Real Estate Blog

From New York to California, these homes feature stained-glass elements that transmit light and transform it into color, creating accents that are both visually striking and vibrant.

A Piece of San Francisco History

San Francisco, California | Robin DustanSotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

One of five elegant row houses constructed by the well-known late-19th-century builder William Hinkel, this lovingly maintained seven-bedroom Victorian home retains its original character and charm while offering modern luxuries and comforts. A reverence for classic details is apparent in coffered ceilings, hardwood floors, ornate fireplaces, bay windows, ceiling medallions, intricate millwork, and stained-glass windows in the entryway, double parlor, and formal dining room. A multilevel deck allows for outdoor relaxation, and upper-level windows enjoy a magnificent view of Alcatraz and the bay.

Stunning Spanish Colonial Style

Glendale, California | Jory BurtonSotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage 

In a historic area of Glendale, this four-bedroom Spanish Colonial Revival home dates to circa 1930. Its history and iconic style are on display in its barrel-tile roofline, hardwood and restored magnesite floors, hand-forged wrought-iron railings, beamed ceilings, and vibrant stained-glass elements. Other highlights include formal living and dining rooms, cook’s kitchen with top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances, a den, a Saltillo-tiled courtyard with a fountain, and a backyard with loggias and a built-in grilling area with a wet bar.

Impeccably Updated Brownstone

New York, New York | Roberta Golubock & Mark Thomas AmadeiSotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage

Built in 1891 by the esteemed Gilbert Schellenger, this timeless 7,200-square-foot brownstone has been impeccably updated by fashion designer Perry Ellis and artist Ward Bennett. It features chic, sophisticated living spaces, six bedrooms, and top-caliber appliances and conveniences, including a climate-controlled wine cellar. Handsome original mahogany, cherry, and oak woodwork and parquetry; Art Deco baths; Juliet balconies; floor-to-ceiling French windows; and a stained-glass skylight dramatically suspended over the central stairway pay homage to the home’s provenance. The storied address is steps from Central Park.

One-of-a-Kind New Mexico Retreat

Santa Fe, New Mexico | Gary BobolskySotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe – Main Downtown Brokerage

Known as Tierra Sagrada, this 17.2-acre retreat is located amid the dramatic beauty of the Pojoaque Valley, 20 minutes north of Santa Fe. The heart of the estate is a five-bedroom home with nods to Asian, Moroccan, and Indonesian styles and generous use of distinctive ceiling treatments, intricate woodwork, and colorful stained glass. The property also offers outdoor living areas, a two-bedroom guesthouse, a hacienda with several bedrooms and baths, a studio, a barn, an aviary, a vineyard, fields, and a large pond.

Colorful, Light-Filled Victorian

San Francisco, California | Allison Fortini CrawfordSotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

This lovely four-bedroom Victorian home combines classic character, modern luxury, and effortless livability. Among the appealing spaces are an eat-in chef’s kitchen; a wet bar; a formal dining room; a library; a roof deck with a hot tub, outdoor shower, and grilling area; and a lower-level au pair suite, gym, guest suite, or office with a sauna bath. High ceilings, a fluid floor plan, plentiful windows, and thoughtfully placed stained-glass accents contribute to a cheerful ambience of airiness and light.

Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com