Frequently Asked Questions

Furniture

What makes your furniture different?

As an antique dealer, Matthew understands what endures and why. That shapes everything we make. Our pieces are designed with aesthetic and functional longevity in mind: proportions, materials and construction chosen to hold or even increase their value, aesthetically and physically, over generations. Our furniture and lighting are foundational in a room, sitting somewhere between architecture and decoration. Our made-to-measure and bespoke work is fully customisable and made in our workshop in Stamford. We also work with trusted craftspeople where specialist disciplines such as glassblowing, casting, woodcarving or certain kinds of woodturning are needed.
What materials do you use?

We work primarily with solid European oak and natural finishes, chosen for their longevity, warmth and honesty. We favour materials that age beautifully rather than disguise wear.
Why oak?

Oak is incredibly durable, timeless and full of character. We are drawn to its warmth, strength and the way it improves with age.
Will my piece change over time?

Yes. Solid oak will naturally mellow, deepen and develop a richer patina through light and everyday use, adding to the individual character of each piece.
What should I expect from a piece of solid oak furniture?

Solid timber will move subtly with changes in temperature and humidity. Variations in grain and tone are part of what makes each piece unique.
What is the difference between made-to-measure and bespoke?

We use these terms deliberately. Made-to-measure means adapting an existing design – adjusting dimensions, proportions, leg placement or finish to suit your space and your brief, while retaining the integrity of the original design. Bespoke means starting from a blank page: an original design developed for you from first principles. Both involve drawings, finish samples and sign-off before anything goes into production.
Can I adapt a design from your collection?

Yes. We can adjust dimensions, leg placement and proportions to work comfortably with your space and existing seating. This is best resolved at the drawing stage.
Can you make extending tables?

We usually advise whether extending tables are absolutely necessary, as we find fixed-length tables offer the best durability and functionality over time. That said, we can make extending tables as part of a bespoke design.
Can you make outdoor furniture?

Yes. Please enquire and we will advise on which materials and finishes we recommend for outdoor use.
Do you undertake site or installation work?

Our work is almost exclusively freestanding, so we do not generally carry out site work or fixed installation. If your project requires a joiner or site fitter, we are happy to recommend trusted contractors.
What is your bespoke process?

We begin with a conversation, then develop drawings, dimensions and finishes before moving into production once everything is approved. We typically ask for a 20% design fee upfront while we finalise design details, after which a balance invoice will reflect any key changes. Lead times begin once full payment and sign-off on drawings and samples have been received.
What budget do I need for a bespoke piece?

Fully bespoke projects generally start at £5,000. Custom requests – such as non-standard tabletop thicknesses or the use of reclaimed timber – are all treated as bespoke processes.
What are your lead times?

Standard range pieces generally take 14–16 weeks from the date of full payment and sign-off on drawings and samples. Bespoke pieces require 16 weeks or more. If you have a deadline, we will always try our best to accommodate it.
What are your payment terms?

We require full payment in order to brief our workshop and schedule production. We accept all credit cards with 0% fees via a secure payment link, or payment by BACS/wire transfer. If required, we are able to issue invoices in other currencies to facilitate international payments.
Do you offer samples?

Yes. Handmade finish samples are £25 + VAT each, including worldwide shipping. Once a piece has been invoiced, we provide one sample free of charge per piece. Our high-quality FSC oak has natural variations of colour, grain and small character features. Our hand-painted brass varies in colour, pattern and tone, gently darkening over time. We would recommend viewing a new sample if the one you hold is more than two years old.
How should I care for my furniture?

Clean with a soft damp cloth and avoid harsh chemicals, standing water and excessive heat. Each piece comes with a care guide specific to its finish, and we are happy to advise on long-term care.
Do you provide care guides for stone tops?

Yes. Stone tabletops – including bluestone – have their own specific care requirements and each piece comes with a guide tailored to the material and finish.
What is the 100-year plan?

