Silverlining

New project completed - Mexico

2012-01-19T09:37:00.000Z

We have just completed a new stunning commission for a private residence in Mexico. The project consisted of the bar room furniture, including the bar table, shown in the image below. The table top features shagreen, while the base is executed in lightweight composite material with liquid metal finish.

On this project Silverlining has been privileged to work with famous American architect Wallace Cunningham and interior designer Pamela Smith. The furniture is now ready for delivery and not surprisingly there has been an unusually high number of volunteers among the Silverlining team to go on the installation trip to sunny Mexico!

Organic Furniture Design article in the new Megayachts book

2012-01-18T09:56:00.001Z

The new Magayachts 2012 book features a 10-page article charting Silverlining's approach to organic furniture design. The feature looks at some of the latest superyacht projects, completed by Silverlining (including M.Y. Palladium), as well as more recent concept projects.

Megayachts is an annual American edition that breaks from the past by focusing on the future of yacht design and construction. It explores the "what-ifs" and the "why-nots?" in the minds of today's international design and engineering professionals and look at where cutting edge materials can take us tomorrow with innovative techniques from the world's best companies.

In 2011 Marilyn Mower invited the Silverlining team to share our views on the future of organic design. In the article we discuss the history of the organic design, current examples and future potential. Several concepts were created by our design team specially for the publication.

Download full article pdf

Silverlining Infinity table is on the cover of SYD

2012-01-17T16:02:00.000Z

SuperyachtDesign Q9 features Silverlining Infinity table on the cover and delivers the latest design and studio news along with concepts hot off the drawing board from around the world.

Wonderful Wood feature looks at the unique method of veneer staining that carefully controls the intensity of colour over specific areas.

Beyond the shape of the Infinity table, what draws the eye to the piece are the rich red shades of the through-dyed ripple sycamore veneer that radiates out of the pure red lacquer "trumpet" at the centre of the piece.

The exact technique is a closely guarded secret, but it involves three stages of staining, fixing and drying using dyes developed for coloured lacquers. The result is veneer that is stained all the way through, instead of just the surface, which accounts for the deep, resonant hues. Just the staining process for the infinity table takes about two weeks to complete and light timbers, such as sycamore and maple work best. What it means is that Silverlining can customise its own pallet of colours, rather than relying on the limited choice of commercially available.

Infinity table (144cm in diameter and 73cm high) is part of the Future Perfect collection and is available in edition of 8.

www.superyachtdesign.com

Silverlining wins Showboats Bespoke Furniture Award

2011-11-07T10:21:00.001Z

Silverlining and Michael Leach Design won Showboats Bespoke Furniture Award for the 6-meter carbon and wood dining table on board superyacht Palladium. The Award ceremony was held at the exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. The night was a great success for Silverlining and Michael Leach Design and saw M.Y. Palladium also winning Interior Design Award and Exterior Design and Styling Award in its class, as well as Tender Design Award. The judges panel featured superyacht professionals and owners, as well as residential interior and product designers, such as Ed Barber from Barber Osgerby. Silverlining dominated the Bespoke Furniture Awards category with 5 out of 6 shortlisted pieces. Apart from 4 bespoke pieces on board M.Y. Palladium, an intricate games table from M.Y. Baton Rouge was also put through to the final. In the end it was the futuristic 6 meter dining table that caught the judges imagination.

Organic Design

The dining table was designed by Michael Leach Design and developed by Silverlining.Organic design, advanced structural engineering and 21^st centurycraftsmanship set this unique piece apart.

Organic design was the underlying idea behind the Palladium interior andall the furniture is intimately connected with the yacht’s overall design. Thetable also demonstrates that the imaginative design can be eminently practical.

Measuring six metres in length by 1.8 metres at its widest point, thecantilevered composite structure emerges out of the steel deck plates, like awhales’ tail fin. Designed to meetvarious marine criteria, such as vibration and strict weight limit,Silverlining’s expert craftsmanship and Michael Leach Design’s artistic visionhave combined to create a table that appears to be growing out of the floor.

Advanced Engineering

Both Michal Leach and hisbusiness partner Mark Smith havebackgrounds in automobile design and this influence shows in the Palladiumdining table, not only in its aerodynamic shape but also because Silverliningconsulted with technicians from the Formula 1 industry to help with thecomposite construction. The ideals of organic design are finally attainable –however, they do present a real engineering challenge. Lightness and strengthcomes from the single-piece carbon fibre skin which envelops the specially sandwichedcomposite honeycomb-core top panel. The table top is supported on a knife-thinedge; and a major concern was that resonance would shake the table. This iswhere F1 engineers came in.

