Tabula Rasa Design x Cail Bruich
No two days are the same at TR HQ. From delivering workshops to designing dining tables, crafting watch boxes, and creating wall art – there’s always a buzz of activity beneath the treehouse. But after a year of lockdowns, venturing beyond Carbeth Guthrie Estate to explore the city offered a fresh and exciting new opportunity for Derek – a project that would showcase his designs in a whole new setting. A setting worthy of a Michelin star, no less.
Introducing the brand-new interiors at Cail Bruich, all handcrafted by Tabula Rasa Design. Read on to find out how the collaboration came about and how Derek was able to take this fine dining destination to the next level.
Firstly, how did the project come about?
I know the owners, Paul and Chris, very well and they had been playing with the idea of a revamp for a while, but given their recent award of a Michelin star and the appointment of their new Chef, Lorna McNee, they needed to push the button.
They had seen my previous work at their other premises, Bar Brett, as I created some bespoke items for there a couple of years ago. So they were happy for me to take the creative lead with this project and run with it.
What were they hoping to achieve?
They wanted to update their décor and also create a bespoke chef’s table to celebrate winning their Michelin star.
The key thing was they wanted the wood to tell a story. The rest they left up to me. They did say ‘There’s no pressure, but Glasgow is watching!’ so I knew I had to come up with something really special, unique, and bespoke.
What exactly did you create for Cail Bruich?
I designed and made a new chef’s table, bespoke handmade wall panels with living wall plants, a freestanding butcher’s block island for the food prep in the kitchen area, shelves, bread boards, and a full restoration of the bar tops.
What materials and techniques did you use?
The beauty of this project was it gave me the freedom to use a range of amazing quality Scottish timbers including Wych Burr Elm. The shelves I crafted from Scottish Oak, the bread boards are spalted Beech, and I restored and reloved the original solid Ash bar tops using the Japanese charring technique, Shou Sugi Ban, to give it a whole new look. I finished the chef’s table with a bespoke steel frame complete with bespoke modesty panels, and finished each item with our TR trademark.
What excited you most about this project?
Being asked to create bespoke items for Glasgow’s only Michelin star restaurant is an honour, but more so when it is for friends. It came at such an exciting time too – they just won their award, appointed a fantastic new chef, and lockdown restrictions were lifting so Glasgow was more than ready to enjoy what Cail Bruich had to offer.
“There’s no pressure, but Glasgow is watching!”
Were there any challenges along the way?
The project faced a few challenges but nothing that could not be overcome. There were things that changed along the way but that’s the joy of creating something completely different.
Are you pleased with how it’s all turned out?
We are delighted with the end results. The updated décor and the chef’s table in particular is stunning – it certainly adds to the restaurant’s overall ambiance.
See the bespoke Tabula Rasa Design pieces for yourself at Cail Bruich, 725 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 8QX. To make a reservation call 0141 334 6265 or visit www.cailbruich.co.uk.