It is our commitment to every piece we make. We believe in repair, restoration, reuse and support that extends far beyond delivery, with people and planet considered in every decision. Through RE-MC, our aftercare programme, we offer repair, restoration, refinishing, repurposing and resale services for all our pieces. The 100-year plan is also reflected in how we choose materials: timber and brass that age honestly, made in ways that allow a piece to be disassembled, repaired and given new purpose.
What does RE-MC offer?

RE-MC is our aftercare and circular programme. It covers repair and restoration of damaged or worn pieces; refinishing to update or renew a finish; repurposing, where a piece is adapted or remade for a different use; reclamation of materials; and resale, helping a piece find a new owner. If you have a Matthew Cox piece in need of attention, or a piece you would like to pass on, please get in touch.
Do you offer trade accounts?

Yes. Approved trade accounts receive a 20% discount on our standard range and on fully bespoke pieces co-created with us. To apply, complete the trade account form on this page.

Lighting

What makes your lighting different?

Like our furniture, our lighting is made in our workshop in Stamford from solid brass, hand-finished and – where components are individually cast – unique to each piece. We design for longevity, to the same standards of material integrity and construction as our furniture.
What brass finishes are available?

Our finish library includes brass | honey, brass | chocolate, brass | verdigris and brass | dry bronze, among others. New finishes are developed regularly by our finishing team. A full list is available on the relevant product pages.
How do your finishes evolve over time?

We celebrate the natural evolution of our materials. Brass | honey and brass | chocolate will naturally mellow and deepen over time. Brass | verdigris will remain true if kept dry and undercover, slowly developing a richer patina. Dry bronze, in an exposed outdoor position, will gradually lose its matt wax surface and grey bloom in the first few months, eventually transitioning into a verdigris patina over the longer term.
Which finishes are suitable for outdoor use?

For outdoor fixtures, we recommend brass | verdigris and brass | dry bronze. Please enquire and we will advise on the most suitable specification for your installation.
Will my light look exactly like the photograph?

Each brass bracket and finial on our Vesper wall lights is individually cast and hand-finished, meaning subtle variations in surface, pattern and patina are an inherent part of the process. Our chocolate finish intentionally allows some of the underlying brass character to come through. Finish samples are available before production begins.
Can I order a custom paint colour?

Yes. For lighting, we work with COAT Paints, a fellow British B Corp. We are able to accommodate your own colour choice. Please enquire for further details.
Can lights be configured for use anywhere in the world?

Yes. Our lights can be wired for anywhere in the world. Vesper wall lights for US clients are supplied with a 5” x 5” backplate as standard to cover all standard J-boxes.
Can we use your lights outdoors?

Our Galley Lanterns, Galley Wall Lanterns and Loupe Lights can all be wired for outdoor use. Outdoor fixtures are wired using a weather-resistant flexible cable with heat-crimped joints. Wall fixtures also feature an extended cable length at the back of the fitting to allow for installation through thicker external walls. When ordering outdoor lighting, we will ask for details of the installation location and surrounding conditions so we can advise on the most suitable specification and finish. For US projects, outdoor lighting is typically classified as either damp location – covering covered outdoor areas protected from direct rainfall – or wet location, referring to fixtures exposed directly to weather and rainfall. Please note that whilst our fixtures can be prepared for outdoor use, we are generally unable to provide UL wet-location listing for fully exposed exterior installations without a specialised field evaluation process.
Are your lights UL listed?

Our components are UL-approved and PAT-tested for safety. The fixtures themselves are not UL listed as standard. UL listing can be completed upon request for an additional fee per light, extending the lead time by 8–16 weeks depending on the fixture. We cannot provide standard UL listing for wet locations without a highly specialised field evaluation.
Are your lights suitable for bathrooms?

Yes, our Vesper wall lights are suitable for bathrooms. Please enquire for further information on the configurations we would recommend for your project.
What bulbs do you recommend?

We recommend dimmable LED bulbs for all our lighting, in a warm white colour temperature of 2700K. Different colour temperatures are available. UK orders include bulbs as standard. US orders do not, but the correct bulbs are readily available from hardware stores such as Ace Hardware or Bulb America. Specific bulb specifications for each fitting are listed on the relevant product pages.
What glass options are available?