No traditional techniques would have allowed Silverlining to build thetable. The sheer weight of several tons would be prohibitive. In the end thecarbon fibre base ended up being so light that two people can easily lift itfrom both ends with single hand.

Longevity

The carbon base is finished in a spray metal finish. The finish iselegant but highly practical and as a surface will wear and improve over timeas its patina changes under use. Durability was critical to the success of thedesign as the users are able to rest their feet on it and experience the organicshape and surface in a way that no other table provides.

The table also serves as a conference table and the IT connections hadto be integrated, yet disguised into the design.

Quest for “honest” use ofmaterials

This piece illustrates the quest to use modern materials in an “honest”way: the lightweight yet immensely strong carbon-fibre, for example, has beenused structurally rather than simply as a glossy, high tech fascia.

The table top finished in European walnut burr, Makassar Ebony andwalnut inlays was constructed from a combination of traditional veneers andAluminium and carbon fibre core materials. It was veneered and finished by handby the Silverlining craftsmen.

The design represents a concern for longevity and a rejection ofdisposability meaning the hope is the design stays aboard the boat for itslifetime. Michael Leach believes that furniture and the boat belong together.

http://showboatsdesignawards.com/winners-2011

Craftsmanship in the Digital Age debate podcast

2011-10-19T12:49:00.001+01:00

If you missed the debate we hosted as part of our Future Perfect: A Manifesto for 21st Century Craftsmanship exhibition at Gallery 8, you now have an opportunity to listen to or download the full length (1h) podcast from the event.

Download iTunes Podcast

Iscraftsmanship still relevant? Do we still need it, and if so, why? Is the word "craft" now obsolete? Does it take the magic away from the object if you expose the making process? Is craftsmanshipexclusively for the wealthy? These and other knotty questions were tackled by the panellists andexpert audience of craftspeople, designers, journalist and curators, including Daniel Charney of The Power of Making exhibition at V&A.

Debate Panelists:
Janice Blackburn - Patron, curator, writer
Rabih Hage - Architect, Interior designer and Curator of design
Mark Boddington - Founder and Director, Silverlining
Henrietta Thompson - Editor-At-Large of Wallpaper Magazine, Author andexhibition curator

GrantGibson - Editor Crafts Magazine.

AidanWalker - Design critic, writer and conference producer

Silverlining Future Perfect launch

2011-10-11T17:22:00.000+01:00

Silverlining Future Perfect launch last night was a great success. We would like to thank everyone for coming and the amazing feedback on our new limited editions furniture collection. Special thanks to our distinguished panelists: Janice Blackburn, Rabih Hage, Henrietta Thompson, Aidan Walker, Grant Gibson and Mark Boddington. More information and short clips of the debate will be available from our blog soon.

Silverlining designer Alex Hull with one of his creations - Parabolic cabinet

Guests at the Future Perfect launch admiring Infinity table

Guests at the Future Perfect exhibition and the Flux chaise

Craftsmanship in the Digital Age Debate: Rabih Hage, Janice Blackburn, Henrietta Thompson and Aidan Walker

More images from last night here.

Debate: Craftsmanship in the digital age

2011-10-04T15:06:00.000+01:00

Tomark the occasion and raise the awareness of the British craftsmanship andcabinetmaking, we are hosting an exhibition in London titled - FuturePerfect: A Manifesto for 21^st Century Craftsmanship, which willcoincide with the Frieze Art Fair.

Aspart of the exhibition program we will be hosting a debate around theissues of craftsmanship and luxury in the 21^st century. Expert andhighly distinguished participants will gather to debate, disagree, collude overand collate a new Manifesto for Craftsmanship in these modern times. Iscraftsmanship still relevant? Do we still need it, and if so, why? Is itexclusively for the wealthy? Where does sustainability and the eco agenda comeinto it? These and other knotty questions are tackled by the panellists andexpert audience who, build a Manifesto for the meaning and continuing vitalityof craftsmanship into the future.

Confirmed panelists include:
Janice Blackburn - Patron, curator, writer
Rabih Hage - Architect, Interior designer and Curator of design
Mark Boddington - Founder and Director, Silverlining
Henrietta Thompson - Editor-At-Large of Wallpaper Magazine, Author andexhibition curator

GrantGibson - Editor Crafts Magazine.

