One hundred years ago, The British Empire's vast resources allowed England to produce some of the most beautiful stained glass ever made. As a result, many homes in Britain were fitted with exquisite stained glass windows.

Unfortunately, since the reign of King Edward and Queen Victoria, many of the traditional techniques have since disappeared - the distinctive colours and textures of this magical era will never be repeated.

Today, there is renewed interest in antique stained glass, as homeowners look at new ways to bring a sense of nostalgia and character to the surroundings.

The good news for the avid "home-improver" is that people in the UK are continuing to have these antique windows removed in favour of modern double-glazing. With the popularity of the Internet, it is now easier than ever to acquire these works of art outside the UK at a reasonable price.

Even though people admire stained glass, many do not yet fully appreciate all the ways it can be used to accent the environment. Before we discuss some of those, it helps when you begin to think about the ATMOSPHERE you most want to create and how stained glass could help you achieve that.

Is there a particular look or feel you want to reproduce? Do you want to create a very peaceful atmosphere? You may want softer colours and a flowing design. For a working atmosphere on the other hand, you may prefer something more striking with brighter colour. What would suite your environment best?

With that in mind, here are three ways you can use stained glass in your home or office:

1. Hang the stained glass in your window as a "sun-catcher".
    
   By far the easiest and most popular method of using stained glass is simply to hang it in front of the existing window frame! This is a great method because you don't need to worry so much about sizes or fitting. All you do is pick out a window that will work well with your environment and make sure it will fit nicely in front of the window.
    
   Simple.
    
   
2. Single glazed stained glass window.
    
   Another option is to fit the stained glass window as a single glaze. Before you talk to a window fitter, you should have the exact sizes of the stained glass. If you need to find a joiner, it's best to find one by word of mouth. Ask your friends and neighbours if need be.
    
   
3. Internal secondary glaze.
    
   All you do is put the stained glass into the rebate and pin it around the edges. Now your stained glass is a perfect fit in front of your existing glass.
    
   Hopefully these ideas will begin to spark your imagination. There are a number of other ways stained glass can be used, but that should be enough to get you thinking. The important thing is to keep your eyes open if you want something special.

IS *YOUR* HOME UNIQUE?
These antique stained glass windows add tremendous character to any home or working environment. See for yourself. Add a touch of wonder to your home or office today.

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