Chapter 3, Stained Glass

Inside the big old house we've been visiting this week there's a big old stairway. Someone painted it once--or probably more than once.

The light likes the paint.

A close look at this glass makes me wonder if it's original to the house. Would these be 1896 colors? They look psychedelic to me.

This window is more convincing as an original, with rippled glass even in the stained parts. But it's all guesswork on my part. For all I know, the windows were all put in in 1986.

Except this. Here's the door to the sleeping porch. It's in a tiny hallway all its own, peeking north. Right now it's hard to reach because it's in a part of the house Jim hasn't gotten to yet, at least not entirely.

Jim and Cybele are a busy couple with careers, interests and a baby boy. They may or may not ever finish with all the plans they have for the place but it doesn't matter. The house will wait.

Much thanks to Jim and Cybele for this delightful visit.

Glass and Shells

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Have you ever seen a stained glass window designed with glass and shells like this one?

It's Sunday but this was not found inside a church. This window is located to the right of the doorway of Thursday's "Old House." I have walked by and admired this 1880 Queen Anne set high on sloping land near the golf course on Wollaston Hill. I've wondered what the window to the right of the doorway looked like from the inside. I got my answer the other day when the owner came outside in the cold to find out why I was photographing his house, and invited me inside.

Jack told me that he and his wife, Elinor, purchased Boston/Quincy architect, William Chapman's homestead from Chapman's daughter. Chapman's daughter told them that her father created this window and left a box of leftover glass and shells in the cellar in case repairs were needed. Jack said that he has made good use of those leftover pieces because everyone who sees this unusual window has to touch it or poke at it . . . especially the grandchildren.

I am grateful to Jack and Elinor for graciously inviting me into their home to view, photograph, and share these beautiful stained glass windows that they have lovingly maintained over the years.

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Lord of the Manor

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The identity of this stained glass portrait,located in the dining area of Thursday's "Old House" on South Central Avenue is a mystery to the owners. Tomorrow's post will include the final, one-of-a-kind stained glass window that I had the opportunity to capture in this very fine Queen Anne residence.

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A Cozy Spot

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Here's the window seat located in the bump out above the doorway of yesterday's "Old House." Perfect place and perfect day to curl up with a good book and a fleece throw. The arctic air has arrived folks . . . brrrr!

The stained glass transom below is a colorful decorative feature in this nook. I like the light play with colored glass. Come back tomorrow if you'd like to see more stained glass features from this Queen Anne gem.

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Richardson Building Interior #5

In addition to the fine architecture, the Richardson building contains two stained glass windows by noted American artist John LaFarge. This one, located to the left of the carved fireplace is "Angel at the Tomb," given in memory of Thomas Crane's son Benjamin Franklin Crane.