AidanWalker - Design critic, writer and conference producer

The Debate will take place on the 10^th October 4.30pm to 6pm atGallery 8

Gallery8
8 Duke Street St James’s
London SW1Y 6BN

Debate is by invitation only. If you re interested in attending, please contact Polina Parshina.

Future Perfect - Exhibition in London during Frieze week

2011-09-26T09:43:00.000+01:00

Silverlining is launching its first limited edition collectionwith an exhibition to coincide with the Frieze Art Fair.

Future Perfect is a collection of 6 limited edition furniturepieces developed by Silverlining in the spirit of exploration andexperimentation, with no client to answer to and no commercial constraints toconsider. Through a collaboration process between Silverlining designers andmakers that has seen the heads, hearts, hands and history of Silverlining worktogether more closely than ever before, a world of new possibilities hasopened. Pushing the boundaries of form, function and finish, each one of theconcept designs at the exhibition demonstrates that little bit more of the vastpotential that is design and craftsmanship in the 21st century.

Future Perfect will take place at Gallery 8, London. October 8th -15th 2011.

Gallery 8

8 Duke Street St James

SW1Y 6B

Open Daily 10am - 8 pm

See Map

Exhibition book available on request

Silverlining at the Monaco Yacht Show

2011-09-12T19:10:00.000+01:00

This year Monaco Yacht Show was a big success for Silverlining with M.Y. Palladium anchored just outside the show and Infinity Table drawing crowds to the new Silverlining stand in the Darse Nord tent. In addition to furniture on board yachts Palladium and Lady Britt, Silverlining was previewing a collection of furniture pieces, showing radical departure fromtraditional preconceptions of what the luxury furniture on yachts should looklike (think high gloss ebony). The collection explores the relationship between design and craftsmanshipin the 21^st century, pushing the boundaries of engineering andfurniture making and placing the experiences of a modern person at the centreof design. After official launch at the Monaco Yacht Show, the collection willbe exhibited in London during the Frieze week in October. Thecollection consists of six pieces and includes tables, cabinets, seating anda desk.

Monaco Yacht Show took place from 21st-25th September at Port Hercules - Boulevard Albert 1er - Principality of Monaco

M.Y. Palladium interior and "the making of" feature in Boat International

2011-08-26T09:43:00.001+01:00

Super yacht Palladium interior is finally revealed in an exclusive 20 pages article by Boat International, which includes a special feature on "the making of" the Silverlining furniture. Silverlining created 66 bespoke pieces of furniture for the Owner's and Main decks of the yacht.

Michael Leach Design and Silverlining collaborated on this 96m yacht, which set sail in the year 2010. A youthful, imaginative and generous client has allowed for a progressive interior that blends modern technology, fluid designs and advanced materials, but also demands the creation of an environment that is eminently functional. Leach and his partner Mark Smith have created a scheme that is inspired by the timeless appeal and structural perfection of the natural world. Silverlining has responded by exploring the possibilities of using modern materials for their structural properties and treating more traditional materials in ways that make them durable and seamlessly integrated.

Creating a unified and pragmatic aesthetic was even more significant than establishing a sleek and neat piece of design work. Even though the furniture has been designed as individual units (installed on the boat following the main period of construction, rather than built into the interior structure, to allow for a longer development) they are so intimately connected with the yacht’s overall design that it would make little sense to replace them. This represents a concern for longevity and a rejection of disposability, which means that the Silverlining furniture is likely to stay aboard Leach and Smith’s boat for its entire lifetime. As Leach says: “Our philosophy is that we do such a good job of the complete product, why would you want to take the interior fittings and furniture out? They belong together.”

It is perhaps not surprisingly that Silverlining furniture for M.Y. Palladium received 4 nominations for the Best Bespoke piece of furniture at the ShowBoats Awards that will take place in October in Fort Lauderdale.

Read more about the Palladium interior and "the making of", including interview with Mark Boddington in the Digital Edition of Boat International.

Silverlining supports WorldSkills 2011

2011-08-25T11:43:00.002+01:00

Supporting young people and inspiring future generations of highly-skilled cabinetmakers is at the heart of the Silverlining philosophy. That is why Silverlining developed close relationships with WorldSkills over the past years. This year Silverlining becomes the official sponsor for WorldSkills 2011 in London and our Workshop Manager and past WorldSkills Gold Medal winner Gary Tuddenham was invited to oversee the entire cabinetmaking section of the competition.

