I visited Ashdown Stained Glass Specialists on Cowbridge Rpad East about a couple of months ago in the hope that they supplied antique stained glass window panels. During a recent trip to Holland I noticed how many houses have panels hanging from chains within their huge bay windows, and I've decided that I'd quite like to create the same effect. As Ashdown Stained Glass Specialists repair and restore stained glass windows I figured that I'd be in with a good chance of striking it lucky. But it wasn't to be. They don't remarket antique glass, but they do accept commissions and can make new designs look like Victorian originals if that was what I wanted. There are additional benefits too; they are made to measure, and the materials used will be in pristine condition and so will last a lot longer and will require less maintenance. So although a commissioned piece of stained glass window commands a hefty sum of money, I could end up saving myself cash over time, as well as the hassle.
It's tricky. They gave me so much advice that I'm not sure which direction to turn in. They were even good enough to put me onto several places where I could find original panels, potentially doing themselves out of business.
It's a little ironic, Ashdown Stained Glass Specialists have been in business for well over a century, and so would have made some of the windows I'm likely to find at architectural salvage yards. But, being a progressive company they have moved with the times. Some of their modern designs are breath-taking, especially as they can create design integrity throughout a property, using reinforced glass to be used for partitioning and on stairwells instead of a balustrade. read more