SGO Designer Glass Blog

Clear Glass & Bevels? Fabulous!!

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:51:00 GMT

Are you looking for sparkle but don't want added colour or texture? Do you want something beautiful but still want a clear view to what is on the other side of the glass? You can have it all! Look at these beautiful examples in a window and cabinets. A super way to add character and an individual touch to these spaces. Both photos are in the same gorgeous kitchen.

Continuity in the Details

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:49:00 GMT

Designers and decorators often reference the importance of 'flow' in a home or space; the ease with which the eye can travel from one area to another. This can be accomplished through colour, flooring transitions, a specific style or decor. This does not mean that every room needs to look the same or be the same colour, but for instance, there may be a continuity of colour, used either as the main event or an accent. A repetition of architectural detail can be a subtle influence in how this all plays out. Think of moldings, baseboards and trims and how they can influence the 'feel' of a space. In this beautiful renovation of a century home, the detail of the entrance glass was repeated in other areas on the main floor. A simple and unassuming detail, yet powerful in its contribution to this elegant home.

Where Can I Put Decorative Glass - Other Than A Window?

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:36:00 GMT

Where else can Decorative Art Glass be used? Picture an interior window between two rooms that will allow light to flow from one to the other; interior transoms over doorways; folding privacy screens; cabinetry glass as an accent in your kitchen or entertainment unit; a light box to provide a ‘window’ in a room with no window; shower enclosures; even fluorescent ceiling panels and mirrors. The possibilities are endless; if you can imagine it, we can usually find a way for it to be done!

Beyond the Curtain - Glass in the Shower

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:31:00 GMT

Are you thinking of updating your bathroom or perhaps considering a complete renovation? Think glass! If you want to show off a beautiful tile design or marble and like a sleek, open feeling, then clear glass, like the shower to the left is for you. By using textured decorative glass you can add a major design element while maintaining functionality, without necessarily needing to redecorate the entire room. It can help to obscure old tile or hardware and many of the decorative glasses available will also hide the water spots!

With either option, glass in the bath, whether for shower and bath enclosures or for privacy walls, is low maintenance, hygienic and durable. Customized to your specific design needs and function there is lots to choose from when it comes to price points, hardware and glass options. So give us a call for glass in the bath - whether clear or decorative - and we will work together to turn your vision into reality. Just click on the photos for more shower and bath ideas.

Introducing Dreamwalls Marble Glass

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:35:00 GMT

When you look at these photos, would you guess that the backsplash and walls in this shower are actually glass? Dreamwalls Marble Glass is an exciting new product that combines the simple practicality of glass with the natural beauty of stone and marble. In fact, this month in Chicago it was awarded a NeoCon Silver Award in the "surfacing materials" category in the Best of NeoCon product competition. NeoCon is a major design show to the trade.

It has all of the glass benefits mentioned above and unlike many natural stones and marble, it is non-porous so does not require additional sealing or periodic maintenance. Using only high-resolution images of full-size slabs of stone and marble, (therefore no tiling effect) the image is then permanently bonded to Starphire ultra-clear glass. With over 65 patterns to choose from in a variety of thicknesses, it is a super product for horizontal applications like countertops or tables or used vertically such as in the photos above.

Recording Studio Entrance

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:06:00 GMT

'Studio 13 Live Sound Recording' is a state of the art recording studio located in Flamborough, Ontario. When it came time for the final touches, owner and sound engineer Urmas Soomet and his partner and studio hostess Barbara Kerr, chose to meld the warm and soothing tones of the studio decor with a lively musical theme for the doors gracing their main entrance. The doors provide a warm welcome to visitors, separate the 'live' room from the vestibule and control room, yet allow light to flow from one area of the studio to the next.

Barbara, who some of you may have met when she worked with us here, came up with the design for the doors and worked closely with Josh to make it happen. As she was still here at the time, she fabricated the glass herself to reflect the wonderful music that happens behind those doors. Please feel free to contact Urmas and Barbara through their website and arrange to see both the studio and the doors in person! www.myspace.com/studio13recording.

Simply Beautiful! Can You Guess What Type Of Glass This Is??

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:37:00 GMT

Did you guess what it is? Both of these pieces are carved and back-painted glass, which as you can see are wonderful works of art. This is a fantastic application for areas such as doors, room dividers, backsplashes, shower doors, table tops, and windows. All art work is custom, so a homeowner or business owner can achieve exactly the look that they desire. The glass can be 'edge lit' which makes it even more beautiful. This product can be amazingly detailed and can simply utilize the colour of the glass itself, be painted in select areas, or over its entirety. The two photos above show a small detail from larger pieces. The photos below are carved and edge lit on clear glass.

