Selbrae House: Our Materials

Slate is an exceptional material with features that truly set it apart from other materials.
To begin with, slate's creation process is utterly fascinating! 

It originates from shale or mudstone deep within the Earth and undergoes incredible transformations over millions of years. The immense natural forces of pressure and heat shape the rocks into distinctive, fine-grained slate with its remarkable durability. So, when you admire the slate on your dining table, take a moment to imagine the incredible journey each piece has taken over centuries before becoming part of your home.

Slate’s dark colouration adds a touch of sophistication to any setting, and being a natural mineral product, it boasts high durability, guaranteeing that your tableware will be part of your hosting and family life for many years to come.

In line with our commitment to sustainability, our slate is produced through a streamlined process that minimises environmental impact. This ensures that you can enjoy your slate products with the knowledge that they have been responsibly obtained.

Lastly, when the time comes that you no longer require your slate products, they can be passed down to others or easily recycled. Slate, being a natural material, can be repurposed, further reducing its impact on the environment.

Durability: Slate is known for its exceptional durability. It can withstand heavy use and is resistant to scratches, making it a reliable choice for tableware and serveware that will last for years.

Sturdy Characteristics: A significant benefit of slate is its natural weight. Unlike other lighter materials such as plastic, cork or melamine, slate's heavy and sturdy characteristics make it less likely to move around on a table or be knocked over with accidental bumps. For instance, our slate coasters aren’t going to stick to the base of your glasses or end up in your lap while enjoying your drink. The weight of slate also provides a luxurious feel to your serveware and table setting, adding a sense of sophistication and elegance to your dining experience.

Remarkable heat resistance: Slate is known to be highly heat resistant, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit) without getting damaged or damaging the surface beneath. This makes slate an excellent choice for serving hot dishes directly from the oven or stovetop. 

The heat resistance of slate ensures that you can confidently place hot pots, pans, or serving dishes directly onto slate trivets, coasters, or serving platters without any concerns about warping, cracking, or discoloration to the slate itself and the surface below.

Temperature Regulation: Slate has excellent temperature regulation properties. By placing your slate serveware in the fridge before use, it can effectively keep food at a lower temperature throughout your meal. Your prosciutto will stay beautifully fresh, fruits will remain nicely chilled, and cheeses will be served at the ideal temperature, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Clean Aesthetic: Slate's clean aesthetic adds an elegant and modern touch to your table setting. Its natural dark colour and rich texture create a sleek backdrop for presenting a variety of foods.

Functionality: Slate offers great functionality as serveware. Its non-porous nature means it doesn't absorb smells, flavours, or bacteria, ensuring that your food remains fresh and uncontaminated. This makes it ideal for serving strong-flavoured foods like cheese and meats without worrying about cross-contamination.

Our commitment to sustainability starts with the source of our oak; the woodlands of Scotland. We have partnered with Scottish Wood, an innovative project in Fife, and we share a vision to revive local woodland culture for the benefit of our community, economy, and environment. This partnership ensures a sustainable and satisfying source of Scottish oak.

We take pride in sourcing, cutting, and transporting oak from woodlands only miles from our workshop. By prioritising local timber of the highest quality, we minimise our ecological footprint and support the local economy. For times when these local supplies cannot satisfy our demand, we have partnered with Woodland Heritage in Hereford for additional oak, who share the same values and vision as Scottish Wood.

In the UK, just 6% of hardwoods used are locally sourced, with the vast majority imported from Europe. Moreover, only 40% of mixed broadleaf woodlands are actively managed, posing a significant threat to endangered species.

By utilising British-grown timber, we actively contribute to the preservation and management of native woodlands. This, in turn, supports rural employment and preserves traditional skills. As believers in environmental stewardship, we hold that buying native timber is not only good business practice but also essential to environmental preservation.

Our dedication to sustainability and partnership with Scottish Wood and Woodland Heritage underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional products crafted from the finest Scottish and British oak - products that sustain our business and preserve local resources.

Durability: Oak is a hardwood known for its strength and durability. Oak can withstand the frequent use, cutting, and scraping that can occur during serving and preparation. And It is less prone to warping or splitting than softer woods, ensuring longevity. 

