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.

Art Deco Lamp Shade

A few weeks ago a person who is renovating their 1908 architect designed house brought a lampshade to me.  The architect's daughters kept his last redecoration in the 1920's with minimal change.  This included the electrical wiring as well as the plumbing.  It has been a big project for the current owner.  He has now gotten all the fundamentals done and is able to move toward the finishing touches.  

This hanging lamp had only one side piece and the bottom left intact.  This was enough to provide a pattern for cutting the glass and give a guide for the painting.  The frame for the lamp is made from aluminium painted to appear as a corroded bronze.  Although they loved their aluminium and the crisp designs, the people of the time still wanted the items to look aged.  

In some ways this is an elegant design as the supporting arms are bolted to the base ring - the elements that appear to be feet in these photos are the base of the bolts.  The glass is then laid into the supporting ring and between the arms.  You can just see the supporting lugs at the base of the glass in the second picture. This loose fitting may also be why there were only two pieces of glass left before rescue.

The glass texture was chosen to be similar to the original in conjunction with the client.  It was then painted with an obscuring white, followed by many layers of a Reusche amber enamel to obtain the slightly orange appearance of the original.  It was an interesting project to do, as all the base and supports are not exactly symmetrical.  Each piece of glass fits one place and the base also fits only one way around.  This took a bit of adjustment as the unequal-ness was a surprise to me.  I am satisfied with the result and the client is pleased too.

Art Deco Windows

I was called out to a house built in the early 1920's to estimate the refurbishment costs.

Downstairs Lounge

The downstairs lounge and throughout the front of the house the windows show elements of late arts nouveau stained glass made for the housing development market.

Fortunately for the new owners, the glass is in generally good condition. Three windows have breaks that need repairing and two hopper type windows need to have the bowing corrected and glazing bars installed. Most of the windows need to have the tie wires re-attached.

The unusual feature of the windows is one at the back of the house in a dark corner. It is much more in keeping with the artistic developments of the period.

Due to the extension to the house being planned at this point, this window needs to be removed and stored until the extension is complete and can be re-installed in its new location.