Houzz built an idea book over a year ago that has stuck with me. In it, Beth Dotolo, a designer from Seattle, Washington, showed some of the pros, cons, and maintenance of marble; specifically, lighter marble. Click here to read it in its entirety. And it shows exactly why Dreamwalls Marble Glass might be the right product for your application.

One of her points is paraphrased below:

What is your personality? Are you the type of careful homeowner who picks up after yourself after each use in the kitchen? Or are you a busy on-the-go homeowner, where a kitchen counter wouldn’t get wiped down until the next morning?

Acid from substances such as red wine, marinara sauce, blueberries and even lemons can tarnish the look of the marble if left to sit overnight. And many times the marble will not stain instantly. It is still a natural material and stains can soak into the surface.

So if you like dinner parties where you don’t want to chase guests with coasters,….if you have a big family that likes to serve themselves buffet style,…if you’re sometimes just forgetful and leave the lasagna out (or is that just me?),…then Dreamwalls Marble Glass might be the perfect solution to incorporate into your kitchen design.

Dreamwalls True Black Backpainted Glass Table Topper

What is a table topper, you ask? It is a piece of glass – usually 1/4″ (6mm) or 5/32″ (4mm) thick that is placed on the existing top of a table, or some other piece of furniture like a dresser or credenza. Since it is completed supported by the solid piece of furniture, it may or may not need to be tempered, and the edgework is usually a simple polished edge. Historically, table toppers have been clear glass; but today, Dreamwalls offers so many glass options that you can change the look of a piece of furniture instantly with NO TOOLS, simply by placing a piece of glass down on the top.

Antique Mirror Table Topper

5 Reasons Dreamwalls Glass Table Toppers are Brilliant Solutions

• 1- They can revive an older, worn piece of furniture without refinishing or altering the piece in any way.

• 2- They protect wood furniture or table linens from moisture and stains – and clean up is a simple wipe.

• 3- They instantly update or unify a design with color.

Acid Etched Back-painted Glass Table Topper - "Tree" Design

• 4- They give all the beauty and practicality of a glass countertop, with an economical thinner piece of glass.

• 5- Dreamwalls has a huge variety of options so you can have a table topper back-painted in ANY color for an instant modern update, in a huge choice of stone or marble patterns for classic style, in antique mirror for a refined reflection, or in low-iron ultra-clear mirror for the brightest sparkle.

Dreamwalls Glass Red Table Topper

[The following is part 3 on a in-depth look on the emerging trend in customization of glass products]
[For part 1, in the series, - INTRO- click here. For part 2 - COLOR - click here. ]

The printing industry has reached out to the glass industry in a big way. No longer do people have to settle for vinyl lettering adhered to glass. The printing itself can now be a very integral part of the glass in a variety of ways. And the printing industry has responded with advances that make glass and printing a marriage made in heaven.

Logo - direct print, then backpainted True White

Direct printing on glass - This type of printing can be both UV cured inks or ceramic frit. Both processes have had a huge benefit with the prevalence of low-iron glass so that color transmission is more true. The ink adherence is extremely strong, bonding to the glass so it can be chipped or flaked off. The resolution in quality has done nothing but increase in recent years. 300 dpi is a high print quality that was unheard of on glass just a few years ago…but I’ve seen some printers that do 1440 dpi and higher! Also, the addition of white ink in some printers allows for a wider range of effects and colors.

Tom Patti Design - "Rain" Miami, FL

Increased variety of films and inserts – The high quality of printing on different substrates such as PET films and inserts of laminated product has increased in recent years. Film manufacturers are also coming out with new advancements for every possible condition and special effect; Iridescent, fluorescent, transparent, opaque, patterns and gradients…nearly anything is possible in this day and age.

Marble Glass Verde Marinace Pattern on Heavy Glass

Computer ability – Regardless of the process used – direct to glass, adhesive film or laminated interlayer – the computer has allowed extremely large images to jump from panel to panel of glass so that full exterior curtain wall projects or large scale interior projects are completely attainable. This technology has benefited from the increased accessibility of incredible high resolution photography and digital editing software as well.

