Below Stairs
Hill House / 3
“No detail is overlooked. Even the linear tile arrangement used on a humble bedroom fireplace is sublime Mackintosh.”
If you love the more utilitarian designed areas of a house, as we do, then you are in for a real treat at the Hill House. The domestic part of the house occupies near 50% of the ground floor plan, for before the birth of electricity and modern appliances much was needed to keep a house of this size ticking. Beyond the main kitchen there’s a host of service rooms: a scullery; a pantry; a larder; a wine store; a flower room; a goods store; a laundry room; a press room; a wash house; a coal kitchen; a coal house; a boiler room; and a boot room – this one for the staff.
Mackintosh’s attention to detail is blissfully everywhere throughout Hill House, and that includes the “below stairs” service areas: from the family cloakroom with its graphic use of black painted wood, shelving and bench seat, arranged in classic Mac grid pattern; through to the kitchen quarters main corridor and its various rooms kitted out with signature Mac purposeful cupboards. Rooms and furnishings that are clean, calm and simple – almost Shaker in their pared-back fit for purpose execution – and which totally chime with today’s modern aesthetic. Even the linear tile arrangement used on a humble bedroom fireplace is sublime. And a humble garden bench, well, just look at it – Mac-nificent!
An unassuming door in the house’s main hall marks the division between family rooms and the domestic rooms in the service wing. It’s disguised by the hall’s dark paneling, and at first escapes attention, yet open it and you transition from the esoteric language of the living areas into the nuts and bolts of a highly functional series of workspaces.
Again, no detail is overlooked, and the pantry reflects his unified design vision, with its integrated cabinetry, functional beauty, and geometric forms. Each lower door has a heart-shaped air vent – a touch of charm, which we’d like to think came from the collaborative hand of his wife, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh.
Mackintosh has indulged himself in the utility areas, using his much-loved black-and-white theme throughout. Doors, frames and skirting are all painted black, all walls are cream, and simple milk glass pendent scullery lights are fitted throughout. Electricity didn’t reach Helensburgh until 1926, so the wired pendant lights are a later addition, yet we’re sure Mac would have approved had he known.
Architects of the day tended to ignore the domestic areas of homes, yet here Mackintosh revels in his purity of vision, and has created an arresting set of unified rooms and corridors fit for purpose. He has yet again unwittingly provided a glimpse into the future – for these forward-thinking functional design elements are more associated with the 20th century modern movement.
Simple detailing, such as a wrap-around high-level shelf mounted on wooden brackets at picture rail level (as shown above) takes the eye upward, emphasising height, and lends the simplest of architectural interest to what otherwise is a pretty normal boxy room. The cabinet with its Secessionist style glazing bars adds just the right amount of minimal detail, and brings modernity to the space.
The main kitchen is large, light and airy, and one wall is given over to a vast counter work-top with matching wall fitted plate rack. Mackintosh continues with his black and white theme, and there’s a nod to traditional kitchen dressers of the time, as he has added a simple arch to the counter cabinetry. This feels more like architectural detail, plain and unadorned, and is in keeping with his design principles.
And finally, the charming little flower room. Anna Blackie loved arranging flowers, and a small room is given over to cut stems, floral work and vases – with shelving and a sink with three taps: cold, hot, and rainwater collected from the guttering, which cut-flowers relish most. There’s even a 1920s Ewbank carpet sweeper tucked in one corner – on hand for a swift whizz around.
For more on the Hill House, its rebirth, and today’s recognition of Mackintosh, please do read our further posts by tapping on the icons below.