Gary’s story shows how WorldSkills competition can give young people a “head start” with their career. Originally from Cumbria, Gary left home at 16 and moved down to Hampshire to join a 3 year long apprenticeship programme. “The programme itself was very hands on, at the bench, rather than being theoretical or paperwork oriented,” – says Gary. During this period Gary became involved in the SkillBuild competition. It took several years to go through all the regional and national stage, before he was able to compete at the international level at WorldSkills. WorldSkills is the world's largest, international skills competition with young people from across the globe competing to be the best of the best in their chosen skill, be that hairdressing, fashion, web-design, mechanical engineering, mobile robotics or indeed cabinetmaking.

In 2007 Gary went out to Japan for three weeks and took part in a four day competition against the participants from 50 other countries. The hard work and months of training paid off and he came back from Japan as a Gold Medallist in cabinetmaking. Shortly after a friend told him about Silverlining. Gary says that he is "years ahead" of friends who took the university route, both financially and in terms of career progression. Within 3 months of joining the company he was promoted to Deputy Workshop Manager and then Workshop Manager. Now, aged only 26 he balances managing the large team of makers with working on Silverlining’s most complicated pieces and travelling all over the world for site installations. This year he also took another challenge. WorldSkills are coming to London and Gary was asked to oversee the entire cabinetmaking section, assisted by another Silverlining craftsman and past WorldSkills winner Pierre Bonifait.

As an official sponsor Silverlining is preparing and supplying all the timber for the cabinetmaking, joinery and carpentry sections of the competition, as well as providing training facilities for the young participants.

The competition takes place at ExCeL London from 5-8 October 2011. 150,000 expected visitors will see 1,000 Competitors from more than 50 countries/regions competing in 46 skill areas over four exciting days of Competition.

Read more in Guardian
Visit WorldSkills

New ad campaign - Innovation

2011-04-20T12:25:00.000+01:00

Collaboration with Bremont

2011-03-28T12:28:00.003+01:00

Silverlining has recently been approached by Bremont to develop a special case that will house and display Bremont B-1 Marine Clock. Bremont is a British brand designing and producing hand-made watches at its atelier in Switzerland. Only limited numbers are manufactured each year.

Solid walnut and leather are the core materials used to create the case, each selected for their appearance but also their association with British brands. It was fundamental for both companies to develop a truly unique product that is built to last whilst simultaneously conveying the heritage of each brand. Attention to detail was of paramount import which led to the leather being sourced from Britain’s only remaining oak bark tannery for example. An internal and external box had to be designed for the case to ensure it could carry the load of the clock safely, weighing in at approximately 16kg. The internal box which houses the clock has been jointed using traditional dove tail joints and carries the main load whilst the outer box is jointed around this forming a protective layer.

The case takes the form of a traditional briefcase and the handle has been designed combining saddler skills with the detail of a leather watch strap. The ‘door’ on the front of the case has a flush set walnut porthole surrounding a glazed window; the porthole means that the ‘home time’ clock face and the Bremont name are always visible.

Giles English from Bremont came to Silverlining to personally thank designers and makers.

Visit www.bremont.com for more information

Join Silverlining - Administrator

2011-03-28T09:07:00.001+01:00

Silverlining is growing and we need more exceptional people to join our team.
We are now looking for an administrator to support the Project Management team. This dynamic role includes working with suppliers, organising logistics, as well as other administrative activities. We are looking for someone who is highly organised and has great people skills.

Download full description here

To apply email Sandra.Williams@silverliningfurniture.com

Researchers and Innovators needed

2011-03-01T09:15:00.001Z

Silverlining is looking for passionate, creative and curious people to join our expanding Research and Innovation team as an office-based intern. If you are interested in design, art, science, technology and engineering and have a good knowledge of materials, especially wood, and design/engineering software - this role might be for you.

Download full description here

To apply email Calre.Parsons@silverliningfurniture.com

Join Silverlining!

2011-02-10T10:10:00.000Z

Silverlining is growing and we are currently looking for Finishers and Apprentice Finishers to join our dynamic workshop team. Full training will be provided to the successful Apprentice Finisher candidates, so you need to be a fast learner, have a "can do" spirit and be an excellent team player.

To learn more about Silverlining people and our culture download our Blueprint for Success.

View full job description here. To apply for a job email Clare Parsons.

We are also looking for highly skilled cabinetmakers.

