Olive & Barr: Behind the brand with founder Al Bruce

We have featured the beautiful Olive & Barr kitchens previously here and here. But have you ever wondered what’s the story behind the brand?

Founded in 2018 by Al Bruce, Olive & Barr has become synonymous with a blend of traditional artistry and contemporary flair. A quintessentially classic kitchen maker, Olive & Barr is renowned for its iconic Shaker style, seamlessly combining time-honoured joinery techniques with cutting-edge innovation.

We caught up with founder Al Bruce to discuss the customer journey, his inspirations, the latest launches, and what’s exciting him most in the world of kitchen design.

How would you describe Olive & Barr’s style?

At Olive & Barr we specialise in timeless British-made Shaker kitchens, using a careful balance of traditional craftsmanship, modern technology and intuitive design. Handcrafted in solid oak, ash and tulipwood by skilled artisans in our West County workshop, our kitchens exude an unparalleled class with durability and functionality at their core.

We pride ourselves on building kitchens that last at a competitive price. In more recent years, we’ve developed variations of the Shaker to offer a modern take on the classic design.

What do you think makes Olive & Barr stand out from the competition?

My goal with Olive & Barr was to start a business that broke the mold and one that put the client first every step of the way – we aim to exceed their expectations. I am confident that Olive & Barr is the only handmade Shaker kitchen company in the UK today that can provide impeccably high-quality British craftsmanship at such good value.

We keep overheads to a minimum so we can pass on the savings we make to the customer.

Selling a kitchen is the easy bit, but ensuring a smooth journey for the customer is where most brands fall at the final hurdle. The kitchen is one of the last major elements in a homeowner’s often stressful renovation. Our mantra is “every customer should feel like the only customer” because we understand the importance of deadlines and the curveballs that have likely cropped up along the way.

Our investment in our operational team sets us apart from the competition, we’re always the friendly voice at the end of the phone who is willing to go the extra mile.

The materials we use are excellent and we pride ourselves on a high standard of craftsmanship, where we pour our hearts into even the smallest details. Whether it’s our bespoke kitchens, the quality of joinery, or our friendly and helpful team, we are dedicated to providing excellence at every step.

Describe the design process for an Olive & Barr customer

The artisans at Olive & Barr have been creating bespoke kitchens to suit all kinds of kitchen styles, sizes and budgets for years. We ensure our customers are supported and guided through the entire process as there’s lots to consider when planning a new kitchen – from honing your style to measuring and choosing accessories.

It goes without saying that we have home visits and showroom appointments to showcase our vast range of options and products. We currently have three showrooms, one based in South London, another in Gloucestershire and our newly opened flagship showroom in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire.

Once the design consultation has taken place and the wish list has been refined, an initial plan will be submitted.   There are usually a few tweaks here and there to fine-tune the design – we work very closely with our customers to make sure the design delivers on brief.

Following this, the design will be secured with a deposit, we then in most cases visit and survey the space. From this point, the kitchen goes into production. Typically, we work on a 12-week lead time but in certain cases, we can work on delivering the kitchen in a shorter time frame depending on our current orders.

After being installed in the client’s home with the utmost care and attention, the cabinets are then hand-painted in the colour of choice.

At Olive & Barr we also offer an interior design service, which can be beneficial if clients are struggling to make those final decisions. Our consultant will visit the home and take the client through a range of design ideas from colour schemes to lighting, tiles and more. From there, they will devise a comprehensive design plan, creating a space that reflects their personality, style and budget. Finally, in the unlikely event that it’s needed, each kitchen comes with a 15-year guarantee.

Where are Olive & Barr kitchens manufactured?

Championing sustainable, responsible and ethical design, our workshops are based in the UK, and each distinctive kitchen is made from carefully sourced materials which are all traceable, accountable, and accredited by the FSC – providing impeccable quality for excellent value.

What are the starting prices for one of your kitchens?

Handmade kitchens are an affordable option, and the beauty is they can be designed to suit an array of budgets. The cost of a handmade kitchen varies. Pricing is influenced by elements such as size, quality of materials used and the complexity of the design.

For a modestly sized bespoke kitchen, prices may start from around £10,000 to £15,000. However, if a more intricate and larger-scale design is required, a budget may stretch beyond £30,000. It’s important to remember, that bespoke kitchens aren’t just purchases, they’re investments in your home and lifestyle.

What’s exciting you in kitchen design and in your own projects, right now?

As a business owner and designer, I love to explore new materials, technologies and styles within cabinetry and kitchen design to evolve our offering. It’s important to look at how people are living and using their space – a kitchen should enhance the home, providing an area where you can cook, eat, work and play with ease.

Today the kitchen is the hardest working room in the home, and it needs to deliver both aesthetically and practically, while also meeting the needs of often multiple family members.

With that in mind, we have developed our freestanding collection, with a bespoke ‘Bakers’ table, (which serves as freestanding kitchen island) and a dining table, named the ‘Baguette’, which is inspired by the classic French design and includes a hidden drawer – once used for storing baguettes! We have introduced brass worktops to these bespoke pieces to add a designer touch.

Developing our wood kitchen collection has been incredibly rewarding, alongside our painted Shaker we offer, oak and ash finish cabinetry, which can be stained to the client’s preferred shade. We’re currently working on some really exciting new cabinetry designs too, which we’re looking forward to announcing at the beginning of the year. So, stay tuned!

For more information please visit oliveandbarr.com

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