Tag Archives: Caliente Hot Glass

Love Your Living Room

Courtesy of Glen Andrews Art Glass

Courtesy of Glen Andrews Art Glass

There’s that one main room in your home where everyone gathers, perhaps watches TV, enjoys lively conversations, plays games. You might call it the living room or the family room. You might even have a great room, a modern version with an open floor plan that also combines the dining room. We love building great rooms for our clients, which by its very nature, encourages family interaction.

Regardless of what it’s called, this is the heart of your home, and you want it to be a room that shines. Your living room should, more than any other room, reflect the personality of you and your family.

Here are some tips to help bring some love into your living room or make that great room even better!

-          If you have a great room, then you must rely on area rugs and furniture to create the spatial boundaries in the room. Typically, you want a backdrop that is more neutral. Different sections of the space can utilize colors and patterns but should compliment the other sections of the room. Accent walls can also be used to cleverly add definition between spaces.

-          Update your great room with a home office space, small library, children’s play corner or adult arts and crafts corner. All of these options can, again, add dimension and definition to the space.

-          Find some unique antiques to add some character to your living room. Old antique doors can also be used to divide up a room. We recommend a hidden gem right here in San Antonio, called Architectural Antiques Salvage. This giant warehouse is filled with all sorts of treasures, from doors to light fixtures, clawfoot bathtubs, sinks and even some décor. They are located at 403 Dawson St., just on the eastside of downtown.

-          If you’re looking to update your furniture, which is a fun way to change the look of your living room, consider adding some curved furnishings. Once popular in the 60’s, the curved look is coming back. For example, a crimson velveteen sofa with a back in the shape of a half circle and a curved cushion in front. A piece like this can help add a touch of femininity to the room.

-          Light fixtures can be an easy way to define the space in your great room or living room, and can also serve as a showpiece that truly represents the ambiance you’re wanting to achieve. You might consider having some custom blown glass pieces to create a modern-day chandelier. Locally, we recommend Glen Andrews Art Glass of Caliente Hot Glass. They can design a piece specific to your look and tastes and even install it for you. For more information, visit glenandrewsartglass.com.

However, if it’s simply time to start dreaming of a new great room, we’re here to help! Give us a call at 210-494-5400 or fill out our online form to get started.

Stunning Local Glass Art for Your Home

Caliente Hot Glass Demo

Caliente Hot Glass Demo

Unless you’re lucky enough to have stumbled across it at a gallery or upscale restaurant, you probably aren’t aware of the talented glass artists that live right here in San Antonio.

Glass art makes a dramatic statement in the home. There are all types of glass that can be used to adorn your new or existing house, such as a chandelier, wall piece or a vase or sculpture. Regardless of its form, glass is always a beautiful and unique showpiece.

The glass artists in town often have artwork available in their galleries or studios, but particularly if you’re having a custom home built, you’ll want to commission a piece to be designed exclusively for you. Here’s a couple of artists we think you might like:

Glen Andrews of Caliente Hot Glass Studio

Glen Andrews is a highly creative and intelligent artist who enjoys expanding his skills by always incorporating new methods, including methods he invents by trial and error. Glen and the other offhand glass artists (the proper term for blown glasswork) at Caliente have been ramping up this past year. Besides expanding their studio space, they also have a new gallery for showcasing their work.

Every second Sunday of the month, what they call “2nd Sunday Funday,” you can enjoy live glass blowing demos, shopping and meeting the artists themselves. Caliente also offers private glass blowing experiences for those who want to get more up close and personal with hot glass.

Garcia Art Glass

Gini Garcia is easily the most successful local glass artist, sometimes compared to the famous Chihuly (who has a gorgeous piece up at the downtown library). Garcia Art Glass was founded in ’98 and she has designed pieces both locally and internationally for hundreds of residences, restaurants and other businesses. However because her work is highly sought after, commissioned pieces will likely take a significant amount of time to finish and might cost you almost as much as your house!

Jake Zollie Harper of Zollie Glass

Located in the Blue Start Arts Complex, Zollie Glass is a gallery that showcases torchwork glass art – that is, glass made by using a torch. This is much different than offhand glass and is typically used for making small scale pieces, such as marbles.

Jake, who has collaborated with Glen Andrews, is also exploring new ways to apply his skillset. He produces commissioned pieces and even creates small pieces that fit together to make larger sculptures.

Jason Lawson of Lawson Glass

Tucked away in the Texas Hill Country, not far from us, is a uniquely gifted artist by the name of Jason Lawson. Although Jason has the artistry and skill to make any number of glass art, he has found his niche of late by making and selling hot-sculpted solid crystal antler chandeliers that are exceptional in every sense of the word. Although most of his clients are outside of Texas, his style seems a perfect fit for homes with a modern Texas décor!

If you’re in need of a beautiful home for all of this amazing art, we’re ready to build your new custom dream home. Give us a call at 210-494-5400. To be added to our private email list to receive newsletters, please sign up here.