abo design co. » glass

Organic Art

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:18:38 +0000

Continuing on my art tangent…I would like to introduce you to the works of Chihuly (if you haven’t already been enlightened by his magic). If you google Dale Chihuly, you will find an awe-inspiring collection of images of glass sculptures that blurs the line between real and magical…that and a very thorough biography on his own website. So instead of exhausting you with a lengthy who, what, when, where, why, and how, here’s my very short & sweet version: an inspiring glassblower from which countless complex, multi-part, large-scale sculptures portraying nature’s beauty were borne. Interesting fact: he was a student of interior design and architecture in the early 60s (not surprising when you observe his use of space and dimensions with each installation). So there’s my quick sypnosis of the man, now please read the extensive biography here: chihuly.com/intro. If it appears at bit too lengthy for the time you have right now then simply allow the following images to enlighten your mind:

Note: must be enjoyed with some music (I recommend classical or Pink Floyd) and a glass of wine or whatever your poison is…

You can see this one in person at 1200 Georgia St

Bellagio， Las Vegas

Victoria & Albert Museum, London

For the ultimate experience, please watch this brief must see video: Chihuly & the Making of the Bellagio Lobby Ceiling

Interstyle Ceramic & Glass Tiles

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:53:39 +0000

Whenever possible, I always prefer to support a local company when selecting finishes & materials for my clients. One company that has become quite popular among my clients is Interstyle located in Burnaby. They manufacture ceramic & glass tiles for kitchens, bathrooms, and swimming pools. They specialize in creating custom mosaics and large format tiles for wall & floor installations. What’s truly unique about them is their line of recycled glass manufactured locally in Burnaby. For those working on LEED certification, you know how important this is. Aside from the fact that they are a local business, their products are visually stunning and for special projects that call for unique designs, they’re an excellent alternative. A sampling of my favourites:

Aquarius

Agates

Icestix

Ribbon (countertops or wall panels)

ThinkGlass…Think Green

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:48:31 +0000

We’ve covered concrete countertops and now glass! ThinkGlass countertops are sustainable. They are 100% fully recyclable. No sealants or harsh chemicals are used to produce them. There are no emissions released and no negative impact on air quality. They are radon free (compared to granite) and safe for use as a food preparation surface (Certified NSF). For homes they would gain you 10 LEED points and 23 points for NAHB Model Green Home.

Aside from their green characteristics they are stunning (especially against light) and a unique option for kitchen or bathroom countertops. Combining function & art, they are practically maintenance free and extremely durable. They are non-porous, which means they are perfect for Kosher kitchens.

All images courtesy of ThinkGlass.com

They are the most hygienic countertop on the market. You don’t have to worry about cross-contamination and they are pretty much impossible to stain as well. And the kicker, if you hate the way fingerprints are left on glass, a textured finish underneath will mask just about any fingerprint as well as common wear & scratches. You can place hot cookware directly on them but it is recommended that you use hotplates whenever possible.

They average about $200-$300 US per square foot, including cutouts. And like anything else, custom cuts are extra.