From the kitchen to the bedroom, today I’m rounding up some of my favorite ways to incorporate glass and mirrors into your home decor this Christmas season.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to bake. Christmas is the perfect time of year to whip up some sweet treats, and these glass pedestal candy jars are the perfect way to display those treats for yourself and holiday gatherings.

via Trendir

The combination of these vibrant blue ornaments and the pine cones displayed in glass apothecary jars are one of my favorite centerpiece ideas. It’s simple, elegant and wouldn’t cost a lot to make.

Via QBlog

If you already have a mirror above your mantle, you don’t need to take it down or move it so you can decorate for Christmas. Use it as a backdrop to your decorations like these homes did. Mandy has a great post on using mirrors to decorate your holidays. Check it out here.

Via Houzz

This has to be one of my favorites. Simple strands of lights layered over large mirrors creates a fairytale-like look that I wouldn’t mind having in my room all year long!

Via DigsDigs

There are always a lot of reds, greens, silvers and golds used this time of year, so I like the idea of mixing things up a little bit and throwing in some non-traditional colors. This purple glass table setting, along with the low hanging ornaments make this table festive in it’s own unique way. Add in one of our custom color glass table tops and it would be even better!

Via Decoholic

Now I’m ready to do some decorating! Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Holly

Photo ©Thomas Schoeller Photography - used with permission

This weekend I’m planning a trip to the mountains of North Carolina with some family and friends. We’ve been having GORGEOUS weather around our area here lately ( a little warm for my taste, but still nice!), so this weekend should be a perfect time to take a drive and see the beautiful fall foliage along the way. We’re heading up to Shatley Springs Restaurant, which is in a little mountain town called Crumpler. Shatley is the place to go if you’re in the mood for good home-cooked southern food. There are little country shops you can visit and hiking trails you can enjoy there…..that is, if you’re not too full to move from your meal! If that’s the case, you can always sit back and relax in one of the rocking chairs on the big front porch.

I’m looking forward to the trip, and I know along the way I’ll be able to find some color inspiration for my new room! Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year, so any color palette that includes those rustic and rich colors is right up my alley. Here are a few home decor pieces I’ve spotted that I wouldn’t mind incorporating into my fall-inspired room……….

Golden Forest Wall Art (Kirklands), Harvest Home Fall Glass Vases (Big Lots), Venetian Series #4 Glass Lamp (Jan Showers Collection), Fall Colored Knobs (Etsy), Parlour Atomic Orange Chair (CB2), DIY fall-colored tissue box, Brown pillow with flower designs (Firmly Planted)

Which of these fall-inspired items do you like best? I’ll take one of each!

Holly

HGTV’s Urban Oasis Giveaway sweepstakes is over October 15th, 2012, so there is still time to enter to win this amazing Miami condo. I adored last year’s Chicago Urban Oasis, but this one has won me over as the new champion,….in no small part to its amazing use of glass in many different forms. Below are just a few of the ways glass enhances the Miami pad which I particularly loved.

A welcome to the residence with the foyer and lobby areas. Clockwise from top L: First up, the view is PHENOMENAL! My oh my. Tempered glass would be used on that specialized balcony. It looks like bronze-tinted mirror is used behind the unique sawfish bills. Glass tile with a little citron glass bottle holding a single palm leaf – is there anything more beautiful? Oh, yes there is. Check out the elevator lobby with gray-tinted mirror and clear mirror framed out with a rustic driftwood border. Yummy.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Giveaway Use of Glass in the Foyer and Lobby Areas

Then we work our way into the Kitchen and Living areas. Clockwise from top L: Acid-etched glass in the kitchen cabinets reach up to the high ceiling. Glass bottles bring a bit of the sea inside. A wall installation of 9 white back-painted glass panels with standoffs act as a beautiful graphic element (and a dry erase message board too!). A glass-topped coffee table allows the tropical beverages to flow without a worry of table rings.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Use of Glass in the Kitchen and Living Areas

Any guest would be lucky to use these facilities. Clockwise from top L: A cast glass sink showcases the sleek fixtures in the guest bathroom. The vanity mirror extends to the ceiling and continues below the countertop to open up the space visually. In the powder room, the gray-tinted mirror adds a soft reflection to the backsplash. A sunburst mirrored wall decor piece brings the sunshine in.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Use of Glass in Guest Bath and Powder Room

And the finale is the Master Suite. Clockwise from top L: The flooring extends up the wall and to the ceiling, where the reward is this beautiful blown glass light fixture. A column in one corner of the room features glass subway tiles. The mirror in the bath stands off from the wall and is backlit. The huge custom glass shower enclosure is big enough for a small dance party. It is Miami!

