Unique Glass Home Decor

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Much like clothing fashions, design elements go in and out of style in a cyclical fashion. Blown art glass was a lost art in America until a resurgence that occurred in the 1960s. Ever since then, these unique decorative pieces have been charming hosts and houseguests across the country. Evidence suggests that the first hand blown glass vases were made in Syria before the birth of Christ. Venetian artisans revitalized the technique in the 12th century when their island became a trading empire.

Today, collectors as well as average homeowners appreciate such vases. When you purchase a hand blown vase, you’re not just paying for a mass-produced placeholder but rather a genuine work of art. The creativity and craftsmanship that go into every piece simply cannot be overstated.

One of my favorite memories is of visiting my Grandma’s house on Saturday afternoons. What I liked best was sitting at the table helping her do a crossword puzzle. Grams and I could spend hours filling in those tiny square boxes. And, unlike my parents, Grams would let me have as much candy as I wanted.

Often, as we were working on our puzzle, I would grab a handful of butterscotch candy from one of the glass candy dishes that sat on the table. I would savor each candy, letting the pieces slowly melt in my mouth. I hated it when it came time for Mom to pick me up.

You need not be Martha Stewart to make your home look pleasant and inviting. The key is to know how to mix and match accents and decors already found in your home. Just a little of this and a little of that can go a long way.

Take for instance a lonely dining table. Bring it to life by adding a colorful table runner and then creating a table centerpiece. The centerpiece need not be expensive either. It could be a couple of decorative glass bowls filled with blooms handpicked from the garden. It could also be filled with pinecones and fruits. You’d be surprised at what you can create with the items that are readily found in your home.

Scents and essences might linger in the mind long after they’ve disappeared from the air. Such is the case with a perfume or cologne that takes you back to a distant place and time. Our minds associate memories with the senses in order to help us remember them. I’ve been collecting glass perfume bottles for years, and a quick whiff from any given bottle transports me to the moment I purchased it.

Of course part of a perfume bottle’s appeal is the artistry and craftsmanship that went into its design and production. These aren’t mere containers or vestibules that are produced, filled with liquid and shipped out. The most distinct, attractive bottles have an artistic sensibility – the shape of the bottle is either pleasantly round or strikingly squared off. In any case, perfume bottles are as decorative as they are functional.

My husband was due home from a six-month tour in Afghanistan, and my kids and I were so excited. In fact, we had planned a party for the night of his return. We invited more than 35 guests. It was going to be a grand blow out.

At first we had thought of decorating using a camouflage motif, but we soon changed our minds and decided to go with some traditional patriotic home decor. I started getting the house ready by hanging a huge American flag on the front door. Next, I hung a ton of red, white and blue streamers around the house and in the yard. I put out a few glass vases of beautiful red roses on the entry way table. And I asked all of the guests to wear the colors of the flag and even to dress as patriotic figures if they liked. My husband was so surprised when he got home. He loved it!

I’ve always thought that the gift-giving process associated with weddings is inherently flawed. We’ve all been there: the guests arrive at the wedding venue and are ushered quickly to their seats. The bride and groom are understandably busy glad-handing distant relatives and vaguely remembered acquaintances. They don’t have time to open their gifts until much later – sometimes not until after the honeymoon.

My wife and I agreed that when our friend Marvin got married we would put plenty of thought into his wedding gift. Drawing from our own experience, we wanted to stay away from kitchen appliances, as he would be getting plenty of those anyway. In order to lend a personal touch, we chose hand painted wine glasses and martini glasses. When they aren’t being used, these fine glasses can be displayed as art.

When my husband and I bought our first home, I relished the process of picking out interior décor. Since my husband had no interest in the design work, I had free reign to decorate the way I saw fit. I began in the kitchen, adding some stylish vases stocked with fresh flowers. After that, I bought a fruit bowl and piled it high with apples, oranges, bananas and even plums. By the end of the first week, the kitchen was a vibrant amalgamation of lively colors.

But the effect didn’t last long. We became too busy to replace the withering flowers with new ones, and neither of us could eat enough fruit to keep up with the apples and oranges as they eventually spoiled. It struck me that I could find decorative glass bowls that looked great on their own, and the same was true of vases. In some cases, the receptacle is just as impressive as its contents – if not more so.

Here is a great martini recipe that I enjoyed this summer. This awesome summer drink recipe is just one of the few that I love and highly suggest trying. We will love it, if you share with us your favorite drink.

This is what you will need:
1½ oz Vodka
½ oz Triple Sec
½ oz Vermouth
4oz Cranberry Juice
Ice
Martini Shaker
Large Martini Glasses
Garnish with cranberries

1. Invest in a set of handmade and colorful cereal bowls.
2. Granny Smith apples are a pretty countertop accent.
3. Treat yourself to a fresh set of dishtowels.
4. Display a vintage dishware collection on open shelves.
5. Dress the windowsill with two or three pots of moss or herbs.
6. Install energy-efficient under cabinet lighting.
7. Use hand blown glass flutes for your orange juice in the morning.
8. A potted orchid in a white ceramic pot is an accessory that lasts longer than fresh cut stems.
9. Install a new faucet.
10. Use a tray by the stove to store cooking essentials. It will keep everything exactly where you need it.
11. Treat yourself with a new set of canisters.
12. Say no to paper napkins and switch to a colorful fabric set.
13. Banish old knobs in favour of new ones.
14. Display a pineapple when you are expecting guests. It is the symbol of welcome.
15. Make a pretty message board by placing fabric or decorative paper behind the glass of a large frame. Then use a dry-erase marker to write on the front.
16. Install a plate rack. Use it to display a collection of platters or cookbooks.
17. Keep utensils contained and at the ready in a plain white pitcher, it goes with any kitchen.
18. The next time you buy groceries, bring home fresh flowers for the kitchen table.
19. Display dish soap in a pretty container.
These are a few ideas of how to spruce up your kitchen décor.