1-866-846-5758 contact@scottishstainedglass.com
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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!
In our twenty plus years in business, we have installed gorgeous stained glass windows in countless Denver area homes and in many other cities as well. Although we’ve been opening more showrooms in other cities, there are still many stained glass lovers across the country who would love to have a custom designed stained glass window, but don’t live near any of our showrooms.
Our nationwide expansion began in a rather unusual, but telling, way. Some of our previous happy clients were moving out of state, but were not content to leave their Scottish Stained Glass windows or door panels behind. They simply didn’t want to part with them! So, we helped these clients remove the windows and relocate them to their new house in a new part of the country, and then the fun began… all of their new neighbors and friends saw this marvelous stained glass, and wanted to order some from us as well.
We’ve now got working with these “long distance” clients down to a science!
We can send many photos of different designs and styles over the internet, to give prospective clients something to choose from. If they have a different idea in mind, they can work with one of our designers on an original design via phone and computer renderings. Over the years, we’ve developed a system that includes the telephone, the computer, and some pretty sophisticated CAD computer programs that allow our designers to show out of town clients exactly what their windows or doors will look like – before we even build them.
In this way, the client is assured of getting the exact style, pattern and colors they want, not to mention the correct size and shape to fit in their existing windows. In fact, although we hand craft our custom stained glass windows the old fashioned way, piece by piece, computer programs have revolutionized the accuracy of the pattern, and create perfect results each and every time.
Once our clients have approved the design, the building process starts in one of our local studios, with one of our highly talented and experienced artisans working from the computer generated pattern, known since medieval times as a “cartoon.” When the stained glass panel is finished, we oh-so-carefully pack and ship it to their home, along with highly detailed instructions and any of the materials necessary for installation.
We also provide a video training for local installers to follow. Although we’ve developed our own installation methods over the years, designed to keep the old window in place as a safeguard for the new panel, honestly, our system is pretty foolproof for any window installer to master. So, if you would love some Scottish Stained Glass, but don’t live near one of our showrooms, don’t let that stop you! We work with clients nationwide, and can safely ship our finished work anywhere.
Where ever you live, please contact us today about beautiful, unique, custom stained glass windows for your home, commercial space or for your church!
As a thoroughly modern stained glass studio, Scottish Stained Glass uses the methods, materials and new technologies that owner Martin Faith has been developing for the last twenty years, as well as the latest in stained glass window installation techniques.
But our passion for this craft, our love for stained glass in all its forms and our inspiration for our work… comes from the stained glass masters of the past.
One of our favorites is Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the architect, designer and watercolorist from our native Scotland. However, there are many other master artists and architects who worked with the medium of glass, as well as other more traditional fine art mediums.
One of the most amazing is John La Farge, a New York painter and muralist. La Farge’s intricately patterned and vividly colored stained glass work rivals that of the medieval craftsman of centuries gone by, who were undoubtedly a huge influence on his work. Take a look at some of John La Farge’s stunning stained glass church windows here:
Irish artist Harry Clarke studied stained glass at the Dublin Art School, but also made part of his living as a book illustrator. Clarke’s first published book was none other than Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen, containing 16 color plates and more than 24 black and white illustrations.
Although Clarke also created stunning church windows, the bulk of his stained glass was secular. See some examples of Harry Clarke’s work here:
Most of you have probably heard of Marc Chagall, arguably one of the most successful 20th century artists. This prolific artist worked in just about every artistic medium, including stage design, tapestry, ceramics and of course, stained glass. His style was thoroughly unique and modern, yet paid homage to his influences. Interestingly, his first major stained glass window commission came when Chagall was 70 years old!
