Saturday 17 March 2012

Art Deco Period windows

A while back I was asked to do repairs on some arts deco windows for a late 1920's house that was to be redeveloped.  That redevelopment is now quite a way along and I was asked to come while the window frames were being restored to do the repairs to broken panes in the windows.



Example of repaired windows in what is to be the front bedroom

While I was there, I was requested to consider what could be done with some panels rescued from the garage.  After consultation, we agreed that they would fit well in the en suite beside the existing central window.  The two side windows previously were simply textured pieces of glass.

Re-set windows for the en suite
 The new windows were prepared with green tinted glass which I painted and fired before leading into the general pattern.  These were smaller and so needed a slightly different setting than the original.  The central horizontal line combined with the repetition of the double vertical columns integrates the windows.  However rather than pretend they are original in every respect, the tinted glass distinguishes them subtly from the clear glass used in the original, central window.


These windows make the point that artistic expressions are not uniform in any "age" such as arts deco.  Although there is an obviously arts deco window in the building, the majority of the decoration follows the pattern of the bedroom windows illustrated above.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

The Wood in a Window

I was going to look at a building that needed some bent glass the other day and passed by a house that had this remaining piece of an evening woodland representation.  Unfortunately the paired window no longer has any leaded glass to complete the image.


Monday 5 March 2012

Discoveries

Even when walking around a well known area, you can stumble upon previously hidden things.  While walking along Alexandra Parade, a former client, for whom I had made some panels for his front door, stopped me and asked if I would like to see the skylight in his stair.  Of course I would - and I had my camera with me.
Building at the corner of Alexandra Parade and the suburban railway
The building is not unusually impressive, and the entry to the flats is almost concealed between the shops. Internally, the tiles run all the way to the top - a sure sign of quality in Glasgow - where his flat is.  At the top the arts nouveau cupola is revealed.  It is at the top of the stairwell, using borrowed light from a skylight let into the roof.

Coupla, facing the skylight

One part of the central emblem

Coupla, facing the top right flat
A lovely chance meeting to get updated on each other's lives and for me to get to see a hidden piece of art work.