From their London studio and workshop, Cox London creates some of the most exquisite made-to-order lighting and furniture in the world of luxury interiors. We caught up with co-founder Christopher Cox to hear about the evolution of the brand and what inspires their iconic designs
How did Cox London come about?
Nicola and I met at Wimbledon Art School. Nicola was from New Zealand and had studied at Camberwell before coming to Wimbledon, and specialised in mould making and casting, while I was hell-bent on welding metals and objets trouvés, and had the run of an amazing scrap heap that you could fork-lift into and take whatever you wanted.
After college, we fell into restoring sculpture, furniture and lighting for family and friends at home, while at the same time working in our respective jobs (I was in period lighting restoration and Nicola went into bronze founding). We’d be taking things apart and restoring them – everything the London trade would bring us, from 18th-century cast bronze chandeliers to Forties wall lights. It was fantastically hands-on, working with all these period and styles, and a real education in design.
From 1997-2005 we were working together out of our garage in East London – Nicola casting her bronze, while I was making chandeliers, and running pieces to West End dealers. In 2005, we set up Cox London. We bought a house with a garage that a black cab driver had bought for his cab, and that’s where Nicola got her 1960s furnace and starting pouring bronze. Then we moved to new premises in a builders’ yard in Tottenham – a double purpose-built shed, where we took on our first employees.
In late 2007 we bought an industrial space behind Tottenham Hale Tube station, where we could finally make as much noise and work as late as we wanted without upsetting the neighbours, and from there we have employed more and more staff – everyone from bronze founders and glass experts to forgers and fabricators. Today we have a staff of 20, all of them highly specialised and skilled at what they do.
Do you have a favourite period style?
I’m tempted to borrow a quote from a friend who was asked the same question: “I just like the very best of every era”. I find it hard to pin it down to any one particular era. I appreciate the work, craftsmanship and design that goes into any piece that stands the test of time.
You recently opened a new gallery space. Can you tell us about it?
Yes, we took on Unit 63 creating a new gallery space to exhibit a lot more of our work, alongside a private drawing and sculpting studio, where we can work to produce prototypes and ideas away from production. It is a huge luxury.
Does Cox London have a typical client?
Ninety-five per cent of our clients are interior decorators, five per cent are private. Our entire client base is from the interior design world, and in fact, over the years we have worked with at least half of the House & Gardens’ Top 100 list.
Do you have a piece you are particularly proud of?
I have a particular love of lighting, so I’m really proud of Ferro Vitro, which is a sculptural construction made of wrought iron and blown glass. It was inspired by sculptors drawings and in particular the lines in Giacometti’s works on paper, and is so out of our heads, so other-worldly. We were thinking about the piece for three years before it was physically made.
What is it about the Cox London that designers love?
The top end want something that no one else has – that’s why they come to us. While some of our looks are very contemporary, we are rooted in a tradition of design and love to mix it up – something that’s prevalent in the design world right now. We’ll make a chandelier of traditional form but sculpted in bronze, as though by the hand of a post-war sculptor.
Does Cox London have an overseas following?
Two years ago we were invited to show with Rose Tarlow, a legend in the interior design world who we have always loved. Having worked with her on a bespoke project it was a huge compliment that she liked our own designs enough to retail them with her own line in LA and New York.
Recently we had wonderful clients visit us from India whose interior decorator was in Singapore and had been advised to go to Florence and the Pimlico Road for antiques and Cox London for a chandelier. Ultimately the pieces they purchased were destined for their home in Dubai. It’s great to know that our appeal and reach is truly international.
Whose style do you admire in the world of interiors?
A no-brainer: Axel Vervoordt, a true trail blazer of the very highest calibre, he bought antiques on the odd occasion from my father when I was little. Rose Uniacke has effortless and exquisite style and if you are decorating a period house, Will Fisher at Jamb. has impeccable taste and stock. I adore Les Lalanne – their unique brand of artistry has become synonymous with some of the finest interiors.
What next for 2016?
We are busier than ever. Last year saw us expanding our workshop and production and opening the new studio, and the 2015 building project is still ongoing. We have already started designs for Decorex, and are having a show at John Cullen Lighting in March, where we’ll be exhibiting new pieces, and we’ll be visiting Maison & Objet this year with a view to exhibiting in 2017. All in all, a very exciting start to the new year.
For more information, visit Cox London
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