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Archive for October, 2009

Etched Glass Patterns: Matrix

October 29th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (2)

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to feature some of our most popular etched glass patterns. Since any design, pattern or color can be etched in the glass, you can probably imagine that we’ve done a wide range of them over the years, but there are a few particular patterns and textures that are more popular than others.

"MATRIX" glass pattern: Abstract Formation, Gluechip, Rain Drizzle, Squares Pattern

The first one we’re going to highlight is our very popular “Matrix” design. Various types of pieces such as dividers, frameless all glass entries and glass windows with this design applied, have been some of our most dramatic and stunning pieces created in recent years.

All Glass, Frameless Courtyard Entry System

The Matrix pattern is a geometric, contemporary design made up of etched & carved glass sections, usually featuring between 5 – 7 various sandblast textures and patterns. The sections can be laid out in any size, shape or form, but most often it’s vertical and horizontal sections. If we’re working on a curved or round top glass, then the sections are laid out circular and curved.

Geometric glass pattern "Matrix" on Tub/Shower Divider Glass

Contrasts are always interesting, and the textures within Matrix vary greatly, giving it a very bold and defined look and feel. Countless patterns could be used, but Matrix will typically feature a circle pattern, a squares pattern, a “Rain Drizzle” patter, a freeform texture we call “Abstract Formations”, gluechipped sections, and lastly, a soft “Moonscape” texture. The design elements within each section are 3-dimensionally sculpture carved, and then the background area is “misted” (lightly sandblasted). As you’ll see on a number of the samples featured in this blog, we’ll often also apply color to some of the sections, which adds another bold and dramatic effect.

Door Glass with "Matrix" Pattern. Color applied to "Moonscape" textures

Interior Window with "Matrix"

As mentioned, for the next several weeks we’ll be featuring a different pattern or texture. In the meantime, to see dozens of various glass patterns, visit our Patterns & Textures Gallery.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Glass Panels Separate with Style!

October 27th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (1)

"Swan Song" Glass Panel Interior Partition

Glass Panels are a fantastic way to separate an area. Depending upon type of design applied to the glass, the panels can create privacy where needed, or simply add a beautiful custom look suitable to the decor where an open feel is desired, but privacy may not necessarily be needed.

"Galloping in the Vistas"

Different types of custom glass panels etched and carved by Sans Soucie would include free standing dividers, enclosed bath and shower partitions, glass handrails, narrow fixed partitions, accent glass and pony wall dividers. All of these are available in any custom size or configuration.

In some areas, the only thing that’s needed is a glass panel separation, to create sound privacy in areas such as an office or conference area. In those instances, simple etched or frosted bands with corporate logos are often applied to wall and partition glass, bringing in the company brand. Any size logo can be applied to any height level on the glass.

"Abstract Hills" Glass Panel Partitions

"Renaissance Waves" partitionglass at Long Beach Renaissance Hotel

For other areas where visual privacy is needed, we’ll apply frosting or glass etching over the majority of the glass surface. Again, any custom look is possible, so there’s no limit to what can be featured.

Another fantastic custom element for glass panels are chiseled irregular edges. The chiseling can follow the design elements, such as mountain peaks, as seen on the beautiful Mountains Panels installed inside the Companion Animal Clinic of Yucca Valley, California this past year.

"Rugged Retreat" Shower Divider Glass (photographed at our Studio)

Many times the irregular edge will just flow across the top and coordinate nicely with the design, like the Ocean Wave panels we did for the Marriott’s Long Beach Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California.

Glass panels with abstract formation designs add a stunning look and are a great alternatives for things like shower and bath dividers.

Come visit our Glass Panels Gallery and view dozens of pieces like these! Sans Soucie can custom design a glass panel for your home or business that will be a “one of a kind: YOURS!”

"Fairway View" Carved Glass Panel

Tags: architectural glass, art glass, custom glass, custom glass panels, custom partitions, divider glass, etched glass, glass etching, Glass Panels, glass partitions
Posted in Abstract Designs, Commercial Projects, Custom Edges, Desert Designs, Freeform Designs, Glass Panels, Landscapes, Partitions & Dividers, Shower Dividers | 1 Comment »

Frosted Glass, Inside & Out!

October 22nd, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (0)

etched glass pattern frameless doors shredded

INSIDE View. Jagged Peaks all glass doors.

OUTSIDE View.

