Saxen was commissioned by the National Trust for Scotland to refurbish the café area within the historic Culzean Castle Home Farm Kitchen.

Saxen gave the space a fresh, modern update while remaining respectful of the castle’s heritage and the home farm setting. Sustainability was a priority throughout, aligning with the Trust’s environmental commitments.

The brief called for a balance of heritage and contemporary design, using natural materials and a considered colour palette. The overall concept was to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that felt in keeping with the castle’s character, while incorporating sustainable practices and materials at every stage of the project.

sustainable furniture solutions

The existing café tables were refurbished by reusing their original legs, reducing waste and preserving existing materials. New tabletops were sourced from Vepa using their innovative CircuBoard. These are designed to allow the top surface to be removed and replaced at the end of its life. This approach guarantees the reuse of valuable raw materials and significantly lowers the carbon footprint across the product lifecycle. 

To enhance comfort and atmosphere, Edit’s acoustic panels made from recycled bottles were suspended to aid acoustic absorption, provide zoning, and help flow. Quilted banquette seating was installed along the back walls in both café sections. Supplied by Sixteen3, the banquettes were upholstered in Camira’s Mainline Flax – a sustainable, compostable fabric made from a blend of wool and plant fibres. This choice not only supports sustainability goals but also adds warmth and texture to the space.

For the loose seating, an eclectic approach was adopted to create visual interest with a layered aesthetic. Vepa’s Hemp Coffee 400 chairs were used in their natural finish, showcasing their innovative construction from hemp fibres and upcycled coffee sacks. These were complemented by additional chairs using the same frame, upholstered in a selection of faux leathers from Agua’s Taurus and Entwine collections. This allowed for a balanced aesthetic of raw and refined materials, supporting both comfort and durability.

outdoor bistro furniture

To refresh the outdoor café area, traditional picnic bench seating was repurposed and moved to other areas of the estate to increase overall capacity. In the courtyard, Saxen Interiors introduced new tables and chairs from Pedrali, chosen for their durability and elegant design.

A soft palette of sage and stone was selected to harmonise with the natural surroundings and historic architecture, offering a relaxed and comfortable environment for visitors to enjoy the courtyard views.

project summary

Saxen successfully delivered a thoughtful, sustainable refurbishment of Culzean Castle Home Farm Kitchen. The design comfortably blends modern comfort with the site’s historic character, using responsibly sourced, repurposed, and renewable materials throughout.

From CircuBoard table tops to compostable upholstery and hemp-based seating, every element of the project reflects a strong commitment to sustainability. The result is a welcoming, stylish space – indoors and out – that enhances the visitor experience while supporting the environmental goals of the National Trust for Scotland.