Having completed design proposal’s earlier this year, we are currently working on production of a new large scale bespoke commission for a private residence in the High Peaks, Derbyshire.

Our brief, first and foremost, was to create a focal point for the hallway of the imposing 1920’s residence onto which the windows cast light from their position alongside a large staircase. Our client was also keen for the new scheme to be both sympathetic to the period of the building (and the large number of existing stained glass top-lights still in place) and to have a contemporary edge. Another important factor was that light transmission should not be overly reduced. The window was originally glazed in leaded glass containing a number of generic styled crests. Produced mainly in flemish glass, there was an initial brief discussion about the possiblity of retaining/adapting this however, given our clients strong dislike for flemish (on which we very much agree), the decision was quickly reached to remove and replace the existing with a new scheme.

The central section of each panel features a stylised intertwining organic design with rowan leaves and berries. This ties the new scheme in with the existing leaded glass top-lights and allows us to create a strong flowing connection between each of the 9 seperate panels. This connection has been strengthened on the horizontal plane with the use of colour. In regards to colour, we opted to use a pallete of natural tones and hues that serve to both reflect colours found within the natural landcape of the High Peaks and to ensure good light transmission. The use of colour predominently only within the central sections of each panel was also a factor in this, allowing us to use large area’s of clear glass within the “background” grid.

As an additional focal point (and a nod to our clients love for twitching) we included a number of Gold and Bullfinches also serving to tie the three seperate windows together on the horizontal plane.

The commission is being produced exclusively in Lamberts mouth-blown cylinder glass from Germany, selected for it’s beautiful range of colour, crystal clarity and visual movement. This with the exception of the thin outer border which will be a clear English Muffle glass, this being very widely used in windows from the turn of the century onwards and so providing a further, all-be-it subltle connection to the period.

Our images show our design proposal, full size working cartoons, bird studies, a section of glass and leading up of one of the top panels.