Simplifying Home Decor by Using Art Glass
September 30, 2008 by Roberta
Filed under Home Decor
We came across this interesting article with some tips for interior design and, it occurred to us that one of the ways to really spice up any home decor scheme is to incorporate a few interesting pieces of art glass. With the almost infinite selection of shapes, colors and textures, whether it's crystal, cranberry glass, carnival glass or hobnail glass, you can find something to add just the right accents to any room.
Important Interior Design Tips
Many people think that interior design is a very complicated and difficult project and it's not possible for them to do it by themselves. That's why so many people pay a so called professional a lot of money to come and help them out.
You do not need a professional to help you at all, you can get lots of ideas from everywhere. All you need to do is spend some time working out how you should incorporate the ideas and make them work in your own home. It's important to spend time coordinating everything so that it all ties together nicely.
When you have a coordinated room then you can start introducing new ideas and designs into your home. Then you have created your own design so don't really need to pay a professional hundreds of dollars to do what you can do for free.
Be Observant
Whenever you are out, wherever you are you should be on the lookout for new exciting ideas that you can use in your home. There are influences for interior design which can be drawn from virtually anywhere. If you actually hired a professional then you might hear them say that they have seen a great idea and think it could work well in this space, if the professionals do it why shouldn't you? Just spend some time looking around and see what you like. If there's something you like consider the possibility of recreating it in your own home.
You can find interior design ideas everywhere, if you see something that interests you then just study it for a few minutes. Decide whether or not this would work well in your home. If you go somewhere that has unique interior design then spend some time trying to work out exactly how they achieved the look. Sometimes very elegant beautiful designs can be created fairly easily.
Getting Inspiration from Other sources
You don't have to settle for what other people have already done when looking for interior design inspiration. You can also draw your inspiration from nature, if you are willing to spend time looking around. You might of seen a tree in the autumn and seen it's true beauty. You might want to create a similar look for your own home.
You will never know what you want until you start being aware of all the influences around you. You can then get down to experimenting on your home in controlled areas so you can decide what works the best. Professionals will also practice before they decide what to do.
Whenever you go out you need to keep your eyes open for new inspiration which might be useful for interior design. From fancy shower curtains to floor designs, ideas can be found anywhere. You don't need to hire an expensive designer to get the job done, you can do it all by yourself if you have enough time and experience.
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The Richness of Bohemian Glass
Bohemian glass, also called Bohemian crystal, since the word is the same for both in Czech, is a type of glass made in the regions of Silesia and Bohemia. It's been made there since the thirteenth century - the oldest excavations of glass making sites in Bohemia date to about 1250. They're located in Northern Bohemia, in the Lusatian mountains.
There are a number of notable glassmaking sites, both historical and recent. Bohemia manufactured a lot of outstanding high Baroque glass in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century. Bohemia has also been the home of some glass innovations. It was Caspar Lehmann, Emperor Rudolf II's gem cutter, who invented the technique of engraving glass with bronze and copper wheels, much the same as it had been done on gems.
Abundant natural materials, used to make pristine glass, were discovered in the Renaissance in Bohemia. It's been produced since, and you'll find hand cut glassware for sale everywhere in Bohemia. However, you should be careful to check that the glass you're buying is the real thing. Even in the region where Bohemian glass is produced, imports from China and other locations are sold at inflated prices, and aren't as high quality as real Czech glass.
If you pay attention, however, you'll be able to find real, high quality Bohemian glass, from cut glass goblets and bowls to hand decorated ornaments. Most Bohemian glass is decorated intricately, and may be hand-cut and painted, decorated with rhinestones, wheel engraved or plated with gold. You may see these techniques used alone, or in combination. They're the result of a lot of study and skill, since it takes four years of training merely to become glass painter.
The reason that Bohemia is so famous for its glass is due to the natural resources found there. Early on, glassmakers in Bohemia discovered that using local potash and chalk made a completely clear, colorless product that was a great deal more stable than Italian glass of the time. That's when Bohemian glass first was noticed by the European market. Much of this Bohemian glass was lead free, and could be easily cut with a wheel.
Bohemian crystal has been famous for its amazing quality and the delicacy of its ornamentation. By the mid-19th century, Bohemia had a system of glass making training that attracted foreign glassmakers, and began exporting large quantities of colored glass across the globe.
