Our History
The Remarkable Journey of Selbrae House
Rooted in family. Inspired by nature. Crafted to last.
Working with family isn’t always easy - but for the Carstairs family, it’s been the heart of everything. At the core of Selbrae House are siblings Donny, Emma, and Colin, their parents Louise and Ian, and their loyal four-legged companion Ru. Together, this close-knit team brings creativity, care, and a shared passion that continues to drive the success of their family-run homeware business.
Their story is one of dedication, evolution, and craft - shaped by nature, rooted in tradition, and always looking forward. Here’s a look at the journey that brought Selbrae House to life.
1987
Back to the Beginning: Planting the Seed
On the Carstairs family farm in Fife, Louise turned her love of gardening into a business - growing, drying, and selling flowers to major retailers across the UK. It was a time of change in farming, and Louise’s creativity and drive led to the founding of SEL Ltd. Her work soon earned national recognition, including the John Logie Baird Award for Innovation and the Daily Express Businesswoman of the Year.
1997
Donny Enters the Family Business
When Louise’s general manager fell ill, her son Donny stepped in to help - and discovered a natural talent for business. What started as a temporary fix became the next step in the family journey.
2006
A New Independent Business Blossoms
Donny acquired The Just Slate Company, then a small business offering a handful of beautifully crafted slate products. With vision and perseverance, the brand grew rapidly and caught the eye of retailers like John Lewis. Years of hard work followed - filled with growth, adaptability, and a strong team spirit.
2011
Diversification – the Art of Never Standing Still
To keep the business moving forward, Donny and sister Emma expanded into cheese and wine accessories. A bold bet on thousands of glass red chilli stoppers paid off - the product became a customer favourite and paved the way for a whole new range of bestselling pieces.
2016
A Touch of the Mediterranean
In 2016, we partnered with a talented family team in Sfax, Tunisia, to introduce handcrafted olive wood serveware. Each piece is carved from a single block of wood, bringing warmth, texture, and Mediterranean charm to our collection.
2017
The Beauty of Oak: A Sustainable Step Forward
We launched Scottish Made - a collection of oak serveware made from responsibly sourced local woodlands. It marked a meaningful shift towards sustainability, rooted in craftsmanship and respect for natural materials.
2017
A Personal Touch: The Start of Engraving
That same year, we introduced in-house engraving, led by Emma’s hand-drawn designs. Our slate and oak products were transformed into keepsakes, featuring much-loved motifs like stags, highland cows, and thistles. Customer enthusiasm saw us grow from one engraving machine to eight.
2020
Woven with Love: Where Tradition Meets Design
We introduced The Linen Table, a collection that beautifully blends time-honoured craftsmanship with a fresh, contemporary touch. During a trip to visit our olive wood partners in Tunisia, we connected with Maroua’s mother - a skilled textile artisan - who now lovingly sews each piece. Though separated by distance, we’re united by shared values - family, tradition, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
2023
Our First High Street Store
We opened our first store in our hometown of St Andrews - a place to experience the full Selbrae House collection, in person and in one beautiful space.
2024
Embracing New Horizons
In 2024, we brought together our four beloved brands - Just Slate, Naturally Med, The Linen Table, and Scottish Made - under one name: Selbrae House. A new chapter that celebrates everything we stand for: nature, family, craftsmanship, and meaningful design.
2025
Today
We remain a proud family business, still rooted in Scotland and still creating timeless gifts inspired by the natural world and the moments that matter most.