CJL Philosophy

CJL designs are a specialist company dedicated to unique buildings and the solving of individual problems. Our clients receive a personal service which will encompass many of window related problems and so we can simply offer restoration glass or lead light windows or solve the rust or water ingress which is causing difficulties to frames.

We have kilns and facilities for painted stained glass and sandblasting for heraldic work or contemporary work and work along side oak and metal specialists for frames, doors etc. The stainless steel frames which are produced in our own workshop are for special restoration work and latterly free standing glass pieces for gardens. Screens for sun/garden rooms fall within this remit.

We come from engineering and design backgrounds to offer traditional practical solutions for existing work or with a contemporary twist for modern buildings, and are very willing to work through your individual needs to find the most appropriate answer.

The privileged afforded by working on interesting and historical buildings is repaid by ensuring that restored glass is returned in a state able to withstand another long period of historical activity and the next generation of craftsmen will find themselves speculating and musing on who we were as we do those before us.

Garden Glass Philosophy

Garden Glass has come from a traditional stained glass base and we have learned through the restoration of historical glass. So much applies that we have taken the skills from the traditional side and developed them for today's use. There is too much mediocrity currently in both the use of materials and design and we aim to show that an individual piece of art is an obtainable norm and not the exception.

By taking on relevant modern materials but retaining that which is important in manufacture we have out-door glass for contemporary lifestyles as well as a design service for garden rooms and modern open plan houses .Modern fixings and materials ensure clean uncluttered lines with low maintenance and striking visual impact or subtle blending of ancient and modern.

Sunlight is a constant in most people's gardens and by selecting the right spot and choosing the correct glass anywhere can be enhanced .We favour a hand made Polish glass which we think offers value for money while affording a wonderful range of colours and most importantly has "life" which is rarely found in many modern manufactured types.

Unlike water which is usually artificial and has to be encouraged with electricity and leak proof plastics a piece of glass will perform without intervention. If your garden has a directional light source or you sit out of an evening then with careful placing these resources can be used to maximum effect. Placing a piece to be viewed from a window is the most common request ensuring year round pleasure.

One very common request is for toilet and bathroom windows. There is so much dull obscure glass in our houses; however a coloured and painted window affords privacy while giving colours and light and even some view by carefully selecting where to place less obscure glass.

A room flooded with colours is a joy and a small toilet window is good place to start for people who are not sure how to commission individual pieces of art. A lot of our clients are commissioning for the first time and we will help you through the process with advice and initially a series of sketches to give direction to the commission when we know in what direction the ideas are to develop then a final sketch to ensure we are all in agreement and manufacture can begin .

If there are builders or other professionals involved we will work with them to ensure times and schedules coincide. All our pieces are made to order and a manufacturing time will occur, you will be consulted as to the progress of your piece .Fitting the piece is undertaken by us if you require.The sculptures have bases and instructions for the DIY enthusiast.