The late Georgian façade of the former Royal Scottish Automobile Club had, for many years, been aching for an interior to match. In 2008 under the guidance of The Townhouse collection a three-way collaboration between award-winning design companies Modus, Graven Images and of course Harris Tweed Hebrides began.

The ornate period features of the hotel interior date back to 1823. It needed fabrics that would bring warmth and style yet be robust and authentic, Harris Tweed brought all of these. Graven Images’ Jim Hamilton and Janice Kirkpatrick visited Shawbost Mill twice to guarantee that the 8000 metres of fabric, incorporating 25 different design patterns, exactly met their concept. 

The design team wanted to have an acute idea of the fabrication process and the complexity of the weaving inspired lampshades where the fabric’s transparency makes for perfectly muted lighting and use in the bedrooms where it provided a perfect partner for the exquisite Italian marble.

The colour palette ranges from traditional deep greens used in booths and oversized lamps to bright pink and purple herringbones adding sparkle to bar stools and curtains. The fabric is used in headboards sofas and and even the seats and walls of the in the unique 46 seat cinema; all done in the heavier cloth weight of 550grams per square metre.

Furnishing the interior of The Blythswood Square Hotel was the first major interiors project that the Harris Tweed industry had engaged in since The Queen Elizabeth II cruise liner. The bold modern take on the fabric helped to dismiss negative stereotypes and the hotel has provided a world-class space for fashion shows and the annual Harris Tweed Ride.  Even the luxurious Spa has chairs upholstered with 8x8 herringbone in a mellow beige tone.

Glasgow often gets a bad press for being an unforgiving and ‘rough’ city but its variety of quality architecture and design is unquestionable. If you can’t make it all the way to The Hebrides then come and view Harris Tweed at our magnificent ‘Glasgow Showroom’.