Decorative Arts

Traditional ecclesiastical architecture calls out for decorative painting and stained glass, elements that are aesthetically and spiritually uplifting when paired with religious iconography.

Although the creation of these key elements is a lost art, there are a number of well-established studios, including the ones profiled below, that specialize in the old-world techniques that make them pleasingly unique.

In the 137 years that Conrad Schmitt Studios has been in business, it has completed over 8,000 projects that encompass everything from creating, restoring, and conserving artwork for public and private buildings to fabricating and conserving stained-glass windows by the likes of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The decorative artists in the Wisconsin-based studio specialize in gilding, glazing, graining, marbleizing, stenciling, ornamental plastering, and trompe l’oeil techniques executed in a variety of styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Neo-classical, Mid-Century, Modern, and Contemporary.

The studio, which was founded in 1889, has been owned and operated by the same family since 1951. It has an extensive archive of historic interior renderings, some of which date to the 19th century.

It is these one-of-a-kind, historical artworks that provide inspiration for artists and designers, says Vice President Heidi Emery, who adds that they also “serve as a visual history of the company’s earliest designs.”

She notes that Conrad Schmitt Studios’ “expertise in both fabrication and restoration allows us to be a comprehensive resource for a client’s needs, creating the best projects in terms of function, longevity, and aesthetics.”

The company, which completed a record 207 projects in 30 states in 2024, recently expanded, adding a new building that allows space for the production and conservation of larger-scale murals.

The work Conrad Schmitt Studios does, Emery says, is as exciting as it is important.

“The transformation of sacred spaces and revival of historic structures allow our studio to share the stories of every community while upholding a tradition of excellence in artistry and craftsmanship,” she says.

Established nearly a half-century ago when America’s preservation movement was in its infancy, John Canning & Co. Ltd. Has grown into a nationally recognized leader in the architectural arts, collaborating with owners, architects, and contractors to preserve and restore landmark buildings around the country.

Canning’s work, which encompasses restoring and conserving decorative finishes, designing traditional-style custom murals and artwork decoration, and complete period-style interior designs, includes faux finishes, trompe l’oeil, gilding, marbelizing, wood graining and stenciling.

“Our extensive experience and distinguished reputation are built on a foundation of unmatched expertise, professionalism, and fine workmanship,” says David Riccio, president and managing principal of the Connecticut-based company. “Our planning and research that we put into each project is unparalleled in the industry.”

Riccio, who started as an apprentice training under founder John Canning, says that “my deep-seated passion for preserving history and culture drives my commitment to grow the company and ensure our work has a lasting impact.”

He adds that it’s “extremely gratifying to contribute to the preservation of historic buildings through our expertise in architectural restoration.”

With nearly 200 multi-disciplinary restoration, conservation, and design experts, EverGreene Architectural Arts, which has been in business nearly half a century, is the largest specialty contractor for the preservation of art and architecture in North America.

“Our team excels in reviving interior spaces by preserving historic ornamentation and finishes as well as creating custom designs that complement and enhance the architecture,” says Emily Valentine Sottile, director of the company’s Sacred Space Studio. “We design and create new artistry, conserve historic artwork, restore paint and plaster all in house and also collaborate with a select group of industry partners on the fabrication and implementation of stained glass, mosaic, millwork, and stone designs.” 

EverGreene’s decorative painting work encompasses historic finishes investigations, restoration of decorative finishes, reinstatement of lost artwork, creation of historic and contemporary designs, gilding, specialized decorative finishes, including stenciling, sgraffito, faux finishes and hand-painted murals, and custom-finish matching and period-appropriate techniques.

Its Sacred Spaces Studio collaborates with congregations, architects, and liturgical consultants to develop custom decorative schemes and compositions.

“Whether we’re restoring a 19th-century cathedral or designing for a newly built chapel, our approach supports the architecture and liturgy,” says Sottile. 

The company does everything under one roof, and Sottile says, “we thrive on the kinds of projects that others find daunting–whether it’s a complex restoration in an active public space, a tight schedule, or a sensitive conservation treatment. Above all, we love helping our clients restore and beautify architecture and art so that they can continue to inspire for generations to come.”