Natural Antimicrobial Properties: Oak has natural antimicrobial properties that help inhibit the growth of bacteria. This is particularly beneficial for cheese boards and serving platters, as it can help maintain food safety and hygiene.

Beautiful Aesthetic: Oak wood has a warm and natural appearance with unique grain patterns, providing an attractive backdrop for showcasing cheese and other food items. It adds a country aesthetic to table settings but is equally at home in modern décor.

Easy to Maintain: Oak is relatively easy to clean and maintain. It can be wiped down with a damp cloth or gently hand-washed with mild soap and warm water.  Periodically applying a food-safe wax-oil or beeswax finish can help preserve the wood and maintain its appearance.

Environmental Consciousness: By choosing Selbrae House's oak products, you are making a positive impact on the environment as oak is a renewable resource and our sourcing practices are sustainable.

Our Linen collection exemplifies our commitment to honouring time-honoured traditions while embracing contemporary design. The town of Kirkcaldy once boasted 15 linen mills and each roll of our linen and cotton blend is meticulously handwoven in Scotland's last remaining linen mill, preserving the heritage techniques that have been passed down through generations. 

A linen and cotton mix is commonly used for table runners, napkins, and tea towels as this is a combination with great qualities.  Here are some advantages of using a linen and cotton blend for these items:

Durability: The combination of linen and cotton creates a fabric that is durable and long-lasting. Linen is known for its strength, while cotton adds softness and flexibility to the fabric blend. This ensures our products can withstand regular use and washing without easily wearing out.

Absorbency: Both linen and cotton have excellent absorbent properties, making them ideal for use in napkins and tea towels. The fabric blend can effectively soak up spills and moisture, keeping surfaces clean and dry. This absorbency also helps in drying dishes and glassware.

Breathability: Linen is highly breathable, allowing air to circulate through the fabric. The breathability of the blend helps prevent the build-up of moisture and odours, ensuring freshness and cleanliness.

Elegance and Versatility: Linen and cotton blends are valued for their natural and timeless aesthetic. The combination of the two fibres creates a fabric with a sophisticated, textured appearance that adds elegance to table settings and can complement all occasions, whether casual or formal.

Easy Care: Linen and cotton mix fabrics are generally easy to care for. They can withstand machine washing and regular use without losing their quality or shape. Additionally, the fabric blend tends to wrinkle less than pure linen, making it more practical for our products.

Olive wood holds a special place in our range.

These exquisite pieces of wood are sourced from centuries-old olive trees that have dutifully borne fruit until reaching the end of their lifecycle. By allowing olive trees to naturally mature in this way, they sequester maximum carbon, making olive wood one of the most environmentally friendly wood choices available.

Every item in our collection is meticulously hand-carved by a small Tunisian team we have partnered with. Even the smallest, single pieces of olive wood don’t go to waste and are turned into our beautiful utensils. Thanks to olive wood's innate durability, these pieces are built to last for generations with proper care. Each piece is carved on-site, without the use of industrial machinery or emissions, ensuring a sustainable and eco-conscious production process.

Durability: Olive wood is a dense and hard wood that is naturally strong and durable. This makes it ideal for use as a chopping board and carving board, as it can withstand cutting and chopping without easily getting scratched or damaged. Moreover, the high density of olive wood can prevent bacterial accumulation, ensuring food safety and hygiene.

Natural Antibacterial Properties: Olive wood has natural antibacterial properties that help prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, making it ideal for use in food preparation. This property is due to the presence of polyphenols in the wood, which act as a natural disinfectant.

Eco-Friendliness: Olive wood is an eco-friendly option for kitchenware and serveware, as it is a renewable resource. The wood is derived from olive trees that have reached the end of their fruit-bearing life, or have fallen naturally. Moreover, olive wood is biodegradable, making it a sustainable and environmentally responsible choice.

Aesthetic Appeal: Olive wood has a unique and beautiful grain pattern that adds an elegant and rustic touch to utensils, chopping boards, carving boards, and bowls. The wood's natural markings and colour variations make every item unique and visually attractive.

Non-Toxic: Olive wood is free from toxic substances and chemicals, making it a safe and healthy option for food preparation. Unlike plastic or synthetic materials, olive wood does not release harmful substances when exposed to high heats.