Beautiful Glassware

No home is complete without a collection of glassware; it is a necessity. After all, no one wants to drink a glass of chilled Chardonnay from a cup.

A beautiful glass adds to the pleasure of any drink, whether water, wine or champagne. Contemporary or vintage, fine glassware is a feast for the eyes.

Glass is a romantic material. Clear or coloured, plain or engraved, vintage or modern, it is irresistibly beautiful, and a simple arrangement of sparkling glassware brings a room to life instantly.

Collecting glassware is a passion of mine, especially vintage wine carafes, decanters and candlesticks. A couple of beautiful old decanters hold bath essence in my bathroom, bringing a touch of vintage charm as they sit on the shelf alongside glass jars of French soap. A few vintage glass scent bottles are next on my list; they would sit very well beside the decanters.

Glass cloches make perfect display cases for all sorts of things. Long ago they were used to cover seedlings in the garden; today they can house a favourite ornament or a beautifully iced cake. Look out, too, for the exquisite pressed glass cake stands with crystalline patterns, which can often be found quite cheaply. They are a useful decorating accessory, elevating cakes and other delicacies, and holding candles and tea lights.

Bottles thrown away years ago turn up at car boot sales, and coloured glass looks particularly good when sunlight filters through it. Look for old bottles in vivid aqua, blue, green and amber, and use them to display single-stem flowers around the home, or mass them together on a windowsill for one perfect display.

With its light-reflecting qualities, glass brings elegance to any room, whether as drinking vessels, jars or beautiful chandeliers.