Bruce Hamilton

House for an art lover

In 1901 Charles Rennie Mackintosh entered a competition to design a “Haus Eines Kunstfreundes” or “Art Lovers House” set by German design magazine “Zeitschrift Fur Innendekoration”.

Mackintosh had to adhere the strict rules of the competition, but unfortunately his entry was disqualified for some technical breaches as he was late in submitting various internal views of the house. Mackintosh did receive high praise for his competition entry as ‘one of outstanding original design’.

For more than 80 years Mackintosh’s design was locked away in storage until, in 1989, Graham Roxburgh had the idea to build the House for an Art Lover. It took several years to get to the furnishing stage of the construction, but in 1995 Bruce Hamilton Furniture Makers was commissioned to manufacture the Dining Room Furniture for the House for an Art Lover.

With the limited information available in the Mackintosh Art Lovers House Portfolio, and with the guidance from various Mackintosh scholars, Bruce carried out research on other works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s furniture. Based on the information he gathered and with reference to the Mackintosh portfolio, Bruce drew scaled workshop drawings of the dining suite, his interpretation of Mackintosh’s watercolour drawings. After approval of his drawings, Bruce proceeded to make the first Dining Room Furniture for the House for an Art Lover, as original pieces of Mackintosh furniture, albeit manufactured 67 years after Mackintosh’s death.

Since producing the first Art Lover’s Dining Suite, Bruce has completed several replica suites and individual chairs using the same templates and jigs as the original House for an Art Lover furniture. To date, Bruce still works with Elisabeth Viguie Culshaw of Landsdowne House of Stencils when it comes to decorating the back of the Art Lovers Chairs.

The House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow is now a very successful top rated corporate event location, a much revered wedding venue and a very popular Heritage Centre for Mackintosh enthusiasts and visitors to Glasgow, Bruce will always be proud to have his work on display in the House for an Art Lover.

Section title

Art Lovers Dining Suite

Based on a suite that Mackintosh entered in to a competition, this is a very popular suite with the original reproduction still residing at The House for An Art Lover.

White Art Lovers Dining SUITE

A white version of the Art Lovers Dining Suite that resides at the House for An Art Lover. 

Windyhill Garden Seat

Originally designed for the lower garden at Windyhill. This reproduction commissioned by Whyte & MacKay now sits at the front entrance at the House for an Art Lover.

White 'House for an Art Lover' Dining SUITE

AAABBBCCC This is just holding text until we have confirmed the final wording.

If you are interested in finding out more about any of the pieces here, or have any other queries please get in touch.

TestimonialS

You recently made me an Ingram high back chair which was for my wife’s 60th birthday. I would just like to say how pleased I am with it. Not only are we pleased with the chair, but we are both impressed with your skills as a craftsman. Once again thanks for a great job, and thanks for making her birthday so special.
TREVOR
(UK)
If you are interested in receiving a quote, or are just looking for some additional information about any of the pieces, then please contact Bruce directly or by using the contact form below. Every effort is made to get back to you within 24 hours.

(+44) 0141 959 5025

bruce@brucehamilton.co.uk

Strathcona Studio Workshop
18 Strathcona Drive
Glasgow
G13 1JG

Testimonials

We’ve taken delivery this afternoon and they look great. Exactly as we imagined and better than we hoped for. Thank you and should you ever need a reference or photos we’d be happy to oblige.
Stephen
(Paris)
You recently made me an Ingram high back chair which was for my wife’s 60th birthday. I would just like to say how pleased I am with it. Not only are we pleased with the chair, but we are both impressed with your skills as a craftsman. Once again thanks for a great job, and thanks for making her birthday so special.
Trevor
(UK)
First working day back in Cape Town and I already have my chairs. In two words: ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I am having to rearrange my furniture accordingly to give them all pride of place. The settle I knew and already loved. The two chairs I had only seen in pictures before – truly works of art. Deceptively simple in looks; devilishly complex in detail. Thank you so much – I can see why you were loath to let them go! I love the reddish wood too… Kind regards from a very satisfied customer. What next?!

Michael

(South Africa)

I am long overdue in writing to thank you for the beautiful CRM Ladder Back reproduction chair that you managed to get to me in time for Christmas. My husband was absolutely delighted with it. It is a work of art. I am especially grateful that he got it before he went back to Africa as I’m not sure that it would have been the same to show him a picture. It is nice to know that there are still craftsmen such as yourself amidst the world of mass production.
Jeanette
(Aberdeenshire)
Well, more than a month has passed since Christmas and I realise that I haven’t dropped you a line to let you know how the ladder back was received…Dave loved it!! His face on Christmas day was a picture…he couldn’t believe that I had bought it and was rendered speechless ( a rare thing!!). He circled it slowly, looked at it from every angle and ran his hands up and down each and every part of it! It has pride of place in his home and I will never regret buying it for him. He is totally impressed with your craftsmanship, as am I. Thank you so much.
Michaela
(UK)
Thank you so much for bringing the chair over yesterday. I am sure it will go down well as a christening present – I cant imagine anything better!
Max
(UK)
The chairs and table have arrived in perfect condition, and we are very pleased with the result; in particular, the colour/shade of the chairs and fabric perfectly match our existing furniture/floor. It sure was worth waiting! We thank you a lot. P.S. We also have appreciated the efficient design of the crate … the furniture did travel safely.
Christian and Marie-Antoine
(PARIS)
Hello Bruce, your work has been much admired. The switch box was a most admirable solution, beautifully made and looks like it has always been there. One would not know that the pews had been altered. I sent a pic of it to Nigel Robb, secy of CARTA ata121. He was most impressed.

Richard

(Bearsden cross church)

Hello Bruce, the chair was delivered safely yesterday and we are delighted with it. We think that the quality of your workmanship is outstanding & also appreciated the care you took in ensuring the chair was properly packed so that it arrived without any damage.
Dave
(UK)