Glamorous Glass: 5 Homes with Stained-Glass Windows

From a modern residence in San Francisco to a getaway on the banks of the Rio Grande, these homes feature stained-glass elements that transform light into vivid, glowing color, creating accents that are both visually striking and vibrant.

Modern Mediterranean

San Francisco, California | Greg Fulford, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

An elegant foyer with tile-accented staircase and a luminous stained-glass window introduces this Mediterranean-inspired residence on one of the most sought-after blocks of Sea Cliff. Nearly every room—from a great room with soaring ceilings and oversized windows to an office and the home’s four restful bedrooms—revels in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach, the Marin coastline, and the majestic ocean. The lower-level family room opens to an enviable terrace and backyard with manicured gardens.

Tarzana Hacienda

Tarzana, California | John Galich, Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage

Conjuring the glamor of Hollywood’s Golden Age, this Spanish-inspired 1934 compound features towering palms, rolling lawns, fountains, two swimming pools, a spa, and a sports court surrounding a magnificent five-bedroom hacienda and a guesthouse. A plethora of period details—from vintage tilework and rugged ceiling beams to windows with whimsical stained-glass accents—contribute to a sense of Southern California refinement. The grounds are a veritable private resort, offering an outdoor kitchen and dining area, loggias with fireplaces, and a whimsical tree house with a zipline.

Indoor-Outdoor Luxury in Houston

Houston, Texas | Hedley Karpas, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty 

This luxuriously remodeled 6,146-square-foot home in Houston allows for exceptional indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. Formal living and dining areas, a generous family room, a den, and a gourmet kitchen with an island and a breakfast room all give way to a lovely swimming pool and patio offering a wet bar and a full bath with a dry sauna and a steamshower. The distinctive owner’s sanctuary includes a sitting area and spa-like bath with dazzling accents, among them vibrant stained-glass windows.

Rio Grande Getaway

Embudo, New Mexico | Victoria Markley, Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe – 318 Grant Avenue Brokerage

On the banks of the Rio Grande, this former miner’s home and log cabin is now a magnificent 2.58-acre estate that combines modern comforts with historic style. A restoration overseen by architect Greg Allegretti and the current owner—an art dealer—created a unique home with rugged stone fireplaces, warmly hued woodwork, colorful stained-glass windows, patios beneath the trees and near the river, a private beach, two wells, surface irrigation rights, and fruit trees.

Iconic California Bungalow

Monterey, California | Eric Stauffer & Stacy Stauffer, Sotheby’s International Realty – Pacific Grove Brokerage

This captivating bungalow in the historic Old Monterey neighborhood epitomizes iconic Craftsman style. Its 2,800-square-foot floor plan features three bedrooms, an office, a kitchen with a breakfast room, living and dining rooms, and a spacious family room, all replete with warmly hued and eye-catchingly detailed wood as well as striking leaded- and stained-glass windows, cabinets, and doors. Minutes from downtown and the wharf, the gated property enjoys a deck, gardens, fruit trees, and a spa.

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