1973

Beginnings

Mary Wiggin and Ross Bull make plans to open a furniture shop. They begin making contact with the world’s leading manufacturers of furniture, lighting and accessories.

small add

1974

Argyle Street, Bath

Coexistence opens at 10 Argyle Street in Bath. The mission is simple: to promote great contemporary design in the UK.

small add

1975

Advertisement

One of the very first press adverts by Coexistence.

small add

1976

Argyle Street, Bath

Sketch of the store front by Deidre Dyson

small add

1978

Floral Street, Covent Garden

Growing interest in design and the success of the first store leads to the opening of a London shop on Floral Street in Covent Garden. Mary Wiggin seen here at the front doors of the new showroom.

small add

1978

Press Clipping

Coexistence begins to showcase exhibitions of student work and innovative manufacturers.

small add

1978

Advertisement

Showing how the old and new can coexist together.

small add

1982

Expansion

Coexistence moves from Floral Street to Whitcomb Street, and opens a second showroom on Canonbury Lane in Islington.

small add

1982

Whitcomb Street

Mary at the Whitcomb Street showroom.

small add

1982

Canonbury Lane, Islington

Interior of Canonbury Lane, featuring some classic pieces that we still sell today.

small add

1988

Press Clipping

Milan review published in Design Week where Mary discusses the new fire regulations brought out in the UK and how more simplified designs might return to the commercial market.

small add

1989

Consolidation

Coexistence buys 288 Upper Street in Islington to consolidate the company’s commercial and administrative activities under one roof. A year later, 64 Cross Street, adjacent to the Upper Street premises, is purchased.

small add

1999

Cross Street Showroom Opens

The expansion of the Upper Street–Cross Street showroom makes it possible for Canonbury Lane to be reconfigured as a complementary gallery promoting contemporary British painting and sculpture.

small add

1999

25th anniversary

Coexistence celebrates its 25th anniversary with a series of events. The company’s first book is published, celebrating the renaissance in British design, architecture, engineering, manufacturing and culture over the last 25 years.

small add

1999

Elle Deco Interview

‘Mary shares the secret of her lifestyle’ in an article published by Elle Deco celebrating Coexistence's 25th anniversary.

small add

2001

London Marathon

Team Coexistence runs their first London Marathon raising money for Multiple Sclerosis.

small add

2004

Milan Review

The annual Coexistence Milan review, featuring the Coex team’s 'Pick of the Crop'

small add

2005

New Director

Mary Wiggin and Ross Bull invite Daniel Gay to join the board of directors. Daniel accepts and joins the board as Operations Director.

2007

Advertisement

Knoll, Saarinen Conference Chair featured in Blueprint

small add

2013

Re–Brand

Coexistence partners with design and branding agency Bravo. Charlie. Mike. Hotel on a complete re-brand ahead of the company’s 40th anniversary.

small add

2014

40 X Years

Coexistence celebrates 40 years in the business by kicking off a series of anniversary exhibitions and events.

small add

2018

Changes

Founders Mary Wiggin and Ross Bull take on ambassadorial roles but remain as majority shareholders and board directors. Daniel Gay takes over as managing director.

small add

2022

End of an era

Ross Bull, one of Coexistence’s two founders and long-term Finance Director steps down from the board after 48 years and transfers his shareholding in the company to Mary. Ross continues as a consultant to Coexistence.

small add

2023

New Directors

Mary Wiggin (Founding Director) and Daniel Gay (Managing Director) announce the appointment of two new directors. Carl Cozens joins the board as Operations Director and Rachel Bull as Sales Director.

small add

2024

Coexistence is 50

1 May 2024, marked Coexistence's 50th Anniversary.

small add