Most of these pieces were mass produced. Commonly, pairs of vases made in one or two colors of opaque glass and decorated in enameled floral patterns were exported. Some were also decorated with lithographs. People in Europe and America mail ordered these inexpensive art pieces for their homes, adding a little touch of beauty.
Even in the Communist period, glassworking remained high quality. That's because the governments considered this art innocuous. Bohemian traditional glassmaking continues into the present day. The area has one of the most respected glassworking school systems there is, and many pieces are exported to other countries. As with most types of art glass that are still being produced, this means that collectors should pay careful attention to what they're buying.
New pieces can closely resemble old ones. While new Bohemian glass is beautiful and collectible in its own right, antique buyers should know what they're paying for. However, that's just one more reason to learn all you can about this beautiful form of glasswork.
Tags: Art Glass, bohemian crystal, bohemian glass, Crystal, cut glass, czech glass, glass, glassmakers, opaque glassRelated posts
Varieties of Fenton Glass, an American Original
The Fenton Art Glass Company was originally founded by two brothers in Ohio in 1905. It originally served as a decorator of other glass makers' work. However, when it wasn't possible to buy the glass needed, they began making their own. In 1906, the factory moved across the river to West Virginia. It first produced glass in 1907.
Fenton art glass produced between 1905 and 1920 tends to bear the influence of Steuben and Tiffany glass, both famous art glass producers at the time. However, Jacob Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist, was responsible for developing the many colors that Fenton glass came in.
Carnival Glass
Fenton was also the first to bring carnival glass onto the market. This iridescent glass became extremely popular and is very collectible. Fenton has produced over a hundred and thirty patterns of carnival glass in its history.
Hobnail Glass, Crests & More
Fenton produced mostly practical items during the Depression and during WWII. That's because there were many shortages and luxury items weren't in demand. However, they kept coming up with new colors. During the 1950s, Hobnail milk glass became the company's most popular line. These are collectible pieces, but they aren't as valuable today as other Fenton art glass. Some lines produced by the company, called "crest" lines, are more valuable. The Ebony Crest line is especially collectible, as are very early Fenton pieces.
Interested in purchasing Fenton Glass online? We offer a huge selection in our Fenton Store.
These pieces are made with an opaque glass base and a clear or colored border ruffle for interest. Clear ruffles are called Silver Crest, green are Emerald Crest, and white and black are Snow and Ebony Crest pieces, respectively.
Fenton Logo After 1974
In the 1970s, the company began adding their logo to the bottoms of some pieces. This helped them be identified from older pieces. Any piece of Fenton art glass made from 1974 onward will have this logo. If a piece was made before this time, it was marked with a paper label. That means that older pieces will usually be unmarked, since the label has likely worn away.
Pieces made during the 1980s will have an 8 added under the logo, and in the 1990s, a 9 was used. Some lines have been produced for many years, resulting in newer, less valuable pieces looking much the same as antiques. That makes identifying valuable Fenton art glass tricky in some cases.
Recently, the Fenton glass company has had difficulties, and planned to stop production in 2007. However, unexpected customer response has allowed them to stay in business longer. They allow visitors to come to their museum and factory, which are still located in West Virginia.
Tags: Art Glass, carnival glass, fenton art glass, fenton art glass company, fenton glass, glass, glass makers, iridescent glass, opaque glassRelated posts
The Timeless Appeal of Lalique Glass
Certain objects have an appeal that is timeless. Glass creations by Rene Lalique are wonderful examples of this. Time and time again, we see such beautiful pieces in shops around the world, and even antique dealers get excited when authentic Lalique glass is found on television shows such as Antiques Roadshow. Lalique glass is so perfectly luminous and beautiful that many have tried to, though unsuccessfully, duplicate this wonderful artist's work.
Rene Lalique was born in Marne, France in April of 1860. He started his career as a jeweler and because of his innovation and creativity, he eventually became known as the master of Art Nouveau jewelry, winning award after award. Using precious stones, as well as materials not readily known in the jewelry world such as ivory, enamel and of course glass, he sculpted miniature lifeforms found in nature such as plants and animals. His jewelry was featured all over the world, including in the World's Fairs of 1900 and 1904, but his last exhibition was in 1912, after which he devoted himself entirely to works of glass, pushing the boundaries to originate new methods and techniques, of which many today try to emulate.
