STAINED GLASS MAKES COMEBACK IN HOMES

Though common in many churches and public buildings, stained glass virtually disappeared from homes for many years. But now, it is making a comeback, with many new homes including some kind of stained glass decoration.

"Years ago, around the turn of the century, there was a lot of it, but it kind of died out," said Thomas Holshouser, a local architect. "But traditional designs are really strong nowadays. You see so many homes with a busy roof, a lot of gables and interesting details; we see opportunities there for a lot of accent."

Holshouser says stained glass "provides a little character and charm" for people that distinguishes their home from others.

Ann Brookman of Edgewater Glass Co., which has two full-time employees working on stained glass, believes people building new homes see it as a way to have a design that is personalized and unique.

"I would say 75 percent of houses being built now have some of it in it," said Brookman. "Around 1976-77 it really came back in a big way. It evened off in the '80s, but I would say the last two to three years people are becoming more interested in it."

Stained glass is being used over doorways, in some windows, in bathrooms, and as decoration of furniture like china cabinets and gun cabinets.

Actually, the term "stained glass" is not the right terminology for what is produced today, say Holshouser and Brookman. "Art glass" is a more appropriate term.

Holshouser explained that art work was done on each individual piece of glass and put together in small pieces. Years ago, manufacturers were not able to make large pieces of glass, so they were held together in a frame to form the design.

Now, the designs are made on large pieces of insulated glass, and leaded panels are placed around the glass to give the appearance that the glass is in small pieces, as in the old days.

"The designs gives the appearance of small pieces, but really they are large pieces of insulated glass," said Holshouser.

Brookman added, "It is an art form with art-leaded panels. When you buy a piece of that, you buy a piece of actual art. It can be hung in a window, from a skylight, in furniture or in cabinet doors."

Some customers have an idea of what they want when they contact her, while others just want a nice piece of artwork, says Brookman.

"All the work I do in my studios is sold before we start on it. It is made to the customer's specifications. The customers say they need a certain size filled, and want this color or this design," said Brookman.

"We take it from the concept form; we do the artwork, show sketches, and then we put it all together to fit the opening."

Holshouser points out that the new terminal building at the Cape Girardeau airport has a form of art glass on the windows between the terminal lobby and restaurant. A design providing a sky view of the terminal and some different types of airplanes was sandblasted into the glass. "It is a form of art glass; just a matter of using clear class and providing the design with a different texture surface," he observed.

One of the drawbacks to art glass, Holshouser says, is its cost. That limits the amount of it that is used in homes. But he feels it is popular as a way of providing a special touch. The cost depends on the extent of the detail.

Brookman points out that art glass is not all that expensive if considered as a piece of art.

Said Brookman: "As a piece of artwork it's not that expensive. But if you want to compare it to wallpaper and paint, it is expensive. It adds value to a room, a house or furniture, whatever you use it in ... it holds its value for years."

The art glass is framed up and -- when put in a window -- is behind a protective window. In fact, the art glass can be removed and taken to a new home or passed on as an heirloom.

Brookman believes that art glass will continue to be popular in the context of artwork. "This is not a fad that will go away," she said. "People invest a good amount of money in these things. Any kind of design can be attained with stain glass ... it is not a fad item.

"The thing we tell our customers when they come in is that this is one of the few items in the house where you can have all the input. It can be as personalized as you want it. We can take about anything and put it in art-glass form."