Creating Layers In Time: Studio SL on Their First Limited Edition Collection
After twenty years of translating client visions into extraordinary furniture, Studio SL faced an unfamiliar challenge: designing entirely for themselves. No brief, no palette, no client preferences. Just creative freedom, and the pressure that comes with it.
The result is Layers in Time, Studio SL’s first limited edition collection. Eight pieces that express not only what the team can make, but who they are as designers and makers. We spoke with the Studio SL team about the process, the surprises, and what it means to design without constraints.
What made this the right moment for Studio SL's first limited edition collection?
For Steven Hudson, the timing felt inevitable. “This year marks Silverlining’s fortieth anniversary, and that milestone felt like the perfect moment to pause, reflect and celebrate how far we have come,” he says. “After decades of creating bespoke, client-driven work, we wanted to channel that experience into something that expressed our identity on our own terms.”
Russel Dyson sees it as an evolution of the studio itself. “We have reached a point where the experience and insight of the design team can stand as a distinct entity. With this independence comes more creative freedom. The narrative, the materials and the processes are ours to shape.”
Jamie Hunt adds, “With so much experience in bespoke furniture and innovative sample creation, it felt natural to bring our creativity and craftsmanship into the world of collectible design.”
What does creative freedom really look like?
Freedom sounds liberating, but in practice it brought new challenges.
“Transitioning from bespoke commissions to an entirely self-directed project was both exciting and daunting,” Steven admits. “Normally a client brief provides structure. Here we had to create our own framework, deciding not just what to make but what we wanted to say through the work.”
Jim Birch agrees. “The abundance of possibilities was the hardest part. We are always encouraged to challenge what is possible with the skills and materials we have, which leads to many ideas. Narrowing them down was the real challenge.”
Jamie approached the project through material honesty. “It was about stepping away from the surface-finish mindset of bespoke work and finding purity in form and detail. We also wanted the collection to feel cohesive while showing the variety of techniques that define us.”
For Russel, who focused on the Lumen side table, the process was equally demanding. “Design-wise it was as I imagined, a monolithic form with hand-carved oak legs and a smooth cast-resin top. The real challenge fell to R&D, who had to perfect that pebble-shaped resin. It cracked several times before they achieved the final result.”
What did you discover in the making?
Every designer found something unexpected along the way.
Russel’s revelation came through the Wave Console. “The finished piece embodies the entire collection for me. The lines shift as they flow over the curves, and from certain perspectives the top, back and interior surfaces align perfectly. The use of stacked leather also nods to Silverlining’s heritage.”
Jamie found clarity in restraint. “For me the Slice Desk captures the intent of the collection. It uses one material and one finish, yet its form and texture speak volumes. Its simplicity is what makes it powerful.”
Jim’s discovery was sensory. “Each piece, and the beauty of the different materials, needs to be experienced in person. The straw tables, for instance, cast mesmerising shadows that change with every glance.”
Steven’s moment came during experimentation. “Through discussion and prototyping, we realised how much character emerged from layering materials in unexpected ways. We developed a new leather-stringing technique using stacked veneers, creating patterns that reflect movement and light. What began as a structural test became deeply expressive.”
What does Layers in Time mean to you?
The name holds different meaning for each designer, yet all return to the same idea: furniture as a dialogue between time, craft and collaboration.
Jamie reflects, “It sums up both the collection and this new chapter for Studio SL. The ‘layers’ are the hands-on work of each maker, the shared knowledge of the team and the legacy of Silverlining itself.”
Jim sees it as connection. “It relates to the relationships we have within the studio. We know each other so well that we can draw from each other’s experience to create pieces that truly represent us.”
Steven describes it as history in motion. “It is about the journey of each piece, from the first sketches to the makers’ marks in the finished form. It also echoes Silverlining’s forty-year story. Each era and project has added another layer to who we are.”
Russel interprets it as identity. “Layers in Time represents our exploration of creative freedom. It showcases what Studio SL and Silverlining can achieve together when we work purely for the sake of design.”
What comes next?
The experience has already begun to shape how the team thinks about future projects.
Jamie says, “It has opened a fresh approach to design, bridging the gap between bespoke commissions and the experimental work we do through our innovative samples.”
Jim reflects, “Creating our first cohesive collection taught us a lot about collaboration. It reminded me to enjoy the process, because these collections are rare opportunities.”
Russel looks ahead. “It will not change how I approach bespoke work, but it will influence how I approach the next limited edition collection. This first one set the tone. Now we can be bolder, take more risks and create pieces that provoke a strong emotional response.”
Steven concludes, “While it has not changed how we design for clients, it reminded us how rewarding it is to design purely for exploration. The joy lies in discovery, whether for a commission or for ourselves.”
Discover the collection and meet the designers behind Studio SL by clicking the link below.
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