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The kitchen is the heart of any home; it’s where we spend time together, cook meals, and unwind after a hard day of work. But if your kitchen has become outdated in the last couple of years, it may have started to be less enjoyable to spend time here. Stained glass windows or cabinet doors can be a beautiful way to spruce up your kitchen into a space that you love again!
Your bedroom should be an area of ultimate comfort within your home. But if you’ve got a large window, or just a window that isn’t very private, you’re probably looking for a solution that fits your needs. Having natural light in a bedroom is great, but keeping your space private is more important, and many homeowners sacrifice sunlight to get the privacy needed.
As the capital city of Minnesota, St. Paul is a beautiful city on the Mississippi River. At Scottish Stained Glass, we are proud to serve St. Paul and the surrounding areas with beautiful, custom leaded glass windows to fit anywhere in your home. Let our expert designers show you how you can update your home with glass artwork today!
Denver has tons of beautiful and unique homes throughout its’ many charming neighborhoods. When it comes to homes with a little more character, you may have run into oddly-shaped windows that don’t work with standard window treatments. Or perhaps you’re simply looking for a window treatment that matches the uniqueness of your home. No matter what your needs are, adding custom leaded glass is a great way to fill a space with one-of-a-kind style.
You love your home. You lavish attention on the furnishings. The flooring. The artwork. But what about the windows? You can add lace curtains, velvet drapes, bamboo shades, different colored blinds. Or you can take them to the next level of chic and add value to your home at the same time with custom stained glass windows by Scottish Stained Glass.
People are always surprised about the many different places that stained glass can make a difference to a home. They usually only consider stained glass to be decorative, an aesthetic choice, and it doesn’t occur to them that it can be a practical choice as well.
Scottish Stained Glass is giving away tickets to the Denver Home Show. Give us your address using the form below before 12 noon on Tuesday, March 11th and we will mail you tickets! Only 2 per address.
While residential leaded glass windows are becoming more common, many people still associate this product with church stained glass, and we still commonly build beautiful pieces for places of worship throughout the country. This can be a stunning application of our windows due to the abundance of space, and our ability to create nearly any design through our glass artwork.
Stained glass panels are one of the most versatile options for our custom products. When you choose a hanging piece instead of something stationary, you’ll be able to take it with you no matter where life takes you.
All of our hanging pieces are made with the same integrity of our installed windows, and by working with reinforced leading, this type of glasswork can essentially last forever. This means you can even pass your stained glass panel through your family’s generations.
At Scottish Stained Glass, we are proud to create windows that mirror our own heritage, like this beautiful Celtic stained glass door. Celtic knots go back centuries and have been found within many cultures, but they are most often associated with Scottish and Irish heritage. This particular piece is a beautiful example of how the Celtic style can translate into a home.
Many people consider their stained glass windows from Scottish Stained Glass the showpieces of their homes, and with good reason. It might not ever occur to them that the perfect location for some stained glass is in the bathroom. But in fact, there are many good reasons for installing it there.
Stained glass sidelights are one of the most popular choices for homeowners throughout the country. At Scottish Stained Glass, we use only traditional, time tested methods to create truly authentic, beautiful leaded glass windows for any area of your home, including sidelights.
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As a Scottish Stained Glass designer, most of the stained glass that I have worked on designing with clients is used in a residential setting. Whether the stained glass is applied in a sidelight, transom, door, bathroom window, bedroom window, or even in cabinet doors one of the most important decisions we come across is the choice of texture and color.
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If you have antique windows, the importance of working with experts in stained glass window restoration is great. At Scottish Stained Glass, we have been working with restoration for more than 20 years, and we have the craftsmanship to really ensure the project is done right.
Restoration can be a difficult process, and it requires the right skills. We work with only the most experienced builders for restoration, to ensure that the process is effective for not only making your windows look as beautiful as they did when they were first created, but also to stabilize them to make a lasting work of art.
Our process begins with getting a quote for you on your restoration. We’ve worked on pieces ranging from small windows, all the way to the entire ceiling of the Boulderado Hotel, so we like to take a look at photos to get a better idea of where your piece or pieces stand in the process.
