My Tiffany Lamp

You’ve heard about “Tiffany lamps” for many years, but what exactly makes these lamps so special?

At the most basic level, a Tiffany lamp contains stain glass panels rather than a fabric shade. They are, of course, marked by the highest quality materials and craftsmanship.

Tiffany began making and distributing these lamps in 1895. The production of Tiffany lamps is currently viewed as a major contribution to the Art Nouveau movement.

And what is “Art Nouveau?” This was an artistic movement in response to the more rigid academic movement that preceded it. Nouveau art is marked by flowing lines, dramatic curves, and floral patterns.

And this is exactly what distinguishes a Tiffany lamp. They are often adorned with stain glass panels showing various flowers such as roses, wisteria, lotus, and others. The dragonfly Tiffany style lamps are also very common.

Today, authentic Tiffany lamps are almost impossible to find. They are mostly housed in museums, and the ones for public sale have fetched upwards of $8 million.

The decision to install stain glass windows can truly add an element of beauty and elegance to any home. But now that you’ve committed to the decision, what kind of pattern should you choose?

The following are some of the major categories from which to choose:

-Flowers: By far, the most popular category, flowers lend themselves very well to use in stain glass windows. They are bright, vibrant, and contain interesting shapes. Accents of water, grass, or sky can also be nice among the flower pattern.

-Nature: Much like the “flower” category, nature patterns are another great option for stain glass. The colors scheme and pattern options are eclectic and practically limitless.

-People: A less commonly used pattern, people can nonetheless be an interesting stain glass choice. This option, however, is typically more tailored to the room. While a flower or nature scene is fairly universal, a scene including people is more specific. Try a jazz musician pattern for a music room or a famous art print for an artist studio.

-Animals: If you are an avid animal lover, perhaps you’d like to acknowledge that through your stain glass choice. It’s not for everyone, but a well-placed Siamese window could be elegantly done.

-Abstract: Another extremely popular option, abstract patterns can be just about any assortment of color and pattern. One big advantage to the abstract patterns is the ability to easily match colors to an already existing room décor.

Also, if you already have a pattern in mind, and you just can’t find it anywhere, don’t forget to ask if a custom design is possible.