Stained Glass Meditation at the National Cathedral

Feeling stressed out? Just a few minutes watching this beautiful stained glass time lapse inside the Washington National Cathedral will soothe your soul and put you at ease. Enjoy!

A New Era in Stained Glass

Great article and pictorial from Architectural Digest sharing some of the beauty that stained glass has to offer -- but with a twist. Usually when we think of stained glass we envision churches or Victorian-era motifs, however all the applications shown here are quite modern and abstract.

As you can see from the article, contemporary spaces can benefit from the addition of art glass, whether to create privacy, obstruct an unattractive view, or add new dimensions of light and color to the interior space. Unembellished, simple rooms can be transformed into colorful, light-filled sanctuaries with the addition of art glass. In commercial spaces art glass can help communicate and bolster your brand. Beyond the confines of a frame or casement, the glass can be designed to create moods or experiences. And as the article mentions, should you move you could always relocate the glass.

We recently experimented with a tessellation (pictured below) that would be gorgeous in a contemporary space whether transitional or fully modern. Imagine a larger scale application of this design and its colorful light pattern cast across a lobby, dining room, or bathroom suite. Or, similarly, a modern interpretation of sacred geometric patterns reminiscent of Islamic art. No matter the inspiration, the outcome is always stunning, even transcendent! Please contact us if you are interested in exploring the possibilities.

Tessellation 2017 Lucas Stained Glass Design + Restoration

Stained Glass Kaleidoscope Mosque is a Treat for Your Eyes and Soul

Feast your eyes on this beautiful application of stained glass in another devotional setting, This is the Nasir-ol-Molk mosque in Shiraz, Iran, also known as the Pink Mosque, the Rainbow Mosque, or the Kaleidoscope Mosque. When sunlight hits the extensive art glass windows the whole interior appears as a kaleidoscope. Enjoy this video. It's really a treat for the eyes and the soul!

Stained Glass Enhances Classic Eichler Character

A few years ago one of the more significant Eichler homes - the Matt and Lydia Kahn house - went on the market. This of course gave the public an opportunity to peek behind its nondescript midcentury modern front facade. A classic Eichler interior was thusly revealed: light-filled with ample skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines, open spaces, all opening to interior gardens and patios.

What is an Eichler, you ask? Well, it is both a man and a house. The man, Joseph Eichler, was a post-war developer who build thousands of homes in California. Inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Eichler worked closely with architects to devise his signature modernist style, creating what is now universally known as the "Eichler" house. Most notable about the house was the concept of indoor-outdoor living which prevailed throughout his developments and beyond. What should also be noted about the man was his character and his staunch support for fair housing:

A strong proponent of fair housing and deeply opposed to racial discrimination, the liberal Eichler was the first large, tract builder to sell to minorities, and even built a home on his own lot for an NAACP leader. Joe resigned from the National Association of Home Builders in 1958 in protest of racial discrimination policies and, according to reports from long-time Eichler owners, offered to buy back homes from those who had trouble accepting their neighbors.

"If, as you claim, this will destroy property values," Joe once told some disgruntled Eichler owners, "I could lose millions...You should be ashamed of yourselves for wasting your time and mine with such pettiness."

Something that stands out with the Kahn house is the use of art glass to reassert the light in pretty, magical ways. Two large "eavesdroppers" - designed by Matt Kahn himself - designate the primary entrance, offering a colorful greeting and revealing a color story to reflect the owners' personal tastes. According to the Kahn's son, Ira:

"The light in the house is just amazing," Ira said, looking towards the 'eavesdroppers.' "In the morning, when the light is horizontal, and in the afternoon, when the light is horizontal, the interior of the house is awash with color. It's marvelous to sit in the rich environment of colored light."

Two more intricate and diminutive pieces are placed in a bedroom, flanking the bed in front of frosted windows. These act more as classic framed art pieces, illuminated by the natural light diffused through the frosted privacy glass. Large, colorful glass rondels are placed in the sitting and dining area and layered in such a way to create a complementary color scheme. One bathroom features a set of hanging swirl rondels adding visual excitement to a sedate frosted privacy window.

As you see throughout, the glass can be installed as separate panels that can be relocated as needed and won't impact the original design integrity. The introduction of art glass maintains the clean, uncluttered aesthetic while offering another dimension of light and color. We see the open, clean spaces as empty canvases for colored light and an opportunity to enhance the modern interior in a novel way.

Do you live in a midcentury modern home? What color story would you like to tell? Contact us if you want to discuss.