Take a look at this beautiful stained glass window Chagall created for the Saint-Stephen Cathedral in Metz, France:
No discussion of stained glass masters would be complete without mentioning Christopher Whitworth Whall, an English artist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Whall is hailed as one of the key influencers in the history of modern stained glass. When beginning his career he only designed the stained glass windows, but someone else actually built them. But in 1887 Whall converted his cow shed into a stained glass workshop, taking over every part of the craft, including the cutting of the glass, the painting of the glass, and any necessary firing or glazing. Take a look at some of Christopher Whall’s stained glass windows here:
If this work inspires you, then you might like to add some modern stained glass to your home in the form of entryway windows, transoms, door panels, kitchen cabinets, or even hanging plaques or panels. Why not create your own masterpiece with the help of our design team, one that’s destined to become as famed in your family’s history as these pieces we’ve showcased above!
In the Middle Ages, stained glass windows were used by European churches, cathedrals and palaces to let in light, all the while telling the story of biblical figures and important religious events. This tradition has carried on to the present day, and Scottish Stained Glass has done many lovely stained glass windows for modern churches.
In the ancient Celtic civilization, although representational figures of people were not used, their stained glass art also contained great symbolism, expressing their beliefs about man, nature and the hereafter with symbols such as the famed Celtic Knot.
Storytelling, message and symbolism in stained glass has a long and illustrious history. While many people think this style of stained glass belongs to the past, in fact telling an important story via bits of colored glass woven into a cohesive design with strips of metal is still relevant and still going strong to this day.
The Kigali City Council in Rwanda, along with the UK based Aegis Trust, an organization dedicated to the prevention of genocide, decided to build a memorial center for the victims of the Rwandan genocide. They commissioned Israeli painter and stained glass artist Ardyn Halter, the son of an Auschwitz concentration camp survivor, to create two “Windows of Hope” to tell the story of this tragedy and express their hopes for a different future.
Measuring 9’8″ x 8’8″, these two beautiful windows each direct a strong shaft of light into the dark, underground exhibition. The light is the symbol of the Rwandan people’s remembrance, learning, change and hope.
Ardyn collaborated on the construction of the stained glass pieces with his father, Roman Halter.
The first piece, Descent To Genocide, describes the period leading up to the genocide, with the many dead represented by broken skulls. It depicts a blocked staircase, and is done with dark colors.
The second panel, The Way Forward, shows the same staircase leading towards an open sky, unblocked. The sky and light colors promise a better future. Both the windows are masterful in design and execution. Upon first glance, they are simply wonderful examples of why stained glass is such an important and well loved form of visual art. But when you read the story behind them and really study them to see what message they portray, you can further understand why stained glass has become such a valued part of our history and our current culture.
The Kigali Memorial Centre opened in April of 2004 — the tenth anniversary of the hundred day genocide against the Tutsis tribe in Rwanda. Over 60,000 people visited it in the first three months. Over 250,000 murdered victims are buried on this site, along with several permanent exhibitions detailing the Rwandan genocide and other genocides around our planet. The opening was attended by 9 heads of state, and the memorial and its evocative stained glass windows have been well received.
Click here for more information about the Kigali Memorial Centre.
Our friends to the north in Canada have some pretty wonderful stained glass, we have to admit. European trained glass artists founded the first stained glass studios in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec around 1856. According to the Institute for Stained Glass in Canada, stained glass windows constitute what they consider to be the most widespread public art in the country, with over 100,000 known pieces in public buildings, and countless more in private homes.
Apparently public buildings in just about every city and town across that vast nation contain lovely, well preserved examples of this art form. Stained glass collectors have been acquiring all sorts of windows originally commissioned in Europe, some dating back to the early 16th century.
The Institute has undertaken a survey of stained glass windows across Canada, province by province. These are not pieces in a museum or private collection; they are still installed at their original sites. You can see photos of this multi year endeavor on their website.
If you are a stained glass aficionado, please take a look at the Institute’s work. We think you’ll be enchanted and impressed by the fabulous craftsmanship and the breadth of ideas represented, from religious icons in churches to an amazing, modern piece known as the Great Wave which is installed across 40 meters of glass windows in the international terminal of Vancouver International Airport.
