Class glass

Tainted beauty
‘Gilded figures of guardians holding clubs at the front door’ – no, it’s not a medieval courtroom entrance, rather a stained glass door pattern of Sethi’s villa. Just look around to notice the revival of interest in stained glass. Windows, doors, lamp shades, walls and even ceilings are today embellished with strident colours in stained glass."Sun catchers" in a myriad of designs on glass are hot these days. “What earlier used to adorn the chapels, has found it’s way to the home décor. You can lend from ancient, royal to rustic theme to your interiors with much ease via this fine art,” says Jolly, an interior designer.If you find plain or plaster of paris on ceiling outmoded? Get a geometrical pattern painted in pastel colours on tainted, yet exquisite, glass. “I have painted a life size mermaid to adorn the walls of the bathroom for one of my clients, who was not willing to use mundane tiles,” says Jolly.In the kids’ room, Noddy, Pooh, Micky and Donald paintings on the walls, and stars embossed on the ceiling, will add live to it.The art is not restricted to the four walls and ceiling; it can beautify the centre tables, dinning tables and peg tables. “My centre table with a ceramic pot-base and painted glass top in grapevine motif offered the perfect artistic look to balance the chic low height sofas and chaise lounge,” believes Radhika, a fashion designer. For furniture try sticking to the geometric patterns. Use delicate and light patterns for the windowpanes to permit natural light to bathe the house. Let geometrical designs or scenic paintings cover the full-length glass doors. “From the entrance, living room, dinning table to bathroom, we have incorporated the theme,” Radhika adds.Though traditionally, stained glass has used the leading technique - the process of interlocking and assembling pieces of glass together using lead, with easy-to-use glass paint tubes readily available, you can take pleasure in painting it yourself. Your kiddos can also show their creativity. Even interior decorators and experts of the art, can create a colourful delight for you. “We get durable colours, especially from Mumbai, to offer quality service,” reveals Jolly. As this ancient art of coloured glass has come a long way, it is here to stay.