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A New Chapter — Mark Tuckey Looks Towards the Future
Now part of the Corporate Culture group – home to brands like Cult and HAY Australia – revered timber furniture maker Mark Tuckey embraces a new chapter.
For more than three decades, the Mark Tuckey name has been synonymous with finely crafted Australian timber furniture, with an ethos deeply ingrained in sustainability. With the news that the company has been acquired by the Corporate Culture group – holding company of design brands including Cult, HAY Australia and nau – Mark Tuckey is entering a new chapter: a collaboration that honours the brand’s heritage while ushering in a new era of innovation and excellence.
Mark Tuckey started his eponymous company in 1990. While the brand grew in both sophistication and scale, its core principles remained: superb craftsmanship, pared-back, timeless design, a dedication to traditional manufacturing processes, and an abiding regard for the inherent beauty of timber, whether it be salvaged, recycled or from sustainably or ethically managed sources. Each piece of Mark Tuckey furniture is custom-made by hand at the company’s workshop in Thornbury, Melbourne, where the redolent scent of blackbutt, American oak and stringybark being cut, sawed, shaped and sanded is an all-pervasive reminder that timber is the heart and soul of the brand.
A respect for the process and for honest, uncomplicated form is paramount. “I remember the days when all our table bases were made with four legs and basic mortise and tenon joinery, even dowel. That was how our story started,” recalls Dave Schofield, the company’s Head of Operations. “Now Mark Tuckey prizes exposed joinery. We embrace this visceral aspect of construction and place value on people being able to read how our pieces are made, or at least provoke in them the desire to look closer.
“Our design principles are based on straight lines, even shadows and flat planes. Designing in this way celebrates the material and maintains honesty in principle,” he says. “This can be seen in something as basic as a butt joint, a rabbet joint or the unornamented through mitred bridal joint. A mitre is traditionally one of the weakest joins in woodworking, but executing in this way makes it one of the strongest construction methods available to us. We like it because it’s tricky to build seamlessly yet looks so straightforward.”
A distinctly Australian spirit also underlines everything Mark Tuckey creates. “Our pieces are designed with the Australian customer and their lifestyle in mind,” says Dave. “They’re strong, relaxed, robust and honest. Most of us strive for a calmer life and that’s what our furniture represents. While grounded by solid timber, it has a relaxed nature without fuss or trend.” Pieces like the Merri Dining Table, Mega Drum Coffee Table and Tumbler Stool all embody that aesthetic. The Mardi range, which includes a bathroom cabinet, bench side table and cabinet, was created with a coastal home in mind and reflects a relaxed, beachy vibe.
While the brand’s singular vision remains, the acquisition will undoubtedly strengthen Mark Tuckey’s presence in both residential and commercial markets. Corporate Culture’s involvement promises to offer fresh avenues for growth, including expanding the product range and reaching a bigger audience. “The transition represents an exciting new chapter, as Corporate Culture’s expertise and network will undoubtedly propel the brand to new heights,” Mark says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to continue our legacy of crafting enduring furniture that stands the test of time.”