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Use of Glass in the Master Bedroom & Bath

You can enter the HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway sweepstakes daily through October 15th, 2012, so enter now. Beautiful work by everyone involved in creating this lovely, glass-festooned abode.

• Photos: Eric Perry
• Visual Design: Daniel Pratt
• Interior Designer: Lindsay Pumpa

Source: House & Home June 2012 issue - Karen Cole Design

What is so great about glass, is that it still showcases the base as sculpture. The key is to be sure to use low-iron glass, so that distortion is minimized, and the colors of the surrounding decor isn’t compromised. Below, the sculptural “Spider” metal base from Structube (CA) provides generous surface area (nearly 40″ diameter), but doesn’t take up a lot of space.

Spider Coffee Table

The airiness of the stick-legs in the base below really open up the space where something more solid would have closed it off. A glass top keeps everything in balance.

Source: House&Home "Best Decorating 2012" issue

Don’t discount the amount of light a glass table top can bring into the room. The sparkle and reflection of a glass table may be just what your room needs.  With a low-iron glass table as the centerpiece of the room, like below, the more “blocky” elements of the room have a chance to breathe and feel fresh.

Source: House & Home "Best Decorating 2012" issue

And don’t forget mirror! That will really reflect light back into the room, multiply the light, and still will visually “disappear”. It’s a stunning effect, that allows the thin black table frame to become a subtle “pinstripe” to the bold colors and patterns in the room.

Kelly Proxmire - Interior Design

Gardner Glass Products is able to fabricate glass in thicknesses of 1/8″ (3mm) to 1″ (25mm). We can utilize low-iron glass in any thickness for the perfect tabletop in nearly any shape.

Glass table toppers can instantly make anything into a table. In the below examples, the bases are either uneven, fragile or otherwise unsuitable to be tables on their own. However, a glass or mirror top makes them infinitely more functional.

Stephen Fillmore's Toronto Condo - featured in Sept 2012 issue of House & Home Magazine

This Moroccan tray table is a conversation-starter and a key to the personality of this room. However, the embossed metal surface makes it exceedingly difficult to put a wine glass on, and you certainly would want to protect a find like this from moisture. So,….a glass table topper makes a wealth of sense here.

Stephen Fillmore's Toronto Condo - featured in Sept 2012 issue of House & Home Magazine

The next example is a perfect example of taking a small room – a rental apartment – and injecting it with color, storage, and LIFE. Designer Kelley Proxmire did just that of a newlywed pad of her son and his new wife. She added a bold lime color with this cloth tabletop,….which hides baskets for storage underneath! But, to keep the table’s function, Kelly added a simple glass table topper to keep the tablecloth clean and pristine.

Lauren and Brocky Porxmire Rental - Decorated by Kelley Proxmire

I think this is a genius idea that can be used in nearly an home environment. An additional benefit, is that the glass is heavy enough to hold the tablecloth in place, so your guests aren’t moving the tablecloth when they scoot under the table.

Kelly Proxmire Designed Room for Newlyweds - Glass Table Topper for Practicality

Lastly, this patio table can withstand the elements while smoothing out the surface of the rattan table beneath. Nothing is worse than sitting enjoying a fantastic view, but when you put your drink down, it wobbles and topples over because of the uneven wicker surface. This table topper is the perfect solution. It will also extend the life of the table, because it is reducing the amount of exposure to the weather. Simply stunning.

