Glass Products Find a Niche at NeoCon 2011

Companies involved with decorative glass have also found a place within the halls of NeoCon to showcase their products for the interior design community. This year’s event, underway through tomorrow at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, was no exception as several decorative glass companies, as well as a couple traditional glass companies, took to the show.



Offering several new decorative glass tile options, Crossville featured its new Ebb & Flow line.



“It’s primarily glass that is accented with natural stone,” explained Laurie Lyza, director of marketing. “We launched it May 31 so this is the first time it’s being seen.” Lyza stated the line includes nine color and stone families and is an “affordable way to get the look of exotic materials.” The tiles can be used in many interior applications, such as kitchen backsplashes and shower walls.



Taking glass from the wall to the floor, Walker Glass featured its new glass flooring.



“We’re showing translucency and the opacity with this glass floor,” stated Marc Deschamps. “It has the anti-slip properties as well as the combination of opacity and translucency, which also provide privacy. So this is a glass that is about design as well as performance.” Deschamps stated the glass has been tested to both ASTM 1028 as well as ANSI B101.



Currently the flooring is available with a dot pattern, but Deschamps stated they will be launching others in the future, which will all be available under the Walker Traction line.



Cristacurva was also taking glass from translucent to opaque with its new privacy switchable glass, which David Reed stated was getting a lot of interest from those at the show.”They are intrigued that the glass can go from translucent to opaque instantly with the flip of a switch,” stated Reed, who added that designers are stopping by interested in visually appealing items, such as their new digitally printed glass products. Reed stated they chose to feature samples specific to the city of Chicago, including an image of the skyline as well as one of the Blues Brothers. The Blue Brothers sample in particular saw a lot of interest.



“Someone nearly walked away with it!” Reed said.



And on the more traditional glazing side, both Nanawall and Panda Windows and Doors took part in NeoCon.



“Twenty-five to 30 percent of what we do is interiors,” explained Todd Kilstrom, sales manager with Nanawall. “Commercially and residentially, designers often have a niche with the owner and can help influence the buyer to go with certain products.”



Noting the trend to bring the outdoors in, he added, “Chicago is also a massive area for that.”



For Panda, Chicago-area designers can visit the Merchandise Mart year round and see the company’s products, as they are featured in the showroom of their dealer Bentwood of Chicago. Cooper Buranen, a sales representative with Panda, stated the showroom opened in February and being there has been a positive step for them.



“People can still come back after the show and see our display,” stated Buranen. “And there is a massive design community in Chicago.”



The showroom features Panda’s aluminum lift and slide system. Buranen stated it can be constructed with most any type of glass, from custom art glass to tinted glass as well as security glass.



Stay tuned to USGNN.com this week for more coverage of NeoCon 2011.



Carvart showcased a range of products that designers can incorporate into applications such as walls, floors, furniture and more.



Joel Berman Glass Studios displayed its new products, including the Big line, which incorporates massive forms and shapes cast into glass.



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