Growing up in a family that frequented a traditional Methodist church (my mother even worked as a teacher in the corresponding private school), I saw a lot of stained glass. I can still clearly remember sitting in the second-level balcony seats and looking out to the colorful glow of the nearly floor-to-very-high-ceiling windows with their religious depictions. Frankly, it was beautiful and something I’m sure I appreciated as much as any 7-year-old could (that is to say, not that much).
Those childhood church memories were the majority of my exposure to stained glass until I started traveling, and then eventually landing in Los Angeles. The neighborhood I used to live in was replete with 100-year-old Spanish and Meditteranean bungalows, many of which had a gorgeous stained glass feature window at the front. There was one street in particular (Crescent Heights) that I drove down almost daily, and sometimes I’d meander just taking in the beauty. Some had large crests possibly of the first families that built the homes, some had just little stained glass detailing, and others had large mural-like windows. I mostly chalked it up to “old” architecture, something of a bygone era.
Except YOU GUYS. Stained glass is not just for centuries-old buildings. It’s very much having a moment even in newer homes and I’ve reignited my awe and wonder for the glass artform. This should come as no surprise to myself or those reading who follow my articles: finding another spot in your home for color that traditionally doesn’t have any? Well…that’s right up my color-loving alley.
You may recall my interview with Gen Z content creator Marco Zamora, who DIYed his builder-grade, white-box Los Angeles rental apartment with so much (removable) character, including his hand-painted “stained glass” windows. I’m pretty sure that doorway and transom to his kitchen broke Instagram/TikTok. When I first saw specifically that transom, I slapped my knee and thought something along the lines of “Hot damn, that looks great” while I swiveled my head around my home looking for a suitable spot to try something similar (I didn’t find one).
Then there were also the stained glass feature windows in the home of Sara’s parents that she helped them to redecorate. I texted her shortly after starting to write this article asking for some details about them, mostly if they were original to the house or if they were commissioned. “My dad made them,” she answered me back. What?!? While the subtle detailing on the right photo is more my design aesthetic, both are incredibly impressive. (There is also one behind their bed in the primary suite Sara revealed here).
And, of course, this arched beauty the team shot a few years back in a home designed by ARCIFORM. Surely that bathroom door would be impressive without the leaded or stained glass, but with it, whew, it’s so beautiful and memorable.
Like me, you may be thinking that stained glass works well in buildings with history or a strong architectural perspective, but then I remembered the Fig House, a contemporary event space Emily worked to completely rehab nearly a decade ago. She worked with Judson Studios to design some gorgeous modern stained glass windows, which gave the blank slate spaces so much oomph.
My most recent spotting of stained glass was in Jennifer Garner’s home which was just featured in Architectural Digest (see the third slide below). After that, I went down a rabbit hole of inspirational photos. This felt like something I could safely explore from a distance, kind of like a celebrity crush you know you’ll never land, but you can admire it nonetheless and have some fun mentally envisioning a life where you’re with them. I say that as someone in a rental who doesn’t plan on doing anything with this new-found love. It will be something I tuck away into my vault of design ideas for one day down the line when I’m able to customize a home of my own.
In my journey through all things stained glass, I found Debbie Bean, a stained glass artist in Los Angeles, and I couldn’t help but contact her to find out more. What does this cost? What homes does it work in? Is it worth keeping tucked away for the future, or just a pipe dream? My reporter skills took over and it only made sense to gather her answers and share them with you here, as well.
There’s a lot to dive into still, so here is a quick-fire of our interview:
- On whether stained glass is having a moment or not: “Stained glass will forever be having a moment for me! My studio is proof that people have fallen in love with it. More designers and clients are coming to me because they want to incorporate it into their projects in exciting and innovative ways. People are realizing that stained glass isn’t confined to factory-produced doors or ornate church windows. Instead, we’re seeing it used in modern spaces, which speaks to its timeless appeal.”
- On cost: “Each project varies by design, glass selection, size, and delivery requirements. I wish I could give a more satisfactory answer, but prices can range from $500 to $10,000 or more.”
- On how long a commission can take (I gave her a transom window to use as an example): “Creating a custom piece for a transom window above a door generally takes 4-8 weeks. This timeframe includes designing the panel, the approval process, ensuring accurate dimensions, ordering supplies, and fabrication, among other necessary steps.”
- On why stained glass is so magical: “I love that it’s not a static piece of art but one that changes throughout the day. The interplay with light is fascinating—it offers privacy at night and a kaleidoscope of colors when the light shines through. With such a wide range of glass choices, I get to explore not just colors, but also opacities, textures, and even create my own glass. The possibilities are endless. I also appreciate how transcendent its appeal is. Stained glass can be found everywhere! Personally, having grown up with stained glass in my home, it has always held a special attraction for me. I feel fortunate to spend my days working with it.”
- On what styles of homes it works best in: “I honestly can’t imagine a scenario where stained glass would feel forced or out of place with any architectural style. My work tends to focus on a modern geometric approach, but I’ve had the opportunity to create designs beyond that scope. Each project offers a unique chance to demonstrate how stained glass can be applied in ways people might not have previously considered.”
If you’re in the greater Los Angeles area, be sure to check out Debbie’s beautiful work if you’re considering commissioning a piece of stained glass for your home.
Though my current home will likely never feature stained glass, I’m glad I have this information to work from. Like any art, prices are quite varied, but in the right application, I’m sure it’s well worth the investment.
Now, let’s explore some beautiful photos of stained glass in different areas of the home:
The Most Popular: Windows
Windows are, of course, the expected place to find stained-glass creations. They can be as ornate as what you’d expect to find in churches or as subtle as the one above, also from Judson Studios.
