Office Bookshelf with Acid-Etched Glass Doors

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about visual noise; you know it as the clutter and chaos that our everyday environments feature. It puts you on edge, it makes you tense; often without even realizing why you’re feeling that way.

Acid-etched glass is a good solution for solving the problem of visual noise. Like a gentle morning mist, it veils the world around you. Not making it disappear entirely, but definitely by calming it,…soothing it,…and taking the edge off.

Every office has things that are needed at a moment’s notice. But every office doesn’t need to SEE those items. The door hardware catalog, the vacuum, the three-hole punch, the reams of extra paper and pens,….they all are disparate items that don’t share a vocabulary with one another. So how can we expect them to live in harmony in one environment?

All of these random assorted objects can be veiled in the fog,…in an ethereal cloud of acid-etched glass that smudges their appearance and soothes their different shapes and colors. Like an aging Hollywood starlet who blurs reality with a filtered lens, making them instantly more beautiful by glossing over a few of the details.

The true beauty, is that you still have enough visual information to know where they reside and find them again easily with a glance; and these necessary objects are never more than an arm length’s away.

To discover more about Dreamwalls Etched Glass, please visit our website, or view the below video showcasing some of the many waysDreamwalls Etched Glass can be used.

Bernhardt Design is a name in contract furniture that is beyond compare. Located in Lenoir, NC they are a very talented group of people that know what beautiful corporate office design can be, and understand that glass can be an important part of that environment. The Bernhart Design  a.k.a. collection is a case goods line which is fully customizable with a wide range of finishes and options,….many of which are glass and made right here in the USA.

a.k.a. collection by Bernhardt Design - Glass Peninsula Desk feat. gray tinted glass

And here’s another viewing angle of the Glass Peninsula Desk:

Bernhardt Design aka collection - Peninsula Desk featuring gray tinted glass

The Peninsula Desk is a glass option that is gracefully constructed from 3 pieces of glass that float gracefully into the space. Available in both gray tinted versions (above) and in clear (below), it is an executive desk worthy of important work. The glass desktop is easy to keep clean, provides a wonderful writing surface, and can stand up to the countless cups of coffee it takes to get the job done.

BernhardtGlassPeninuslaDesk_BackpaintedGlassDoors_GlassMarkerBoard

The above photo showcases some of the other ways the a.k.a. collection utilizes glass creatively. Backpainted glass is used in the sliding closet doors, as well for the markerboard in the center – which also has the added feature of magnetization! Let’s not forget the tempered glass shelving , for personal items and personal style. Backpainted glass is used in the below photo in each cubicle as a magnetic markerboard as well as the doors on the sliding credenza.

Bernhardt Design aka Collection featuring magnetic markerboards in each cubicle and back-painted glass credenza doors

But what amazes me about this collection is the unlimited ability to customize the features for each specific corporate interior.

BernhardtDesign_aka_MagneticGlassMarkerboard

It is the little touches that mean so much in terms of quality and detail. The flexible slat wall design allows for modules to be moved in and out, to be customized, and allow for easy organization. Below, there’s a literature pocket, a cord management system and the glass magnetic markerboard that allows the desktop to stay uncluttered and ready for the next project.

Bernhardt Showroom AKA modularity

There are too many options and add-ons to list here; and that’s the true beauty of Bernhardt Design – the fact the specific collection designed by you is for your unique needs and corporate culture. A few of my favorite options are the cord management systems below. The power shelf is the perfect place to keep your phone charging in sight, and the wireway access is ultra flexible with its simple flip design.

Bernhardt Design aka collection: Power Shelf & Wireway Access

For more about the aka collection by Bernhardt Design, visit their website or view/download a pdf catalog at: http://bernhardtdesign.com/pdf/brochures/0209/aka.pdf

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012: Tinted Black Mirror Elevator Foyer

Using backpainted glass or tinted mirror in elevator lobbies is a practical and beautiful design solution. The shine of glass adds a layer of textural contrast to take these cavernous spaces from bold to boring. People are waiting in these areas for the cab to arrive….give them something interesting to view during that wait.

