Inspiring Creativity with Glass Dividers

Glass dividers, what a lovely and simple item that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing in nature. Whether it is for the office or for the home, glass dividers can add a creative and convenient way to divide a room, keep privacy and add beauty.“If you feel like your home has too much open space and you need to create divisions, room dividers can offer the perfect solution. By using room dividers in your home, you can create extra living space as you can have a room that is separate.” On the other hand, in my years of experience I have seen many office owners who do not pay much attention to the design and look of the room. Glass dividers in the office can be useful for two reasons. It can act as a practical tool to divide a room but also, aesthetically it can impress potential investors and enforce company’s integrity and credibility. Glass Dividers can act as an advertising strategy attracting attention. Both big and small companies can easily combine glass dividers into their office design for its practical and aesthetic functions. Furthermore, other benefits of using glass dividers in the office are: glass dividers offer privacy, provides the feel of a more spacious area, and allows natural light to enter the room. You will be able to enhance lighting conditions within the room and enhance working productivity for your employees. At Castle Designer Glass, glass patterns can often span several panels, and when installed side by side can create a fantastic room divider, viewable from both sides. Thick paint and texture will create privacy, and varying amounts of light can be let through depending on the desired application. Inquire about your space for a custom quote at http://www.castledesignerglass.com/contact.html

Glass Whiteboards, More Functional and Healthier Alternative than Blackboards

When I was in elementary class I remembered those big black chalk boards my teacher used to write on; my teacher’s sleeves, hands and clothes were always full of white chalk. The use of traditional boards did not prevent to spread white dust on floor, in air, and on fingers of the writer. As I remember the past how messy and untidy writing and erasing with chalk is, I realize how Glass whiteboards are quite phenomenal. Today, glass white boards are increasing in popularity more than the traditional chalk boards. Glass whiteboards are fabulous, durable, elegant, modern, and sleek; it brings some prestige. They are also, environmentally friendly, easy to wipe clean without streaking or staining, and transform a space while engaging their audience. This exciting and versatile glass alternative to the traditional blackboard can be used in countless settings, such as the office, boardroom, hospitals, schools, and even in the home! The number one feature why glass boards are preferable is for health reasons. “Chalk dust can and does accumulate in the human respiratory system, which means it can create long-term health problems due to overexposure. In short, swallowing a piece of white chalk won't kill you, but breathing in chalk dust for a number of years can create or trigger respiratory problems.” http://www.wisegeek.com/is-chalk-dust-harmful.htm If you need a sophisticated, unique and cutting edge look for your office, school or healthcare facility, our glass whiteboards will transform your space. Castle Designer Glass is a fully equipped production facility, and our team of highly skilled artists is committed to superior artisanship and can create stunning functional glass designs that will enhance the elegance and style of any space. Visit us here on our website, http://www.castledesignerglass.com/index.html.

Winning Your Customers Over With Glass Art

The Business Exchange Restaurant Industry, states that “The average American eats out five times a week, from a latte and muffin at Starbucks in the morning, to a Big Mac and fries for lunch, to a nice meal at a sit-down place for dinner, and maybe a snack in between.” We eat out more often than before. Considering the uncertainties and slowdown of the economy people are presently searching for the experience of dining. So why not give your customers an experience they will never forget? Customers eat at restaurants because of the great food, friendly service, and a memorable atmosphere. If you are a restaurant owner that has succeeded in achieving all three, you’re getting customers into your restaurant. As for all the other restaurant owners out there I would like to ask you to take a step back and look at the interior design of your restaurant. What are the words that come to mind when looking top to bottom? Does it get people talking about your restaurant for the right reasons? If you are still reading this it probably means the answer is no, not really and you are looking for answers. Having a killer menu and great tasting delicious food is fantastic, having friendly staff with big smiles is exceptional, but think about it the customer will only see the menu, taste the food and exchange words with staff only once he is already inside your restaurant. The question is....What is attracting and pulling customers from the street into your restaurant? Interior design and glass art is an important marketing tool and increases the amount of walk-ins annually. What’s the first thing your customers see when they come in your restaurant? How many people enter your restaurant and then leave abruptly after they take a good look around? At Castle Designer Glass our artists are at creating art that draws attention and get you customers. . Custom pieces are made to order, matching your most imaginative style in textured and painted glass. Pieces can be framed and hung on the walls, mounted directly on the wall with clips, or even displayed on an easel. Pieces range from abstract patterns to detailed realistic paintings – the possibilities are endless! Today, the goal of a restaurant owner is to create a unique space for their customer that is cozy and welcoming, sophisticated but not overly snobby; restaurants are now incorporating many windows, bright lights, unique art, and glass into their interior design. People are on the hunt for the experience of dining. So grab their attention with unique glass art and then smother with tasty food and incredible service!!