How perfect is this bullseye-inspired round stained glass window? It’s just enough to be unique and special but not so large that it takes over the room. This was a home captured by photographer Laure Joliet for an Architectural Digest feature.
This round turret staircase is just the kind of place I’d want to see a window like this. I can imagine someone floating down it in a gauzy or lacy nightgown with a very demure, very quaint candelabra in hand. Perhaps a friendly talking clock or candlestick appears? Probably not what designers Mark Weaver and Associates had in mind, but it’s where my mind goes. (I grew up on Beauty & the Beast…I cannot be blamed for my fantasies.)
I love to see stained glass in styles other than turn-of-the-century Mediterranean homes. Just look at this wildly good Art Deco installation in a Paris home by Gaspard Ronjat.
EHD alum and friend Brady Tolbert has some stained glass beauties in bold colors in his home. I think the “blocks of color” style plays nice with lots of different design aesthetics, particularly anything on the more contemporary side of things.
I can’t stop thinking about the tiny little stained glass corners on this leaded window in a dining room by Julie Neill Designs. It’s so delicate and just barely there but still makes such a high impact on the room.
On the complete flip side of that previous space is this home with stained glass windows by Judson Studios. These look almost like butterfly wings and I love the colors of them so much. It’s certainly a bold move, but if you have the home to pull them off (and the budget) boy would it be magical.
I wanted to include this last example in a home by Cullman Kravis. So much of what I already showed (and will continue to show) lands in the more contemporary or geometric camp, but scenic depictions like this cherry blossom tree in a window above a vanity are exquisite (and a nod to Arts & Craft style). It’s where stained glass truly becomes art. I have to imagine a commission like this one would take weeks to complete and is on that upper range that Debbie shared earlier.
My Favorite Application: Exterior Doors
If the header to this section wasn’t indication enough, I absolutely love stained glass on an exterior door. Maybe because it’s more unexpected? Many of the exterior doors I found that drew my eye were similar to the above (by the incomparable Reath Design), where each grid of the door frame was a solid color. This same home had a similar door in the kitchen (below) so this element is repeated throughout the house with great success. I could see this design working well in a ton of different architectural styles, especially a more contemporary building.
The design on these doors in a large but charming foyer from Florence deDampierre is in a similar vein to the one by Reath Design, but with a bit more visual interest. This is the type of treatment I’d probably never think to do in a country-meets-rustic chic home. It’s a really interesting juxtaposition that on paper I’d say wouldn’t work, but in execution is so interesting and clever.
The stained glass doors and windows, the painted floral details above them, the white painted floors, the white and blue paper pendant…this Nina Farmer room left me so dang charmed. Of course, my mind goes straight to my toddler slamming that door shut as she tends to do, hearing my beloved stained glass rattling in its frame, but if I can fast-forward to a time when slamming doors was a thing of the past (haha, yeah right), I could see myself here, enjoying my country home, waiting for my bread dough to complete its second rise (haha, yeah right).
Now let’s look at something less grid-like and more eclectic. If the Cole & Son Cloud wallpaper by Fornasetti is any indication, these homeowners aren’t afraid of a little bit of drama and quirkiness. The colorful glow scattered on the floor feels like a kaleidoscope, and how could that not make you smile instantly? (This photo is by Laure Joliet, which she shot for Architectural Digest, designed by Charlap Hyman & Herrero.)
A Way To Bring A Ton Of Interest: Interior Doors
If I love exterior doors with stained glass, then you know I love interior doors with stained glass. This bathroom door and transom by Gold Soup Interiors feels decidedly Victorian because it is! The owners of this home are lovingly restoring an old Victorian, and details like this door are spot on.
Transition Interior Design took an already pattern-heavy room and leaned in with this floral motif stained glass door. I love the color and movement it brings, adding to the whimsy of the space.
If only we were all so fortunate to have a utility room that had an entrance like this! This home by Project Home does not lack in moments to add in color, including these doors that pull together the floor colors as well as the yellow from the millwork (or cabinetry?) beyond.
A Subtle Stained Glass Moment: Transoms
I feel like every category I cover, I’m like “This is my favorite stained glass application!” They’re all great, and while doors are still my favorite, a transom window is a close second. Whether it’s a colorful checkerboard grid like above by Green & Mustard or blocks of color (so similar to Brady’s house!) by Amanda Pickett featured in Frederic Magazine, a transom stained glass moment is kind of like the gateway to the art form in your home.
A Clever Interior Feature: Interior Windows/Room Dividers
Lastly, the most decorative use of stained glass in the bunch: The interior wall or room divider. I love when designers get creative with dividing spaces, and this is a beautiful way to do just that. The above photo (a design by Studio Percale) is a door, I believe, but I wanted to include it in this section as inspiration for opting for a stained glass dividing wall rather than your standard drywall. Something like this would be so fun leading into an office space if you don’t need a ton of privacy or soundproofing, or if you have a den or library room in your home. Can you even imagine?!?
And lastly, this grand, intricate set of stained glass “windows” inside a home by Andee Hess + Osmose Design. This is in a Tudor-style home, which I’m calling out because I wouldn’t necessarily peg it for that architectural period but it WORKS. This type of wall works best with lots of natural light, or if you backlight it.
So…have you fallen in love with stained glass yet?!?!? On a scale of 1 to GIVE IT TO ME NOW, how much do you want a stained glass moment in your home? While the real deal is a considerable investment price-wise and design-wise, don’t forget that there are also ways to get the look with DIY supplies (check out this awesome tutorial by A Beautiful Mess) or even adhesive window films. It’s a great way to test out the look to see if it’s right for you, your home, and your lifestyle.
And that’s where I leave you this week. Until next time…
Opening image credit: Design & photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Sara’s Mom’s Living Room is Back With a Much Needed Personal Update – Two Years Later