Beijing Weekend
By Xiao Changyan

A crystal coffee table contrasts well with a large, thick leather sofa, which alters the dull impression and makes it look more fashionable.

Want to make your home feel cooler amid the sultry summer heat? An excellent way is to change your furniture.

Think glass when deciding on something light and cool, pure and transparent. It has become the most modern material in interior decoration.

It is no longer used only as a material for windows and vases but frequently appears in stylish teapots, cabinets, dining tables, and even doors and walls.

Of course, understanding glass features is the first step towards making a good purchase.

Toughened glass is widely used in such furniture. With its high transparency and rigidity it has special clarity and strong functions. It can be easily cut into different shapes such as squares, circles and polygons.

Sandblasted glass is hazy and translucent, and is often used in partition walls. It is quite novel to put a sandblasted glass screen to separate living room and dining room, which can bring a sense of romance to the house.

Coloured glass is a striking decoration with its prism patterns and vivid impression.

Stained glass conveys a touch of luxury and grace. With pictures such as mountains, rivers, birds and flowers, it can be inlaid in doors, windows, frescos and ceilings.

A transparent bathroom is in fashion. coloured glass creats a light and romantic atmosphere.

Granite glass is an ideal material for tabletops with its classic appeal and stone-like stripes.

Remember the maxim: Act according to actual circumstance. Different kinds of glass have different qualities in lightness, thickness, sound and heat insulation, If you have begun using glass in your doors, windows, partition walls and ceilings, take care to choose suitable types of glass with the right functions.

Modern glass furniture on the market currently is made mainly in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Their unique shapes, modern designs and high quality have attracted increasing number of customers. But their prices are relatively high while some famous brands may even have a price tag of several thousand yuan for a glass coffee table.

Where to buy

Yang Yang Glass Studio
Stall 209, 2nd floor, Yi He Building Materials Market, Dongtucheng Lu, Hepingli, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6428-0904

Di Kang Artistic Glass
2-100, Building Material Hall 2, Easy Home
Tel: 8463-3046

Jia Ming Artistic Glass
2-097, Building Material Hall 2, Easy Home
Tel: 8463-3038

Yi Li Nuo Yi (Illinois)
Jia 3, Guanghua Lu Bei, Chaoyang District
Tel: 65045818, 6594-1699