Grace Winteringham of conscious creative studio Patternity on her favourite Glasgow haunts
GRACE WINTERINGHAM, CO-FOUNDER OF PATTERNITY, EXPLAINS WHERE TO GO IN GLASGOW
designer Grace Winteringham is co-founder and creative director of Patternity, a pattern-pioneering multidisciplinary platform set up in 2009. The brand works with clients including John Lewis & Partners, the London Design Festival and Ultrafabrics, sharing the positive power of pattern through projects, products and events. After 10 years living in London, Grace moved to Glasgow to be closer to the great outdoors. We caught up with her on the city’s highlights.
First things first, best time to go?
I love Glasgow in spring – temperature-wise, it’s fresh, but there can be beautiful sunny days, the light feels truly magical and the city’s nature is vibrant, fluorescent green! Glasgow means Dear Green Place or Green Hallow in Gaelic, owing to its many parks, trees and lush surrounding countryside.
Where should we stay? My friends all highly recommend the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel for its decadent yet homely interiors, sunset views from the balcony and beautiful spa.
The perfect day? Pick up a coffee and pastry at Cottonrake Bakery, walk along the River Kelvin to the Botanic Gardens and visit the glasshouses. Head along Byres Road for shopping at the many boutiques and lunch at Ka Pao. Stroll along University Avenue and up to Park Circus for views over the city. Stop by Kelvin Hall Museum for some Glasgow history, followed by a drink at The Finnieston and the best curry in town, at Mother India.
Best gallery? Tramway art gallery and theatre in the south side of Glasgow. It’s a big open space with communal gardens, showing artists such as American sculptor Nick Cave, Scottish visual artist Claire Barclay and the annual Artists’ Moving Image Festival.
The buzziest table? Mother India – order the veg thali for two, although everything on the menu is delicious!
Local label to know? Risotto Studio, which was founded by artist/designer Gabriella Marcella, is one of the UK’S leading risograph print studios – running workshops and events, as well as producing products with a notoriously colourful house style. It’s pure joy!
Best place for vintage treasure?
Relics Curiosity Shop – the shelves are stuffed full of bric-a-brac. On a good day, you can find anything from art nouveau glassware to 1970s film memorabilia.
Favourite spot for a cocktail?
The Pot Still for a whisky – they have hundreds to choose from. Chat with the bar staff to find the perfect one for you!
Don’t leave without… Heading out of the city for a hill walk – there are walks of varying degrees of length, difficulty and distance from Glasgow. One of my favourites is Ben Donich via Rest and Be Thankful in the Arrochar Alps as it’s a bit shorter than the famous Cobbler, but the views at the top are just as spectacular.