When Jacqueline Barr updated her kitchen, she knew she wanted a fuss-free look with plenty of space for essentials.

 

Jacqueline and Stuart Barr bought their Edwardian stone-built villa on Glasgow’s leafy south side, knowing it would be their ‘forever’ home. So they have taken their time, selecting classic designs rather than sticking to a strict budget, and are slowly but surely making the property their own.

‘We’re working on the house room by room at our own pace,’ Jacqueline explains. ‘When we finally turned our attention to the kitchen I shopped around with an open mind, but everything in the showrooms I visited was either ultra modern and too slick, or far too traditional,’ she remembers.

A colleague of Stuart’s recommended craftsman Ewan Ogilvie, and when they saw his work they knew he was right for them. ‘We have a Finnish neighbour who’s been a big influence on us, and Ewan’s designs blended the clean Scandinavian look we’ve grown to love with beautiful Shaker style.’

The design was a close collaboration between the couple and craftsman. ‘He created an initial plan to our brief,’ Jacqueline recalls, ‘and sent us a computer-generated image, which we were then able to alter until it was absolutely perfect. The original was all wood, so we decided some of the cabinetry should be painted. Requests and ideas went back and forth between us until we were all happy.’

Before Image

 

Rather than overwhelming the couple with a long list of tasks, Ewan coached them through the Ewan’s attention to detail is evident at every turn: a washing machine and dryer and a small utility area sit in one of the cupboards, and he even factored in space for pet bowls with a drawer above for their food. ‘My favourite detail is the pull-out crates: one for baking, one for healthy snacks and one for less healthy snacks,’ Jacqueline laughs. ‘There are two smaller crates as well that we use for cake decorating and Mexican ingredients, and finally, three trays, which we love using for the occasional TV supper.’

Jacqueline is clearly delighted with the results. ‘We both enjoy cooking and can prepare a meal in here easily while Iris does her homework,’ she says. ‘It just works so perfectly for us as a family.’

 

 

Photography: Douglas Gibb