When Charles Rennie Mackintosh married Margaret Macdonald in 1900, the couple set up home at 120 Mains Street, which they had furnished and decorated to their design.

The flat was sparse, spacious and elegant, and represents the first significant interior project to display Mackintosh's mature style. The dining room was covered with coarse, heavy wrapping paper and the woodwork was pine while the furniture was dark-stained and waxed. When the Mackintoshes moved to 6 Florentine Terrace (subsequently renamed 78 Southpark Avenue) six years later, they re-created the Mains Street colour schemes and transferred its principal fireplaces, light fittings and furniture, including the dining table. The Hunterian Art Gallery houses a reconstruction of the principal interiors from the Southpark Avenue house.

Provenance

Herbert Smith; Dr Thomas Howarth; his sale, 117/2/94, lot 102.


Back to top