Our Design Team recently took a trip to the glorious seaside town of Margate to visit the talented Sebastian Cox at his studio and workshop, a place alive with designers, makers and environmental thinkers, all united by a shared appreciation for materiality, craftsmanship and the natural world. The studio is led by husband-and-wife team Sebastian and Brogan Cox, whose thoughtful approach to design has long inspired us.
We met at London Victoria at 8.30am and boarded the 9.10 train to the coast. There is something wonderfully anticipatory about travelling together as a team, with conversations flowing, sketchbooks appearing and excitement building as the city slowly gives way to open skies. We have always been captivated by Sebastian’s work, so stepping inside the place where ideas are shaped and materials transformed felt truly special. Experiencing first-hand the atmosphere and processes behind the work, and seeing how raw materials evolve into beautifully resolved pieces, was both inspiring and quietly mesmerising.
We were warmly welcomed by the Sebastian Cox team with freshly baked croissants, tea and coffee before being invited on a tour of both the studio and woodworking workshop. It was fascinating to gain insight into the many stages of the making process, from the initial cutting of timber and the careful drying process, to staining techniques and the intricate ways in which each element is shaped, fitted and joined. Witnessing this level of care and attention gave us a deeper appreciation for the material itself and the considered approach that underpins everything they create.
From dining tables and beautifully detailed kitchens to imaginative treehouses, Sebastian’s breadth of work feels endlessly inventive, reflecting curiosity, ingenuity and a deep understanding of how people live with objects and spaces. As we explored the studio, we even spotted a handmade model of a barn he had created as a young teenager, a wonderful glimpse into the early beginnings of a maker whose fascination with design and building was clearly present from the very start.
Next on the agenda, it was our turn to step into the workshop and experience the process for ourselves. Guided by Sebastian, we sanded and shaped pieces of oak into beautifully simple everyday objects, from soap dishes and butter dishes to hand-carved butter knives. There was something deeply satisfying about working with the material by hand and gaining a small insight into the skill, patience and precision behind each finished piece.
We have been admirers of Sebastian Cox’s work for many years. When designing the Bloomsbury Publishing offices a few years ago, it felt natural to include some of his pieces, including stained wooden tables and benches, together with his remarkable Mycelium lights suspended above. Their organic quality and quietly sculptural presence brought warmth, texture and character to the spaces.
Visits like this always leave us feeling energised and full of ideas. Spending time with people who are so deeply connected to their materials and processes is a reminder of the value of slowing down and creating with intention. We left Margate inspired, with a renewed appreciation for thoughtful design and perhaps a few more ideas already beginning to take shape on the journey home.