About

Low Tide / High Tide is a new collection of occasional tables in development between furniture design studio Sebastian Cox and marbling artist NAT MAKS. This collaboration is inspired by the concept of ever-changing tides, where the grain of the wood and the flow of water create rhythms and patterns that are both organic and intentional. These natural movements are reinterpreted in the marbling and woodworking process, connecting the two elements to form a harmonious dialogue.

The vision Sebastian Cox works towards is one of beautifully and skilfully patterned and coloured furniture constructed from native-grown solid hardwoods. Facing the climate crisis, they cannot justify using stone to create new pieces of furniture. NAT MAKS’ art form allows the creation of colour and pattern akin to the most rare and exotic stone. Unlike that precious material formed over millennia, marbling offers the freedom to use intuition and playfulness for immediate results brought to life on wood.

This collaboration seeks to embody the essence of water’s flow through marbling, transferring its fluidity and dynamic patterns onto the wood’s surface. Capturing these images of marbling onto wood enables them to shape and work these patterned forms in ways unimaginable with stone — creating objects that possess warmth, tactility and carbon sequestered from the atmosphere embedded in their very fibres.

The colour palettes that are being developed draw deep inspiration from native and ancient woodlands, echoing the hues and tones found in seasonal changes and tidal movements. The forms being crafted take their shape from traditional woodworking techniques, marrying heritage craftsmanship with innovative artistry. Through this union, Sebastian Cox and NAT MAKS reinterpret the flow of water and the rhythms of nature, creating furniture pieces that feel alive and deeply connected to the environment.