You’ll be a big fan of this house
IMAGINE taking a favourite painting and asking an architect to incorporate an element from it in your bespoke new home. This is what the family of the current owners of Rowaleyn did 25 years ago. The inspiration for the most striking part of this modernist house came from a Japanese painting by EA Hornel. The delicate rib of a lady’s fan can be seen on the roof line and on the ceilings of the first floor drawing room and master bedroom below.
In these days of volume, uniformity and uninspiring planning departments, Rowaleyn could be a poster house f or the bold. Designed by David Page of Page Park Architects, it was built on an elevated si t e above t he conservation village of Rhu in Dunbartonshire in 1990.
Maybe the planning application was helped by the fact the architect could point to a property in nearby Helensburgh, considered by some to be pretty radical for its time. Hill House, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, is now regarded as one of the country’s architectural treasures.
Rowaleyn has similar properties. At the outset it looks massive and uncompromising – until you notice the surprisingly delicate details, the most appealing being that fanlike rear roof line.
One of The Glasgow Boys, Hornel made a study trip to Japan, financially supported by the great Glaswegian philanthropist Sir William Burrell, which inspired his Japanese paintings.
With just over 3,000 sq ft of living space, Rowaleyn was designed to maximise the light and the spectacular views over the Gareloch.
In the old Scottish tradition, the living rooms are on the first floor. The centrepiece is the magnificent drawing room with its curved wall and ribbed ceiling. There is a formal dining room, sitting room, study area and large breakfasting kitchen. This level also has a conservatory and large terrace.
On the ground floor is the imposing master bedroom, four more bedrooms – three en suite – family bathroom and library.
There is also a separate leisure complex with a games room and an outdoor, heated swimming pool. The grounds extend to almost two acres, ensuring privacy.
Offers over £695,000 should be made to Savills in Glasgow.