The Hill House - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

A special visit for me today to "The Hill House", Helensburgh (1902-4). It was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for the Glasgow publisher Walter Blackie. It is considered to be his masterpiece of domestic architecture, with the Glasgow School of Art his greatest achievement.

He also designed and created the interior, along with his wife Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, including furniture, wallcoverings, light fittings, fireplaces, doors, wood panelling etc. I have long-admired his work.

My favourite piece in the house is the Gesso Panel "The Sleeping Princess" above the fireplace in the Drawing Room, which Margaret completed in 1908. Blackie's daughters remember her creating it.

The fact that he designed both the exterior and interior reminds me of another special place which I love - "Falling Water" by Frank Lloyd Wright, in Pennsylvania, USA. It was a dream come true to go there three years ago.

Sorry no photographs allowed inside. You will have to visit for yourself. The house is now owned by The National Trust for Scotland.

Other National Trust properties I have visited recently are :-
Inverewe Garden
Holmwood House