One of the oldest U.S. stained-glass studios still under original family ownership, Lynchburg Stained Glass specializes in all aspects of stained-glass craft in all styles from traditional to contemporary.

The Virginia-based company, which was established in 1983, also restores antique and historic stained-glass windows, replicating traditional glass-painting techniques to restore and match damaged originals.

“Our designers have a broad range of design abilities spanning all styles,” says studio owner Mark Speake, whose brother, Jeff, also works in the company their father founded. “Our glass painters specialize in hand-painting styles used long ago, enabling them to duplicate antique stained-glass pieces for window restoration projects.”

The company, which is a full accredited studio member of The Stained Glass Association of America, operates out of a 10,500-square-foot design and fabrication studio that employs 23.

It also custom fabricates new shop-welded window frames designed for stained-glass windows and protective exterior storm coverings. 

“What we do is part of something sacred,” Speake says. “These windows aren’t just art; they are living testimonies of faith, hope, and beauty that shine through the generations. When we preserve/restore them, I feel like we are helping to keep their message alive so that others may be inspired and led closer to Christ through the light and beauty they share.”

For nearly five decades, McMow Art Glass has been working with private collectors, award-winning designers, leading architects, and owners of luxury homes to create custom architectural and decorative glass art.

Each member of the team of the Florida-based company, which includes 11 artists, is cross-trained in design, cutting, fabrication, finishing, and installation and has a personal specialty such as figurative art, glass painting, firing, fusing, or hand beveling.

“This ensures that every project–whether residential, commercial or religious–meets the highest standards of craftsmanship,” says President Shanon Materio, who founded the company in 1977 with her husband, Phil.

Through the years, the company, which includes their daughter, Taylor, as part of the leadership team, has worked on high-profile projects ranging from restoring a Tiffany Studios stained-glass panel in a church to partnering with a new theme park in Orlando to create stained glass throughout.

“Our specialty lies not in replication but in preservation,” Materio says. “McMow is highly regarded for our restoration, repair, and conservation of antique and historic stained glass. Located near several historic districts and just miles from Palm Beach, we are often called upon to conserve windows created by celebrated architects and craftsmen of the 1920s Palm Beach era.”

A specialist in custom religious and residential stained-glass designs, Rohlf’s Stained & Leaded Glass Studio has been working with architects and interior designers and collaborating with committees of all denominations since its establishment in 1920s.

The family-owned business, which is based in Mount Vernon, NY, has restored and replaced more than 45,000 stained-glass and leaded-glass windows, including the restoration of some Tiffany glass windows, at Yale University, and has worked on the outside clock at New York City’s Grand Central Station.

“Our stained-glass designers are unique because they work in a traditional and Byzantine style,” says President Gregory E. Rohlf. “We can fabricate all types of leaded- and stained-glass designs. We have also worked at mausoleums and restaurants.”

The company, which has 10 employees, was founded by the German immigrant parents of CEO Peter A. Rohlf, who has been running the studio since 1958. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Stained Glass Association of America in 2003.

One of America’s oldest and largest stained-glass studios, Willet Stained Glass Studios specializes in the design, fabrication, restoration, and installation of stained-glass windows for churches, historic landmarks, and institutions.

The Minnesota-based company, which was founded in 1898 by William and Anne Lee Willet, has completed thousands of projects in the United States and abroad using a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques.

The handcrafted, custom windows “honor the artistry and traditions of the past while embracing innovation and contemporary design to shape the future,” says Garrick Holey, vice president of production. “Each window reflects this balance, creating works that inspire for generations to come.”

The company, which employs more than 120 craftspeople, is equipped to handle small as well as complex, large-scale projects.

Holey notes that while Willet has built its reputation on the historic preservation and restoration of windows, including specialized glass-painting methods, the studio also creates contemporary designs for newer settings.

Recently, the company started working more in depth with new glass methods such as glass fusing and lamination. TB