Monday, July 11, 2016

Stained Glass


I love watching stained glass windows at least in the churches and official buildings. Therefore when I learned about 'House of the Owls' near Rome I was wanting to see this famous house with beautiful stained glass collection.
It's situated in Villa Torlonia, to the north-east of Rome center. The villa formerly belonging to the Torlonia family was the residence of Prince Giovanni Torlonia until his death in 1938.



Later the outside of the house was faced with blocks of tuft, while the inside began to convert into a residence with huge windows, loggias, porticos, turrets, decorated with stained glass and majolica. When I was looking at the house inside I was surprised by large stained glass windows on every floor with no two alike.


These were stained glasses of flowers, waterlilies, roses, irises, butterflies, swans, swallows, peacocks, flying autumn leaves, vernal buds, vines, etc.
The guide book said that twenty rooms include 54 pieces of stained glass in their original positions, 18 pieces of stained glass acquired and displayed on separate frames.


 
 
Among many decorative elements on two levels that were particularly highly decorated stucco work, mosaics, poly-chrome majolica, inlaid wood, wrought iron, the stained glass was the distinctive feature of the house. It was produced in the workshops of Cesare Picchiarini and installed between 1908 and 1930. This one of the black swans and autumn red leaves I liked very much.


 
'House of the Owls' originally built in 1840 was designed as a Swiss holiday home on the opposite side of the park where the members of the resident Torlonia family could hide away and relax over the course of an evening with friends. The building began to be known as the 'House of the Owls' probably because the motif of the owl is used widely in the decorations, furnishings and above the entrance.


The Villa was bought by the Municipality of Rome in 1977 and a year later it was opened to the public, but with many of the buildings in a run-down state. Restoration was initiated in the 1990s. The current appearance of the 'House of the Owls' is the result of long, patient and meticulous restoration work for one of the most unusual and interesting buildings of the early years of the last century.

What do you think: can stained glass be utilized at home or only in official buildings? In what rooms can be set stained glass windows - in the bedroom, in the living room or on the terrace?

Here is my video about Villa Torlonia:

 

40 comments:

  1. I've seen stained glass used in front doors of homes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is so very beautiful, I scrolled up and down but could not choose a favorite. I never heard of this ´House of Owls´ so made a note of it. May be when we visit Rome once more we can go there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've accidentally found the villa Torlonia in Rome. The interiors of 'House of Owls' were amazing, I didn't expect this.

      Delete
  3. I loved stained glass...saw if often in churches while growing up in rural Kentucky.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stunning glass work. Thank you for sharing. I took one stained glass class and have always wanted to take another. I love stained glass above a door, on a landing, or as a small focal point in a room. I probably would have needed another camera battery - beautiful. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're lucky Judy to have stained glass above your door, it seems very interesting to watch the outing through that door.

      Delete
  5. Nadezda, thank you for the gorgeous post! I too hadn't heard before of this place. Art deco (?) is not my favourite style, but these stained-glass and majolica works are truly wonderful.
    I too love churches with stained glass windows...
    In our previous home (in Italy), we had stained glass (very simple square patterns) in our front doors, and in the future, when finally renovating the current home, I hope to have something similar in doors and some windows as well. :)
    Have a lovely new week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sara, I think in our climate with clouds and long winters the stained glass in doors and windows will help to wait for summer colorful days.

      Delete
  6. Thanks for showing this beautiful house. I want to visit it too. I will look for the adres on internet . I am not a great fan of stained glass, but this! Super

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome Hetty! The villa Torlonia where the 'House of Owls' is situated not far from Rome center, admission tickets near an entrance.

      Delete
  7. I love stained glass windows and over here in Britain it is used a lot, both in big public buildings and in private homes. I wish I could afford to have one made for my front door, that’s what most people have here in their homes. Your photos show a real mix of traditional and contemporary glass windows, I am not sure which ones I like the most, they are all so beautiful – I think I liked the ones with the peacocks best, would love to have such a window in my house. I also liked the waterlily tiles, really beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Helene, waterlily tiles are beautiful, I agree. I'd like to have the similar ones in my bathroom:) but I think they're expensive :(. In peacocks glass I liked bright blue-green colors that look very vernal.

      Delete
  8. A very interesting house! I love stained glass in churches, municipal buildings, and in homes and enjoy making stained glass windows myself. Thank you for sharing this lovely and unique house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that you make some things of stained glass, Peter and therefore I was waiting for your opinion. Thank you!

      Delete
  9. Hello, I love all the gorgeous stained glass and the house is just beautiful. I like the neat design. Have a happy day and week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Eileen, glad you liked my pictures.

      Delete
  10. Hello Nadezda girl !
    Yes ! send me lots of rain because we can surely use it ! My rain barrel is near to empty .. BIG sigh !
    I love this amazing House of Owls .. it is gorgeous with all of the stained glass .. I am a fan of it and love rich colours that bath a room in warmth from those beautiful designs ... it must be magical to see the light cast through them.
    This was a wonderful post !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really magical to see a room in colored lights, Joy. I'd love to have a stained glass window as well.
      Our rain has gone to your place. Forecast promises dry days here, so wait for thundery rain in your garden!

      Delete
  11. Thank you for sharing these beautiful stained glass windows and the story of the house. I really like photos 4 and 5 with such rich colours and trailing vines.
    If I could choose one for my home, I would like a small panel in the front door.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vines on window glass always remind summery days, good choice Betty.

      Delete
  12. Very lovely windows! Thank You for sharing!
    Long time ago we had here possibility to try a little tiffany-technique (with tin edges) by ourselves. It was really interesting all this cutting, matching, heating a.s.o. Finally we got some little nice souvenirs and we hang them up near windows (like Christmas decorations) to catch and share sun. I can't find photo of mine and as I gave it to mother, I cant take new photo too right now. But try to do it some day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting experience, I'd love to try do it by myself too. Thank you!

      Delete
  13. I love stained glass there's something magical about how the light enters it and the reflections it creates. The whole house looks an interesting design. Great photos! Shows lots of detail, I like the water lily tiles too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad Nezumi you liked these stained glass that is really very interesting.

      Delete
  14. Beautiful! In the front is good. Greetings! :))

    xxBasia

    ReplyDelete
  15. I also love stained glasses and thank you for this post. What an amazing house and stained glasses. I especially liked the one with white flowers (seem like lotus or some kind of such flowers). Gorgeous. And you took lovely pictures. Are you in Rome now? Have lots of fun but stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been there in May, KL. I'm glad you liked white lotus , I also love this stained glass.

      Delete
  16. Es preciosa, aquí en España también hay muchas vidrieras en Catedral de León, entre otras. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Que maravilla. Me encantan Nadezda. Esas ventanas están preciosas. Además cuando entra la luz es de colores. Es un gran arte
    Precioso post amiga!!!
    Buen fin de semana.
    Besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Es verdad, Laura, cuando entra la luz toda habitacion se ve en distintos colores. Gracias!

      Delete
  18. I really like to watch the stained glass windows in churches! Thank you for sharing this beautiful and unique house !
    Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by Nadezda's Northern Garden blog!
I'm glad to read your friendly comments very much.
Feel free to comment on the posts or photos
I warmly welcome the new followers on my blog.