House for an Art Lover

This winter, if you are in the mood for some good food and some enjoyable music and you have a large wallet then you should give the "House for an Art Lover" in Bellahousten Park a visit.

When I first visited the house a few years ago, I found it a strange building - beautifully old in look and yet weirdly modern at the same time. This I guess is due to the fact that the building was created from old sketch designs left behind by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This means that while some elements of the building are extremely carefully thought out and detailed by the big man himself, other areas have been put together by contemporary architect in a different style. While on the whole the two different parts meld together pretty well - it does unfortunately highlight the main glaring fact about the building - its a fake. While the main rooms are as delicately sculpted as those at the Hillhouse or the School of Art, the rooms here were never built to be lived in. When you open some doors, instead of another smart bedroom, you'll find a fire escape or a large modern meeting room.

The building has really been constructed as an exercise in style and as such lacked the lived in quality that the real Mackintosh buildings have. This is not necessarily a problem or a detracting feature, but it is something to be aware of when you visit as otherwise it can make for an uneasy experience.

Returning recently I was pleased to see that the building is beginning to grow into its surroundings and take on a more settled look. The inside is still a bit of a mix but it too has developed further, most noticeably as a very popular wedding venue. (If you decide to visit - phone ahead to check if a wedding is on. They are nice to see, but it does mean most of the building will be closed off to you.) With weddings, corporate events and the Houses programme of music performances, the building does now feel that it has a purpose and now has that little spark of life. Its just a shame the location is not that brilliantly served by public transport.

Anyway, the reason for this post, is to talk about the music concerts. There are a good few on over Christmas, most involving some posh grub and the wearing of a black tie. I think they could be ideal to get you into the Christmas spirit but at £55 a ticket they are a little expensive. The alternative is the Sunday Recitals which take place throughout the year - the next one is 9 December - Lauren MacColl/ Barry Reid - fiddle/ guitar and its only £3.50.

http://www.houseforanartlover.co.uk/