Glass- An integral part of Interior Design

Mention the word 'Glass' to many interior designers and perhaps understandably, their first thoughts are of ornate chandeliers and for the 'more mature' designers, cut crystal used in fine dining and 'occasionware'.

Indeed for many generations, fabulous examples of these 'crystal creations' could always be seen in exclusive hotels, commercial buildings and superior residences. Glass was (and still is) used to exemplify wealth and decadence and to make guests feel appreciated. Many believe that you can distinguish the level of quality of the crystal by the unique noise it makes.

However, as the technical and colour qualities have developed over the years, matched or exceeded by the abilities of the glass artists and designers who passionately and patiently work with this intriguing material, opportunities for incorporating glass into other interior and architectural design areas continue to expand and evolve too. Glass designs are now often combined with stylish metalwork, water, lighting and wood, to create spectacular features in a myriad of colours.

When created by masters of the art, glass enables feature pieces to be designed and produced that portray style and individuality; It can complement and enhance themes, statements and ideals. Glass has the ability to attract, reflect and inspire - it can be tactile or intriguingly distant. It can be delicate and fragile through to shatterproof and even explosion proof!

How many other materials can claim such attributes?

Creative architects and interior designers are now increasingly using glass where they may previously have only thought of other materials. For example, it is possible to create fabulous wall panels of almost any size to provide dynamism and intrigue. There are examples of large panels incorporating glass, mirrors and lighting that appear to change colour, either just by the effect of natural sunlight, or the completely concealed electronics behind them. For an exclusive touch in superior bathrooms and kitchens, glass tiles of individual design and colour schemes are now often used in addition to, or instead of ceramic tiles.

The overall design themes required by the clients, that interior designers bring to life (or fantasy), have also aided the development of new glass designs and themes such as marine life, where it is possible to create glass shells, flowing sea panels and even fish of various shapes and sizes. There is at least one hotel, where due to climate considerations being unfavourable for keeping live fish, colourful hand made glass fish have been created, secured in the water and illuminated from below. They are very low maintenance and don't need feeding!

Whilst there are already a myriad of colours available for glass artists and creators to use in their designs and some also incorporate real gold and silver leaf in them too, it has in recent years become sometimes possible to develop colours to match themes and corporate branding. Recent examples have included using glass to make platters and feature pieces that have 'flame grilled ', 'dynamic and funky' and 'retro' themes and colour schemes. In some of these examples, budgetary considerations meant that a few eye-catching limited edition glass platters, panels and displays, were supplemented by use of lower cost and mass- produced artefacts. This was sometimes supplemented by using hand made drinking and cocktail glasses, dishes, bowls and candlesticks.

Chandeliers and lighting are still very much part of where glass has a major role in interiors and could be a subject in itself. There are numerous versions, often mass-produced by machine and people in low cost labour markets. It is also possible and normally 'affordably expensive' for an interior designer to work with glass creators to produce their own, often very modern designs incorporating the latest lighting technology. In recent times there have been many fine examples where great glass shapes and colours, secured to rods or wire, with LED's incorporated within or between the pieces, have become to centre of attention in hotel, ballroom or corporate and residential buildings. This individuality is still used in cruise liners and large boats too. Glass chandeliers really can be affordable, unique, modern and stylish.

Use of glass in architectural indoor and outdoor applications and features will also be covered in future articles, but it is worth mentioning that it is possible to create very large sizes and shapes by bonding and fusing individual glass pieces together, either free-standing or within a structure. An example shown comprised of hundreds of individually cast glass bricks constructed within a metal framework. It is in an outside location, illuminated at night and is large enough for visitors to walk within. It is known throughout the area and highly appreciated for its relevance to local history (and by the owners of a nearby store for commercial reasons!)

The frustrations of interior designers often include how they constantly search for ways of exciting clients, incorporating individuality and searching for affordable new design materials and features, that cannot easily be copied or replaced by those that seek to replicate rather than innovate. This article and the series that follows, seek to enthuse, inspire and educate interior designers, so that they can incorporate more glass in their current and future projects. The aim is to make you aware of its applications and any limitations.

The greatest reward remains where interior designers, individually and collectively, working closely with specialist companies and masters of glass design and making, then see the pieces turned into stunning reality.

This is a reward that with various interiors products, the writer continues to enjoy after working in the Gulf and worldwide for more than 25 years.

The author is Steve Parker,Founder and Director, The Stourbridge Glass International Collection, England. He can be contacted at steve@stourbridge-glass.com.
Stourbridge Glass is an Industry Partner of APID. www.stourbridge-glass.com