Rising up in a household that frequented a conventional Methodist church (my mom even labored as a trainer within the corresponding personal college), I noticed lots of stained glass. I can nonetheless clearly keep in mind sitting within the second-level balcony seats and looking to the colourful glow of the practically floor-to-very-high-ceiling home windows with their spiritual depictions. Frankly, it was lovely and one thing I’m certain I appreciated as a lot as any 7-year-old may (that’s to say, not that a lot).
These childhood church reminiscences had been nearly all of my publicity to stained glass till I began touring, after which ultimately touchdown in Los Angeles. The neighborhood I used to dwell in was replete with 100-year-old Spanish and Meditteranean bungalows, lots of which had a stunning stained glass function window on the entrance. There was one avenue particularly (Crescent Heights) that I drove down virtually every day, and generally I’d meander simply taking within the magnificence. Some had massive crests probably of the primary households that constructed the properties, some had simply little stained glass detailing, and others had massive mural-like home windows. I principally chalked it as much as “outdated” structure, one thing of a bygone period.
Besides YOU GUYS. Stained glass is not only for centuries-old buildings. It’s very a lot having a second even in newer properties and I’ve reignited my awe and surprise for the glass artform. This could come as no shock to myself or these studying who comply with my articles: discovering one other spot in your house for colour that historically doesn’t have any? Properly…that’s proper up my color-loving alley.
It’s possible you’ll recall my interview with Gen Z content material creator Marco Zamora, who DIYed his builder-grade, white-box Los Angeles rental condo with a lot (detachable) character, together with his hand-painted “stained glass” home windows. I’m fairly certain that doorway and transom to his kitchen broke Instagram/TikTok. After I first noticed particularly that transom, I slapped my knee and thought one thing alongside the strains of “Scorching rattling, that appears nice” whereas I swiveled my head round my dwelling on the lookout for an appropriate spot to attempt one thing comparable (I didn’t discover one).
Then there have been additionally the stained glass function home windows within the dwelling of Sara’s dad and mom that she helped them to redecorate. I texted her shortly after beginning to write this text asking for some particulars about them, principally in the event that they had been unique to the home or in the event that they had been commissioned. “My dad made them,” she answered me again. What?!? Whereas the refined detailing on the best photograph is extra my design aesthetic, each are extremely spectacular. (There’s additionally one behind their mattress within the main suite Sara revealed right here).
And, after all, this arched magnificence the crew shot a couple of years again in a house designed by ARCIFORM. Absolutely that rest room door can be spectacular with out the leaded or stained glass, however with it, whew, it’s so lovely and memorable.
Like me, chances are you’ll be pondering that stained glass works properly in buildings with historical past or a robust architectural perspective, however then I remembered the Fig Home, a recent occasion area Emily labored to utterly rehab practically a decade in the past. She labored with Judson Studios to design some attractive trendy stained glass home windows, which gave the clean slate areas a lot oomph.
My most up-to-date recognizing of stained glass was in Jennifer Garner’s dwelling which was simply featured in Architectural Digest (see the third slide under). After that, I went down a rabbit gap of inspirational pictures. This felt like one thing I may safely discover from a distance, sort of like a celeb crush you’ll by no means land, however you may admire it nonetheless and have some enjoyable mentally envisioning a life the place you’re with them. I say that as somebody in a rental who doesn’t plan on doing something with this new-found love. It is going to be one thing I tuck away into my vault of design concepts for sooner or later down the road once I’m in a position to customise a house of my very own.
In my journey by all issues stained glass, I discovered Debbie Bean, a stained glass artist in Los Angeles, and I couldn’t assist however contact her to search out out extra. What does this price? What properties does it work in? Is it price preserving tucked away for the long run, or only a pipe dream? My reporter expertise took over and it solely made sense to assemble her solutions and share them with you right here, as properly.
There’s quite a bit to dive into nonetheless, so here’s a quick-fire of our interview:
- On whether or not stained glass is having a second or not: “Stained glass will endlessly be having a second for me! My studio is proof that individuals have fallen in love with it. Extra designers and shoppers are coming to me as a result of they need to incorporate it into their tasks in thrilling and modern methods. Individuals are realizing that stained glass isn’t confined to factory-produced doorways or ornate church home windows. As an alternative, we’re seeing it utilized in trendy areas, which speaks to its timeless enchantment.”