We never cease being impressed by this amazing, ancient yet thoroughly modern art form. Like all art, it changes with the times, and like all art, some people are absolute masters with it, creating work that withstands the test of time.
Here at Scottish Stained Glass, our designers and builders have the highest respect for the stained glass masters of old, and for the people in every corner of the globe who carry on this distinguished tradition. Although we have installed stained glass windows for over 15,00 happy customers in our twenty hear history, we never copy someone else’s design.
However, we are inspired by a lot of different sources and that inspiration shows up in our work. If happen to find a piece of stained glass in a unique style or pattern that you absolutely love, we would be happy to use that as the inspiration to make you a completely new, custom stained glass window that reflects that style. If you adore Deco, or the flowing floral effects of Greene and Greene, we would make something with that same flavor and style.
In fact, every piece of stained glass we do is custom designed to your specifications, and hand built using a combination of traditional craftsmanship married with the most modern materials and installation techniques.
To get some ideas of our work, please visit our galleries. And if you were intrigued by the idea of collectors obtaining old stained glass from Europe, you might be interested in one of our antique Scottish leaded glass windows. They make an incredibly powerful statement in a modern home. Contact us today for more details.
Stained glass panels reflecting achievements are a great way to celebrate retirement, and Scottish Stained Glass can help you create a great gift for a retiring relative or friend. Our stained glass panels are hand built, and some pieces can even be hand painted for a unique, personal result that will be cherished for years to come.
These panels can actually last forever, if properly cared for, and many become family heirlooms. Also, since each panel is custom, we have many different color and style options to build the right piece for your unique situation.
For many people, retirement is an accomplishment on its own, and our stained glass panels are a great retirement gift for anyone celebrating this milestone.
If your family member or friend is retiring from the military, our products are the perfect way to commemorate his or her many accomplishments during this time. We can replicate any honors they received while serving our country, or create a special scene to commemorate this time. No matter how you choose to honor your veteran, stained glass is beautiful, lasting way to do so.
Another celebratory field your family member may be retiring from is the police force. Giving a stained glass panel is a beautiful way to honor someone who worked to protect people throughout their career, and it will serve as a lasting reminder of their accomplishments. We can help you to celebrate an officer, all the way up to a sheriff, and recreate honors from their greatest days on the job.
Another popular commemorative panel choice is for those working for the fire department. This particular job can be extremely dangerous, and when your friend or family member retires, this has likely become more than just a career. We want to help you honor them in a way that will last forever, and serve as a reminder of the great job they did serving your community.
No matter what area of work you would like to celebrate, our designers will help you each step of the way. We take the time to learn about your needs for each unique project to ensure the perfect end result. We have over 600 color options, and the option of getting some parts of your panel hand painted. Our endless design options mean that we can help you create the retirement gift you’ve been hoping for.
Scottish Stained Glass has been in business for over 20 years, and we are the leading provider of glasswork in the nation. You can feel completely comfortable putting your project in our hands, as our design team is completely committed to delivering the best stained glass piece for your unique project.
Stained glass panels are a great retirement gift for anyone you know. By putting their accomplishments on display, you can truly honor your retiree for many years to come, and give them a lasting treasure. Feel free to contact us with any questions about retirement gifts, or to set up a consultation with one of our talented designers today!
Stained glass designs and styles are at the heart of what we do here at Scottish Stained Glass. Each piece we build is custom, which means you’ll be able to have a stained glass window that is completely unique to your home. With over 600 colors to choose from, and endless leaded design possibilities, you can bring the glass art piece you’ve been dreaming of to fruition.
Even traditional styles and locations are unique to each home. You can work with your designer for the details of your piece and adjust it until each cut piece of glass lies exactly where you want it to. No two windows in any two homes will be the same with our custom leaded glass.
Have an idea for a more out of the box piece? Great! Anything from painted glass pieces, to cut glass artwork, to family crests are within our realm of expertise. For your uncommon ideas, you may want to consider getting it in the form of a hanging piece so you can take it with you through the years, even if you move.