What Else Can You Do With Textured Glass?

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:28:00 GMT

Textured Glass has a beauty of its own and is commonly seen as an alternative to plain glass in cabinet doors. There are many different types of glass available that offer various levels of transparency. It can replicate the look of old glass or be more contemporary in styling. It can add a simple, elegant appeal to windows, but look what can happen when you add a lead design to the equation!

Try to picture the window to the right without the added leadwork. The textured glass solves the problem of much-needed privacy, but it is the Prairie-style leadwork that really adds punch to the setting. In the window to the near right, the chosen glass adds textural interest, while the traditional lead design enhances the room styling.

Welcome Home - Make Yours Unique!

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:11:00 GMT

One way to add value and curb appeal to your home is to let us help you create beauty and privacy with decorative glass in your entry. It is an ideal spot to add an infusion of personality, but if you think about it, there are other areas in your home that can also reflect your personal style.

You might prefer the traditional look of SGO Iron Art and textured glass, as in this beautiful window on the right. Perhaps the funky, free-flowing design of the shower doors on the left is more your style. Either way, it should be a reflection of you. Make it yours - make it unique!

A Gift of Glass

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:11:00 GMT

Glass provides an amazing canvas for creating perfect, personalized gifts for any occassion. With our wide selection of decorative glass mediums, we can find just the right type to best reflect the style and design that you would like to give. As these gifts often have a very special meaning behind them, we feel honoured to be asked to be part of the process.

If you have something particular in mind you can bring us a rough sketch of what you would like to see, like our customer did for the piece on the right, titled Sun Loves Moon. It was a very special Christmas gift. The photo on the left was a gift for Mothers Day, a beautiful symbolic representation of a wonderful friendship.

Have You Seen SGO Iron Art?

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:22:00 GMT

Looking for something a little different?

SGO Iron Art looks like traditional wrought iron but is actually a light-weight wood/resin composite. Available in many designs and virtually any shape, it is outstanding when used on its own in an opening or niche or simply mounted onto a wall. It can be installed in front of clear glass, and combines beautifully over textured glass when privacy is needed.

Ask us about its Green Product Specifications and visit our Burlington, Ontario studio to view samples of various styles and colours.

Religious Art Glass for the 21st Century

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:21:00 GMT

The exquisite beauty of decorative glass in a religious setting is a time honoured tradtion. With Stained Glass Overlay, our designers are free to create designs from the most complex traditional to contemporary abstract. With our recent introduction of SGO LifeFilm, the design possibilites are truly endless.

The Stained Glass Overlay Advantage:
    *one-piece seamless construction
    * no support rods necessary
    * added integrity & strength of a single, solid piece of safety glass
    * energy efficient & UV reflective
    * can be installed over existing glass or made into thermal units
    * handcrafted and warrantied
    * unlimited design capabilities

Cabinet Glass - Elements to Consider When Making a Selection

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:16:00 GMT

Cabinet Glass is one of our most requested projects and there are many beautiful options to suit any style and budget.

When we are working with clients in deciding what they would like, we often begin by asking what their needs are. Do you want to hide what is in the cabinet or show it off? Will there be lighting in the cabinets? What are the cabinet, counter and backsplash finishes and what is the cabinet style? What size will the glass area be? If you are thinking that cabinet glass might be in your future, keep all of those factors in mind. From there we can start to determine what type of designs and products will best suit your needs.

You can use beautiful textured glass on its own or with added leadwork. Enjoy the sparkle of bevels on clear glass with lead, or a glass design that combines various textures or colours. We have a wonderful new SGO Cabinet Brochure that is full of both traditional and contemporary design ideas. And don't forget that SGO Iron Art looks great in cabinets too. It is an excellent solution for entertainment units that require adequate ventilation for the equipment inside. Check the Kitchen Photo Gallery on our website for lots of wonderful examples.

Introducing Mirrormate Frames

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:32:00 GMT

Transform your large, plain mirrors into beautiful framed focal points .... while your mirror stays attached to the wall! Sound impossible? Not with Mirrormate frames!

This terrific new line of high-quality frames is custom-cut and will fit even if the mirror is touching a side-wall or backsplash. Available in over 40 different styles and finishes, the frame adheres right to the surface of the mirror, and will even hide unattractive clips.

These decorative frames give your room an up-to-date, finished look, and offer an affordable solution to a challenging decorating dilemma. Check our Bathroom Gallery for before & after photos to see what a difference a frame can make. We have samples in our studio of all of the available styles and finishes. You wouldn't hang a picture without a frame, so why settle for a bare mirror?