Holmwood
Holmwood, now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, is a unique villa designed by Glasgow’s second most famous architect, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. It was built in 1857-8 for James Couper, a local businessman. Thomson’s original room decoration, based on themes from the classical world, is being uncovered and we’ve followed the progress of this continuing conservation work over the years.
Here, a piece of original wall paper has been uncovered in the dining room, and the barometer sits atop the fire-place in the hall:
A selection from the classical frieze:
Beautiful floor tiling:
Ceilings and dome:
When we first visited, it was empty, and although still not fully furnished, it now looks more like a home.
There are also attractive riverside grounds to explore and a small kitchen garden, planted with a range of Victorian herbs, fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately, while we were in the house the heavens opened so we didn’t spend long outside.
All the more time to spend taking tea in the small café!
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
I love the floors and ceilings – so much more elaborate and well thought out than what we get today!
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It just shows the money these people had!
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I absolutely love that wallpaper! It looks reminiscent of the Etruscan Room at Osterley Park, though I suppose Holmwood’s would have been created nearly a century later. And what a handsome rocking horse that is!
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Both wallpaper and rocking horse are gorgeous, I agree.
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Such lovely detail. Although I can admire it in photos, I am always asking myself ‘who cleans that?’ when I look at ornate fixtures 🙂
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I’m just glad it’s not me!
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Holmwood looks amazing! The more I read of your blog, the more I realize I have to make it to Scotland before I die….
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Everyone should make it to Scotland before they die! But then, I’m a little biased……
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Always been a big fan of Thomson and William Leiper who both designed many fantastic Scottish buildings yet it’s usually Mackintosh who gets all the plaudits internationally. When I visited Hill House in Helensburgh a couple of years ago I liked the buildings situated around it more as it didn’t have a warm feel viewed from the outside. Very cold and modernistic looking compared to other properties in the town which felt very welcoming and cosy by comparison, many designed by William Leiper. (Templeton’s Carpet Factory is his as well)
Lovely interiors and I like Thomson’s pastel designs.
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There is an exhibition on Leiper in town at the moment which I haven’t had a chance to get to yet. The architect of Maryhill Burgh Halls also had the misfortune of designing a house next to Hill House – forever overshadowed!
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Lovely restoration, Anabel. Beautiful dome and floors.
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It is, I love it.
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Another place in Scotland I never got a chance to visit. I love the tiled floors. That was something I always wanted to do on our property.
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Yes, they are beautiful. A lot of quite humble closes also have similar tiles. Our house is too new!
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It is such a shame how many beautiful gems were destroyed to make way for a parking lot. I’m glad this is preserved and lovingly restored. It looks so beautiful to visit especially when you can see it in its stages.
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Yes, that’s been really interesting over the years.
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Hi Anabel,
I always like it when these old buildings are painstakingly restored to their former beauty.
Have a wonderful week,
Pit
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Thanks Pit. This one appears to be particularly sensitively done.
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Hi Annabel – all the more reason for another visit – what a delightful place. Thanks for sharing with us … cheers HIlary
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Thanks, Hilary – it certainly is.
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