Glass Act

Clinton Smith: How did the glass wall concept originate?
Shon Parker: The wall was isolated in the dining room and I wanted it to be more graphic. The surroundings were subtle and I thought this would be a great opportunity to do something different. I knew right off that the wall was going to be glass. My vision was that it needed to be bold and reflective at first, but it ended up being subtle, graphic and rich in details. Everyone wants to touch it, which makes it fun and it's easy to maintain. They're amazed that it's glass.

Tell me about the process. You start with plain clear glass, right? Then what?  
The glass starts off with standard glass that already has a green tint. You can also use a “Euro Clear” glass that is tint-free for a truer color. There is a difference and each one can dictate the outcome of the color. First, each piece is cut to specifications, then the front is coated with “Satin Etch” to make the surface more muted. It is an acid. Next, it is painted with Italian paints on the backside (like reversed Italian hand-painted glass) in any color. It must cure for a few days before it can be handled. I chose a metallic paint to get more reflection, since the surface was muted. Each piece is individually cut and polished by hand. There are many choices of paint colors to choose from and they can do custom colors, if you need.

The sheen is spectacular. The few glass walls that I have ever seen have been glossy and mostly in commercial settings. Did you start out knowing that you wanted this matte finish or did it evolve into that?
You know, I did start out wanting the walls to be completely reflective, shiny and “black.” It would be stunning in black, but all I could think about was my office. I have black glass walls surrounding my desk and I don't touch them. This wall was going to be touched and I thought about the fingerprints. It would be unwanted additional artwork that would be a constant cleaning factor. Roger and James, at Advanced Glass, said they had a new product that makes the glass muted, which does not show fingerprints. So I came up with the design, we discussed it and they implemented it.

And you used a metallic paint, too? How would the glass look if you had not used a metallic paint?
Yes. It has more of a reflective quality and gives the glass some dimension. They showed me some without, but I liked the metallic. If the glass were painted with flat paint and the satin etch front, it would not be reflective from light hitting it at all. If we had used the “Euro Clear” with the “Satin Etch” front and metallic paint, the look would be completely different—like stainless steel. A great alternative! 

Tell me about working with Advanced. I'm sure this isn't the type of work they normally do, is it? How did you approach them about doing this?
They are fantastic to work with! They are a British family who understands quality and modern elements. Roger, Wendy and James pay close attention to every detail. They can do standard glass items, shower enclosures and doors, but I think where they stand out is in their custom items. Entire glass vanities, mirrors, countertops, backsplashes, modern fireplace screens, walls—they can do just about anything you can think of. They can even sand blast a design into the glass. They are always eager to try something new and they will tell you if it will not work. New on the horizon for them are glass stair treads made with laminated glass. They're also working with some new two-inch thicknesses of glass that are unheard of. This is going to be incredible for tabletops and vanities. It's endless!

I love the pieces you chose from Artefacto—they're contemporary and fresh, yet warm and inviting. Not cold like a lot of modern furniture.
I wanted the table to be very large so it could accommodate enough people for entertaining. When people think of modern they think of white. I wanted to bring in some elements that were rich in color, have movement from the veneer of the wood, yet still maintain the modern edge. I do have pops of white—like the chair at the head of the table. I wanted it to be tactile fabric and white at the same time, so it is covered in heavy textured linen. White is a color I use along with black in most of my interiors. It's the depth of the two colors that makes it work, plus they are classic.

I love the notion that this wall was used in a dining room; it's quite an unexpected space. Where else could you see this application used?
I have used it in my office, but I would love to see it used in the living room or a hallway—and on ceilings. Think about it in an entrance if it were reflective and in a deep color. It would be spectacular and have that “wow” factor. What I like about the glass is that it can be cut to any size you want. They can even make outlet covers if an outlet happens to fall in the middle of the glass wall. I've used the black glass in a different way before, in a window of a master bathroom as a privacy screen. (See the July 2006 cover of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.) You could also do larger glass walls in the bathroom; there's less grout to worry about. For me, the list can go on and on.

About how much does something like this cost? Is it determined by the size and scope of the project or priced per square foot?
There are people who try to imitate this look, but you can tell the difference with the quality. It usually is priced out by the size and piece; it depends on what needs to happen with each piece of glass. Some might need a hole cut out around a light or an outlet. Each piece is also hand-beveled to give it a smoother edge. They have an array of colors to choose from. If that's not enough, they can do custom colors, as well.

It's so amazing that you have taken a common material, like glass, and used it in such an original, unique and unexpected way. Does it have you looking at other materials in a different way and rethinking how you use them?
Funny you should ask. My mind is always thinking of a new use or design with materials. I like materials that are “real,” like stone, metal and wood. They withstand the test of time. Advanced Glass has a recycled glass that is available, but it only comes in brown—much like the dark brown bottles you see. I'm thinking of using it for some lanterns for a client. It's a great alternative for the environmentally conscious consumer. Barbara Sallick, the founder of Waterworks, loved how I used a tile of theirs in a previous bath project. It was a totally different use than what it was intended for. There are no boundaries for me!