Posted by Carter Davidson on Sat, Jun 04, 2011 @ 11:18 PM
Martha Stewart showcases various ways she recommends mirrors as deocrating tools to make your home pop with style.
Sparkle Plenty
An interior entry hall with no windows or natural illumination becomes a dramatic blaze of flashing light nonetheless, thanks to walls lined in beveled-mirror tiles that are studded with delicate glass rosettes at each corner. An elaborate Murano-glass chandelier, a mirrored Art Deco console table, highly polished dark-wood floors, and even a nickle-plated doorknob all add to the reflected glory.
Circular Thinking
Mirrored plateus, often etched with fanciful patterns, were used to multiply the effects of candlelight in dining rooms in the 19th century and have lost none of their appeal.
Empire State
American Empire mirrors take on new purpose when their battered veneer frames are patched and unified with oil paint, letting the colors and shadows of the old mirrors themselves become the center of attention.
Light Work
Mirrors are timeless and work in traditional and contemporary interiors. And vast expanses aren't necessary to have an effect. Lining the backsplash of a sleek galley kitchen in a modern high-rise expands the narrow space and magnifies the light from adjacent windows. Because large sheets are used, there are few seams to disrupt the clean lines and minimal details.
Bright Ideas
In an eclectic living room, mottled antique mirrors, both real and faux, contrast with gleaming expanses of new mirrors to create seemingly infinite reflections. Screens of Venetian-style antiqued mirrors flank a mantel that is topped with a sheet of new mirror, on which hangs an English bull's-eye girandole that dates to the 1830s. A 1950s American mirrored cocktail table and 1960s Italian mercury-glass lamps add further reflections. Neutral colors ensure that the play of light remains the focus.
Posted by Carter Davidson on Sun, May 08, 2011 @ 09:36 PM
There are so many ways you can use mirrors in your home to create a custom look that is unique to you and your style. Here are some tips from Real Simple:
Full-Length Mirror as Table Centerpiece
Place an inexpensive full-length mirror (the kind you attach to a closet door) atop the dining-room table. Set vases of various heights and forms―some with, some without flowers―on the mirror.
Make a Room Seem Larger
Tight spaces expand and rooms seem roomier when you prop up a large mirror (at least three-fourths as tall as the wall). It’s a classic interior decorator’s trick to create instant―if not real―square footage.
Let It Glow
Fireplaces, like mittens and sleds, go unused during the summer. But the space is perfect for positioning a mirror behind pillar candles to reflect their soft, flickering light.
Go for a Reflective Grouping
Randomly group mirrors of various shapes and sizes, featuring different frames or borders for a collector’s look.
Reflect the Outdoors
A mirror hung to reflect a window gives the illusion of another window in the room. The space will look bigger and, depending on the weather report, brighter.
Posted by Carter Davidson on Thu, Apr 21, 2011 @ 08:44 PM
Does your shower or tub still have that old shower curtain? Have you wanted to replace it but thought it would require an entire bathroom remodel? Think again! You can easily swap out a shower curtain for a shower door without having to remodel your entire bathroom.
Here are some reasons why replacing that shower curtain may be more beneficial than you think:
Mold...Yuck!
Shower curtains are prone to mildew - a fungus which thrives in warm and humid conditions such as bathrooms. A mildewed shower curtain not only looks and smells unpleasant, but it can be a health risk too. In order to keep the mold issue at bay you will need to wash your shower curtain frequently and ultimately replace your shower curtain regularly. When you do replace your shower curtain be sure to buy one that is PVC free (polyvinyl chloride) as this is yet another hazard related to plastic shower curtains. Want to learn more about this? Read this great article on the PVC issue.
Small Bathroom?
Don't worry if space is an issue in your bathroom. If you have a small bathroom and want to keep valuable space a shower enclosure takes up considerably less room than a bath. The floor area of a shower tray or enclosure can be smaller than you think which will still provide plenty of space in which to enjoy your shower. There are a variety of shower doors such as pivot and bi-fold. Or if you have a spare corner, alcove or recess a good solution would be to install a quadrant enclosure or sliding shower door.
Want to Keep your Bathtub?
Maybe you like taking long, hot baths or you have small children who love to play in the bathtub. No problem! You can keep your tub and install a shower enclosure or shower screen as a good alternative to a curtain. They look more stylish, are easy to clean, relatively easy to install, less expensive than you might think, and very versatile. Shower screens are made from toughened safety glass and come in a variety of patterns and shapes, such as rectangular or with rounded corners, and can fit into almost any size and shape of bathroom.
