MARK – a major new British brand to launch at 100% Design 2008

Fresh from Cornwall, MARK is a new collection of furniture, lighting and homewares which are designed and made for life. The company, founded by Anna Hart and John Miller, is working with a team of acclaimed designers who have been given the brief to design quality furniture that does not compromise on comfort, usability and sustainability.

Designers in the launch collection include Tomoko Azumi, Kay + Stemmer, Richard Shed, Dylan Freeth and Tom Raffield. Cornwall based Jethro Macey and leading designer Terence Woodgate are also working on collections for launch in 2009. The furniture is all made in Cornwall, by high quality cabinet makers, high tech engineering firms, and even makes use of the local surfboard shaping industry.

As the designer responsible for high profile projects in Cornwall such as Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, Anna Hart has been involved in shaping a new, young, design-aware image for the county. Her dream of an ethical furniture brand based on Cornish values and skills was made possible through a meeting with John Miller, Director of Design at University College Falmouth and a respected figure in the furniture world. Together they have put together a creative partnership that spans the industry – from leading retail figures acting as advisers to the designers, manufacturers, academics and students.

Alongside Anna and John, Cornwall itself is the third partner in the business, providing both the lifestyle inspiration behind the furniture, and the manufacturing skills to make it. Says Anna; “Cornwall’s inspirational scenery and relaxing atmosphere are integral to the county’s identity so are integral to MARK. There is a vibrant community here with an emphasis on sustainability. MARK illustrates all these things in the way that the company has been created through its ethos, approach and products”. John adds “People like the idea of living in places like Cornwall and MARK product aims to capture the essence of that, while at the same time making Cornwall more sustainable, a more viable place to live and work, not just to come on holiday.”

The 11 designers featured in the MARK range are:
Tomoko Azumi, Dyaln Freeth, Sam Johnson, Tom Price, Kay + Stemmer, Jethro Macey, Tom Raffield, Richard Shed, Terence Woodgate, Gala Wright

Nest Chair by John Miller	Net Chair by Sam Johnson
Shaper Table by Kay+Stemmer	Arris Table by Gala Wright
Ribbon Light by Tom Raffield	Horizon Screen by Dylan Freeth