We have access to over 600 colors of glass, giving us the ability to match nearly any glass type that you may have. Some windows just need pieces of glass replaced due to breakage overtime, but it’s important to match the original glass perfectly to avoid losing any value in the overall piece. Our expert builders work hard to ensure that the restoration matches beautifully.
On the other hand, some pieces may require a more extensive process. If your windows are sagging and lead and mudding have deteriorated, you may have to have it fully re-leaded. Because of new innovations in the process, however, we can disassemble your window, and in putting it back together with reinforced leading, you’ll be able to have a piece that can really last forever if cared for properly. Once restored, you’ll never run into the same problems again.
Over our time in business, we’ve restored hundreds of windows to find their original beauty again, and to strengthen the pieces for a longer life. The owner of Scottish Stained Glass, Martin Faith, is passionate about antique pieces, and has actually retrieved and restored hundreds of windows from Scotland, which are available for purchase.
Don’t trust your antique project in the hands of anyone but the experts. We have the largest studio of our kind in the country, and with so much experience, why work with anyone else for pieces that are so important to you? Give us a call or send an email today if you have any questions about our process, or to get a quote on stained glass window restoration for your piece immediately!
For many people, stained glass is thought of solely as antique stained glass. We do frequently build pieces for homes, many of which are very modern in style, but we also passionately love working with antique pieces today.
Martin Faith, the owner of Scottish Stained Glass, has actually retrieved and restored hundreds of antique stained glass windows from Scotland to their original beauty. Many of these windows are available for purchase from our main showroom in Colorado, with proceeds going towards Project C.U.R.E., an amazing charity that we partner with.
One other way that we commonly work with antique stained glass is to restore pieces that our clients own. As the largest studio of our kind in the country, we have access to hundreds of glass types, making it possible to match the glass from old windows during this process. Restoration is a particularly sensitive process, as we always want to be sure to truly restore windows, and to not detract anything from the value.
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Here’s a few the best installations we’ve completed recently.
We love the ability to build Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Prairie Style inspired stained glass designs, adapted to fit modern window designs. This is a great example of how stained glass can be utilized in a modern double-hung window.
We were very excited to have the opportunity to add this Art Deco inspired stained glass to these interior cabinet doors. This backlit design was a wonderful finishing touch to the dinning room.
This Prairie Style stained glass windows provided both elegance and privacy for our client. Our client’s window looked directly at their neighbors living room. While they didn’t want blinds to block the natural light, their desire for privacy brought them to the great solution what stained glass offers.
This leaded glass bay window, is a blast from the past, but well worth taking another look it. It met the client’s desires to add some elegance to their family room. Using the leaded and beveled glass was a wonderful finishing touch that accented the space in which the family spends the majority of their time.
This tartan stained glass design made us smile every time we worked on it. We love the idea of using both the tartan colors and this Campbell family crest. The colors in the window really changed the feel of the home’s front room! It’s a unique piece because the letter faced outwards and all visitors see the piece as they approach the front door.
Here’s a few the best installations we’ve completed recently.
The beveled and leaded glass in this bathroom window allowed the beautiful natural light to stream into the bathroom without sacrificing privacy as anyone might sit in the bathtub.
These stained glass transoms are a great way to decorate your clear store windows with a beautiful and unique design element. Notice how the aspens are all done in clear textured glass so as not to clash with the drapes, not matter what color scheme you might choose.
Cabinet doors leaded glass and mirrored bevels make a gorgeous touch this basement bar area. Whether a kitchen, basement, or bar area, stained and leaded glass make a great compliment to any home.
With this unique set of sidelights and transoms, using Celtic bevels was an excellent way add some extra design and privacy to this beautiful custom door.
While the kitchen may not be somewhere you think of using stained glass, this window looked directly into the neighbors house in a somewhat awkward way. By installed a window, we were able to add a beautiful piece of custom art to their home while retaining natural light and ensuring privacy.