Fitness Company Lobby Signage

But what does all this technology mean for you? It means that no longer are Ben-Day dots acceptable. No longer are there limitations on size based on screens. New products are possible solely because of these enhancements in digital printing technology. For instance, our Marble Glass product is photographed at a 1:1 ratio from an ACTUAL piece of stone. Then it’s rebuilt in the computer to be completely seamless, and then printed at a very high resolution and adhered using an ultra clear adhesive. Just a few years ago, this process would not have been possible. And now, you can have a whole slab of stone,…now made more durable and practical in glass.

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With custom digital imaging, there is a lot of experimentation and testing necessary to determine the performance in many of these exciting new uses that designers are coming up with. There are many different options for printing on glass, so be sure to explore them all and find the right one for your desired effect, application, and budget.

Charleston Forge Monarch Table

If you saw our booth at NeoCon, you’ve seen this beautiful table. In fact, you’ve seen two of them. We featured one with a Marble Glass 3/4″ thick  top and the other with an antique mirror top. Both looked amazing. The gentle curves have an art deco vibe that recalls old Hollywood glamour. But what truly sparked the design? Charleston Forge is the manufacturer of this beautiful piece, so I asked owner Art Barber about the table’s inception. And he was very kind to share with me the following story:

At NeoCon w/ Antique Mirror Top

Designer John Davis from Roanoke, Virginia was crossing an ancient arched stone bridge over a rushing stream in Sweden when he felt inspired to interpret the scene into a console for Charleston Forge.

It was a grey day, cloudy and misting but the shape of that bridge piped rays of beauty into his imagination. Instantly he knew that the frame finish had to be done in a hand-rubbed antique silver, reflecting the character of that day. Charleston Forge did just that. Mission accomplished, a magnificent console, inspired by ancient shapes, interpreted into modern form.

As Art Barber said, “It’s so much fun working with artists. The imagination they have and the stories they tell either drive you crazy or inspire you to new heights.” Thank you John, for certainly taking Charleston Forge to new heights with such a lovely table design.

Click to check out Silver Tears Campers, and see what a creative person John Davis is. The little teardrop campers are so beautiful, I want to park one in my kitchen. And be sure to check out Charleston Forge at the next High Point Market. They’ve reworked their showroom and have so much American talent and craftsmanship in every piece they create. We love working with them, and know you would too.

So, you’ve got a project that needs a glass top. You’re sold on the practicality of the piece. But the work isn’t over. There are many different options and decisions you need to make when specifying a table top or countertop for your job. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through some of the many choices and options available.

Overall dimensions:

• We cut from glass sheets that are 96″ x 144″ – however, to fabricate edgework requires a cut in from the edge
• Standard tolerances are +/- 1/16″,…so if it has to be inset into a base, allow your measurements to account for that
• Keep in mind some edgework fabrication equipment may not be able to handle glass at max size due to weight or bed size constraints
• Consider how the table is going to get into the space – is the door big enough? You’d be surprised how often this needs to be addressed

Shape – other than a rectangle?

• All ovals are not the same shape – same goes for archtops or “racetracks”
• CAD drawings in a .dxf format work best for our water jet cutting capabilities and reduces any mis-communication

Thickness of the glass:

• This depends on the size of the glass, its support and the weight it would be carrying – ask your glazier if you’re uncertain
• Generally, if it’s on top of a full surface – annealed (non-tempered) glass is fine
• If there’s a “pass through” possibility, it’s better to temper the glass – unless it’s “heavy glass” of 1/2″ or more,…and even then it may depend on the overall size of the piece and its use.
• For table tops, we recommend going no thinner than 1/4″ (6mm) and up to 1″ thick (25mm)
• NOTE: tempered glass is usually stamped with a baked-on permanent ink to prove that it has been tempered. If you don’t want that stamp showing on your final piece, be sure to dictate as such. The manufacturer can usually provide you with a document proving the piece was tempered if you require that.

Edgework:

• The days of just polished or beveled are no more. Today, there are waterfall, ogee, mitres, bullnose, arras and many different types to add something special to the top

waterfall edge

ogee edge

Beveled edge

Any additional fabrication?

• Holes for a patio table pole
• Holes to hide computer wires in a desk or reception area
• Cut outs for undermount sinks (with edgework) or for a top-mount sink (won’t require edgework)
• Holes for in-counter cooktops

Type of the glass:

• Tempered or Annealed
• Tempered glass is much stronger, less susceptible to scratches, and if it does break, it will form the tiny nuggests that are less likely to cause harm.
• Annealed glass will work fine for many situations that are either backed by a solid surface, or where the glass is very thick.