Shopping for Lalique Glass? Please visit our Lalique Glass Store.
In 1908, Lalique showed his flare for the creative when he manufactured a perfume bottle for Francois Coty, making it more of a work of art, rather than just the plain container it always once was. This is just an early example of his using a once commonplace piece of glass and turning it into something aesthetically pleasing to the eye. By 1912, he was commissioned to create glass works that were not only as simple as vases or perfume bottles, but ashtrays, light fixtures, fountains, sculptures and even hood ornaments for the booming auto industry. In the 1920's, because he was well known for his work in the Art Deco style,
Lalique was hired to design some of the glass work for ocean liners such as the Normandie, for with these high-end cruise ships, only the best would do, and Lalique glass was the greatest. He even worked on the infamous Orient Express. Among other things, he created stately and elegant columns of glass, as well as illuminated glass walls. He indeed became the master of glass, studying it's very nature, which allowed him to play with the reflection and transparency of the material, which is has a timeless appeal to those of all ages.
Rene Lalique died in Paris in 1945, and since then, the popularity for RLalique glass (his moniker) has grown in leaps and bounds. All of Lalique's creations are valued by collectors, from his hood ornaments, to vases, to perfume bottles. Someone who has an authentic Lalique glass creation in their collection is a fortunate one. It is beauty, grace and elegance that made Lalique glass so desired when he was alive, and it is those same characteristics that make it timeless for all to enjoy for years to come.
Tags: art deco style, Art Glass, Home Decor, lalique, lalique glass, rene laliqueRelated posts
Baccarat Crystal and Glass Reside at the Art Glass Pinnacle
Baccarat Glass, or Baccarat Crystal is a one-of-a-kind gift. This handcrafted glassware is of the highest quality, luminous and exquisite in design, and is desired throughout the world. To own a piece of Baccarat glass is to own a piece of history.
Some History
In 1764, to provide industry and jobs for the small village of Baccarat, King Louis XV of France allowed a glassworks to be built. At it's peak, the factory employed around 3000 people. At first, mainly mirrors, glasses and window panes were produced. However, as the story goes, in 1815, following the French Revolution, the well-known and established glassworks in Voneche, in Northern France, found itself outside the country when Belgium was formed. In order to get back into the country, the owner purchased the Baccarat glass company so he could once again sell his glassware to Frenchmen without having to pay large taxes.
You can find a large Baccarrat selection of marvelous crystal works of art - Just visit our Baccarat Crystal Store.
Apparently, a deal was made with the king of France to lower these taxes, if he once again set up shop in France. After this, the Baccarat company decided to focus mainly on producing lead-crystal glass of high quality, and in 1816, the first crystal oven was installed. In the early 1820's, Baccarat received it's first commission from European royalty, making table settings, one of which, the Harcourt design, is still used at official functions by the President of France. Baccarat Crystal is also well known for its paperweights which often feature real flowers, insects, and even small portraits of its customers encased in the glass. In addition, the company has also manufactured urns, vases, candelabras and chandeliers.
Lead Crystal Quality
Baccarat glass had a reputation for not only creating fine glass and crystal, but also because they continually studied the refinement and techniques of lead crystal making. The company's desire was to perfect the making of lead crystal so that it had a lead content of no less than 25%. It was one of the first glassworks to create an opaline type of translucent glassware, and in the late 1830's Baccarat started the use of colored glass in its creations. It also formed a technique which gave the glass appearance of changing colors, just by the addition of uranium oxide.
In modern years, the noble customers have been replaced by the wealthy and those with distinguished taste, because even with the institution of mass production, Baccarat glass has never lost its reputation as being at the pinnacle in crystal design. Aside from Paris, there is a Baccarat House in Moscow, and the product is sold in shops around the world. It also has divisions which are located in Japan and Hong Kong.
Baccarat Crystal Makes a Great Gift
Baccarat crystal and glass has been synonymous with luxury and elegance. For the past 200 years, it has been the foremost name in the production and distribution of fine crystal goods. Whether giving or receiving, Baccarat glass is indeed a one-of-a kind gift enjoyed by all.
Tags: Art Glass, Baccarat Crystal, baccarat glass, Crystal, glass, glassworks, lead crystal
