As creators of architectural and decorative glass, Rolfe Designs has been filling the specific needs of industry and business for over 15 years.  Our specialty field is glass decorating; including etching, glue chipping, gold leafing and painting.

We began as a design firm subcontracting to a local lighting manufacturer that recreated historical lighting fixtures. We copied the complex and beautiful patterning found on globes originally made for the gas lamps used in the Victorian era. It was a time when each fixture was unique and each part produced individually by hand. Sometimes we had only a few shards to work from in recreating the globes. We produced a resist masking to replicate the design on hand blown globes, and custom formed panels so that a relief effect could be achieved when we sandblasted the glass. Originally, hydrofluoric acid and wax resists were used to achieve many varied effects, however, using these acids is an extremely dangerous practice even in a properly controlled environment. Commercial use has virtually been replaced with sandblast etching, the preferred modern technique used to achieve similar results.  Our skills and interests have grown significantly since we first started working for the lighting firm.  We enjoy being challenged with new projects as new effects were required and have added gold leafing, mirroring, glue chipping, and painting to our list of skills in meeting varied needs.

We believe it is in the technical details and commitment to quality that sets us apart from others in this limited field.  We can provide the patterning off your model, or use your camera ready or vector based art (.dxf,.ai,.cdr,.wmf file formats are preferred). We also have creative services available in house to match your needs, and we may be able to provide referrals to other artisans, if additional sources are required.

We are proud of our work and can boast that it is hanging in some of the most prestigious museums, state houses and fine residences throughout the United States and some international locations as well.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.  Include a photo or sketch of your proposed project, so we may reference it in our reply.