At Scottish Stained Glass, we pride ourselves in creating the most beautiful stained glass available to homeowners in Colorado, and throughout the country. Our studio is the only one of its kind in the country, making us the best choice for custom windows with an artistic flare.
However, while we have the ability to create the most extravagant windows, extravagance isn’t always what a homeowner needs. One of the reasons our products have become well used and loved is because it is versatile enough to be used in any home practically as well. Privacy stained glass windows are one of our most popular choices, and it’s no wonder than homeowners across the country are looking to combine form and function.
Have sidelights that allow visitors to see directly into your home? What about a bathroom window offering great natural light, but a clear view into the space? These are some of our most common concerns, and we have the ability to alleviate these worries in a stunning, unique way.
The term “stained glass” often conjures up images of ornate, colorful, church windows, but today the options are far more vast. For privacy, you can choose between several colorless, textured glass types that will block vision. These vary from only slightly obscured, all the way to nearly completely obscured vision from the opacity and texture of the glass.
For your privacy stained glass window you can use colors, or simply a combination of our textured glasses to create the perfect balance. Blinds and curtains can block out natural light in your home, but choosing stained glass instead will allow you to keep sunlight in, while keeping peeking eyes out. Since each window we build is custom, you can also choose the perfect leaded design to reflect your personal tastes and styles, and to match your home.
If you want to learn more about the options for adding privacy to your without compromising light or style, give us a call or send an email today. We will set you up with one of our experts to go over your options, and get started on your custom privacy window immediately!
As a Scottish Stained Glass designer, I’ve noticed that a lot of newer, custom homes that I have encountered are built with a door that comes with premade leaded glass. However, the entryway typically has a sidelight without any stained glass to match.
Sidelights are convenient and functional because they allow plenty of natural light into the interior space. Unfortunately they leave an open window for passers by to have a clear view directly into the home. Because Scottish Stained Glass has the ability to create windows at any size or shape, we can design and produce a leaded stained glass window to fit those empty sidelights.
A project that I recently worked on was a newly constructed home. The family was still in the process of moving in and immediately recognized their dilemma; they had an entryway with preexisting leaded glass, but their sidelight was bare and did not generate any sense of privacy.
Because they had three young children and were located on a main street, they were uncomfortable with their current setup. They were also concerned that they would be unable to find or come up with a stained glass piece that wouldn’t combat the original design within the door.
We worked together to create a design that complimented the stained glass in the door. Their existing piece had very definitive textures and the lead was polished zinc, so we first focused on those details. We looked through the glass samples and were able to match the textures.
At Scottish Stained Glass, we can also customize the lead lines, choosing from our standard lead which is a darker, charcoal color, brass, or zinc which looks like polished silver.
For this project, we also wanted to compliment the shapes of the door glass. The center bevel cluster was a traditional shape with mostly curved lines, a star shape in the center, and there was a border that enclosed the design. We chose a bevel cluster that was proportionate to the size of their sidelight and simultaneously balanced the lines. Though the bevel clusters were not identical, they made a perfect pair and looked as though they were supposed to be used in conjunction with one another.
After the stained glass had been installed, I went back to their home to see the completed project and make sure that the final design was up to their (and our) standards. Walking up to the home, I was pleasantly satisfied because I immediately noticed that it looked as if the entryway had been created as a whole and not as two individual pieces.
The leaded glass design was totally complimentary and the textures were identical, as were the zinc lines. Most importantly, I was unable to get a clear view directly into their living space which solved their main concern of privacy.
Though all of our pieces are custom designed at Scottish Stained Glass, we can encounter several challenges while working with our clients because there are limitations to our craft. However, by focusing on details and working out creative solutions directly with the homeowners, we always find a solution that satisfies all of their needs. We can help you too!
This is a great reminder that stained glass need not always be placed in a window. Ceilings, whether lit naturally, or backlight by electricity are a great spot to use stained glass as a unique and beautiful design feature.
This simple but elegant stained glass window uses a gorgeous bevels to provide a beautiful privacy solution for this custom bathroom remodel.