Instead of revamping your kitchen - Add a splash of glass

I bet many have spent much time near the oven taking care of a roasting turkey for Thanksgiving feast. The kitchen is a multifunctional room where countless hours are spent preparing, cooking, and entertaining family and friends. Regardless, being on special occasions or on a regular daily basis; year after year your kitchen is the center of the home that gets much visitors attention. Did you know that when guests enter your kitchen they are automatically drawn to the kitchen counters? Do you think it is the time to refresh your kitchen? If you answered yes, instead of running to tear down all walls of the entire kitchen with a sledge hammer try changing a focal point of the room giving it a new innovative vibe. Then why not change your backsplash? Backsplashes are a great and simple way to brighten up a space, make a space come alive with color, or relaxing with soft tones. Consider using glass backsplashes where you wish to add the fine ingredients of creative energy and conversation to the room. Why not choose a backsplash that draws attention and conversation with cherished and loved ones? Castle Designer Glass provides custom glass backsplashes that create a unique and artistic feel to any home. Each piece is custom made for your space, utilizing large continuous pieces of kiln-textured glass, back-painted by hand with an endless variety of colors and metallic pigments to create any desired look. Sometimes simple is best and a little spice can go a long way. Instead of revamping your entire kitchen add a splash of glass to create a change from life’s mundane moments that will go a long way. A little cinnamon with your coffee?

The Colorful Language of Glass Art

Although I don’t want to list all of the terms that we use in the trade, I thought that my blog would be a great opportunity to provide my readers with a list of definitions that are used to describe the different techniques. Kiln-formed glass is usually referred to as hot glass and can be broken down into glass that has been slumped or fused. For centuries it was used to shape glass until the Romans developed glassblowing, which has since become the more widely used method. Many modern day glass artists are rediscovering its versatility to produce their glass art works. Glass slumping is the technique of placing hot glass over a mold over which the is being formed,(which can be made of either ceramic, sand or metal and coated with a release agent that will stop the molten glass from sticking to the mold. We use glass slumping techniques to create our backsplash tiles. Glass fusing methods involve stacking, or layering thin sheets of glass, that are mostly different colors to create patterns or simple images. One the glass sheets are layered correctly, they are placed inside the kiln and then heated through a series of ramps (rapid heating cycles) and soaks (holding the temperature at a specific point) until the separate pieces begin to bond together. Sandblasting is a common technique that we use mostly when we are creating our glass whiteboards. By sandblasting the layers of glass away with a sandblaster, a machine that uses compressed air to propel particles of abrasive sand, a design will stand out with every layer removed. Painting is another term that takes on a new significance in the glass art world. Our glass art would look pretty plain if we didn’t paint them using a variety of techniques, employing many types and styles of color. Some of the paints that we use are in a powder form while others including acrylic paints are baked onto the glass creating a permanent hard finish. As you can see there are many ways that we can shape, mould and color your glass art to your liking. Whether your project involves a backsplash, countertop, wall art, glass furniture or glass whiteboard, Castle Designer Glass can help turn your glass idea into a reality.

Creating Glass Art at The Sherbrooke Community Center

We heard about a wonderful project a few months ago at the Sherbrooke Community Center, and we knew that we had to help out. The many talented artists at the Center wanted to create a mosaic to hang in the chapel that would represent the North and Native Spirituality. We couldn't help ourselves and we volunteered resources, materials and time. Since the Sherbrooke Nursing Home was opened February 7, 1966 by Mr. R. B. (Bob) Beavis, it has sought to create a community that supports people to live full and abundant lives.In Saskatchewan, it has represented many first's including the first Adult Community Day Program, the first Respite Care Program, the first facility to offer Physical, Occupational and Music therapy to residents and the first specialized unit for the cognitively impaired. We knew that there was a great need for art to help individuals feel a sense of accomplishment and express themselves artistically. Donald Royal was the lead artist but he couldn't have done it alone and others such as John Pattinson etc... helped him out. This was a collaborative effort and we want to pay tribute to all of the artists that put their time an effort into an art piece that will live on. This project was led by the Center's amazing artist in residence,Jeff Nachtigall who has been a practicing artist for 17 years. After having had his work shown in major galleries throughout Canada and the United States. Upon completing his fine arts studies at the University of Regina and Illinois State University, Jeff has come back to us to help use art in a health care setting. If this story touched you, you can donate to the Sherbrooke Community Center. http://www.sherbrookecommunitycentre.ca/index.php

