"The peculiarity of my furniture is that it always seeks to convey my emotions, ideas, express the essence of high style in an accessible design and helps to say what I wanted. Simply put, furniture is my way of communicating, the most natural form of self-expression." Mark Wilkinson
In 1981, Mark Wilkinson, the true soul and heart of the company he created, opened the production of unique wooden furniture in the English village of Bromam. Furniture, which along with good wine and food, would constitute the eternal pleasure of life. The success of the company is based on Mark's passionate desire to be the best in his field. The main response to Wilkinson’s work is the increasing number of his famous clients year after year: owners of corporations, media moguls and descendants of ancient English surnames. They all unanimously agree that the works of Mark Wilkinson were created for life, and not a single furniture in the world can compare with them.
When I first met the legendary designer at his company showroom in Dubai, where he came to present his new collection and open the UAE Gourmet Club with the BBC Good Food media project, Mark Wilkinson reminded me more of the good-natured Santa Claus than an artist and a joiner. Maybe the whole thing is in his magnificent gray mustache? I do not know. Probably because of this similarity, our conversation with him more than approached the New Year's release.
Mark, when and why did you start designing and manufacturing furniture?
I am not a designer. I do not have a vocational education, and have never had. I just can see the beauty around me and try to share it with others.
Mastery is the soul of a master. I would like to be sure that I give people a little romance and humanity, something that I try my best to reflect in my work.
What else, besides the external perception, is your design based on?
In addition, design should be based on convenience. After all, quality and beauty are inextricably linked. The construction of the ivory tower - that is, the design solely for the self-affirmation and pleasure of the designer - is not my element. I believe that, in fact, the creation of furniture is connected with people. Moreover, with each specific person. And the main measure of a designer’s success will be when people want or don’t want to take his items into their lives.
One cannot disagree with this. In your works there are many valuable breeds of wood, leather, interesting fabrics, even stone. Why do you try to rely on natural materials in your work?
It is obvious. Man thinks that he is the highest creation of nature. In fact, if you look closely at natural phenomena, much in human life will become simple and understandable. And natural materials carry the heat that no plastics and other synthetics can create. I do not recognize fashionable modern interiors. They are uncomfortable and cold. I’m used to surround myself with beautiful, comfortable and unique things, like any tree that has unique beauty and vitality. In the "warm" interiors and people become different. Their attitude towards the world is changing. This is all interconnected. Now, if you are smiling at me now, why should I be rude to you? I will smile back at you. If a person is well and comfortable, he will not make other people around feel bad. He will try to create beauty around him. I want to convey this message to people.
Are you proud that your kitchens are incredibly successful among the most famous chefs in the world?
I somehow did not think about it. Probably, I’m doing something really right, if it’s convenient for people who spend almost their whole life near the stove in my kitchens. So, I correctly calculated ergonomics, which means countertops, food cabinets, sinks and drawers are not annoying, but help in the work.
Mark, you even have your own approach to equipping reception rooms in clinics and offices ...
It seems to me that the reception room in the clinic, where the person came with his pain, should not scare him even more. Indeed, as it usually happens - white walls, white tiles on the floor, metal furniture with glass surfaces, more reminiscent of an operating room. In such an environment, a person internally shrinks, feels discomfort. I propose such concepts, where there are a lot of wooden wall panels, natural floors, comfortable chairs. I really like to build aquariums in the walls. This brings both doctors and patients back to nature. Soothes them.
Offices are also the environment in which a person spends most of his day. Well, and now you tell me why it should be bulky, ugly and poorly lit. At first, we don’t think about the environment in which we are constantly, and then we spend money on visiting psychoanalysts, hoping to get rid of depression. Surround yourself with beautiful things - and your depression, as a hand takes off.
I really like to create furniture for children's rooms, because the kids have their own, special world. They are born with joy, and everything that surrounds them should also give them joy.
But nevertheless, your kitchens have gained the greatest fame in the world. Why do you think?
Probably because they are extremely functional. I myself love to cook, and I want everything you need to always be at hand. I like it in my kitchens and the people who buy them. The kitchen-dining room is the most important part of any home, and when it is filled with the aromas of fresh bread, spices, wine, good roast or pie, rest assured that peace and order will always reign in this family.
It turns out that the kitchen is the cornerstone of family relationships?
In a way, yes. Not for nothing does the expression "home" exist. From ancient times, the whole family gathered at the hearth to share a meal. These days, little has changed, despite technological progress. I am just sure that in those houses where it is beautiful, cozy and tasty, there are no divorces and major quarrels.
Your furniture from the category of very expensive, and refers, perhaps, to luxury goods rather than basic necessities. What about those who can not afford a kitchen set from Mark Wilkinson? Preparing for a divorce?
In no case. It's not in my headsets. Simply, each person needs to try to see the beauty around him and fill his life with it. In this sense, I am only an assistant, a guide, if you want. As for the price, yes, our furniture is not cheap, since a lot of manual labor is involved in its production, rare and valuable species of wood are used, which must be brought from different parts of the world. And then, we do not produce large volumes, and everything that is done almost on individual orders, by definition, can not be cheap.
Are there any Russian customers among your customers?
Yes, and there are a lot of them. As a master, I am pleased that immigrants from Russia acquire my creations. So your people feel and see something, just like me.
Mark, thanks for the conversation. See you again in Dubai.
Thank you too. And do not forget to wish your readers a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.
