High Country Shopping
Glass Act
For simple beauty and classic style, the choice is crystal clear.

From Left: Nesting Glassware waterglass from The Source Perrier Collection,
sourceperrier.com; Grappa glass from Sur La Table, surlatable.com; Highland
Fern sherry glass by Home James through International Villa, internationalvilla.com;
Southold Stripe white wine glass by Kate Spade through International Villa,
internationalvilla.com; Waterford crystal
cordial glass, waterford.com.
It’s hard to believe that a combination so natural and so simple—in this case, some sand and a little heat—can produce something so elegant, practical and beautiful. But glass is just that.

Glass has been around for a long time; evidence shows more than 3,000 years. It was then quite rare; in fact, Biblical references compare glass to gold. It would be much later, in the late 1600s, when it was discovered that adding lead oxide to glass produced a brilliant, uniform clarity and made it easier to cut. Lead crystal was born.

Today, glass is not quite so rare, but that does not take away from its inherent and coveted beauty. And when new technologies are combined with ancient methods, glass products—both practical and artful—will add translucency and sparkle to every room of your home.

Chandeliers, once only seen in the stateliest mansions, have become popular with owners of every type of home, thanks to the great new sizes and styles that are available. “Manufacturers are updating traditional looks and making a lot of great lighting on a smaller scale,” says Steve Livran, owner of JJS Lighting in Denver.

From elegant and formal to cute and quirky, glass and crystal chandeliers are offered in every size and price range and can be hung everywhere from powder rooms to patios. And the look lasts forever.

“Crystal is a look that’s never going to date itself,” adds Livran. “If you invest a little money now, it will still look perfect in twenty years.”

Chandeliers can be purchased just about everywhere, too. Search online auctions, antique shops and flea markets for charming pieces that need a little TLC. Many times all these treasures need is some rewiring and perhaps some replacement crystals (which can be found in all these places, too). And a quick Internet search will give you myriad choices of manufacturers who are creating great reproductions.

crystal chandeliers
From left: Antique Swedish crystal and bronze chandelier from Eron Johnson Antiques,
eronjohnsonantiques.com; “Spring” ball chandelier from Dorian Webb, Inc.,dorianwebb.com; Scheherazade Strass crystal chandelier by Schonbeck through JJS Lighting, jjslighting.com.
In the kitchen and bath, glass tiles, sinks and even bathtubs are making a splash. New introductions from heavy-hitters such as Kohler, Vitraform and Prizma Studio boast striking forms and brilliant translucent colors that illuminate even the smallest of spaces.

Spurred by the popularity of above-the-counter sinks, Vitraform has developed an entire line of stunning glass versions, which feature both clear and colored glass. Kohler introduced its Spun Glass Lavatory, a striking bath basin that works in both contemporary and traditional settings. And Hungary-based Prizma has actually created a glass bathtub. In the kitchen, avant-garde manufacturer Poggenpohl is experimenting with glass countertops.

The best part is that top designers like Vera Wang and Kate Spade are discovering the exciting design options of glass. Wang’s line features stunning stemware and home accessories (perfect gifts for all those summer weddings); Kate Spade’s home collection includes charming “mini-tini” martini glasses and “gin rummy” old-fashioned glasses.

So if you haven’t paid attention to this simple and natural material in a while, rediscover all the amazing products created with glass. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Using Your Glass

Keep it clean
Art glass should be dusted once a week and cleaned every few months. Chandeliers can be dusted every few months with a feather duster and thoroughly cleaned with a mixture of ammonia and distilled water once a year.

Store it well
Crystal glasses are porous and can absorb the taste and odor of storage boxes, as well as the soap used to wash them. Wash glasses with hot water and very little soap, then store them on a hanging rack or a well-ventilated shelf.

Show it off
Don’t keep your glasses and serving pieces hidden away in a china cabinet! Get them out, dust them off, and enjoy them.

Know your crystal
The maximum lead content for crystal is 33 percent; however, this makes the glass very soft and difficult to work with, and therefore very expensive. Crystal with a lead content of 24 percent is considered fine crystal.

Make it last
When making a large investment, be it for a large chandelier or new champagne flutes, be sure to keep the look classic. Pieces trimmed in 1980s mauve or ’90s hunter green are now dated; the hot color or fad of today will date quickly, too.

Let it go
Be sure to immediately discard any glass that is broken, cracked or chipped.

Buying Tips

Break the rules
When purchasing stemware, remember that not everything has to match. Mix coordinating colors with clear, new with antique. Let your table express your personality.

Invest artfully
Successful glass artists such as Dale Chihuly have given art glass more mainstream interest, and many young designers are producing incredible pieces in the medium. Do a little research and invest in a showstopping bowl or vase.

Add some bling
Chandeliers aren’t just for grand, formal spaces anymore. Small homes, simple cottages and even rustic cabins can benefit from a little sparkle. Try a chandelier in the kitchen or a “mini” in the master bath.