One of the most beautiful ways to add a stained glass design to your home is in your entryway. This area gives the first impression of your home, so why not dress it up with beautiful leaded glass styles in your sidelights, transom, or door.
Our team is made up expert designers who will be able to walk you through the process of color, texture, and design choices to make something functional and fantastic looking for your home. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our designers and begin working on your stained glass project today!
At Scottish Stained Glass, all of our stained glass windows and doors are custom made. This requires our clients to work with one of our creative and highly experienced stained glass designers – a process we’ve heard over and over that they greatly enjoy.
If you live anywhere near one of our showrooms, our designers prefer to do onsite consultations. They arrive with a mind-boggling array of photos and samples, so you can pick the style, pattern, colors or textures that you want. If you’ve got a unique idea or have seen something that inspires you in a photo, the designer can sketch it up on graph paper, showing you how it will look in your window and providing a cost estimate at the same time.
If you don’t live near one of our offices, we will still work with you via phone, internet, and all manner of other high tech methods to ensure you still get a piece of stained glass that is absolutely perfect – perfectly sized, the exact right colors and designs to satisfy your tastes and complement your décor.
Are you a nature lover, looking to bring the outdoors in? Then perhaps a floral design or our signature Aspen collection would delight.
Do you most appreciate the dramatic lines of the Art Deco movement? Scottish Stained Glass has designed hundreds of Deco inspired designs for admiring customers over the years.
Do you consider yourself an individualist? Do you want something completely different? Our designers will work with you to bring your idea into vividly colored life – or clear, colorless life if that’s what you have in mind. Many people are surprised when they hear that 90% of our stained glass window installations are actually clear, textured glass and not the traditional colored glass!
Whether you have long admired stained glass or are just beginning to learn about (and lust after) this lovely art form, we think fresh inspiration is always a good thing. Feel free to browse our Scottish Stained Glass galleries, to get your creative juices flowing.
While you are considering exactly what style of stained glass you might like, for even more inspiration we wanted to show off a few of the world’s most amazing, history making, timeless classics:
Feeling inspired? Then why not contact us today, and start creating your own stained glass window masterpiece!
Martin Faith of Scottish Stained Glass has one of the nation’s premier collections of Antique Scottish Stained Glass, saved from buildings in Scotland that were being torn down or remodeled. These pieces come in varying styles but are often inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his beautifully unique design work. The glass textures are one of a kind, no longer produced today. Whether you would like to add a piece from this collection to your home, or you’d simply like to see them, come visit our Centennial, Colorado showroom.
Each piece sold goes to benefit Project C.U.R.E. in their mission to bring desperately needed medical supplies to needy hospitals across the world. Click Here to see more of the collection and hear our owner Martin’s interview about the cause.
If you are considering adding some stained glass windows to your house, we invite you to scroll through out stained glass galleries, which show photos of some of the custom, hand built stained glass panels we’ve designed and installed for our customers over the past twenty years. But nothing really says it like a video – so if you really want to know how stained glass could beautify your home, please take a look at these videos.
The first one is part of a renovation that was featured on the tv show, Rescue Renovation. It shows the installation of some gorgeous (if we do say so ourselves) kitchen cabinet door panels as well as stained glass windows. Imagine that in your home!
This next video is really fun, and quite spectacular. It’s another home renovation done on My Big Amazing Renovation, on HGTV. This Boulder, CO mountain home had a lot of exposed stone and wood walls, with not much space anywhere for the homeowners to hang any art. Stained glass to the rescue! For this home, we actually designed pieces to look like paintings, with pretty spectacular results… take a look and see if you don’t agree! The video shows a bit of the design process, a bit of the “building process”, some of the installation, and best of all, the joy and excitement of the owner when she saw the final finished products.
For a more in-depth video showing you exactly what the installation process for your stained glass windows or doors would like, take a look at this next video. It’ll show you exactly what will happen when one of our professional installers shows up with your finished panels. Our installation methods are specifically designed for modern American homes, and our work is always congruent with any local building codes.
