My Custom Stained Glass Design Process, Step by Step

Quick answer: My custom stained glass design process has six steps: a first conversation, understanding the space, sketching the design together, choosing the glass, building the piece in my studio and installation. I'm Steve Downing, owner of The Glass Master in Thornton, CO, and I work with homeowners across the Denver metro. Call me at (303) 457-1886 to start.

Why My Custom Stained Glass Design Process Starts With You

When I left my career as an executive chef and founded The Glass Master in 1989, I brought one lesson from the kitchen: the best results come from listening to the people you're creating for. A beautiful dish the host didn't want isn't a success, and the same goes for glass.

The client is an integral part of the design. You know your home and how you live in it. I know glass, light and structure. Working with a stained glass artist should bring those together.

Step 1: The First Conversation

You call or send a message about what you're thinking: a door conversion, a bathroom window, sidelights, cabinet inserts or something different. You don't need a finished idea. Photos of the space and rough measurements help.

Step 2: Understanding the Space

Which way does the opening face? How much privacy do you need? What's the style of the house, and what colors are in the room? I've always been interested in architecture and natural light, and these answers shape the design more than anything.

Step 3: Sketching the Custom Stained Glass Design Together

I put ideas on paper and we adjust until it's right. I tell almost everyone two things: glass often looks smaller once installed, so consider going a bit larger, and think about the small details, like an initial or a favorite flower, that make a piece personal.

Step 4: Choosing the Glass

I select and blend colored and textured glass for each piece. Glass quality is one of the biggest differences between a window you love for decades and one that disappoints.

Step 5: Building the Piece

I build it in my studio just north of Denver, combining copper foil for fine lines with leaded glass for strength, so a window can look almost painted. Every stained glass commission is custom; nothing comes off a shelf.

Step 6: Installation

For door conversions, an insert typically goes in in just over an hour. For other pieces, we talk through what your opening needs.

Plenty of clients have come back to me for another piece, and I think this transparent process is a big reason why. It's the same process I use for every custom stained glass project in Denver and the north metro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a design idea before contacting you?

No. Many projects start with a feeling or a few photos, and we build the design together.

Can I make changes to the design?

Yes. Adjusting the sketch until it feels right is part of the process.

What should I send to get started?

Photos of the space, rough measurements and any inspiration images you have.

Start Your Design

About The Glass Master: The Glass Master is a custom stained glass studio owned by Steve Downing in Thornton, Colorado, serving Denver and the north metro, including Westminster, Northglenn, Broomfield, Arvada and Brighton. Phone: (303) 457-1886.

Call me at (303) 457-1886, 7am to 5pm daily, or send a message. Read more about me and see finished work in the stained glass gallery.