1. Dreamwalls Color Glass backpainted glass can be color matched perfectly to any Pantone color for branding opportunities.
2. Glass and mirror are both hygienic and have easy-to-clean surfaces. An important consideration for public areas of the building.
3. The lustrous sparkle of glass adds sophistication and sets the tone for the business within.

Here are some good examples of elevator lobbies that used back painted glass to great effect:

Dreamwalls Elevator Lobby Black Tinted Mirror

Elevator Lobby Green Backpainted Glass Panels

Glass Elevator Lobby Using Back-painted Glass in Creamy Color

Glass Patchwork Corona Mainplace ~ Williams Architects, Inc

And don’t forget the way you can add signage in backpainted glass for even more branding and wayfinding opportunities.  How will you add visual spark and sparkle to your lobby?

Serena Elevator Lobby

Today’s modern offices need to adapt to the modern work style. With workers more involved in collaboration, flextime, and remotely,…offices require designs that are unique to each corporate culture, while still allowing for what the future may bring. In my opinion, the main two design elements to always strive to maximize, is 1) space and 2) light. Each element influences the other in perception. If a space is designed with optimal working light, it feels more spacious and roomy. If a space is designed well to maximize its space, light flows more easily within it.  For our part, glass can be an important part of office design. Here are just a few ways we’ve seen glass used for smart office designs.

1) Cabinetry – Regardless of the business, there’s always paperwork that needs to be stored away. Sales collateral, client files, samples and catalogs are greatly reduced thanks to the online world, but never going away completely. Using backpainted glass or acid etched glass are good ways to keep them hidden from view but still at top of mind.

Acid etched glass cabinet

2) Office Dividers – For all the romanticism of open plan workspaces, some people actually work better with some amount of privacy. Glass office dividers offer light transmission and privacy without feeling closed off from the rest of the group.

Etched Glass Office Divider

3) Branded Signage – Glass sparkles and dazzles. Nothing is more professional presentation of your brand than in glass.

Healthclub Signage using backpainted glass

4) Desktops – Nothing brings an office together more than color, and a desktop surface made of glass is practical and can be that final element that turns a drab workspace into a glad workspace.

Desktop of Dreamwalls Backpainted Glass

5) Markerboards – Magnetized or not, these boards are non staining and even permanent markers can be cleaned off. So your top secret project can stay up for weeks or even months, and come off clean when the project is done.

Dreamwalls Color Glass Markerboard

6) Breakrooms – Backsplashes and countertops of glass are easy to keep clean and are non-staining. They’re perfect for the breakrooms where commaraderie and celebrations end up happening,….and cleanup needs to be simple.

Dreamwalls Color Glass used in breakroom

7) Reception Desks - regardless of the public served, the lobby desk needs to be easy to clean and keep clean, while adding a pop of color. Backpainted glass is a fantastic way to accomplish that. In our lobby, we use “Linen”,…but it can be custom matched to any color specification very easily to be a part of the company brand.

Backpainted Glass Reception Area

Have I left any out? How have you used glass creatively in office design? We’re remodeling our lobby currently, so I’m all ears!

Glass is easy to clean, durable, and long-lasting; so it is easy to see why more and more offices have been getting creative with back painted glass; especially by using it as message boards in reception, eating, conference, and creative areas.

Dreamwalls Color Glass was many years in development while we created the perfect paint formula for excellent coverage, adherence, and durability. Glass is a very non-porous substrate that is difficult to get paints to adhere to properly long-term, so we used our 50 years of experience in making mirrors towards developing a product that is the highest quality available.

We achieved the longevity, durability, and purity of Dreamwalls Color Glass through 3 unique characteristics:

• Using Low Iron Substrate
• Heat Curing
• Dual-Coating

LOW IRON SUBSTRATE: In all back-painted glass, the paint is applied to the back side of the glass, so the viewer has to look through the glass to perceive the color. If the glass has a greenish cast, it can alter the color to the viewing eye. When that happens, reds become neutralized, whites become aqua, yellows become greenish and all pastels become a bit “off”.