Designer Glass for Your Bathroom

When everybody thinks about high quality kiln-formed glass applications kitchens get all of the attention in the industry. Backsplashes, countertops, wall art are the glass applications that will standout visually. And since we’re always in the kitchen, why wouldn’t we want to make it the most visually appealing room in the house? Because we’re spending more time in the bathroom We’ll most likely never spend the same amount of time in the bathroom as in the kitchen, but a refined bathroom is at the top of the list of must-haves for prospective house buyers. I have seen some stats that indicate that we spend as much as 30 minutes a day, 210 minutes a week and almost 7-1/2 days a year in the bathroom. And that’s just time spent on hygiene and facilities. What about that end of the week baths that we use to unwind? You could easily add another day a year to the total. There’s no doubt that beauty and refinement in a bathroom will make you want to spend as much time as you can in there. With that thought in mind Castle Designer Glass developed a line of high quality products for the bathroom. Our creative artists create professionally engineered, high quality, elegant framed or semi-framed shower enclosures. We can customize your shower enclosure to the finish or texture of your choice. Since all of our work is done in house we don’t depend on outside contractors which allow us to make sure that your project is completed on-time. And like our beautiful glass countertops in the kitchen, we thought that a bathroom wouldn’t be complete without its own glass countertop. That same tempered, durable glass that is ideal for the everyday kitchen use is an ideal complement to a glass shower enclosure in the bathroom. If you’re interested in having us quote you on your bathroom, you’ll just have to provide us with the dimensions and a drawing.

Glass Wall Art Can Enhance Your Living Space

There are many ways to add beauty to a home and its walls, including hanging picture frames and works of art. Another way that homeowners can create a visual focal point in a room is with glass wall art. Throughout history glass wall art has always been very popular in different parts of the world. The colors and textures that can be made into glass enhance the overall aesthetics of any living space. When it comes to picking out glass wall art for your home you need to decide a number of things before setting out to shop for the actual piece. You have to consider the size of the wall as well as the activities that take place inside that room. A quiet reading room or library wouldn’t be a good fit for wild and loud glass wall art. You’ll have to choose glass wall art that is calming that will put you at ease. Then you have to consider the color palette you will be using for this room. You can either decide to go with a neutral color of glass wall art or you can decide to include some contrast into the room. When you’re planning to buy wall art, your interior designer can help you find the right colors, textures and design. Your designer will help you plan your space and work within price range to realize your project. You’ll also have to determine which wall should display your art. High traffic areas might not be the best place to display glass wall art. It’s important to make sure that you clean your new glass wall art each week to prevent dust from staying on it for too long. It will be much harder to remove if you allow it to settle into the cracks. Glass wall art doesn't usually require a frame because glass wall art can hang onto the wall its own. Because it’s heavier than traditional wall art because of the materials used to make it, it will have to use strong supports and hardware attach it to the wall. If you really want to add beauty to your living space and are looking for an original piece of art, we can design a glass wall art piece that will make you proud.

Inspired by Nature

As I was driving back from Regina earlier today, I couldn't help but notice the changing autumn colors, especially the leaves in the trees. Oranges mixing with greens and browns mixing with reds inspire the artist in all of us to create our next piece of art using nature's vibrant colour palette. Whether I am driving by the Evergreen Parks such as the George Dyck Park or John Brockelbank Park or a Stonebridge Park like the Patricia Roe Park, I am always fascinated by the beautiful tones and shades of colour. And the wonderful thing about these colours is that I will be able to create new textures for backsplashes, wall art, countertops with them in mind. At Castle Designer Glass, the textures that we create will have a large influence in the overall vision of the piece that we're working on. More than ever, customers are trying to recreate nature's beauty through the colours and furniture that they have in their homes. With some pieces they will be limited by technology. But with glass art, it can be customized as to the shape, colour and texture. Without texture, glass would just be plain and not interesting in any way. If you look through our website at www.castledesignerglass.com you'll see a sample of the textures that we can create. Our only limit is your imagination.

The Parade of Homes Makes Dreams Come True

I can't tell you how pleased I am that Castle Designer Glass is exhibiting its glass wall art, glass countertops and glass backsplashes with the Saskatoon Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is an initiative of the Home Builders Association and the Make a Wish Foundation to raise funds through the Wish Home Lottery. These funds have helped grant the most heartfelt wishes of children suffering from life-threatening diseases such as cancer an opportunity to enjoy life after an illness or can simply provide the time and support a family's needs after a lengthy medical crisis. We've teamed up with local builders including Haven Builders, Decora Homes Ltd. and Selkirk Developments Inc. to stage participating homes in the Parade of Homes. One of the homes is located at 1726 Pohorecky Rise and is a luxurious two storey 2345 sq. ft. home full of unique, exclusive features. Since we partnered up with the Wish Home Lottery, we've been receiving a steady stream of builders, designers and stagers who have been impressed by the endurance qualities of our glass countertops and glass backsplashes. We stand behind all of our products and we can ensure our customers that they are designed to handle normal wear and tear. If you're a designer or home stager we would love it if you could visit us at our studio and we can show you the fabrication process and the full range of glass products. If you would like to make a difference in the life of someone who has survived a serious illness, please participate in the Wish Home Lottery.