We absolutely love this kitchen stained glass window. What an elegant addition to the kitchen while ensuring a privacy and allowing natural light!
These Art Deco inspired stained glass transoms are a great finishing touch for a vintage bungalow. Look on the lamp on the left side of the photo that was the inspiration for these particular windows.
Our absolute favorite stained glass of the month, this Scottish Stained Glass original doorway proved the beauty and elegance a leaded glass entryway can add to any home. Taken at sunset, we love the way the glass in this photo just sparkles!
If you’d like to see more of our work, see our stained glass gallery.
The classic entryway system used textured glass and a number of round bevels to create a diamond pattern that provides both privacy and elegance for the home’s grand entryway.
The curved glass sidelight on this door presents an issue for those who might try to cover it with blinds or drapes. This is the perfect solution for those homeowners who want to provide privacy with retaining the aesthetic of the beautiful arch.
This grand entryway system for a large home utilizes both clear and beveled glass with varying textures to match the home’s contemporary interior design. The photo clearly demonstrates how a degree of privacy can be achieved without sacrificing the space’s natural light. On a side note can you image how long it took to get those dogs to pose like that ;).
This one of a kind design was a collaboration between Scottish Stained Glass and the client as they looked for unique elements to compliment their custom built home. The multicolored leaf design connects the home’s interior to the outdoors with a simple aesthetic allusion.
One of the most interesting entryway’s we’ve ever completed this design is inspired by the Greene and Greene Tree of Life installed in California’s Gamble house almost 100 years ago. This riff on that designs draws the viewers eye across the entire entryway with the single multicolored element.
If you’d like to see more of our work, see our stained glass entryways page.
Stained glass is often thought of as simply a luxury item, but investing in a piece that you love can also mean investing in the overall value of your home. We frequently find that stained glass increases the value of a home, and in many cases can give a home extraordinary curb appeal. Let our experts show you how getting the look you’ve always wanted can offer more benefits than just style.
Custom stained glass give you the opportunity to create a one of a kind piece that will set your home apart from the others in your neighborhood. The options are endless for a leaded glass window in any area of your home, whether you are looking to add a piece for stylistic reasons, or for privacy reasons.
One of our most common stained glass applications is to create entryways using designed windows. If you have an entryway with clear glass, you’ve probably noticed peeking visitors, and this is one of the biggest reasons that people choose our products. We can keep peeking eyes out, while still letting the sunlight in, and create a more comfortable environment for you and your family.
Adding a stained glass entryway is a great way to add value to your home for a couple of reasons. First is privacy, which is something that any homeowner will notice on a daily basis. Stained glass can also increase the curb appeal of your home, creating a beautiful, inviting entry into your home. In the event that you move, this can be a great selling point.
Some of our other common locations for custom stained glass include bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, basements, and bedrooms. We pride ourselves in our ability to take an unpleasant view, or a view of a close-by neighbor, and turn it into a beautiful work of art that will be cherished in your home for many years to come. Our leaded glass is made to last, so no matter when you decide to move, your stained glass investment will give you a great return during your selling experience!
If you would like to learn more about our process, or to set up an appointment to discuss your ideas with one of our talented designers, give us a call or send an email today! We’ll set you up with an expert, and answer any questions that you may have. We can’t wait to get started on upgrading an area of your home with a beautiful piece that you’ll love!
One of our most frequently asked questions here at Scottish Stained Glass comes from clients wondering how our process works. Many people have seen mass produced leaded glass windows that can be purchased off the shelf, but custom stained glass windows have a different set of steps to help clients find the stained glass piece of art that they have always wanted.
As the largest studio of our kind in the country, we have created tens of thousands of leaded glass windows, and over more than 20 years of business, we have developed a time-tested process for our clients. This process begins with a consultation with one of our expert designers to work with you on the design of your windows.
Designing your leaded glass is one of the best steps in investing with Scottish Stained Glass. Because each piece is custom made for each unique client, you’ll be able to tweak the styles that you love to fit your style perfectly. Our designers will go over custom window styles with you, and help you decide on glass types and colors options. We recommend that you take a look at our website to get a better idea of the styles that you like, which gives us a great starting point.
