Many people view crystal as a medium largely reserved for use in dinnerware and vases, but that is a sadly limited view of this wonderful and versatile material. With its unique ability to splinter light and cast rainbow hues around your home, crystal is worthy of a liberal application when one is decorating. Thankfully, many […]
Crystal Glass Ornaments: The Look of Luxury Continue Reading »
The modern perception of perfume bottles centres very strongly around French artists and designers, likely owing to the fact that it was a French artist (Rene Lalique, in partnership with Francois Coty) who introduced the concept of affordable yet creatively designed glass perfume bottles (that were actually sold containing perfume, a novelty at the time)
Glass Perfume Bottles UK: A Marvel of Early Glassmaking Continue Reading »
I have always found crystal to be uniquely magical, with its intricate facets breaking light into little shards of the rainbow, but I had little concept of where or how it was made until recently. As far as we can ascertain, crystal owes its origins to man’s desire to imitate nature; in essence, taking cues
Stuart Crystal: The Shape of an Era Continue Reading »
When one imagines large glass vases, it’s likely to create a mental picture of luxury. One might envision the beautiful object set on a pillar in a fine house or museum, either spilling over with ferns and flowers or left empty so that its painted beauty might speak for itself. It might surprise you, then,
Strange History: The Odd Stories Behind Famous Large Glass Vases Continue Reading »
By the late 1800s, famous artist Rene Lalique had already changed the face of jewellery-making forever, having convinced Victorian consumers and collectors that the design of a piece of jewellery was just as, if not more, important than the value of the stones set in it. His nature-inspired pieces, which often depicted animals and the
The Magic of Rene Lalique: Designer Perfume Bottles Continue Reading »
In every field, there are visionaries; true pioneers who open the minds of others to possibilities hitherto unthought of. Rene Lalique was, to the world of glass, one of these visionaries. Born in 1860 in the small village of Ay, in the Marne region of France, Rene Lalique would rise to the top of multiple
The Revolutionary: Rene Lalique, the Man Who Brought Glass to Art Continue Reading »
When I first heard the term “Uranium Glass,” my initial thought was, perhaps rather predictably, “They didn’t really use uranium in it, did they?” Yes, actually, they did — and it really does glow bright green in the dark, with the application of ultraviolet light (which, incidentally, is usually the best litmus test to identify
Uranium Glass: Haunting Green Beauty Continue Reading »
I can still vividly remember my first trip to the Mediterranean; the cerulean sea that darkened with the sky above, the umber hues of the cliffs at sunset, the bright orange and yellow fruits rolling carelessly down the street. I remember being entranced by all the colour, the warm hum of life. Being from a
Dancing With the Sun: Mdina Glass Continue Reading »
James Powell & Sons, better known as Whitefriars Glass, was the longest-running glass house in Britain and started in the mid-18th century. The Old Glass House in Tudor Street dates back to 1740 but records date back to a small glassworks off Fleet Street in 1720. Whitefriars Glass History: James Powell & Sons James Powell
Whitefriars Glass History Continue Reading »
Wedding Gifts It is often hard to find wedding gifts that really do the newlyweds justice. Nowadays, many couples have already set up home before they marry, so the traditional wedding gift ideas of toasters and cutlery are a bit old hat. If you really want to buy unique wedding gifts then it is time
Wedding Gifts | Luxury Wedding Gifts for the Happy Couple Continue Reading »