Merlin's Magic: Creating Norse-Celtic Stained Glass Masterpieces in Ubud

I'll never forget the day in early 2022 when I first walked into Merlin's Magic in Ubud. The restaurant owner, a passionate historian with a twinkle in her eye, showed me her vision: three-meter-tall stained glass doors adorned with intricate Norse and Celtic motifs, plus an 8x3 meter dome that would become the centerpiece of her expanding restaurant. "I want people to feel like they've stepped into another world," she said. Little did I know this project would become one of the most challenging—and rewarding—of my career, weaving ancient European symbolism into the heart of Bali.

The Vision Behind Merlin's Magic

When I first met Selika, she showed me his collection of books on Norse mythology and Celtic art. What struck me wasn't just her knowledge, but her vision for creating a space that honored these ancient traditions while feeling completely at home in Ubud. she wanted the restaurant to tell a story—not just of food, but of connection between cultures separated by oceans and centuries.

I remember sitting with her under the frangipani trees as he explained her dream: "In Bali, we believe in the interconnectedness of all things. The Norse had Yggdrasil, the World Tree. The Celts had their sacred groves. These aren't so different from our own beliefs." That moment crystallized the project for me—it wasn't about copying historical designs, but about finding where these traditions resonated with Balinese spirituality.

Designing Norse-Celtic Motifs for Bali

Designing authentic Norse and Celtic motifs presented an interesting challenge. I spent weeks studying ancient patterns—not just copying them, but understanding their meaning. The intricate knotwork of Celtic design, the powerful imagery of Norse mythology, the symbolic animals that represented different virtues—all needed to be translated into glass that would work in Bali's unique light.

One of my favorite discoveries was how certain symbols naturally aligned with Balinese concepts. The Norse Valknut (three interlocking triangles) resonated with the Balinese concept of Tri Hita Karana (the three causes of well-being). The Celtic triskele found echoes in traditional Balinese floral patterns. This wasn't appropriation—it was a genuine meeting of traditions that felt completely organic.

The Technical Challenge of 3-Meter Doors

Creating three-meter-tall stained glass doors was no small feat. Standard stained glass techniques wouldn't work at this scale—glass this large would be too heavy and prone to warping. I had to develop a new approach that combined traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering.

I remember the anxiety I felt when we first installed the doors. The lead cames needed to be thicker than usual to support the weight, but too thick would destroy the delicate appearance of the knotwork. We ended up creating a hybrid system with reinforced steel supports hidden within the lead framework—something I'd never attempted before. When the first rays of morning sun hit those doors and the entire restaurant filled with dancing patterns of light, all the stress melted away.

Creating the 8x3 Meter Dome

If the doors were challenging, the dome was downright terrifying. An 8x3 meter stained glass dome in Bali's tropical climate? Most experts told me it was impossible—glass this large would crack from thermal expansion, or the weight would cause structural failure. But Merlin's Teams believed in the vision, and so did I.

I developed a modular system where the dome was composed of smaller, interlocking panels. Each section had to be precisely calculated to create the illusion of a single, flowing design while allowing for natural movement. The central panel features a Celtic spiral surrounded by Norse runes that form a protective blessing—something Selika insisted on after consulting with both a Norse scholar and a Balinese priest.

What most people don't realize is that the dome's colors change throughout the day. In the morning, warm golds and ambers dominate, representing the Norse dawn goddess Eostre. By afternoon, cooler blues and greens emerge, reflecting the Celtic connection to water and growth. And in the evening, deep reds and purples glow, honoring both Norse twilight and Balinese sacred hours.

The Evolution of a Restaurant

What's remarkable about Merlin's Magic is how the stained glass project has evolved alongside the restaurant. Since completing the original doors and dome in late 2022, Selika has expanded twice, each time adding new stained glass features. The lounge area now features Celtic-inspired glass walls that filter the afternoon light into dancing patterns, while the new private dining room has a ceiling installation depicting the Norse Nine Worlds.

I've returned to Merlin's Magic six times since the initial installation, each visit bringing new challenges and opportunities. The most recent addition was a series of smaller windows for their new tea room, featuring Celtic animal symbols intertwined with Balinese protective motifs. What began as a single project has become an ongoing conversation between traditions—a living artwork that continues to grow.

What touches me most is how guests interact with the glass. I've watched children trace the patterns with their fingers, couples point out hidden symbols to each other, and elders sit quietly contemplating the interwoven stories. The glass has become more than decoration—it's part of the restaurant's soul.

Your Story in Glass

Creating the stained glass for Merlin's Magic taught me that the most meaningful art doesn't belong to any single tradition—it lives in the spaces between cultures, in the connections we make across time and distance. Whether you're drawn to ancient symbols or modern designs, your space has a story waiting to be told through glass.

Every project we undertake is a collaboration, a chance to weave your personal story into something beautiful and enduring. Just as Merlin's Magic continues to evolve, your space can become a living work of art that grows with you.

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