When it comes to design, your options are truly endless. Our authentic process allows us to make windows of any size or shape so you can add a beautiful piece to any space in your home. Whether you like sleek, straight-lined designs, or traditional styles with curved pieces, or something in between, you’ll be able to find a design that looks great in your unique home.
Once you’ve made a final decision on your design, we will begin producing your windows. All of our windows are crafted by hand using traditional methods to make the highest quality windows possible. This process can be time consuming, but it has always been worth the end result; a completely unique window that looks incredible.
Once your windows have been produced, we will help you install the windows, or find a contractor in your area to install them. Your custom stained glass windows are sure to please, and they will last for many years to come, adding unique beauty to your home. Give us a call today to start working with a designer on the project you have in mind!
One of our most frequently asked questions here at Scottish Stained Glass comes from clients wondering how our process works. Many people have seen mass produced leaded glass windows that can be purchased off the shelf, but custom stained glass windows have a different set of steps to help clients find the stained glass piece of art that they have always wanted.
As the largest studio of our kind in the country, we have created tens of thousands of leaded glass windows, and over more than 20 years of business, we have developed a time-tested process for our clients. This process begins with a consultation with one of our expert designers to work with you on the design of your windows.
Designing your leaded glass is one of the best steps in investing with Scottish Stained Glass. Because each piece is custom made for each unique client, you’ll be able to tweak the styles that you love to fit your style perfectly. Our designers will go over custom window styles with you, and help you decide on glass types and colors options. We recommend that you take a look at our website to get a better idea of the styles that you like, which gives us a great starting point.
When it comes to design, your options are truly endless. Our authentic process allows us to make windows of any size or shape so you can add a beautiful piece to any space in your home. Whether you like sleek, straight-lined designs, or traditional styles with curved pieces, or something in between, you’ll be able to find a design that looks great in your unique home.
Once you’ve made a final decision on your design, we will begin producing your windows. All of our windows are crafted by hand using traditional methods to make the highest quality windows possible. This process can be time consuming, but it has always been worth the end result; a completely unique window that looks incredible.
Once your windows have been produced, we will help you install the windows, or find a contractor in your area to install them. Your custom stained glass windows are sure to please, and they will last for many years to come, adding unique beauty to your home. Give us a call today to start working with a designer on the project you have in mind!
When it comes to home renovations, there are tons of products available today that replicate the look of authentic stained glass. Everything from adhesive-based films to factory-made identical windows are available to homeowners today, but these alternatives lack the true beauty and lasting effect that authentic stained glass offers any home, and we want to tell you why getting the real thing is fantastic choice!
Scottish Stained Glass is the largest studio of its kind in the country, and we have produced literally tens of thousands of windows during our more than 20 years in business. We use traditional methods to build our beautiful windows, and since every piece is custom, you’ll be getting exactly what you want for any space in your home.
One common alternative to real leaded glass windows is a film applique that has the image of leaded glass on it. Typically, you have to cut this film to fit your windows, and applying it can be difficult. Further, you can see quite easily that this is simply a film product, especially over time since it will likely peel away and bubble.
Some companies offer stained glass windows that are made at a high volume. This means that they are built in a factory, and several hundreds of windows will be exactly the same. When you choose authentic pieces, however, no two clients will have the same exact windows, and each one is hand-built per order. You’ll be able to truly customize the style, colors, and overall shape of your piece, without having to settle for a pre-made window.
At Scottish Stained Glass, our expert team will help you design a window that is all your own, and that is truly a work of glass art. Your window can be cherished within your family for many years to come, and if properly cared for, can essentially last forever.
If you would like to learn more about our authentic stained glass, give us a call or send an email today. We will be able to answer any questions, and set you up with a designer to go over style options and price points. We can’t wait to help you create a piece that you truly love today!
One of our most popular choices at Scottish Stained Glass is our bathroom stained glass windows for homeowners throughout the country. Our custom leaded glass windows are the perfect addition to any home, and we want to show you how our pieces can help you create your dream bathroom, and a space that you’ll always love.