What a difference a VIEW makes!

The main factor that will change the viewing appearance of any of our etched, carved or stained glass is one thing, and one thing only: LIGHT! And in the case of our art glass, being ARCHITECTURAL Art Glass primarily illuminated with natural sunlight (which, by the way is really the best form of lighting for it), is the time of day, and whether you’re viewing from inside our outside!

As you’ll see in the examples included in this blog, glass and the artwork applied to it will take on a completely different effect, depending on how the light is hitting it.

The most obvious difference comes when the glass is viewed from inside or outside of the home or building, and whether it’s day or night, the factors change again. Colors will change, details in the carving will stand out and the visibility thru the glass will change as well. One of the best examples we can give you is the “Jagged Peaks” all glass doors. These doors were photographed in the day, are ½” thick bronze glass, and have been sandblasted with a frosted pattern on the outside surface. From the outside, the glass takes on a dark brown hue, and creates a nice level of privacy when looking in. Viewing the glass “from the inside out”, it looks completely different. The glass almost appears clear, but if you were to look at “clear” glass side by side, you’d see the difference.

frosted glass doors window geometric out

"Sun Odyssey", viewed from OUTSIDE.

Inside View

When viewed at night, the opposite becomes true. The glass is illuminated from the inside, and so when viewed at night, as you approach the door, you would be able to see IN to the house or building. The same rings true, even on clear glass. Viewed at night from inside the house, the glass will appear darker and take on a different look. It’s really one of the great things about glass .. light changes everything and the art glass will have a different look depending on the time of day you’re viewing it.

Visit our special Effects & Techniques page on our web site, to read more about the different types we use that create different looks. We found a very interesting web site called GlassFacts.info that you might also be interested in. Another interesting article is Glass Facts, the History of Glass.

etched carved glass squares pattern doors

"Squares Pattern", grey glass, viewed from OUTSIDE.

etched carved glass squares pattern doors inside

Inside View

Tags: Door Glass, frosted glass, glass effects, glass etching, light effect on glass, light on glass, privacy glass
Posted in Abstract Designs, Definitions & Terms, Glass Facts, Techniques & Effects | No Comments »

Glass Doors Add a Level of Luxury

October 20th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (0)

"Metamorphosis" all glass doors, one of our Signature Design Styles.

All glass doors, also known as frameless doors, are really our “signature piece” at Sans Soucie Art Glass.

Both glass door inserts and frameless, all glass doors are our most popular product, and while either one will create a stunning entry when the glass is etched, frosted or carved with one of our exquisite custom glass designs, there’s no doubt that an all glass door really does “take it up a few notches”, as far as a higher-end, more upscale look.

The thickness for an all glass entry is typically 1/2″, and more often than not, the glass color chosen is a “regular” clear glass (as opposed to the more clear “low iron glass” that has minimal green cast, with brand names such as “Starphire ®” or “Diamonte ®”, depending on the manufacturer). When looking “head on” at the glass, the green hue that’s present in regular clear glass is hardly noticeable. It’s not until you look at the edge of the glass, will you see the darker green hue. Since the edges of door glass inserts are hidden, installed inside the frame, and the edges of a frameless, all glass door are only seen when the door is opening or closing, the typical glass choice is “regular” clear.

: “Glacier’s End” is another Sans Soucie Signature Design. These all glass interior doors feature chiseled irregular edges, multi-layers, and open holes in the glass.

The basic cost of the glass and hardware for frameless, all glass doors will vary depending first on the size of the doors, but also the hardware finish and the type of locking system, the biggest variance is usually in the choice of door pulls. There are many selections of custom door pulls out there, with the most basic being a straight pull. Other popular choices are “S” or curved door pulls, “C” shape pulls, triangular door pulls, etc. all of which will be chosen to coordinate and compliment the carved design.

Since we need thicker glass for sculpture carving, all glass doors are perfect and ready to go for 3-dimensional sculpture carving the design in to!

As with all our etched or frosted glass products, our design styles are limitless, so we guarantee we can create something that will suit your decor! From abstract designs to contemporary, and glass patterns to landscapes, come visit our etched, frosted All Glass, Frameless Doors Gallery and see dozens of examples of both residential and commercial door glass, custom designed for our individual clients.

