Glass in the Kitchen

Happy Friday! Another week has come and gone bringing us one day closer to the weekend and one day closer to the end of 2006 (can you believe it?)

This week I'm still on my residential glass kick, but I've been thinking a lot more about the kitchen and all the places where glass could be used. I was reading on the website of the the National Home Builders Association a story that talked about kitchen trends and one that was mentioned was more natural light--daylighting. Kitchens are getting bigger and bigger and finding ways to bring more light in is a major trend right now. Think about this: what if there were a skylight in the kitchen, large windows and clear glass cabinets? That could make for a lot of light coming in to a room that in the past may have been somewhat dark--Like the chocolate brown refrigerator my parents had in the 1970s and the dark wood paneling. That kitchen had but one small window and not a lot of natural light. In the house in which my parents live now, though, there is practically a wall of glass that overlooks the back yard so lots more light comes into that room. And you know, I think my parents are happier, too. Of course, that could be due more to the fact that they no longer have three kids to keep up with. Whether it's the extra light or the lack of kids, studies have proven the benefits of having more natural light in our surroundings.

The thing is, if you really stop and think about it, glass can offer so much and bring so much to any environment. It can open up a room, making a small space seem larger.

I want to hear about some of the interesting ways you've seen glass used ... anything unique, creative or innovative? Post your thoughts and let me know.