Dorset Home featured in Kitchen Bedrooms & Bathroom Magazine

Gardner Glass Products, Inc. (the maker of the Dreamwalls family of products) can make any glass table topper you may need. We can manufacture in either tempered or annealed glass, with cut outs for umbrellas or cord management, in clear – ultra-clear – backpainted color – or mirror. So, feel free to think about using a base more creatively and we’ll top that!

Dreamwalls® - White Glass with Lab Equipment

Glass is a great surface to use in lab and medical environments. Not only is it able to color coordinate or color-code different zones, but from a disinfecting and sterilizing standpoint, there are few surfaces that perform better. Countertops, backsplashes, walls or showers of backpainted glass can be disinfected using ehtanol or isopropol alcohol, phonolics, or high intentsity shortwave ultraviolet light. These same surfaces can be completely sterilized using chemicals such as Ehylene oxide, ozone, bleach, formaldehyde, or hydrogen peroxide. Depending on the glass installation, steam can also be used to safely sanitize areas.

The ability of Dreamwalls Color Glass to keep areas beautiful and clean day after day isn’t a quality we take lightly, and neither should you. As a designer, start looking at the products in your own interaction with healthcare environments. Touching the same reception desk as dozens of other patients every day – wouldn’t you feel better knowing that the surface can hold up to a myriad number of cleaning methods to keep you safe?

Dreamwalls® Backpainted Glass Reception

When a surface in medical offices reflects light, adds to the beauty of the space, AND can be cleaned for optimal safety?….why wouldn’t it be the choice most specified?

Dreamwalls® Backpainted Glass Black Glass Reception

And don’t forget the other surfaces in the waiting area!  Table tops and wall cladding can all benefit from being able to be completely disinfected and/or sanitized.

Dreamwalls® Backpainted Glass Wall Cladding

Or in guest spaces where people can stay connected to their loved ones in hospitals or commons areas of medical offices? this cool little kiosk from Peter Pepper Products features decorative laminated glass, and backpainted glass for the work surface.

Peter Pepper Products Guest Center using Glass Inserts

How would you use Backpainted Glass in healthcare environments?

Time for a little education about using glass in education. Glass, and back-painted glass specifically, can be a very practical surfacing material in educational environments. When tempered, it is extremely strong; and when installed by a qualified professional, it can be just as safe as any other tile, stone, or hard surfacing material. Additionally, the “M&R” (maintenance and repair) are non-existent due to anti-fading properties and durability. Dreamwalls Glass is indeed a smart choice.

Below are just 5 of the smart places that back-painted glass can be used in educational environments:

1) Lobby Counters

For a non-porous surface that can easily cleaned with nearly any cleaner for hygienic purposes, glass is an excellent choice. With the capability to custom back-paint it to match school colors, it will also help create that “wow” moment when students and parents enter.

2) Markerboard Surfacing

Dry erase boards are the greatest surfaces for students to learn, create, explore, and collaborate. However, invariably, someone will use a permanent marker on them, or leaves the dry erase marker on too long and ghosting occurs. Glass can have the marks removed easily without ghosting. A spritz of alcohol or window cleaner can even get rid of the dreaded but oh-so-alluring “Sharpie“.  And with low-iron glass, the white color creates a strong contrast for easy viewing and reduced eye fatigue.

3) Accent Walls and Partitions

Every library and media center needs different areas for discussion, instruction, and quiet. Back-painted or acid-etched glass accent walls and partitions help delineate those spaces with flexibility and attractiveness. With the countless ways glass can be fabricated with cut-outs, selective painting, and even the application of vinyl decals; glass is a great choice for incorporating art into the space.

4) Lunchroom Surfaces

Few places take as much abuse as the lunchroom. With a product like Dreamwalls Color Glass, food cleanup is a breeze on counters, tables, and walls. It won’t even be stained by the long-forgotten spaghetti sauce. All of the food preparation areas can benefit from a surface like this, and  the custom color, size, and shape opportunities allow for creative uses.

5) Bathroom Environments

Let’s face it,…kids are messy. And when their momma isn’t there scowling at them, they are even messier. Glass can help the maintenance staff tremendously with the clean-up aftermath. It also resists sticky gum, graffiti, and fingerpaint.