Our Loupe Light is available with clear, white or smoked glass. Galley Lanterns are available with clear, white or seeded glass.
How should I care for my brass lighting?

To prevent any marking of the brass finish, we recommend wearing cotton gloves during installation. After installation, minimal cleaning with a soft, lint-free cloth or feather duster is best. Please avoid rubbing the surface, using household cleaners, wax-polish or other abrasive products, as this will interfere with the patina and gentle evolution of the unlacquered brass.
What are your lead times for lighting?

Standard range pieces generally take 8–14 weeks. Bespoke pieces require 16 weeks or more. Lead times begin once full payment has been received, along with approval of finish and, where relevant, drawings.
Do you offer finish samples for lighting?

Yes. Handmade finish samples are £25 + VAT each, including worldwide shipping. Once a piece has been invoiced, one sample is provided free of charge. Our brass samples are indicative of the non-cast parts of our lighting. Our Vesper wall lights feature brackets and finials which are individually cast and hand-finished, meaning subtle variations are an inherent part of the process. We would recommend requesting a new sample if the one you hold is more than two years old.

Editions & Studies

What are MC Editions?

Editions are ready-made pieces, produced in advance so you can select them for their individual character rather than commission to specification. Our first editions are the Milk Tables: six side tables made from rare, thick slabs of native British timber – elm, sycamore and chestnut. Each piece is unique to its slab. Available editions can be seen in the Editions section of the site.
What are MC Studies?

Studies are pieces that explore or extend a design idea, often developed in response to a particular material, context or brief. The JP White garden seat is a current example: an outdoor seat in a painted finish. Studies sit alongside our standard collection and editions.

Visiting

Do you work internationally?

Yes. We work with private clients and interior designers across the world and ship to most destinations. All pieces are prepared for international transit and we handle export documentation as standard. Duties, import taxes and local charges vary by country and are typically the responsibility of the receiver unless otherwise agreed.
Can I visit the workshop or see your work in person?

Yes. We are based in Stamford, Lincolnshire. We are happy to invite clients and designers to our townhouse studio, where we have examples of our work in use, and to the workshop, where you can see production at first hand and meet the team. We will put together a visit itinerary depending on where you are in the process. Please get in touch to arrange.

Delivery & Shipping

How will my piece be delivered?

Delivery timelines vary depending on destination, shipping method and customs clearance. Once your piece is ready to leave the workshop, we will provide an estimated transit time and keep you updated throughout.
How will my piece be packaged?

All furniture is carefully wrapped and protected for transit. International shipments are timber-crated as standard to ensure pieces arrive in excellent condition.
Do you offer white glove delivery?

Yes. For many international deliveries we can arrange a white glove service, including delivery to the room of choice, unpacking, light assembly where required, and removal of all packaging.
Do you offer storage?

Yes. The first week after the agreed delivery date is free of charge. Thereafter, storage is charged at £105 per piece, per week.
Are there seasonal shipping changes?

Shipping prices may increase from mid-November to mid-January. If you need delivery during this period, a seasonal surcharge will be quoted approximately two weeks before despatch. Alternatively, we can store your pieces and ship in mid-January.
Are duties and taxes included in the price?

Duties, import taxes and local charges vary by country and are typically the responsibility of the receiver unless otherwise agreed. Pieces are generally shipped DAP (Delivered At Place).
Will I need to complete customs paperwork?

We prepare all required export documentation. Depending on the destination, the receiver or their appointed broker may need to assist with local customs clearance. For shipments to the United States containing timber products, a Lacey Act declaration may also be required, confirming the wood species and country of harvest.
Can delivery be coordinated with my designer, contractor or receiver?

Yes. We are happy to coordinate directly with your appointed team. For deliveries to apartments, commercial projects or spaces with restricted access, please let us know in advance about lifts, staircases, loading docks or any time restrictions.
What should I do when my piece arrives?

We recommend inspecting the packaging and the piece on delivery. If there are any concerns, please notify the delivery team and us as soon as possible, with photographs of both the packaging and the piece. We recommend retaining all packaging until the piece has been fully inspected and accepted.