John Moore, co-founder of Piece
Despite spending his days satisfying hungry appetites in his popular cafés,Piece co-founder John Moore doesn’t feel the need to escape the kitchen after a long shift. In fact, it’s his favourite room at home too.
“It may seem like a busman’s holiday but our kitchen is definitely my favourite room,” says John, who lives with his wife, Jenny, and their cocker
spaniel, Monty.
“The original kitchen was weird so we ripped it out and stuck it downstairs to create a utility room for the dog and we’ve finally got to build our dream kitchen upstairs.”
The couple moved to the Park district two years ago having felt their previous property in the hugely popular Finnieston was just too close to John’s business on Argyle Street.
But despite the need to distance home and ‘office’ John has managed to bring some of his work home with him – at least in the kitchen’s semblance. “Yes, the look has definitely been inspired by commercial kitchen and restaurant design, especially with the use of steel.
“We designed the kitchen and diner purely for cooking and partying - no washing machines or ironing boards in sight and, as a space, it’s incredibly effective. With just the two of us the room feels cosy but we have had 40 at a party and the room accommodates the volume fairly easily.”
Apart from the impressive steel clad island and American sized fridge, the other dominant feature in the room is the stunning 10 foot kitchen table which is actually an old refectory table that the couple found at Finnieston’s Mulberry Bank Auctions – a good example of the couple’s success at mixing contemporary buys with classic quality pieces around their home.
“We have a quirky and fun thing going on and that in part is because when I was growing up in Belfast I lived in a quirky Victorian house that still had all the old servants bells, sinks, fireplaces, etc.; the type of things people ripped out and now want to replace.
“I think I always wanted to live somewhere similar. Along with the furniture, the flat’s high ceilings, rattling windows and impossibility to heat offers me complete nostalgia.”
While the couple had clear ideas on what kind of home they wanted to create they did benefit from being friends with Rehab Interiors designer, Lee Sowerbutts, but not in the actual design process. “Lee was moving home and some of his furniture didn’t work in his new place so he offered it to us. His carefully bought pieces have definitely been one of the most worthwhile investments we’ve made – other than the kitchen, of course.”
Having no distinct theme has also helped when it comes to dressing the rooms and that’s why the modern classics such as the black leather Barcelona chair in the kitchen and Arco floor lamp in the living area are perfect housemates to the likes of the refectory table and the couple’s medicine cabinet bureau. “I think if there’s any theme at all it is cushions – which seem to multiply on a weekly basis,” says John.
The property is a work in progress and the couple say it will take years to renovate but with John’s business going from strength to strength – two new Piece locations will open in 2015 – the couple are happy to take their time. “I do have a short attention span,” confesses John, “so there will be more changes along the way but until we have the time and the cash, we’re both really happy in our quirky, unfinished but fun home.”
photos Susie Lowe