Monday, August 11, 2014

Leaded and stained glass Church windows in our window

I love architectural salvage ...

no doubt about it.

Update: so happy to have this post featured by:  Vintage Inspiration Link Party Logo

 
Thanks ladies for a fun and interesting party and for the features.
 


 In the late 1970's/early 1980's, we moved to San Antonio, Texas. Right off , I found this guy who demolished old buildings.

He had a treasure trove of beautiful architectural pieces.
 

I thought I was in heaven when I found these three, yes three stained and leaded glass Church windows. 
They came from a Church in Houston, Texas that was built in 1903, if I remember correctly. 

They were complete with beautiful wooden frames and original hinges on each window.

We replaced rotted wood in the bottom part of one of the frames and replaced broken and missing glass. I was lucky enough to have some green stained glass from another church window to replace the parts in the wreath.
    
The student artist who did the glass work, had some old glass he could use. He said some of the glass was Tiffany-style glass and could have been made by Tiffany, but the windows were not. He was so excited to get to work on this one.
   
This is the area where the repair work was done. This middle window is not as wide as the other two and the pattern is changed just a little.
  
We made a 6' wide x 7' tall  x 9" deep room divider using 2' x 6" boards and molding. We painted it ... don't remember what color. We used this divider in our San Antonio and Michigan house.


We added florescent lights in the top of the divider and glass shelves on the back side of the windows. This gave us a view of the windows from both sides. We displayed clear glass and crystal on the shelves. The electric cord for the lights was hidden under the molding. .... this divider is now being used in our workshop to store cans of paint, etc.


  The magnificent candelabra and wreath is beautiful in the full length of the window.

No staging here ... they are mounted in our 6'x6' window behind our TV and floor lamp. We have lights mounted above them and enjoy them at night too. These pictures were taken during the day with natural sunlight behind them. 

You will notice some leading that may run at an angle across the glass or be in a place other than the normal pattern ... this is an old repair where the glass was cracked.                                                                                                                  Each window has eight thin metal bars running across them in several places for stability and protection.                                                              This is the side that would face outward.

All windows are 70" tall, The first and third one is 23½" wide and the middle one is 20" wide. We added spacers to the window to make them fit.





  
The two outside windows are hinged and can be opened for light or fresh air. They stay closed the majority of the time. The middle one is suspended from the top of the window with hooks.

Hope you enjoyed seeing one of my most treasured thrifting finds.


Thanks

Linking to:
Revisionary Life ... Thrifty Life Thursday  Thrifty Life Thursday



 A Stroll Through Life: Inspire Me Tuesd



ayA Stroll Thru Life
The Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Monday
The Dedicated House

Kathie with an E ... You are Gonna Love it Tuesday


Knick of Time Tuesday.Vintage Inspiration PartyVintage Inspiration Link Party Logo



14 comments:

  1. Those are just beautiful. I can see why they are your treasured fines! Nancy

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  2. Oh the windows are beautiful! You are so lucky to have them.

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  3. I love how you have them mounted and can see them every day! they are indeed a TIMELESS TREASURE!
    beautiful.

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  4. Wow.....I am totally at a loss for words!!!

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  5. such a wonderful treasure for your home, audrey! they add so much beauty and color and i love that you can open the two on the ends! enjoy!

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  6. Wow! Those windows are amazing. What an unbelieveable find. They are treasures for sure. Love the colours!

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  7. What gorgeous elements these add to your home...how wonderful to have found these lovelies! :)

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  8. OMG!!!!!! BE STILL MY HEART!!!!

    Audrey,

    Drop dead gorgeous!! I am so jealous!!

    They are spectacular and look beautiful in your home!!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  9. Oh my goodness, these are absolutely gorgeous! You are so lucky to have them and they're a perfect addition to your home. Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Inspiration.

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  10. Swoon.. oh my... Swoon once I am fully recovered from swooning....how gorgeous...These are to die for gorgeous!!!
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  11. Absolutely wonderful windows and I love that you incorporated them as real windows. So beautiful!

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  12. Audrey, somehow I missed this post! I LOVE your stained glass windows--how special that they are from an old church :) Blessings, Cecilia

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  13. WOW...they are beautiful! And I must say, those are the most beautiful spray paint shelves I have ever seen. :) How lovely of you to restore the stained glass beauties for future generations, Audrey. Thanks for sharing at Revisionary Life Thrifty Life Thursday Link Party.

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  14. Your window is simply beautiful! I've always been fascinated with stained glass and its aesthete. You are so lucky to have found those three. Kudos to you for doing an amazing job in restoring those pieces. Thank you so much for sharing your work. It inspired me to do some projects of my own. Wishing you all the best!

    Lynne Hollaran @ SGS

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