Nominations revealed for World Superyacht Awards 2011

2011-01-14T10:09:00.002Z

Boat International Media revealed the nominations list for the World Superyacht Awards 2011. The awards will take place on the 7th May 2011 in London. Three of the yachts we worked on last year are nominated.

Palladium is nominated in the Best Displacement yacht over 85m category. Baton Rouge and Pacific are nominated in the Best Displacement Yacht 60m - 84m category. Our congratulations go to the designers, shipyards and everyone who was involved in these projects. Fingers crossed!

M.Y. Palladium, Michael Leach Design, Blohm + Voss

Dining cabinet - one of many furniture pieces created by Silverlining for Palladium

New furniture for Bannenberg & Rowell Design

2010-11-29T18:33:00.003Z

Here are a few pieces from our recent 85m Lürssen yacht project with Bannenberg & Rowell Design. This was a great project to work on and allowed a lot of research into textures and finishes. A range of tactile materials used include end grain elm, textured palmwood, textured metals, olive ash, wenge, quilted maple, walnut, rosewood, stones.

A pair of coffee tables: Australian walnut and cocobolo rosewood, integrated light.

Console: olive ash and carved palmwood.

Gloss on the inside?

2010-11-12T10:22:00.005Z

While being stunningly beautiful, high gloss surfaces can be very impractical as they tend to scratch and fingerprint. We decided to explore the idea of using high gloss finish on the inside of the object, where it remains visible, while being protected. On the outside we have used rippled ash with tactile open grain finish.

Hand polishing the inside gloss surface.

Superyacht Design Symposium

2010-11-12T09:51:00.001Z

Silvelrining team attended Superyacht Design Symposium in Palm Beach, Florida.

Watch Mark Boddington speaking in the SYDS video highlights:
http://superyachtdesignsymposium.com/2010-video-highlights/

New leather ideas - inside out

2010-11-11T13:28:00.006Z

This object was born out of the experiment, exploring how leather and composites (in this case carbon fibre) can be used to create fascinating organic shapes.

The internal suede surface looks like it has been pulled apart.

Handmade stitch metamorphoses from the front to the back of the object.

Work completed on M.Y.Titan

2010-11-11T13:13:00.001Z

Work is completed on M.Y.Titan, the project is signed off and the team is back home after the installation works in Barcelona. This is our 5th launch this year and everyone is looking forward to the Christmas break!

http://www.superyachttimes.com/editorial/2/article/id/5195

Other yacht projects comleted this year:
M.Y. Palladium (Project Orca) - 96m Michael Leach Design
M.Y. Baton Rouge - 63m Redman Whiteley Dixon
M.Y. Odyssey - 38m Redman Whiteley Dixon
M.Y. Pacific - 85m Bannenberg and Rowell

Luxury Craftsmanship Walpole Award Nomination

2010-11-11T12:13:00.001Z

We are nominated for The Walpole Awards for Excellence in Luxury Craftsmanship category.

"Awarded to the British brand or institution that has shown the most imaginative and greatest commitment to the support and development of a craft in luxury."

Awards will be announced on Monday 15th November. Fingers crossed!

Nominees:
Soane Britain
Linley
Morgan Motor Cars
Silverlining
Vertu
Judges:
Mark Henderson, Gieves and Hawkes/ Walpole
Tony Chambers, Editor, Wallpaper*
Damien Whitmore, Director of Programming, V&A
Colin Tweedy, CEO, Arts and Business
Theo Fennell, Creative Director, Theo Fennell
http://www.thewalpole.co.uk/walpole-events/walpole-awards/view-event.aspx?nodeId=6559

Our New Journey

2010-11-10T11:43:00.002Z

When I started Silverlining in 1985, I wore a salesman’s hat, sketched with a designer’s pencil and made furniture with craftsman’s tools. Then as the company grew from seedling to sapling, I learnt the skills of training and managing.

Now – 25 years on – as the sapling grows into a tree, I need to concentrate on being a leader and visionary, whilst at the same time returning to my roots of creativity.

This is why we have launched the Blueprint for Success. It's a document that outlines our shared plans for the future and the part that all of us can play. We explain our reasons for growth and our vision for the future, the key success factors required to attain our goals, the company’s core values of excellence, passion and innovation and most importantly our people culture.

Silverlining has shared and enjoyed success in the past – however this new journey will inspire our team, from apprentice to manager, to reach our shared goals with suppliers, partners and most importantly our clients. Welcome on board!

Mark Boddington
Managing Director