Does your Bathroom need a Facelift?
Looking for a quick and easy way to update your bathroom? Your bathroom will look so much more attractive if you have a shower door or gleaming free-standing shower enclosure. It will be much lower in maintenance too. Unlike a shower curtain which has to be taken down to be cleaned, shower screens and enclosures can be cleaned in their original position with a quick spray of surface cleaner and an easy wipe down. Another advantage to shower enclosures and doors is that they allow more light to permeate the bathroom making it feel more spacious. Shower curtains are less reflective and give the appearance of taking up more space.
Now this is what we call adding some light to your bathroom!
Posted by Carter Davidson on Sat, Apr 16, 2011 @ 07:01 PM
Check out HGTV's advice on 10 ways to decorate with mirrors:
1. Decorative Windows
According to designer Andreea Avram Rusu there are never rules when it comes to decorating with mirrors. "Mirrors bring light and depth into rooms — they're like decorative windows you can move around and place as you like," she says. Mirrors have several benefits and can "reflect and emphasize views and colors from art and/or adjacent walls creating special effects," designer Celia Berliner says. Design by Andreea Avram Rusu.
2. Mirrored Art
A bold and gorgeous mirror can be the focal point of a room. Designer Andreas Charalambous of FORMA Design uses this extra-large mirror to "reflect the light from the balcony below and to serve as a last-minute check point as the owners head out to work," he says. "The mirror itself becomes the artwork in this minimal set up." Even a large wall mirror can bring simplicity to a space if used correctly.
3. Double the Space
Add mirrors to any space you want to visually expand. "The location and placement of the mirror are key when utilizing them — you want to ensure that it will not create undesirable reflections and will allow it to maximize its innate qualities," designer Celia Berliner says. Mirrors, like this large dining room one, brighten the room, create additional luminosity and add dimension to the space, she says. Design by Celia Berliner.
4. Dramatic Effect
Full-size floor mirrors can make a dramatic statement in a small space. "Using a framed, full-size mirror placed on the floor and resting on the wall can become an incredible asset in many ways in a bedroom, living room and even at the end of a hallway," designer Celia Berliner says. Design by Nicole Sassaman.
5. Mirror Crazy
Designer Jennifer Duneier believes you can never have enough mirrors in a home. Try something new — hang multiple mirrors on the same wall. "If you use them together on a wall, you want them to be grouped in a visually-pleasing way, similar to art pieces," designer Amy Bubier says. "The scale of the mirrors should be proportional to each other and to the wall space — avoid using small mirrors on a large wall." Design by Erinn Valencich.
6. Design Must-Have
Mirrors can add an extra decorative touch to a room. This duo suits the modern, yet vintage feel of the bedroom. "Mirrors are like art in that the style should coincide with other pieces in your home," designer Amy Bubier says. "They are an integral part of the design style." Designer Celia Berliner believes well-placed mirrors can aesthetically enhance an interior with the use of stylish frames, like these distressed, reflective-framed beauties.
7. The Perfect Spot
Mirrors can be displayed in every room of the house, but a favorite spot for designers is the entryway. "Entries, rooms that lack natural light and dining areas can be a great place because they create an opportunity for creative lighting, candles, ambience, art and reflectivity," designer Amy Bubier says. Jennifer Duneier is a designer who enjoys a mirrored entryway so everyone can do a final check before leaving the house. Design by Emily Henderson.
8. Garden Views
This wall-sized floor mirror defines the modern dining area in an open floor plan. Designer Andreas Charalambous of FORMA Design angles this oversized beauty against the wall to reflect natural light and the views of the adjacent garden. The apartment's small size is visually enhanced by the dramatic addition.
9. Bedroom Reflection
An energetic vibe is given to an ultra-modern bedroom. The large stand-up mirror works with the curtains to deliver the illusion of double square-footage in a tiny space. Designer Celia Berliner says a floor-to-ceiling mirror can be a useful accent to a bedroom wall, especially when it comes to dressing.
10. Reflected Light
Dining rooms are an ideal place for mirrors, especially when there's a full house. Designer David Scott prefers to use mirrors in rooms lacking natural light where they can create a greater impact. "I love to use mirrors in a dining room and light candles which will reflect and create a warm, romantic glow," he says. David uses an extra-large wall mirror to add more visual dimension to the space and create an elegant, yet relaxing atmosphere.