Quadrant Pulls

Tubular Straight Pulls

Cadence Pulls

Meridian Pulls

Lyra Pulls

Allegro Pulls

Tubular C Pulls

Tubular Triangle Pulls

Modular Triangular Pulls

Tags: all glass doors, architectural art glass, custom doors, custom glass, decorative glass, Door Glass, door pulls, etched glass, etching, frosted glass, glass designs, patterns glass
Posted in Frameless Doors | No Comments »

Glass Doors For Oakland Raiders’ Al Davis

October 19th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (2)

Glass Doors for Al Davis, Raiders Football Team Owner

Glass Doors, also called all glass or frameless doors undoubtedly create a very “high-end” or upscale look to any entry, whether it be for a home or place of business, and with the unlimited glass designs we create at Sans Soucie Art Glass, we believe that a number of the all glass doors we’ve been commissioned to create over the years have been some our most exquisite work.

Etched glass, carved glass Raiders logo on Glass Doors

One beautiful entry that comes to mind is the glass doors and all glass entry we were commissioned to create for the “The Raiders” football team owner, Mr. Al Davis. Custom designed for his home in the Coachella Valley, each door is a towering 10′ tall x 5′ wide and were etched and carved with a custom design to provide privacy, while at the same time, making a very personal statement!

The design features the Oakland Raiders football team logo front and center, and is bordered with two different etched and sculpture carved custom glass textures made up of wavy lines and a “glass chunks”. The background areas of the entire glass surface was solid frosted or etched, to obscure the glass and create privacy. There are two sets of sidelites, the first set butting up against each glass door, with the borders from the doors continuing all around. The second set of sidelite windows are about 18″ away from the doors on either side and feature a solid etched glass image of the infamous Super Bowl Trophy.

Visit our online Gallery of Glass Doors to view this and many other examples of framelsss, all glass doors. You can also visit our Custom Glass Logo Gallery to see dozens of custom corporate logos we’ve been commissioned to etch and carve in glass such as the U.S. Presidential Seal, The U.S. Marine Corp Seal, The Cheesecak Factory, all glass doors for Johnson & Johnson, Metropolitan Theatres, The Palm Springs International Airport, The Beer Hunter and The City of Palm Desert.

Etched Glass Super Bowl Trophy

Close up of textures in borders

Tags: architectural glass, art glass doors, custom doors, decorative glass, Door Glass, doors for al davis, etched glass, frosted glass, glass doors, glass etching, patterns glass, raiders logo in glass, window glass
Posted in Borders, Door Glass, Frameless Doors, Logos, Patterns & Textures | 2 Comments »

Stunning Curved Glass Shower Enclosure

October 15th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (0)

shower/abstract geometric waves circles bands We recently created and installed one of the most stunning showers we’ve ever done, in a beautiful custom home up in Northern California.

Rather than a typical “square corner”, this beautiful large shower enclosure features a large curved, laminated glass panel, placed directly in the center between the 30″ wide door and 36″ wide side panel. The panels are all 84″ tall, and are 3-dimensionally sculpture carved in 4 different patterns that run vertically in columns, continung all the way across and around the enclosure.

We ship our custom glass all over the country, which is then typically installed by a local glazing contractor in the area, but in this case, since the destination was within our delivery range, two of our glaziers/installers made the 8 hour drive (you have to drive very slow when hauling art glass!), delivered and installed the glass into a beautiful custom home in Danville, California, about 23 miles East of Oakland. shower/abstract geometric waves circles bands

The geometric, contemporary pattern carved on the glass, was a design by Maria Billingsley.

Visit our Custom Showers Gallery and see dozens of examples of our beautiful, custom shower enclosures! You can also visit our Geometric Designs Gallery, which features all different types of architectural glass products, all etched and/or carved with geometric designs.

etched carved glass shower enclosure geometric pattern

shower/abstract geometric waves circles bands

Tags: architectural art glass, carved glass shower, carved pattern glass, curved glass, custom bent glass, etched glass shower enclosure, frameless shower enclosures, textured glass
Posted in Borders, Contemporary Glass Designs, Geometric Designs, Patterns & Textures, Shower Enclosures | No Comments »

Sans Soucie Art Glass on YouTube

October 14th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (0)

images

Did you know that Sans Soucie Art Glass has its own YouTube Channel featuring a handful of great videos?

