How to Decorate With Pressed Glass

Pressed glass was first produced in the early 19th Century as inexpensive alternative to handcrafted cut-glass and crystal. Pressed glass comes in a variety of patterns and colors, including clear, pink and amber brown. Pressed glass instantly dresses up any tablescape. Many dishes were made from pressed glass, including cake pedestals and serving bowls. These versatile pieces can do double duty outside the kitchen as decorative accents.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin with a collection of pressed glass in one color for visual appeal. Patterns can vary so long as the pieces are in the same color.

2. Use a small pressed-glass bowl or dessert plate as a pretty soap dish in the bathroom.

3. Group a large collection of pressed-glass pieces together on a hutch or open shelves. The visual impact will be much greater than if scattering pieces throughout a room.

4. Set you table with a pressed-glass vase full of fresh flowers, pressed-glass candle holders and matching pressed-glass wine goblets for an elegant dining room tablescape.

5. Place pressed glass bowls of fresh flowers or potpourri in the bedroom, living room or bathroom for a pretty and simple accent.

6. Fill clear pressed-glass bottles with colored water and place them on a windowsill to act as pretty sun catchers.

7. Use small pressed-glass dishes to hold jewelry on a bedroom dresser or bathroom vanity.

Tips & Warnings

• Pressed glass is often confused with cut glass. However, pressed glass has smoother edges.
• Reproduction pressed glass can be found at thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales and antique shops. Most reproduction pieces are very inexpensive and perfect for creating an instant collection on a shoestring budget.

Resources

• Find all you need to know about collecting pressed glass at this site.