Each piece of Dreamwalls Color Glass is created using low-iron glass which doesn’t have the greenish tint of regular glass. So the color you specify is the color you get. Every time.

Who says a message board can only be white? As long as there is good contrast for ease of viewing, a dry erase message board can be any pale tint. If one uses the wet-erase markers, that are available in stronger colors, you can use nearly ANY color imaginable to write on the glass.

We made the choice very early on in development to use low-iron glass so that colors specified are the colors you get regardless of the application. What’s more, all Dreamwalls Color Glass colors are matched using a color photospectrometer which ensures that the color is accurate within 1 delta point. This greatly reduces the effect known as “metamerism failure” under different lighting conditions.

HEAT CURING: Each piece of Dreamwalls Color Glass is heat cured in our specially designed ovens – not air-dried – immediately after coating. This means the product is produced faster without the danger of contaminants or finger-print marks while drying. Your product is produced without the need for it to lie around for days drying, making space and job run size unlimited.

DUAL COATING: Because of our experience in putting durable and beautiful coatings on glass, Dreamwalls Color Glass is a coated glass that dries very hard, won’t chip or flake, and provides the opacity necessary for professional installations.

After the color coat is applied to a piece of Dreamwalls Color Glass, the glass is coated again, using our patented coating (which we also use on all our mirrors) to protect the color paint layer during fabrication, shipping, and installation. What’s more, this additional coat creates a product that is 100% opaque to prevent adhesives from showing through. [*a full list of recommended adhesives can be found on our website.]

For more information about Dreamwalls Color Glass Message Boards and our other decorative glass options, please call 800-334-7267 or visit www.dreamwallscolorglass.com

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.

Glass desks really can add light, color, and pizazz to an office desk. When you add backpainted glass, it adds a layer of sophistication to the space. By just adding a pop of color, the professionalism of a home office is elevated. Look at a few of these examples from Houzz. The refinement of the material makes you just want to get to work and get things done, doesn’t it?

This desk top in black glass takes nothing away from the traditional elements:

This hot-orange glass desktop and backsplash would get the creative juices flowing in the morning without a cup of coffee:

While a little difficult to see in this photo, the glass desk top is a brilliant blue borrowed from the artwork on the wall. It is beautiful and becomes an extension of the artwork in 3 dimensions:

Lastly, I like to explore the possibilities of what changing the color of this one surface can do. First, the original glass desktop:

And here is the color pulled from the artwork above the desk. A complex neutral that adds more of a natural element to the room:

Glass desktop with color altered

Or, you can add a little more impact by going with a dark black:

So take a look at your desk today, and see how Dreamwalls Color Glass could add a little something special to help elevate your work.

Dreamwalls Glass Marker Boards can be any size or any color, for a high-quality look and practical function in corporate or office environments. Non-staining and non-ghosting, they are also easy to clean and maintain. But don’t take my word for it; see for yourself:

Proenza Schouler Spring 2012 Collection

Today’s fashion friday comes from the Proenza Schouler Spring 2012 Collection. It’s geometric, retro, with interesting texture and pleating. I love it! We’ve translated it into an office lobby using some backpainted textural glass in the front panel of the reception desk. (which doesn’t show up great in the photo below, but it’s there…I’ll do a post that shows more backpainted textural glass soon. )

This is our newest office addition in our North Wilkesboro, NC headquarters. We used Dreamwalls Color Glass and Dreamwalls Acid Etched Glass to create cubicles and office dividers in a soothing sage green that plays well with the orange tones of the cherry furniture and flooring.  Wouldn’t you agree that every office needs a full whiteboard? In Dreamwalls Color Glass True White, it looks great even when it’s blank,….but they never stay blank for long!

This shot was taken before the matching outlets and switchplates were put on, but notice how the glass on the divider walls matches the paint on the drywall perfectly.

I have to include a shot after everyone has settled in. I had to be sneaky in taking this photo of our amazing inside sales associate, Rebecca. She recently celebrated her 25th year with us, so if you’ve done business with us, you’ve likely spoken to her. She certainly deserves this shiny new office space!