Michael Cox, the co-founder and principal of foley&cox, possesses a breadth of expertise in furniture design, customized color palettes, and interior architecture. He worked in various home divisions of Ralph Lauren for 10 years. In 2002, Michael and Mary Foley founded foley&cox and in 2007 launched foley&cox home. Today the firm of 10 works with the finest suppliers and craftspeople on four continents. To mark its 20th anniversary, the company published its first book, Language of Home, by Monacelli Press, which showcases 24 projects from its first two decades of work and acknowledges all the incredible artists, artisans, and craftspeople who have contributed to the team’s designs. Says Cox, “The book is also a love letter to our clients whom we gratefully refer to as our patrons of the creative arts.” As another celebration of its 20th anniversary year, foley&cox set out to create the foley&cox Endowed Scholarship Fund at NYSID by both donating funds and calling on its entire community of clients, vendors, artisans, architects, and contractors to help capitalize the fund. At the time we went to press, the company was approaching its goal. We sat down to talk to Cox about his communitarian approach to philanthropy and the design business.     

Atelier: Did you study interior design? How did you find your way to the discipline?

Michael Cox: At Villanova University, the Augustinians taught “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Despite graduating with a bachelor’s degree in finance, I was given many opportunities early in my career to learn about retail, sales, buying, production, licensing, styling, sourcing, design development, and interior design. At foley&cox, we’ve offered a chance to many candidates from industries as various as fashion, law, and banking. We strive to cultivate a firm culture that values diversity of experience for a richer, fuller world view.

Atelier: Why did you choose to endow a scholarship at the New York School of Interior Design to commemorate your 20th anniversary?

MC: As our leadership team focused on goals for the firm’s next 20 years, we recognized the significance of supporting the academic foundations of our industry. What is a better investment than the continuing education of our future industry leaders? Missy Fink, our business manager, gets the most credit for spearheading the initiative.

Atelier: Of all the colleges and universities you could choose, why NYSID?

MC: As a firm, we have partnered for many years with NYSID students through our internship program. Several of our own team members are NYSID graduates. We are part of the New York design community, and we want to strengthen and nourish our roots.

Atelier: Why did you elect to make this a diversity scholarship fund for people underrepresented in the industry?

MC: As an LGBTQ principal with a Latina vice president, Zuni Madera, I have an appreciation for how important it is to cultivate opportunities for a broader portion of our society and to foster inclusive environments in the classroom and the workplace. As we witness the tragic educational restrictions being adopted in Florida, it’s clear that fostering diversity in education is an important and relevant human rights issue.

Atelier: Why did you ask your clients, vendors, architects, and contractors to become your partners in philanthropy?

MC: This is our culture. We work closely together; we celebrate our collaborations; and we honor our commitments. We’re proud of our relationships and all our partners were generous to contribute to this initiative to support education. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who helped us create this scholarship fund, and say we have almost reached our goal and donations are still welcome.

Atelier: What would you like to see happen in the interior design field in the next 20 years?

MC: We’d like to see an increase in awareness and appreciation of our history. Our industry is uniquely positioned to influence a healthy future and the answers to complex global issues of sustainability are literally in our antique and vintage roots.

To inquire about donating to the foley&cox Endowed Scholarship Fund, reach out to giving@nysid.edu.