Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Newest Project

Anyone who knows me knows how crazy I am about antiques. The trouble is, one can only collect so many before running out of space or before they amount to not much more than clutter. Lately I've been trying to avoid that problem through incorporation. My latest in this strategy are two stained glass windows that were rescued out of an old house before it was demolished. They initially were in pretty tough shape. As they had originally been outside windows, putty had been used between the lead to help compensate for expansion due to temperature changes, particularly in the winter. This resulted in the lead barely holding some of the joints together once I had popped them out of their frames. They also had old paint on them from the original frames. But my father helped me carefully clean them up. We tried to resolder in some areas, but not with very much success (nothing sticks to putty and as it was underneath the lead...well, I'm sure you can see the difficulty). The final part of my project was completed by a professional. He created new boxes and installed two brand new transoms. Although you can't quite tell from this photo, they do look very nice when the light streams through.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like stained glass windows too. I don't have any but I do like them.

Thanks for visiting my site. Hope you visit again.

Toby said...

That's great. I wish all my windows were stained glass. I watch Antiques Road Show and when staind glass come up everyone is always disappointed, not of the value, but of the lost art. Sure, people still do it, but not like back in the day.

SleekPelt said...

Hi, Carla -- your project looks great. I love when art gets recycled into art.

Carla said...

Sidar, I'll definitely visit again. The post I read yesterday had me in stitches. Thanks for stopping by.

Toby, I've actually tried my hand at stained glass and I understand why not so many do it these days. It's incredibly time consuming. It would be difficult to make a living at such an art. And I agree that a lot of the new stuff doesn't look nearly as lovely as the old.

Sleekpelt, I simply love the whole recycling idea. It would have been a real shame if those windows had ended up in some landfill.

The Fool said...

Awesome, Nomad. Recovery...antique (how old?)...family involvement in restoration...process to beauty. Terrific project. An artist too...

Admirable. Have a terrific night.

Fuser said...

Collecting antiques...once more tonight, one of my fellow toastmasters recently made a speech on de-collecting. He defined it as the exact opposite of collecting. But he was thinking about "crap" collection, and not beautiful pieces like yours. You'd probably like my 1916 chest I brought from Italy. It was my grandmother's ... still in good shape (the chest, of course...).
Good night and good luck (who liked the movie?)

Steffi said...

I like this glass windows too and it´s great project!

Carla said...

Fool, I am unsure as to the age of the windows. I would guess from around the 20's, but I may be off. And a lovely evening to you too.

Fede, Decollecting crap is high on my list of priorities at the moment. I've decided that I want to only keep things of beauty or those that are useful, okay, perhaps a few things with sentimental value as well. Purging is quite therapeutic. I would love to see your 1916 chest. I do hope you post pictures. I am sure it is lovely.

Steffi, It was a fun project and I am more than pleased with the final result.

Rowena said...

I love your newest project! That's just great how you've managed to rescue something and turned it into a thing to admire. Give us more!!

Portrait of Peter said...

I am so pleased you were able to rescue the 2 stained glass windows - from certain destruction.

Both you and your father can now see the benefits of their beauty - especially with sunlight entering.

I too luv both antique centres, and indeed anything that catches my eye - is certainly coming home with me - where to place - is another thing!!

A wonderful post and so beautiful photo of your rescued stained glass windows.

Dan said...

You are to be commended. If it wasn't for folks like you, everything would go to pot.

Good for you!

Carla said...

Rowena, I certainly will fill you in on other projects I am working on. There is a certain satisfaction in these sorts of projects.

Peter, I am always sad when I see wonderful old homes with lots of character being taken down, especially if a monster home is going up in its place. At least there is a chance to recapture some of the beauty of these old homes in other ways.

Dan, I do my best...I do my best.

Muse1 said...

I love the site especially Tuscany.I hope to make it there later in the Summer with my family. Stain glass makes a room more interesting.

Martin

Anonymous said...

A great project, Carla. The windows look great too. Real character.

I think this aesthetic/artistic element is a fascining and integral part of the recycling process, in addition to the obvious environmental benefits.

jillie said...

I would LOVE to have those in all of my windows but that'll never happen unless I win the lottery and so I will live with my plain ones.

I collect antique glass and bottles. I have about 50 of them on the top of my cupboards in my kitchen and have the lights behind them.

I wish I had a house just to display my stuff...my own little museum ;o)

Cheryl said...

Gorgeous, Carla. Have you actually installed it into a wall, or is it just leaning against it (I can't tell from the photo). I would love to do this in our new house - better get searching!

Carla said...

Martin, thanks for dropping by. I hope you return. Tuscany is a wonderful experience. I am sure you will love it. If you have a chance, check out Pienza...it was one of my favorite spots in Tuscany and not far from there is a little village known for their fabulous Brunello wine.

Winters, I've probably already said it, but this was a fun project.

Jillie, I too have some antique bottles, but it sounds like you have quite a collection. Post a pic for me if you get a chance. I love amethyst glass.

Hi Cheryl, Yes, they are actually installed. I have a photo from the other side with the light coming through. I will email it to you. If you would like to know some good places to check in Vancouver (antique wise, that is), let me know. Also, Ebay has been a great place for finding old light fixtures. I've found some real treasures. I'll post those sometime soon so you can see.

B said...

I am a little weird about antiques but I love stained glass windows and yours look beautiful.

Regine said...

hi, and thanks for leaving a comment on my blog!
i do like the window on the picture!

enjoy your weekend Carla:)

Carla said...

B, there are some antiques that don't do it for me either. I'm pretty selective.

Regine, I wish you a lovely weekend as well. Visit again.

BurdockBoy said...

I love the stained glass.

I inherited a ton of antiques from my Grandfather, but I let my brother have most of them-I move too much. I did hang on to the old German steins and coffee grinders. Of course I still use that stuff even if they are antiques.

Wishing you a happy Friday.

Carla said...

Burdockboy, I still use many of my antiques as well. Enjoy your weekend.

Jessica said...

Ooh...I am so jealous. I love antiques as well. My house is full of them.

Anonymous said...

I love the colors! I bet it is beautiful when the sun shines through!
Ciao~

Carla said...

Jessica, you must invite me over sometime so I can have a look.

Sandi, they really do look lovely. It really was just chance that the colours ended up matching my paint so well.