The Blackwell Company opened its premises on East Claremont Street today, bringing together all of the services needed for a residential refurbishment under one roof.

The company’s own team provides principal contractor services, from initial planning and project management through the full health and safety responsibility, site management and reporting, with particular skills in working on heritage and period properties.

Architectural design and planning advice comes from experienced local architect Mary Carslaw. Having worked in Glasgow, London and Edinburgh, Mary has extensive experience of both residential and commercial projects, including listed buildings. 

East Claremont Street also acts as a showroom for The Blackwell Company bespoke kitchens - made in the Scottish Borders by the firm’s skilled craftsmen, using traditional techniques and sustainably-grown materials. The firm has collaborated with Isle of Skye Paints, produced sustainably and containing natural seaweed, to create a range of paints developed specifically for The Blackwell Company kitchens.

Rebecca Gough-Cooper has also brought her interior design talent to the studio, offering a range of services to make the process enjoyable and stress-free.

Managing director Luke Blackwell said: “As well as the traditional trades you’d expect, we wanted to bring something else to our design studio - construction is a creative industry just as much as a practical one, and we love the idea of having different skills and sectors all working alongside each other.

“We’re really delighted to have the design studio open, and to have created many new jobs and potential for many more in what has been an uncertain year for business.”