Posted by Carter Davidson on Sat, Apr 09, 2011 @ 10:10 PM
Take a look at some of the very cool things that different designers around the country are doing with glass.
1. Use Glass Tiles instead of Ceramic Tiles in Bathroom
www.griffindesignsource.com
2. Walls Made of Glass
http://www.trendir.com/house-design/luxury-beach-houses- cool-oceanfront-design-with-white-exteriors-and-interiors.html
3. His and Her Sinks in Pink
Contact AC Glass to use glass in a unique way in your home!
Posted by Carter Davidson on Sun, Mar 13, 2011 @ 10:47 AM
Did you know that remodeling your bathroom is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home? According to Forbes Magazine, you can recoup up to 90% of total expenses on a bathroom remodel.
Here are some tips on how to give your bathroom a makeover:
Replace the Bathroom Vanities
Swap out the old vanities with a custom mirror. Having a mirror custom made can actually be less expensive than buying a pre-fab vanity. Take a look at a custom mirror we did for a client that gave her master bathroom a sleek, modern feel.
Notice the lights are attached on top of the mirror and the cut outs on each of the four corners.
Add a Glass Shower Enclosure
A glass shower enclosure is a must-have in today's modern bathroom. Swap out the old bathtub with a glass shower enclosure to immediately update your bathroom.
Don't want to lose your bathtub? No problem! If you have the space you can add a glass shower enclosure next to the bath. Limited space? Replace the dingy shower curtain with a glass shower door.
Take a look at the photo below for some design inspiration:
Not sure what will work in your bathroom? Contact AC Glass today for a free in-home design consultation on how you can update your bathroom in no time!
Posted by Carter Davidson on Wed, Feb 16, 2011 @ 09:15 AM
Beveled Edge Mirrored Tops add something to any table - bedside tables, dining room tables, coffee tables. Check out some photos of the various ways you can use customize a glass table:
Glass Table Top
Round Dining Room Table
Rectangle Dining Table
Like Aquariums?
Don't see a glass table that meets your style? No problem, you can make a table from any number of objects that are in your home or that you can easily purchase or find. You can create a glass coffee table to fit just about any decorating style as well.
Here are the steps to creating a unique glass table:1. Buy a piece of glass from a local provider such as us here at AC Glass. You will need tempered glass that is 12mm or thicker, with beveled edges.
2. Pick out a base for your glass coffee table. There is no end to the variety of choices available. You can use pretty much anything as your base for your table. Try stores such as Target, Pier1, Pottery Barn or Michael's for base ideas.
3. Place the glass on the base. Be sure to use rubber dots to protect the glass from scratching at the base. This will also prevent the glass from being easily moved. Put a few self-adhesive rubber dots on the base where it touches the glass. You can find these rubber dots at
Home Depot,
Wal-Mart or your local hardware store.
Posted by Carter Davidson on Mon, Feb 14, 2011 @ 01:45 PM
When your vehicle has a chipped, cracked or broken windshield it is important to get it repaired or replaced because it can not only obstruct your vision but also compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Most people are unaware that the windshield is a MAJOR part of the vehicle. It works as part of the frame and crush zones as well as with the airbag system.
During an accident, the windshield will absorb the force of a deployed airbag. If the windshield was not properly installed it will not have the structural integrity necessary to withstand the force of a deployed airbag. This can cause the airbag of the car to deploy either too early, too late or even worse, cause the windshield to shatter.
An improperly installed windshield can separate from the vehicle in an accident resulting in weakening of the chassis, roof collapse and possible injury to its passengers. It can also leak, causing damage to the interior and electronics.
For these reasons, it is very important you consider factors beyond just price when shopping for a windshield replacement. Be sure to ask if the repair shop has experienced technicians who have been trained by the guidelines set forth by the National Glass Association (NGA) and The Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS).
All of our technicians here at AC Glass understand the safety guidelines and follow them strictly to ensure the safety of our clients and their passengers.
Posted by Carter Davidson on Tue, Feb 08, 2011 @ 02:08 PM
Here's something you should see!
This custom framed mirror, installed on a wall above a fireplace mantel, was designed by one of our clients, RW Interior Design, and fabricated and installed by us here at AC Glass Company.
Contact us today for a custom mirror which allows a lot more design flexibility and lot less $$$ than something you would find out of a catalogue.
This picture features AC Glass owner, Bill Thurston, working with our client onsite at her home to create the perfect mirror.