Wall Candy: Dish Up Colorful Glass Art Plates

Glass art is by nature exciting, and it often seems to take on a life of its own. The medium is typically seen in the form of bottles and bowls arranged on tables or one-of-a-kind chandeliers. But one of the most eye-catching spots for glass art happens to be your home's walls. And handblown glass plates are seeing a lion's share of the action lately.

The popularity partly rests on the circular shapes' being perfect for creating artful groupings that can add a quick abstract art-installation vibe. Glass also naturally pops in any color, thanks to its reflective properties. And the handblown aspect means that no two plates are alike.

Glass plates like these from Vetro Art Glass in Grapevine, Texas, are often created by artists as a collection or as individual pieces to mix and match as you desire.

One might be inclined to hang bold discs like these on a blank wall, though in this case the subtle wall pattern serves as a wonderful backdrop, anchoring the installation in a way that solid color would not.

Tip: Explore the options available from local glass artists and consider working together to create pieces in the colors and patterns that speak to you.


This collection by Viz Glass is my personal favorite. The combination of cool blues is soothing and magical, further enhanced by a touch of pink.

The seemingly random placement was created by someone with a great eye for dynamic balance. The key is knowing where to crowd items together and where to leave space between them. Experiment with your arrangement on a flat surface to create the right flow of color and form.

Tip: Some glass plates are handmade works of art; others are mass produced using machinery. If 100 percent handmade is important to you, buy them directly from an artist or gallery.


The sunburst of yellow in this modern white space is eye catching and joyful. The owner didn't try to match the glass plate artwork with other touches of yellow in the space. This installation is meant to command attention.

Tip: Invest in pieces that are ready to hang or come with the necessary brackets. These plates have a protrusion built into the backs that fits into wall-mounting hardware.


Glass holds up well in moist environments, like bathrooms. And it doesn't have to be transparent; it can be opaque and mysterious, too.

The rich jewel tones in this installation turn this space into a gallery.


This trio of footed glass-blown roundels, also by Vetro Art Glass, works well with the eclectic vanity and stool.


Rustic stone walls make such a strong statement on their own that one has to choose art for spaces like these very carefully. The glass flower blossom art works here by virtue of its bold and unexpected color and large scale. The horse seems to be running through a field of flowers — nice imagery for a vacation home in the Colorado mountains.


You don't have to be an art connoisseur to appreciate the bold color possibilities of handblown glass art.

Tip: If the space you'd like to adorn is a dark entryway or niche, you may want to add some spot or directional lighting.


Glass plates needn't be purchased all at once. I like how this grouping has a collected-over-time aesthetic.

While there are many ways to hang sculptural art, these glass plates have a conical base that fits into a pipe-like bracket. Screws on the sides of the pipe portion are tightened to anchor the piece in place.

Plates: Viz Glass


Many of the glass plates I've seen remind me of the ocean or of tide pool creatures, so the bathroom really is a great place to enjoy them. I love these by artist Jennifer Hollack of Renaissance Fine
Arts in Baltimore.

Thinking of investing in some glass wall plates to add a special touch to your home? Consider buying from local artists. You can locate them online or in the telephone directory, listed under "glassblowing" or "glass art."

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