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 Mediterranean 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 art form. 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
Glass Home Moment Places Stained