Mark Aylward has been designing and manufacturing "objects" from timber and metal for many years. Most of these pieces have been commissions from people wanting unique well made items that will last a life time.

Marks love of making things was fostered from a young age by his parents and grand parents. From the age of 10, he spent most of his hard earned pocket money on tools! Mark was given his great great grandfather’s cabinetmakers tool chest which was bought to Australia by boat in 1859. Mark excelled in Manual Arts in high school. This led to a diverse apprenticeship trade journey, starting in sheet metalwork and leading to refrigeration and air conditioning, where brass, copper, steel, gases and electricity were all worked with to create breathing, functioning, electro mechanical systems. After gaining the Craftsman's Certificate of Proficiency, he continued in these fields for another 21 years advancing from apprentice to manager.

In 2000 he left the air conditioning industry and worked with his partner Helen Stronach in Architecture for 5 years. The time spent working in the Architectural practice gave new insight into design, the use of space, texture and colour. Since 2006 numerous recycled and solid timber commissioned furniture pieces have led to the forming of The Solid Wood & Furniture Company. The furniture is a montage of heavy slab construction using Australian hardwood, clean lines and butter smooth finishes. The use of both ferrous and non ferrous metals ads texture, interest and a strength to the pieces. Mark also reverts wherever possible to the use of hand tools and hand rubbed finishes over power tools this keeps an element of quality and tradition in the pieces.

You will find, if you decide to work with Mark, that he can make just about anything! Mark has experience working with a huge variety of materials and "systems", which brings an ingenuity to his designs. Mark is absolutely passionate about working with timber and dedicated to crafting the very best piece of furniture with each and every design.