As you can see by these videos, the stained glass we did for each of these homes was completely different in style, coloration, and type of glass. This is because each of our pieces is always custom made to order – to your tastes, to your specifications, to complement your architecture or décor. We can design work in a wide variety of styles, including an original, new design that we’ve never done before. Your imagination is the only limit when working with Scottish Stained Glass. (Oh, and your budget, but we think you’ll be surprised at just how affordable stained glass windows can be!)
You will work with one of our talented designers to create a piece of art that will not just last for generations; it will probably be destined to become a family heirloom. The comments we hear over and over from our clients are that they’ve never seen anything so beautiful, and they never get tired of looking at their stunning stained glass windows.
If you’re still not quite sure, why not contact us today for a free, in-home consultation with our designers. You will have all your questions answered, including an estimate of the cost, and you can begin the design process. Call us today!
As connoisseurs of stained glass windows, we have to admit finding the history of this art form fascinating. Read along, and see if you don’t agree that high school history was never like this.
In the world of art, architecture and home décor, styles come and go. Add to that new developments and technologies that can greatly improve the comfort and living conditions of one’s home, and the stage is set for our stained glass window history lesson.
Our story opens in Glasgow, Scotland, in the late 19th century. At this time, Glasgow was the second most prosperous city in the United Kingdom, second only to London.
Wealthy merchants built elaborate and beautiful homes and public buildings, and art, sculpture and stained glass windows were some of the most common embellishments. Master stained glass craftsmen turned out gorgeous work to adorn the Victorian style homes and castles of the day, and Glasgow became known for creating some of the finest stained glass in the world. And you can just imagine the exquisite work gracing the city’s many churches.
But times change, and after the First World War, the economy flagged. By the ‘30s, not a single stained glass studio remained open in Glasgow, and to this day very little stained glass is made anywhere in Scotland. It would have been unfortunate enough if no new stained glass was created, but in the ‘60s, the majority of those fine old Victorian homes were no longer so fine, and were razed in the name of progress – to build the latest in modern living, the high rise. Thousands of stained glass windows were simply destroyed!
Then, during the ‘70s and ‘80s, homeowners began replacing their old, single pane leaded glass windows with the next modern innovation to come along – the double paned window, which saved on heating costs and kept their drafty homes more comfortable. Honestly, knowing the Scottish winters, we can’t blame them.
But we have to wonder, did no one really appreciate these stained glass panels as pieces of art anymore? Was it like your grandma’s furniture, which you wouldn’t be caught dead with in your own home?
It was these discarded windows that our founder, Martin Faith “rescued” and brought over to the States, forming a gorgeous collection of over 150 windows representing another time, long gone by.
And now, those same windows, apparently unappreciated by their owners, given up in favor of something more modern, imported to Denver where they were lovingly restored (if necessary) by Scottish Stained Glass’s master craftsmen – yes, those same windows will now save the lives of countless children! The entire collection is about to be sold on June 21, in a benefit for charity. The proceeds will go to help Project C.U.R.E. ship $1,000,000 worth of desperately needed medical equipment to a pediatric ICU in Belize!
So these antique stained glass windows are not only a piece of ancient history, for many people they will now make life saving history of the very best kind.
Usually when people want to install stained glass windows in their home, they contact us about having new ones custom made to their exact specifications. However, there is another option –purchasing antique stained glass.
Scottish Stained Glass is proud to present for sale our collection of antique stained glass windows. Imported from old homes in Scotland, these glorious windows range from around 50 to possibly even 200 years old. To date we have imported more than 1,000 stained glass antique windows of all shapes, sizes and patterns. Some contain beautifully colored glass and many are clear, without color. We are slowly placing these stunning pieces in the homes of customers who hold a great appreciation for antiques of all kinds.