The term “stained glass” may conjure up images of ornate, colorful windows in a church. Today, however, stained glass is frequently used in homes for privacy, as well as for decorative appeal, and rarely resembles this traditional image of the art form.
Because each window that we create is custom, you’ll be able to get exactly what you’re looking for, regardless of the size or shape you need. While you can truly add leaded glass to nearly any window in your home, bathrooms are one of our most common choices for homeowners for several reasons. If you have a window in your bathroom, you know how important privacy can be in this space. However, you may want to keep the natural light that comes through these windows. With Scottish Stained Glass, you don’t have to choose between the two.
We offer a vast selection of glass types that block vision, yet still let natural light into your bathroom. You’ll work with an expert designer through this process to help you find which glass type, or combinations of glass types, works best to incorporate your personal style while adding privacy to your windows.
We pride ourselves in being able to accommodate clients of all differing styles with our beautiful leaded glass windows. Our designers are experienced with both modern styles, and traditional looks to provide you with excellent style selections to choose from. Often homeowners choose to design windows without any colored glass for a more timeless look, but we also have a huge selection of colored glass for that splash of color to brighten your bathroom.
With over 20 years in business under our belt, you can count on our expert team to create the most beautiful bathroom stained glass available today. All of our windows are completely authentic leaded glass, and they are built to last. Contact us today to learn more about our beautiful bathroom stained glass today, and we’ll set you up with a free consultation!
This beautiful Hawaiian stained glass from Surf Art Studios as an amazing example of how glass textures, painted glass, and creative design can result in absolutely gorgeous windows. These bright colors really do match the bright, tropical colors of Hawaii.
This entryway/hallway solution provided one of our clients with the design feature that they desired without impacting the natural light that they wanted to flow into their large family room. This contemporary leaded glass design worked especially well with the natural colored walls and wood framed windows. See more of our stained glass entryways.
Bogenrief Studios and Jim Berberich have been working together for years to craft gorgeous stained glass windows featuring extraordinarily lifelike faces and hands. The works are always well constructed and beautiful. This piece is especially intriguing with the numerous glass colors and textures that are so well used throughout the window.
This floral stained glass pattern, installed in a bathroom , is a great way to provide some natural light to a bathroom while ensuring privacy and enhancing beauty. This particular pattern was created from a client’s request for a particular color scheme. Click here to see more of our bathroom stained glass.
This charming stained glass rose designed by Robert Oddy demonstrates the great power that comes in the juxtaposition of clear glass textured glass with colored glass. We love the way the lead lines run through the glass so naturally!
Creating beautiful entryways that incorporate stained glass windows is one of our specialties here at Scottish Stained Glass. Your entryway is the first impression of your home that visitors will get, and we can help you create an area that displays your personal style and offers a welcoming, open feel to your living space.
At Scottish Stained Glass, one of our favorite projects is a full entryway renovation. We offer a beautiful selection of solid wood doors that are completely custom to fit your home and style. Our doors are heavy wood, to provide you with excellent insulation, and a fabulous looking door that is made to truly last.
You’ll start the process by working with one of our experienced stained glass designers to find the right design and style to fit your needs. As a homeowner, you want every aspect of your home to reflect your personal style, and to look beautiful. Our vast glass types and leaded design possibilities offer endless options to create the entryway of your dreams. Your designer will help you find the perfect look whether you have a contemporary home, a traditional space, or something in the middle.
When you choose a full entryway remodel, we can help you find a look that completes your space. We offer units that have built in sidelights and transoms along with the new door, and we can create any combination of those aspects that fits within your space and your budget. No matter what you choose, you can count on getting the most beautiful entryway available for your home.
If you already have windows in your entryway door, or sidelights and transoms in this area, we can also simply build stained glass window to fit within these existing spaces. Depending on which glass types you choose, we can create designs that provide privacy for your home, without blocking the natural light coming through your windows, and while adding style to an otherwise blank space.