- On price: “Every challenge varies by design, glass choice, measurement, and supply necessities. I want I may give a extra passable reply, however costs can vary from $500 to $10,000 or extra.”
- On how lengthy a fee can take (I gave her a transom window to make use of for instance): “Making a customized piece for a transom window above a door usually takes 4-8 weeks. This timeframe contains designing the panel, the approval course of, guaranteeing correct dimensions, ordering provides, and fabrication, amongst different mandatory steps.”
- On why stained glass is so magical: “I really like that it’s not a static piece of artwork however one which modifications all through the day. The interaction with mild is fascinating—it presents privateness at night time and a kaleidoscope of colours when the sunshine shines by. With such a variety of glass decisions, I get to discover not simply colours, but in addition opacities, textures, and even create my very own glass. The probabilities are limitless. I additionally respect how transcendent its enchantment is. Stained glass will be discovered in every single place! Personally, having grown up with stained glass in my dwelling, it has at all times held a particular attraction for me. I really feel lucky to spend my days working with it.”
- On what types of properties it really works finest in: “I actually can’t think about a situation the place stained glass would really feel compelled or misplaced with any architectural type. My work tends to deal with a contemporary geometric strategy, however I’ve had the chance to create designs past that scope. Every challenge presents a novel probability to reveal how stained glass will be utilized in methods folks won’t have beforehand thought-about.”
If you happen to’re within the higher Los Angeles space, make sure you try Debbie’s lovely work in case you’re contemplating commissioning a chunk of stained glass on your dwelling.
Although my present dwelling will doubtless by no means function stained glass, I’m glad I’ve this data to work from. Like several artwork, costs are fairly various, however in the best software, I’m certain it’s properly definitely worth the funding.
Now, let’s discover some lovely pictures of stained glass in several areas of the house:
The Most Widespread: Home windows
Home windows are, after all, the anticipated place to search out stained-glass creations. They are often as ornate as what you’d look forward to finding in church buildings or as refined because the one above, additionally from Judson Studios.
How good is that this bullseye-inspired spherical stained glass window? It’s simply sufficient to be distinctive and particular however not so massive that it takes over the room. This was a house captured by photographer Laure Joliet for an Architectural Digest function.
This spherical turret staircase is simply the sort of place I’d need to see a window like this. I can think about somebody floating down it in a gauzy or lacy nightgown with a really demure, very quaint candelabra in hand. Maybe a pleasant speaking clock or candlestick seems? Most likely not what designers Mark Weaver and Associates had in thoughts, but it surely’s the place my thoughts goes. (I grew up on Magnificence & the Beast…I can’t be blamed for my fantasies.)
I like to see stained glass in types aside from turn-of-the-century Mediterranean properties. Simply take a look at this wildly good Artwork Deco set up in a Paris dwelling by Gaspard Ronjat.
EHD alum and good friend Brady Tolbert has some stained glass beauties in daring colours in his dwelling. I feel the “blocks of colour” type performs good with a number of totally different design aesthetics, significantly something on the extra modern facet of issues.
I can’t cease desirous about the tiny little stained glass corners on this leaded window in a eating room by Julie Neill Designs. It’s so delicate and simply barely there however nonetheless makes such a excessive impression on the room.
On the whole flip facet of that earlier area is that this dwelling with stained glass home windows by Judson Studios. These look virtually like butterfly wings and I really like the colours of them a lot. It’s actually a daring transfer, however if in case you have the house to drag them off (and the finances) boy wouldn’t it be magical.
I wished to incorporate this final instance in a house by Cullman Kravis. A lot of what I already confirmed (and can proceed to indicate) lands within the extra modern or geometric camp, however scenic depictions like this cherry blossom tree in a window above a conceit are beautiful (and a nod to Arts & Craft type). It’s the place stained glass really turns into artwork. I’ve to think about a fee like this one would take weeks to finish and is on that higher vary that Debbie shared earlier.
My Favourite Software: Exterior Doorways
If the header to this part wasn’t indication sufficient, I completely love stained glass on an exterior door. Possibly as a result of it’s extra sudden? Most of the exterior doorways I discovered that drew my eye had been much like the above (by the incomparable Reath Design), the place every grid of the door body was a strong colour. This similar dwelling had an identical door within the kitchen (under) so this factor is repeated all through the home with nice success. I may see this design working properly in a ton of various architectural types, particularly a extra modern constructing.
