The gentle
illumination of sunlight
through stained glass
is a thing of beauty.
 

Stained glass has been used to decorate and enhance buildings for centuries. The breathtaking stained glass windows in cathedrals attract thousands of tourists each year. With the popularity of stained glass windows, it is no surprise that people began to create other things from stained glass. Today, you can find many products made with this process, from lamps to mirrors. However, how can you decorate with stained glass? Here are a few ideas.

First, you may want to consider putting stained glass in your windows. After all, the sunlight shining through a window is the reason the colors look so beautiful. If you don’t have room for a stained glass window in your budget, look for a sun catcher or a faux window that is designed to hang in front of your real window.

Of course, if you don’t have natural light, you can still enjoy the beauty of stained glass with an accent lamp. When the lamp is on, the light bulb will shine through the shade, creating a beautiful effect. Accent lamps work best as secondary lighting, since they usually require low wattage bulbs. Tuck a lamp into a dark corner to provide a bit of color and enough lighting for someone to sit and read. You can also use these lamps on sofa tables, nightstands or desks.

Chandeliers are another great way to enjoy stained glass in the home. You can place a chandelier in the traditional spot over the center of the dining room table, but why not have a little fun with your decorating? Try placing a stained glass chandelier in your hallway to give your entryway more impact, or in your sunroom to add a touch of whimsy.

Next, you may want to add a stained glass mirror to your bathroom. You can find mirrors with a traditional design around the edges, or mirrors with fun themes such as beach scenes or wild animals.

Finally, you can create your own faux stained glass on any glass or mirrored surface. You can really dress up your glass-fronted cabinets, the panes of glass in your front door, or the top of your glass coffee table with stained glass paint. Simply trace the pattern you want with black piping and then fill in with these colorful, see-through paints.

Have fun experimenting with the colorful world of stained glass!


Written by Gray Rollins 
Printed October, 2006