WebMayJun2019

62 | www.westendermagazine.com
Mackintosh was born in Glasgow in 1868 and
became an award-winning architect who also
experimented with furniture design, metal crafts
and watercolour painting. He travelled extensively
and his style drew from eclectic and innovative
influences which won him acclaim, but – as is often
the case with true innovators – his home city only
really appreciated him after his passing.
A new statue unveiled recently brings
Mackintosh’s creative eye to life as he gazes across
the West End from his elevated position on one of his
famous chairs now situated on St Vincent Street in
Anderston. It was designed to mark
the culmination of events celebrating the 150th
anniversary of the designer’s birth, created by
renowned sculptor Andy Scott and unveiled by
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon who said, 'This
magnificent new Charles Rennie Mackintosh statue
is a fantastic addition to Glasgow and recognises the
incredible legacy of one of Scotland's most iconic
architects, designers and artists. It is a privilege
to officially unveil Andy Scott's installation, which
now stands in pride of place in Anderston – an area
transformed through the 10-year regeneration
project.'
Mackintosh and three of his university
contemporaries (one of which later became his wife
-Margaret Macdonald) made up the creative group
known as "The Four" and they were responsible
for creating distinctive art and graphics that
became known as The Glasgow Style. Mackintosh
became the most renowned of the group, and his
style is very distinctive. He uses strong contrasts
between dark and light, with bold lines and squares
alongside elegant circles, most notably the famous
Glasgow Rose design that has become immediately
recognisable as his.
The distinctiveness of his style makes it easy to
bring an identifiable touch of it into your own home.
You can consider a strong theme throughout a new
look, with soft cream carpets, dark wood panelled
walls, and twisted metallic lighting. Add some
statement furniture with high backed wooden chairs
and you can complement with contemporary sofas
or bedding. Touches of soft blush pink and vibrant
green immediately give a nod to the Mackintosh
style legacy.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Gift Shop
Alternatively, you could choose a bathroom or a
hall to bring the minimalism that he loved into full
fruition, going for crisp white wood throughout,
and displaying some of his beautiful watercolours
on the wall, or pull out features inspired by his style
through a bold mirror or lamp. You can create a
sense of his style in fabric, creating your own designs
online is a great way to do this. Develop a repeating
pattern alluding to your favourite element, for
example his Glasgow Rose, or alluding to the long,
thin rectangular shapes he used in windows and
chairs and create some full length curtains with your
fabric. This is a great way to honour his design legacy
in your home, at the same time as marrying this with
a contemporary colour scheme and furnishings.
We’re lucky to live in the city that his admirers
travel to visit, so we have inspiration on our
doorstep. His work and ideas can be viewed across
the city from The House for an Art Lover, to his last
major commission in Glasgow of the Scotland Street
School Museum. The famous Willow Tea rooms
have also been recently renovated so a cuppa on a
shopping trip can give some fresh design inspiration
for adding a Mackintosh twist to your home. They
also have a gift shop so this is a great place for some
little touches to give a nod to the creative legacy in
your own modern home.
shop.glasgowlife.org.uk
spiritogifts.com
Spirito Gifts