The design on these doorways in a big however charming lobby from Florence deDampierre is in an identical vein to the one by Reath Design, however with a bit extra visible curiosity. That is the kind of therapy I’d in all probability by no means assume to do in a country-meets-rustic stylish dwelling. It’s a extremely attention-grabbing juxtaposition that on paper I’d say wouldn’t work, however in execution is so attention-grabbing and intelligent.
The stained glass doorways and home windows, the painted floral particulars above them, the white painted flooring, the white and blue paper pendant…this Nina Farmer room left me so dang charmed. After all, my thoughts goes straight to my toddler slamming that door shut as she tends to do, listening to my beloved stained glass rattling in its body, but when I can fast-forward to a time when slamming doorways was a factor of the previous (haha, yeah proper), I may see myself right here, having fun with my nation dwelling, ready for my bread dough to finish its second rise (haha, yeah proper).
Now let’s take a look at one thing much less grid-like and extra eclectic. If the Cole & Son Cloud wallpaper by Fornasetti is any indication, these householders aren’t afraid of slightly little bit of drama and quirkiness. The colourful glow scattered on the ground seems like a kaleidoscope, and the way may that not make you smile immediately? (This photograph is by Laure Joliet, which she shot for Architectural Digest, designed by Charlap Hyman & Herrero.)
A Method To Deliver A Ton Of Curiosity: Inside Doorways
If I really like exterior doorways with stained glass, then I really like inside doorways with stained glass. This toilet door and transom by Gold Soup Interiors feels decidedly Victorian as a result of it’s! The house owners of this dwelling are lovingly restoring an outdated Victorian, and particulars like this door are spot on.
Transition Inside Design took an already pattern-heavy room and leaned in with this floral motif stained glass door. I really like the colour and motion it brings, including to the whimsy of the area.
If solely we had been all so lucky to have a utility room that had an entrance like this! This dwelling by Mission Dwelling doesn’t lack in moments so as to add in colour, together with these doorways that pull collectively the ground colours in addition to the yellow from the millwork (or cabinetry?) past.
A Refined Stained Glass Second: Transoms
I really feel like each class I cowl, I’m like “That is my favourite stained glass software!” They’re all nice, and whereas doorways are nonetheless my favourite, a transom window is an in depth second. Whether or not it’s a colourful checkerboard grid like above by Inexperienced & Mustard or blocks of colour (so much like Brady’s home!) by Amanda Pickett featured in Frederic Journal, a transom stained glass second is sort of just like the gateway to the artwork type in your house.
A Intelligent Inside Function: Inside Home windows/Room Dividers
Lastly, probably the most ornamental use of stained glass within the bunch: The inside wall or room divider. I really like when designers get inventive with dividing areas, and it is a lovely solution to just do that. The above photograph (a design by Studio Percale) is a door, I consider, however I wished to incorporate it on this part as inspiration for choosing a stained glass dividing wall slightly than your customary drywall. One thing like this might be so enjoyable main into an workplace area in case you don’t want a ton of privateness or soundproofing, or if in case you have a den or library room in your house. Are you able to even think about?!?
And lastly, this grand, intricate set of stained glass “home windows” inside a house by Andee Hess + Osmose Design. That is in a Tudor-style dwelling, which I’m calling out as a result of I wouldn’t essentially peg it for that architectural interval but it surely WORKS. Any such wall works finest with a number of pure mild, or in case you backlight it.
So…have you ever fallen in love with stained glass but?!?!? On a scale of 1 to GIVE IT TO ME NOW, how a lot would you like a stained glass second in your house? Whereas the true deal is a substantial funding price-wise and design-wise, don’t overlook that there are additionally methods to get the look with DIY provides (try this superior tutorial by A Stunning Mess) and even adhesive window movies. It’s an effective way to check out the look to see if it’s best for you, your own home, and your way of life.
And that’s the place I go away you this week. Till subsequent time…
Opening picture credit score: Design & pictures by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Sara’s Mother’s Residing Room is Again With a A lot Wanted Private Replace – Two Years Later