If you would like to learn more about our process for creating custom stained glass entryways, give us a call or send an email today. We will set you up with one of our experts to give you a free, in-home consultation on your entryway, and get started on the process immediately. We can’t wait to add the entryway you’ve always wanted to your home!
This beautiful Hawaiian stained glass from Surf Art Studios as an amazing example of how glass textures, painted glass, and creative design can result in absolutely gorgeous windows. These bright colors really do match the bright, tropical colors of Hawaii.
This entryway solution provided one of our clients with the privacy that they desired without impacting the natural light that they wanted to flow into their large family room. This Prairie Style inspired leaded glass design worked especially well with the natural colored walls and wood framed windows. See more of our stained glass entryways.
Bogenrief Studios and Jim Berberich have been working together for years to craft gorgeous stained glass windows featuring extraordinarily lifelike faces and hands. The works are always well constructed and beautiful. This piece is especially intriguing with the numerous glass colors and textures that are so well used throughout the window.
This floral stained glass pattern, installed in a bathroom , is a great way to provide some natural light to a bathroom while ensuring privacy and enhancing beauty. This particular pattern was created from a client’s request for a particular color scheme. Click here to see more of our bathroom stained glass.
This charming stained glass rose designed by Robert Oddy demonstrates the great power that comes in the juxtaposition of clear glass textured glass with colored glass. We love the way the lead lines run through the glass so naturally!
Here at Scottish Stained Glass, we have the utmost respect for the tradition and history of stained glass, but it is not that often that we find “stained glass history” in the making. So we were fascinated to discover this article in the Stained Glass Quarterly, entitled: “Building Bridges of Glass – How Stained Glass Windows are Furthering Peace in the Middle East.”
Read this article here:
The history of stained glass windows in that part of the world is believed to even predate the most ancient pieces discovered in Europe. Perhaps this is not surprising, considering that the Middle East is a sandy, arid desert land, and the main component of glass is sand!
The ancient Arab cultures there actually made windows using thin slabs of translucent alabaster, with pieces of colored glass inserted. Apparently in the ancient city of Sana’a, in Yemen, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) many of the tall slender buildings contain vividly colored stained glass. The ancient Arab methodology entailed cutting the glass into pieces known as mullions, then attaching them with strips of gypsum into beautiful abstract patterns.
Although religious icons and biblical scenes were the hallmark of medieval European stained glass art, this kind of storytelling never developed in the Middle East. Stained glass was used strictly for decorative purposes… until recently.
For their 75th birthday, St. John’s Church in Cairo approached an American artist, Deborah Balchen, to create 9 oil paintings depicting various Biblical stories concerning Egypt, stories that were also mentioned in the Qur’an. One of the missions of this highly respected church has been to build a bridge between Christians and Muslims via the arts, to show how East and West can work together and even enhance each other’s’ spiritual lives. The paintings were to be used as the foundation of 9 stained glass windows that were created by Egyptian stained glass artist Dr. Ahmed Nabil and his son Amr, under the guidance of Deborah Balchen, who was living in Cairo at the time.
The nine finished stained glass windows were installed in January of 2006, and the opening of the exhibition, including the windows and the nine original oil paintings, was widely attended and praised by both Christians and Muslims.
A year later, Deborah was commissioned to do a larger set of windows by Nobel Peace Prize finalist Archbishop Chacour, for The Church of the Sermon on the Mount in Galilee, Israel. His charge to Deborah was to create windows that offer the message of peace and the all inclusive nature of God – a challenge she happily accepted.
The article contains wonderful photos of the Deborah Balchen’s oil paintings and all the stained glass windows, as well as a lot of fascinating information about how she researched the project, where she got her inspiration from, and the initiatives of the various churches involved to bring peace and harmony to that fractured and troubled part of the world.
What an inspiring stained glass project! As stained glass artists, we are honored to be a part of this amazing tradition of art, one that stretches back many centuries around the world, and continues to make history to this day.
Contact us to work with one of our talented stained glass artists, to make your own individual piece of stained glass history!
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