Art, Engineering, and Awe: Grandiflora’s Stained-Glass Windows

A beautiful stained-glass window dazzles with vibrant color in this finished piece previously created by Laura Goff Parham for Phil Lawson.

At Grandiflora, art and nature go hand in hand by design. Nowhere is that connection more visible than in the custom glasswork we’re bringing to our premier event spaces opening spring 2027.

Master artist Laura Goff Parham is handcrafting towering stained-glass windows for three distinct spaces at Grandiflora. Together, the installations bring the beauty of East Tennessee indoors through a kaleidoscope of colors and botanical motifs that look stunning day or night. This project marks Laura’s latest collaboration with our founder and president, Phil Lawson, for whom she has created numerous stained-glass pieces over the years.

“Laura takes color and detail beyond anything you could imagine on your own, yet she somehow produces the exact piece you end up loving most,” says Phil. “Her vision for Grandiflora is truly extraordinary.”

Laura is designing three sets of windows for Grandiflora. One set is designed to replace the four mid-century modern, color-blocked windows on the west side of the former church sanctuary. These soaring panels — each 4 by 13 feet—weave soft-pink magnolia blossoms, lush vines, and vivid red cardinals against a canopy of green and gold, creating a striking focal point for our guests in the Grand Hall.

Two additional sets of windows are planned for spaces in Grandiflora’s new wing: three Victorian-style windows (3 by 8 feet) in the Parlor, also visible from Magnolia Avenue, and three Tiffany-style windows (3 by 6 feet) in the Green Room dressing suite at the rear of the building.

From hand-drawn pattern to paper template, hand-cut glass, lead came, soldering, and puttying, every stained-glass window takes shape through a slow, detailed process Laura has perfected over the years.

THE PRECISION OF STAINED GLASS

Piece by piece, inside a studio in West Knox County, Grandiflora’s stained-glass windows are coming to life in vibrant, illuminated color. What most of our guests will never see is the extraordinary skill and engineering required behind every single piece.

All of Laura’s windows are made entirely by hand, starting with a full drawing that becomes a detailed pattern — each piece numbered, color-coded, and precisely cut. It's this kind of precision, repeated across hundreds of pieces and different materials, that makes stained glass one of the most demanding handmade art forms.

Structural integrity is every bit as essential as artistry. “When I design a piece, I have to think structure,” Laura explains. “Can I cut a piece of glass into that shape? If I do this, how am I going to reinforce the design? How is the design going to wear with wind load and the weight over time? I design my projects to last 100 years.”

To meet that standard, Laura builds space for steel rebar directly into her designs. The bars enhance the visual composition while dividing large windows into two or three durable sections, keeping them from sagging, bowing, or bulging over time. She also uses high-quality materials and glass. For Grandiflora, she is working exclusively with Youghiogheny Opalescent glass, prized for its exceptional color vibrancy.

Creating our windows is no small undertaking, but Laura and her team won’t stop at the studio door. They’ll install every window themselves, seeing the work through from first cut to the final piece set in place.

Still, the most rewarding moment for Laura — and all of us — comes when the engineering and craftsmanship are complete, the windows are installed, and the art simply leaves you standing in awe. She calls it the “wow factor,” and we can’t wait to see it all in person next spring. For additional information about Laura’s work, please visit lauragoffdesigns.com.

Grandiflora’s Gatehouse opens the way into the Julie Warren Conn Garden.

Grandiflora Gatehouse Marks Construction Milestone

A brand-new structure now stands on the Grandiflora grounds — a novel Gatehouse that anchors the entrance to the Julie Warren Conn Garden. This Craftsman-style cottage welcomes you through a quaint, timber-framed passage, opening onto your first glimpse of the quarter-acre garden — sculpture, gorgeous greenery, and all.

Behind its charming exterior, we’ve designed the building to serve a variety of purposes. The 3,000 sq. ft. structure houses two public restrooms and a dressing suite with a vanity, laundry, and shower — ideal for touring performers or a bride preparing for her wedding in the garden. Upstairs, a dedicated suite houses our security personnel and the property's monitoring systems.

Grandiflora Gatehouse

The Gatehouse and garden sit diagonally across from Grandiflora and beside the parking area. We plan to open the garden to the public during the day, inviting you and our neighbors to enjoy the greenspace and remarkable art by Julie Warren Conn, an East Tennessee native whose monumental stone sculptures have earned her acclaim around the world.

We’re recreating two of her beloved works, Seabirds and Fallen Angel, as five-foot-high bronzes for the garden named in her honor. Come spring, we look forward to welcoming you to experience the Gatehouse and Julie Warren Conn Garden for yourself.