Using Glass for Interior Design
Truly one of the most versatile materials, used in a huge array of applications throughout the home, glass, when utilized correctly, can help to complete a beautiful remodeling project. Whether it’s in the kitchen, the master bathroom or around the patio or garden, glass tiles, back-splashes and window arrangements can be some of the best tools in a designer’s arsenal.
Able to be cut and stained into an endless number of styles and colors, these decorative accents highlight a layout like none other, in both interior and exterior circumstances. The natural flexibility of glass allows it be included in the most modern, contemporary designs, as well as very reserved, traditional homes.
The two most popular tile applications in the kitchen would definitely be flooring and back-splashes. As far as flooring goes, many clients are seeking a rough-cut stone look, a look lacking the sheen of tiles used in areas throughout the rest of the home. This type of cut and finish will promote and old-world feel, one found in Tuscan river homesteads.
Back-splashes, however, have recently seen a large rise in high-sheen, contemporary styles. Diagonal patterns, with inconsistent tile placement have dominated the marketplace recently, not unlike the wall tiles found the New York City subway system. Just as often, though, homeowners have sought matte-finished tiles for their back-splashes, in which different colored tiles create an imbedded pattern.
One of the newest uses for glass in the kitchen is in recycled-glass countertops. Reclaimed materials are collected from a variety of sources, including old condiment bottles, broken windowpanes, and even windshields. Once in the manufacturing plant, they are crushed and processed into smaller pieces. Then, adhesives are added and the tops are molded into place. This style of countertop is very sturdy and holds a very glossy shine and, most importantly, is a very sustainable alternative in the kitchen.
Bathrooms allow for increased creativity when designing with glass. In addition to many flooring options, many homeowners lean towards decorative inserts being strategically placed in tiles walls used in a shower surround. These pieces, typically stained in vibrant colors and arranged in specific patterns, allow for an eye-catching accent in the bath.
Glass can also be used to create the entire tub surround, itself. Large, solid blocks will be selected and cemented into place, in whichever shape the client desires. This application will let natural sunlight flood throughout the room, without allowing increased visibility.