According to the U.S. Customs office, “antique” refers to an item that is at least 100 years old. If it’s less than that it might be considered either a collectible item or a vintage item.
Many people are avid antiques collectors who delight in filling their homes with beautiful pieces of great value. Coming from the Latin word “antiquus” (which means simply old), an antique may be desirable for its level of craftsmanship, rarity, personal or family history, or simply its beauty.
Antiques, including those stained glass windows, represent a specific era of history. Frequently an era that had different production methods, different values, and different craftsmanship than we see in similar items today. Many antiques are items that are no longer made today, or have so much detailed hand labor in them that they would be cost prohibitive to produce in today’s world.
Each of these wonderful old window panels has historical value, features unique glass of a kind that is not made today, and was hand-made to exacting specifications by the very craftsman we so admire. Occasionally the pieces we import are in slight disrepair, in which case we lovingly repair and restore them, taking care to match the color and texture of the glass, and keep the antique look.
When you walk into our workroom and see all these glorious pieces of antique art stacked against a wall, you may feel as if you have suddenly stepped into a bygone era. These pieces have a
depth, a solidness and a majesty to them that is hard to explain, and harder still to rip your eyes away from them.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these leaded glass window panels, why not contact us today? We can schedule a visit to our showroom if you live in the vicinity of our Denver offices, or show you photos online if you are not in our area. Again, if you are in the Denver area, we occasionally will auction off one of these beautiful pieces for charity, so please contact us for more details.
The value of an antique will depend on the demand for that item, its condition, and the degree of workmanship in it. Our antique stained glass windows show the same beautiful degree of detail, style and craftsmanship that continues to inform and inspire our original work today.
Although stained glass windows have been produced for many centuries and the techniques of this craft have been passed down through the generations, there is something unique about our stained glass.
Owner and founder Martin Faith did learn traditional stained glass window making techniques in his native Glasgow, Scotland – known far and wide as one of the stained glass capitals of the world – since arriving in the U.S. in the early 1990s, Faith has been improving and perfecting that age old art form, adapting it to installation in modern American homes.
So what’s so different about Scottish Stained Glass? For starters, the market has been flooded with inexpensive Chinese imports. If you take a look at our product up close and personal, you will see the difference for yourself in terms of quality, luster, and sophistication. But you might not know why our windows and door panels are so captivating and eye catching.
There are also enhancements we have developed that you probably cannot see with an untrained eye, although you certainly will appreciate the finished product. Each of our stained glass panels are custom made and hand built by an experienced artisan who has been specially trained in our methods. The process begins with a consultation with a stained glass designer. She (or he) works with the customer, sometimes even sketching out the customers ideas freehand, to scale, on graph paper until the customer sees exactly what they want. After that, all of our designs go into computer program which ensures that the color choices are exactly correct, the proportions will perfectly fit the window, and all horizontal and vertical lines match up, providing a perfect pattern. Each custom piece is reviewed multiple times, including a final customer approval before the hand building process begins.
We also use special dark leads, precise soldering temperatures for greater stability, and our own unique polishing process that gives our finished products a gorgeous luster. Feedback from over 15,000 delighted fans, oops, we mean customers, tells us that although most of them don’t know anything about our special methods, they can clearly see the superior results.
After hearing all of this, you won’t be surprised to learn that our stained glass windows take approximately double the time to make than “ordinary” stained glass does. And cost a bit more as well. However, we aren’t interested in being ordinary… we are interested in manufacturing the best possible product we can supply for your money.
We pride ourselves on quality that lasts. We want you to be as delighted with your stained glass masterpiece the millionth time you look at it as you were the day we arrived to install it. Our installation process is unique as well, with the new glass panels sealed to the inside of your existing panes of glass to enhance energy efficiency and protect your investment.
By the way, all our installations are up to building code specs for your area, and our installers are specially trained as well.
From first inspiration to final installation, Scottish Stained Glass delivers!
© Scottish Stained Glass 2000- All Rights Reserved | A Part of Scottish Group Companies