That’s right! You can view a number of great videos featuring our different types of products like “Etched Glass Frameless Doors and Door Glass by Sans Soucie“, a full length video about our glass inside the Bank of America Tower, New York, and the Presidential Seal we carved for the USS George HW Bush (CVN 77) Aircraft Carrier. Our videos will focus on things like certain high profile projects, and our various types of products.

Not only do they display examples of our work, but the videos are also educational and informative, and in many cases go into detail about the different types of techniques we use to achieve our different effects. We have plans for many more on the horizon that will be used as great tools and will soon be featured on the Home Page of our web site.

For now, visit our YouTube Channel where you can currentlyl choose from 9 different videos. Our latest features a sampling of custom etched and carved glass SHOWER ENCLOSURES.

Hope you’ll check it out! ENJOY!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Etched Glass for your Pantry Door: From Classic to More Custom

October 14th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (1)

Etched glass pantry door inserts are a very popular item seen in many homes. Having an etched glass pantry door, rather than a plain solid door, will add a wonderful custom element and “open feel” to any kitchen.

At Sans Soucie Art Glass, we create a wide variety of designs, with a very broad price range. From the classic, very simple panel where the glass is solid frosted for obscurity, leaving a border of clear pinstripes and the word “Pantry” … to a more detailed, decorative design, such as a multi-stage carved and gluechipped design, such as our “Bundled Wheat Pantry”. As with all our glass, there are limitless design possibilities.

The frosted glass pantry door designs range in price

between $245 to $345, depending on the size of the glass and how many elements are featured (a border, the word “Pantry” and perhaps a whimsical “chef” or veggies). These designs are what’s called a negative, “single stage sandblast”. There are many various types of borders and type styles to choose, all of which can be seen in our Pantry Glass Production Designs Gallery our web site.

The more custom glass designs, (that are dimensionally CARVED and feature gluechipped backgrounds), will range in price from about $600 to $1400, again depending upon the size of the glass, the complexity of the design and whether we surface etch or sculpture carve it into the glass. (For more info., see our blog about “Etched vs. Carved Glass” and the page on our web site showing the differences).

Naturally, the goal with pantry door glass is to obscure the view into the pantry, which means the majority of the glass surface will need to have some sort of coverage, whether it’s a solid sandblast, a gluechip surface or carving and shading. Leaving some clear areas is fine, so long as they’re narrow, or small. These areas will appear “dark” the majority of the time, when the pantry light is turned off. When the lights are flipped on, the glass will of course beautifully illuminate and all the details will be even more visible.

Visit our Custom Pantry Door Glass and our Production Pantry Door Glass to see dozens of examples and a wide variety of designs. For sample pricing, visit our Pricing Page and scroll down to “Door Glass – Pantry”.

Tags: carved glass pantry door, custom glass, etched glass, etched glass pantry door, kitchen glass, pantry door, pantry door etched glass, pantry glass
Posted in Door Glass, Pantry Door Glass, Production Designs, Techniques & Effects | 1 Comment »

Color! Color! Painted glass in our etched glass designs

October 8th, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (0)

Click on any image in the blog to see the full size piece and enlarged photo!

A great custom feature that is added an additional design element to many of our etched and carved glass is COLOR! From soft hints to deep, bold hues, color adds another beautiful dimension to any carved texture or design.

More often than not, color is added as a “highlight” to only certain portions of the design, as you’ll see on most of the examples I’m including in this blog. For example, we’ll add color to the fish and some of the plant life in a tropical aquarium design, but not to the background areas. Very often when we’ve done “Reeds” designs, the design will include a hummingbird, and only the hummingbird has been painted while the reeds were left “white” sandblasted only. Desert scenes will have some of the foliage and boulders, or even the palm trees painted, but the majority of the design will remain unpainted, like the foreground, mountains and clouds.

Carved and painted signs are very popular and we can custom match any color for any logo. We color match to items in the decor like flooring, walls, wallpaper, fabrics, or other decorative art pieces that may be near the glass, etc. In most cases, the color used will be transparent so the light can pass thru, which creates a beautiful, colorful “glow” in the glass. We do also apply solid colors, which will block the light from passing thru, but will add a perfect, custom element by pulling an exact color match between, say, flooring and a glass door.

