For a brand that draws so heavily on the traditions of furniture making, the workshop at Matthew Cox has a refreshingly modern take on the concept of apprenticeship.¹  Started by antiques dealer Matthew Cox in 2017, the UK studio specializes in handcrafted furniture and lighting that are made to last a century, and to become more beautiful as time goes by. 

Here Matthew Cox’s creative development lead, Greg Stone, and his apprentice, Georgia Coyle, discuss what mentorship means to them, and how a time-honored approach to passing down knowledge and skills is being renewed for the 21st century.

Rebecca Thandi Norman: What drew you both to Matthew Cox? 

Greg Stone: I’ve been at Matthew Cox for six years. I had been in business myself as a furniture maker but when I saw Matthew Cox’s Instagram, I reached out. The day I came in to meet Matthew, I had a tour of the studio and his home. I saw a bench that had previously been outside for years—it was all grayed and weather-beaten. Matthew has always been interested in seeing how pieces and materials weather. Taking a weathered piece out of its usual context and bringing it inside really makes you appreciate how beautiful the weathered surface is.

Georgia Coyle: I’ve been an apprentice for nearly two years, and it’s coming to a close. I first found out about the company through someone I knew; the way he talked about not only the products but also about the way Matthew Cox treats their team sounded good. I’d previously worked in furniture restoration but I wanted to get involved in making. Matthew Cox brought those things together.