of free standing furniture. It’s testimony to the quality of design and making of furniture for any room in the home.
”
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Food for thought... “Like good food and wine, I believe that furniture should be one of life’s supreme and lasting pleasures. Our brochure has been designed with these thoughts in mind, hopefully demonstrating the unique flavour of our company’s scope and capability. Put simply, furniture is my way of speaking, a natural form of expression. As a designer I have a responsibility to offer only the best, only the most beautiful. We are so influenced by the things with which we surround ourselves. I hope you have enjoyed my work. We look forward to being of service.”
These beautifully elegant pentagonal twist Mark Wilkinson OBE. OLM. candlesticks designed by Mark are cast in Sterling Silver. They are made in pairs, one twisting to the left and one to the right.
This bowl is made in the ‘rescued’ materials of Ebony and Ivory, which Mark saved from being cast out as ‘scrap’ following the closure of a piano factory. The design is influenced by the many facets of a Princess Cut Diamond and Palladian geometry creating what is undoubtedly a piece of fine art.
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The next step
Visit us
If you would like to know more, please telephone our head office
Whilst it the look of our furniture that can hold an initial
on 01380 850 007. We will immediately put in hand the most
attraction for you, the feel and the performance of our
appropriate arrangements to help.
furniture can only be appreciated first hand.
On your invitation, we will make an appointment for a design
Complete attention to detail is what sets Mark Wilkinson
consultation to advise and ascertain your personal preferences
Furniture apart from the rest. We don’t take for granted
so that our dedicated team can set about designing the Mark
that people say that we make some of the finest furniture
Wilkinson style for you and your home.
in the world, so we invite you to judge it for yourself.
Alternatively, you may wish to call in at one of our showrooms to
Visit a Mark Wilkinson Furniture showroom and experience
see and feel the quality of our furniture for yourself. Our designers
what really makes the difference.
will be delighted to show you Mark Wilkinson’s furniture designs and explain the wide choice of materials, colour and finishes available. They will consult directly with our workshops on any specific requirements you may have.
© Copyright and Design Right Mark Wilkinson Furniture ‘Mark Wilkinson’, ‘Arts & Crafts’, ‘Bowood’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Deco’, ‘Etruscan’, ‘Goldilocks’, ‘Lansbury’, ‘Madison’, ‘Mai’, ‘Metro’, ‘Milan’, ‘New England’, ‘Newlyn’, ‘November’, ‘One Hundred Percent’, ‘Provence’, ‘Sante Fe’, ‘Shan Gara’,
Happy to Help
‘Sir Galahad’, ‘The Cook’s Kitchen’, ‘The English Classic’,
If you have a mobility problem or any other disability that would
are Registered Trade Marks of Mark Wilkinson Furniture.
‘The Pantry Kitchen’, ‘Tom Thumb’, ‘Toytown’, & ‘Vermont’
make it difficult for you to access our showrooms, staff at Mark Wilkinson Furniture will arrange to visit you at your home or at your place of work with samples and brochures to discuss your specific requirements. Please call 01380 850 007 to arrange a suitable appointment.
All our furniture incorporates design features which Mark Wilkinson has created. Flattering though the imitation of our designs may be, all legal rights in such original design features belong to us and include copyright and design right. We have become aware of several instances where other furniture makers and suppliers have been asked to reproduce the designs illustrated in this brochure. This is not permissible.
It should be remembered that the law protects designers against the reproduction of a substantial or part reproduction of any of our designs and minor or trivial differences will not prevent a copy from infringing our rights.
Acknowledgements: We wish to thank all of our clients for allowing us to photograph their furniture for inclusion in this brochure. Photography: Main contributors - Trevor Richards, Steve Harris, Marcus Peel, Mark Fairhurst and Jean François Baron. Art direction: John L Harris Dip AD MSIA Design & production: Steve Harris - www.resolution-digital.com Printing: www.taylorbloxham.com
Mark Wilkinson Furniture won the Award for Best Customer Care at the Kitchen and Bathroom Awards.
Taylor Bloxham to insert FSC details here.
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Our Invitation VISIT A MARK WILKINSON FURNITURE SHOWROOM AND EXPERIENCE WHAT REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE For locations and further information call: 01380 850 007 email: enquiries@mwf.com or visit our website: www.mwf.com
Enjoy more of the world’s finest furniture at: www.mwf.com Call: 01380 850 007 to book a design consultation.
WORLDWIDE SERVICES
OUR SERVICE, LIKE OUR REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE IS WORLDWIDE for international enquiries call +44 (0)1380 850 007 Mark Wilkinson Furniture is a division of The Canburg Group
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"All copyright, design right, registered design and other intellectual property rights in our designs and products featured in this brochure are, and remain, our property and unauthorised use of any of our intellectual property rights is strictly prohibited. Appropriate action will be taken against any infringement of our intellectual property rights. Please visit our website at www.mwf.com for a full list of our registered design rights with applicable registered designs numbers."
www.mwf.com