When I asked the concierge at the hotel where I was staying in Glasgow about seeing exhibits of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s work, he got a perplexed look on his face as if searching in his mind for exactly who the most famous Scottish architect was. 

We figured that out and he determined that there was an area in Kelvingrove Art Galley and Museum about the visionary architect.  

When I quizzed him more, he couldn’t seem to come up with any other places.  Instead he became very enthusiastic about The Tenement House, a restored four room flat that provides insight into every day life in the early 1900’s in Glasgow. I wasn’t all that interested because I had limited time in Glasgow,  I often visit the Tenement Museum in NYC (highly recommend) AND I Really wanted to learn about Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  

Mackintosh was an architect and designer in Glasgow in late 1800s and early 1900’s, putting Scotland firmly on the map for art and design.  He integrated curves and straight lines without a lot of ornamentation.  

Like many artists at this time, he was influenced by Japanese design. Very similar to Frank Lloyd Wright, he believed in designing exterior and interiors, insisting on having a great deal of control over all the elements. 

He is described as one of the founding fathers of organic Modernism. 

The Modernism Movement was devoted to innovative ideas and new technology.  It was design that looked to the present and the future, rather than history and tradition.  Heavy ornamentation was tossed out. 

So…off on a journey I went to discover this Scottish Father of Modernism.  

My first stop, of course was the Kelingrove.  They have a nice representation of the architect’s work.  I was a little distracted with all the other exhibits at this massive museum, but enjoyed what I experienced.  

The Mackintosh House

After visiting the museum, I learned about the Mackintosh House  in the University of Glasgow Hungarian Museum.  This was the West End home of the architect and his wife.  Off I hoofed it to see this.  Might I mention that the oldest part of the University is fantastic.  Great exhale. It is really old architecture.  

(See Glasgow Blog Art and Architecture-

The Mackintosh House is a spare and lovely minimalist space, some called an example of three dimensional art.  One way to truly appreciate it is to understand the huge contrast to the heavily created, ornate and dark Victorian house of the time. 

The dining room particularly intrigued me.  So similar to designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.  I wondered who was first.   

The Willow Tea Room

And then there’s the Willow Tea Room.  So, I discovered it when I was wandering down a not very attractive pedestrian street with a mix of odds and ends of retailers—rather gritty actually.   None of them were compelling enough to draw me in…..and then I saw it.  A stand out of a store front.  It had a hint of Art Deco and contrasted considerably with the neighboring buildings . 

I had  to take a look and to my amazement was the Tea Room that Mackintosh was famous for designing. The Willow Tea Room.   Wow.  It’s actually in operation.  

I had no idea.  I wondered if the concierge at the hotel knew.  

But what was really interesting was the museum adjoining it with excellent videos and interactive displays about the Tea Room, its founder, ( Miss Cranston)  and the architect (Charles Rennie MacIntosh). 

Tea rooms were popular alternatives to working men’s clubs in Glasgow and came about because of the very active Temperance movement in the city.  Tea rooms gave women a place to gather. 

Peeking in the front door I realized this was fantastic.  It was like going back in time.  This is a great space to see Mackintosh’s style—strong right angles and floral-inspired decorative motives with subtle curves.  

I wish I could say that I had a lovely cup of tea there but I didn’t.  

I regret is that I didn’t know about it and this was my last day and I couldn’t get a reservation.  They were full up.    

Oh well.  I would definitely put it on the list for a next trip to Glasgow.  

For more about Glasgow:

Glasgow Makes me Laugh

Glasgow Art and Design