Interview with Dōr Founder, Jack Blackwell
When we first started out nearly five years ago, everything was held together by friends. Helping us pull off early releases, make introductions, show up at events and say yes when it mattered. There are countless people we owe a lot to, and one of our quiet pleasures is watching where those early supporters end up.
One of them is Jack Blackwell. These days, he’s based in Kelso, a small town in the Scottish Borders known for its architecture, craft traditions and slower pace of life.
We’ve followed Jack’s move from the city to the Borders with real interest. And, if we’re honest, a touch of envy. He’s now the founder of Dōr, an independent lifestyle and coffee store on Woodmarket that feels perfectly at home in its surroundings.
Inside, you’ll find a considered edit of design-led, ethically made pieces. Clothing, homewares, skincare, jewellery, prints, candles and drinks. All selected for quality, longevity and how they’re made. They're brewing up tasty coffee from our mutual friends Assembly coffee, hosting events and adding something insanely beautiful to an already beautiful town.
With Christmas approaching, we caught up with Jack to talk independent retail, thoughtful gifting and a few last-minute present ideas that feel genuinely considered.
Hey Jack- how's it going? You've been busy, and have created something beautiful, What's the deal with Dor?
After a long and fulfilling stint in and around the vibrant hospitality industry, both here and in Denmark, it became increasingly clear that it was time for a significant change personally. I found myself growing more and more fed up with the limited options available for more discerning shoppers in and around the Scottish Borders. With big brands and similar styled stores dominating the retail landscape and dictating how people shop, the need for something refreshingly different was unmistakably evident. When an old florist location became available in the market town of Kelso, it felt like the perfect opportunity at just the right moment.
I wanted to create a unique and inviting space where we could eagerly explore and discover a curated selection of pieces that we would genuinely be excited to purchase. The selection is consciously chosen to support independent makers and small-scale producers in the UK and Europe — not mass-produced goods.
What's in the name?
The name Dōr embodies the idea of being a doorway into mindful living. Bringing together thoughtful design, honest materials, and purposeful objects. As one door closes, another opens.
On Curation & Independent Retail
What does “curation” mean to you, and how does that shape what you choose to bring into the shop?
We prioritise independent makers, small-scale production, and objects that are created with care. Every piece has to earn its place in the shop - contributing to the atmosphere, the story, and the feeling people experience when they walk through the door.
Curation, to us, is the practice of choosing with intention.
Everything must feel quietly beautiful - Dōr. has a very specific aesthetic, calm, natural, warm, considered.
We gravitate toward, honest materials, muted tones, pieces with texture, weight and presence, timeless shapes rather than trend cycle. If something feels over-designed or flashy, it doesn’t align with the atmosphere we’re building.
We prioritise makers over manufacturers. Our background in hospitality teaches us the value of knowing where things come from, so we choose independent designers, small-batch makers, craftspeople who care about process, brands with thoughtful, transparent ethics. It means fewer suppliers, fewer products - but better ones.
It’s the opposite of filling shelves for the sake of it. It means choosing pieces with purpose - items that have been made with care, tell a story, and feel genuinely worth welcoming into someone’s home or daily life.
How do you balance personal taste with what you sense your community will love?
Balancing personal taste with what our community will love is an ongoing conversation.
Our own aesthetic sets the foundation - clean, thoughtful, design-led pieces that feel good to live with. That grounding gives Dōr its identity and keeps the store cohesive.
But as soon as the doors open each day, the community becomes part of the process. We pay attention to what people naturally respond to - the items they linger on, the textures they touch, the materials they comment on, the pieces that sell out quietly and consistently.
What makes independent retail feel essential right now, especially in towns like Kelso?
At a time when so much of retail feels fast, anonymous, and disposable, independents offer the opposite.
In places like Kelso, that grounded, community-led approach isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s part of what keeps the town vibrant and connected. You know you’re in a good town when you have more butchers and bakers than you can count on one hand.
At a time when so much of retail feels fast, anonymous, and disposable, independents offer the opposite. They slow things down. They create spaces that feel human. They give people a reason to walk through the town centre rather than scroll online.
When you look around your shop, which object best represents your philosophy as makers/curators? Why?
If I had to choose one object that represents our philosophy, it would be a simple, Blanc Ceramics - cup and saucer. (my choice of glaze is Hay)
It embodies everything we believe in honest materials, everyday usefulness, and the beauty of something made slowly by a real person. And that real person being Patricia Garcia, who is one of the most calming individuals I get to speak to.
It’s not flashy or trend-driven - it carries our stamp on the bottom - it’s something you reach for every single day, a small ritual that grounds you.
For me, that’s what good design and good retail should feel like - quiet, comforting, functional, and made with care.
A mug like that holds the same values we curate with at Dōr, sustainability, craftsmanship, and the idea that the things you live with should make your life feel softer, calmer, and more intentional.
What’s a moment this year that reminded you why you do what you do?
It was only last week that I found myself really thinking about all of this. Not going to lie, this year has been hard, for us and for so many people. We’ve learned a lot. But when I look back at how much the store has evolved, I’m reminded why we keep going.
From walking into a complete wreck of a space to seeing it grow into something that feels alive, a movement, really it still excites me every single day. What’s carried us through hasn’t been luck.
It’s been the community. The dear friends who show up. The gatherings we’ve hosted, the workshops we’ve brought to life, the exhibitions we’ve somehow pulled together.
There’s a core group of friends and customers who’ve been with us at every stage.
And then there are the regulars, the ones who come in for a coffee and a chat, who help put the world to rights before carrying on with their day.
Those small moments are the reason we do what we do. They’re what make all the hard days feel worth it.
How does supporting small makers ripple outward into the Borders community?
When we choose to stock work from independent craftspeople, we’re not just buying products. We're investing in people, skills, and stories that might otherwise disappear.
That support encourages creativity, and keeps traditional crafts alive. It creates a culture where quality matters, where makers feel valued, and where customers know exactly who their money is supporting.
And when those pieces enter people’s homes, they carry that story with them a reminder that the Scottish Borders can be a place where thoughtful, sustainable, design-led work thrives.
If you could pair one item in your shop with a Woven whisky, what would it be and why?
I’d pair a Woven whisky with a KESTIN piece, probably one of his heavier pieces. This time of year.
Both brands share a similar philosophy: rooted in Scotland, quietly confident, design-led, and focused on quality that lasts. KESTIN’s clothing is about texture, craft and longevity, pieces made to be lived in, not just looked at.
Woven approaches whisky in the same way KESTIN approaches design. curious, detail-driven, respectful of tradition but never confined by it. Putting the two together just feels right, a blend of modern Scottish craft with depth, warmth and character.
And after the 10th anniversary for KESTIN and the collaboration, it's a great nod to both.
Jack wearing KESTIN, ready for a dram.
THANKS JACK!
Three links of goodness:
The Dor Gift edit on Instagram
Dor's online store https://dorlifestyle.co/
Jack's seasonal egg nog recipe (it's good)!