There’s one particular piece we did a few years ago, that out of all our work, I believe might be the most “colorFUL” piece we’ve ever done. It was an interior glass window commissioned for the Inyokern Baptist Church, Inyokern, California. The window features a cross with “beams” surrounding and extending from it with a crown above the cross. Color was applied to 100% of the glass surface, and the colors chosen were deep, bright yellow, orange, turquoise, purple and neon pink. The glass is back-lit with flourescent lighting and has the appearance of “stained, leaded glass”, but all achieved thru sandblast carving and painting the glass.

Early stained glass, incidentally began by very similarly painting the glass, just as we’ve done on this cross piece. For a great story about the history of stained glass, read “The History of Stained Glass” on the Stained Glass Assoc. web.

Color matching is of course very specific, so in most cases we will create color samples for your approval, to be sure that the color is correct. Color is popular for every type of product we create, from etched carved glass doors, windows, showers, couunters and tables, dividers and mirrors. For items such as exterior door or window glass, we will caution you that if the glass is exposed to direct sunlight, colors can and likely will fade over a period of time, IF they’re exposed to direct sunlight. They won’t likely “disappear” but can fade. A personal experience we had that really “stood the test of time”, was the front door glass we had for many years. It was a Southwest landscape design that featured adobe houses, a beautiful clay pot, and colorful clay pot draped on a ladder. The glass was installed in 1990, and in 2003, the glass was actually moved to a different home (a beautiful, southwest adobe style home, perfect for the southwest design in the glass). To this day, over 20 years later (!), the color still remains! In both homes, however, the front door did not receive direct sunlight.

Adding color does take our artists more than twice the time to create, (in most cases, it will actually take longer to apply the color than it does to sandblast the design). All areas of the design have to be “re-masked” after sandblasting. This takes our artists many, many hours to achieve and so of course adding color the design will increase cost. But it does make a huge statement and adds a very rich element to the design.

Visit our Carved & Painted Glass Gallery on our web site, to see many examples of various types of glass products that feature color.

Tags: architectural art glass, Color in Glass, painted glass, sandblast techniques, Stained Glass
Posted in Color in Glass, Definitions & Terms, Desert Designs, Patterns & Textures, Techniques & Effects, Tropical Designs, painted glass | No Comments »

Etched Glass Windows: Tub Window Designs

October 1st, 2009 by lgannett – Comments (0)

“Ondas” Tub Windows

Our second most popular type of item is our etched and carved glass windows. Both exterior and interior windows are very popular because our etched glass designs will provide privacy, while allowing the light to pass thru and enter the room. A great alternative to shades and blinds, that create privacy, but block light.

“Abstract Hills Smooth”, less private

“Abstract Hills Smooth”, more private

Designs for tub and shower windows can vary greatly, depending upon the amount of privacy needed, and of course design preference. A great option that is very often used, is to leave the top area of the glass clear, etching the design up to the height level needed for ample privacy, and then leaving the top clear which then allows you to see outside, creating a wonderful, open feel, as seen on the large, full surround “Onas” tub windows.

“Iris Perch”, solid etched and carved

I’ve included one example in this blog of our “Abstract Hills Smooth” design, shown executed two different ways. On the one, you’ll notice that the gluechipped areas are “obscured”, but may not be private enough for the area, as was the case for this particular window. We went back in, and later lightly sandblasted those gluechipped areas, creating more obscurity in those sections, so they would be more private.

On the “Iris Perch” window, you’ll notice that all areas of the glass have been sandblasted, with the design areas carved and the background areas etched or “frosted”, creating 100% privacy.

A very popular design for our custom desert homes in our area, the Coachella Valley, are mountain designs. Our valley is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, (San Jacinto, Santa Rosa, Little San Bernardino and Chocolate Mountians), all of which having very different looks and textures, depending on where you are in the valley. Mountain ranges are a great design, because it makes natural “sense” within the design, to leave the top area above the peaks of the mountain ranges clear glass.

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains, Coachella Valley, California

“Mountains” surface etched glass (not carved) window, less detail.

“La Quinta Mountains” Tub Window, carved & shaded (more detail)

Visit our Tub & Shower Window Gallery for many more examples like these!

Tags: architectural art glass, carved glass, custom glass, etched glass, etched glass tub windows, etched glass windows, Floral Designs, privacy glass, sandblast techniques, tub windows
Posted in Desert Designs, Landscapes, Patterns & Textures, Techniques & Effects, Windows | No Comments »

Sans Soucie
Art Glass Studios, Inc.

Since 1976

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