Color of the glass:

• Regular clear glass
• Low-iron Starphire® Ultra-Clear glass
• Dreamwalls Color Glass durable heat-cured back-painted glass -where any custom color is possible
• Marble Glass stone and marble patterns permanently mounted to glass
• Mirrors (in clear mirror or retro antique patterns) are making a comeback
• Acid-etched glass (in regular or low-iron) can offer some interesting under-lighting effects

Lot’s of things to consider, right? It’s not that daunting. There are just so many more options now than ever before. I haven’t even gotten into the patterned glass, digital printing, laminating or other decorative types of options.

But never fear. If you get stumped at any time while making your decisions, just give us a call. We’ll try to help steer you towards the right solution for your design need. Just comment with your question, or e-mail me direct at mmarxen@gardnerglass.com

This is a short, 2-minute video about the possibilities of using glass for tabletops and countertops. Whether it is back-painted, marble and stone pattern, acid etched, or even clear; glass is a very practical and easy-care surface for many different environments.

Where can you envision a glass surface?

Before

This dining set from Johnston Casuals was intended to feature a plain, clear glass table top when originally purchased. But with all the light neutrals already in the room, it threatened to wash out the room and make it boring. However, when the designer decided to change the clear glass to Dreamalls Marble Glass, the added punch of contrast made the dining area a warm, inviting and welcoming space.

2010 Crystal Achievement Award

On September 8th, Glass Magazine announced its 2010 Crystal Achievement Award winners. Dreamwalls Marble Glass was declared “Most Innovative Decorative Glass Product” by a panel of judges representing all segments of the glass industry. The annual awards recognize the best products and glass applications the commercial, retail and fabrication markets have to offer.

Dreamwalls Marble Glass Pattern Samples

Dreamwalls Marble Glass, from Gardner Glass Products, North Wilkesboro, N.C., features a high-resolution digital image taken from a full-size stone slab, while other comparable glass products use photos of small pieces of stone that are digitally tiled. The image is captured and mounted to the glass using a powerful adhesive that is placed on the image side of the photo without distorting the image or compromising the bond. This also protects it from heat and moisture. As with other Dreamwalls products, Marble Glass uses PPG Industries’ Starphire Ultra-Clear glass to allow the true pattern of the digital image to shine through. All fabrication is applied to the glass prior to the application of the image, and the image is trimmed to the edge for perfection.

“The clarity of the pattern is the most unique aspect of this product,” says Mandy Marxen, vice president of marketing, Gardner Glass Products. The image is such high resolution, and the adhesive that is used is so clear, as is the Starphire substrate. All of those things combine to create a perfectly clear product that looks like marble.”

The product offers 65 patterns applied to glass to bring the effect of nature into a building’s interior. It is a cost-effective solution that provides the look of stone to any commercial space in need of an instant makeover. It can be used to enhance the design of any area and coordinates with virtually any color, as well as with the Dreamwalls Color Glass product line. Numerous stone options are available to provide architects and designers a sleek design with a clean look for any commercial environment, all at a fraction of the price of real stone.

Dreamwalls Marble Glass Countertop

“Dreamwalls Marble Glass opens up an entirely new revenue category for the glass industry,” says Crystal Achievement Award Judge Mark Pritikin, president, Creative Mirror & Shower, Addison, Ill. “Potentially anything done in marble or granite can now be done with glass, and its inherent advantages.”

“From decorative glass products and applications that dazzle, to buildings that push the envelope in terms of design and functionality, to an ad campaign that tickles the funny bone, the Crystal Achievement Award winners serve as a reminder of our industry’s ingenuity and vast potential,” says Jenni Chase, editor, Glass Magazine.

The Crystal Achievement Awards are featured in the Sept. 7 edition of e‐glass weekly and the September issue of Glass Magazine. The 2010 Crystal Achievement Award winners can be found at www.glassmagazine.com

Dreamwalls Marble Glass has won the Silver Award in Best of NeoCon for Surface Materials

After winning the Gold in the Best of at NeoCon 2009 - We are excited to bring Dreamwalls Marble Glass to NeoCon 2010.

Dreamwalls Marble Glass combines the simple practicality of glass with the natural beauty of stone granite, and marble.