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So if you think glass and kids aren’t a good fit, think again. Dreamwalls Color Glass is a colorful, durable, and hygienic surface that can be fabricated in countless ways to promote creativity and the expression of young minds.

John Myers is our beloved Senior Vice President of Sales. He recently celebrated his 25th year with us, and he’s a guy we all love and appreciate. So 2 weeks ago, after he left for a sales trip, we worked to give his office a surprise makeover. With a “never-say-die” team, we gave his office a much needed remodel using Dreamwalls Color Glass in only 4 days.

The office started as that of Mr. Gardner when the business started 50 years ago. Later, an additional hallway and facade were added to the building, which became additional executive offices. But early on, this was the primo office. It went through a major redecorating in the 80′s, but hasn’t had much since then. Dark wood paneling, an uncomfortable couch, and yards and yards of very dark fabric to formed a wall of curtains which made the room so dark and depressing, that apparently, most of the overhead lights didn’t even want to shine. So after John left on Monday evening, the team sprang into action.

Before. A much needed redecoration is in order.

While the flamestitch pattern on the couch is back in style, the structure could not make the revival.

His map has faded over the years. I think we may have even added a state or two since it was printed...

The only directives I was given was, 1) to use our True White dry erase boards around the perimeter of the room from a chair-rail up, 2) we were getting a new couch for him, and 3) the carpet had to stay. Knowing John loves to golf – and had a lot of golf memorabilia around his office, I specified  a deep teal green from Sherwin-Williams below the chair rail. Completed on Friday after only 4 days,…the transformation is pretty amazing.

John's Office - After. Yes, I know the drapes need to meet an iron.

John's a proud alumnus of East Carolina University, so the team made him a selectively painted mirror to "round" out the gift.

John's Office - After. So much brighter, lighter, and functional with dry-erase surfaces throughout!

One of the best tricks was using 3M Command Strips to attach the artwork to the Dreamwalls glass walls without drilling holes through the glass. They’re flexible and non-permanent,…and work beautifully on the flawless glass surface. In fact, in the May 2012 edition of House Beautiful, designer James Dolenc said, “3M Command Strips are fantastic to use when hanging art over mirrors, millwork panels, or vintage wallcovering.”

If Dreamwalls Color Glass can make this much of a difference is our Sr. VP’s office in such a short time, just imagine what it could do for your next project: in Education, Healthcare, or Corporate settings.

By now, pretty much everyone has either seen or at least heard of the movie The Hunger Games. I read, and really enjoyed, all of the books and I was there on opening night to see the movie. It had the 3rd best opening-weekend debut of all time, catapulting it into blockbuster territory, and our very own North Carolina served as the backdrop for the diverse settings of the entire film! It was such a neat feeling to know that the places I was seeing on the screen were right here close to home. District 12 was actually filmed in Hildebran, which is only about a 35 minute drive from my house! The immediate impact on the state and local economies was very positive, as well. There was an estimated $60 million spent in the state, around 5,000 people were employed, and many people who had lost their jobs were able to be extras in the movie and earn up to $150 per day. Even now, the success is still going strong with merchandise and the popular Hunger Games Fan Tours offered in Brevard County.

The contrasts between the districts and the Capitol were shown very distinctly in the movie. The colors of District 12 were very muted and cool, reflecting the oppressed and overall sad feeling of the area. The Capitol colors, on the other hand, were very bright and vibrant, reflecting the lavish and over-the-top lifestyle of the people that lived there.

District 12 (filmed in Hildebran, NC)

District 12 Design

From top left to right: 1. Vintage Wooden Table 2. Vintage Wash Tub 3. Set of Vintage Canisters 4. Linen Herringbone Throw 5. Vintage Leather Books 6. Vintage Clock

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The Capitol (filmed in Charlotte, NC)

The Capitol Design

From top left to right: 1. Seat Belt Chair 2. Petal Pillow 3. White Attic Lamp 4. After Matisse Rug 5. Whimsical Bookcase 6. Pink Poodle Statue

Which Hunger Games color scheme and style are you a fan of?

– Holly

“Don’t make something unless it is both made necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.” — Shaker dictum