Looking Back to Look Forward; A Tantalising Tint
Some home trends are impossible to predict, some are born out of already popular styles or impressed upon us by influential market leaders, whilst some are reimagined or simply repurposed from decades prior. Coloured glassware very much sits in that last category and we are very happy with its long-awaited return! Let’s take a trip down the dusty corridors of your childhood; hark back to your grandparent’s era, where perhaps like us, their dinner table summons memories of glistening colour-scapes of glassware. Proud and precise whilst often textured and shapely. This type of glassware is easy to recall as it’s so distinctive, yet it never tended to be overly garish or overstated. Think muted ambers, dusky pinks and tinted smoky hues across pieces like; hammered tumblers, dimpled high balls, tall stem cocktail glasses and smoke wine glasses, as well as elegant jugs. We think the resurgence of this style of drinking glass can reinvigorate dining tables, imprinting an air of retro-tinged majesty, and if anything – a feeling of joy! Why have plain, when you can have colour!
Retro Drinking Glasses For Any Occasion
Perhaps the real beauty of coloured glassware lies with its ability to dress up a table for an occasion whilst also suiting informal daily dining. Take coloured glass tumblers for example, the essence of a humble drinks tumbler is by nature informal, a utility focussed design makes it the perfect water glass. However, with a coloured glass tumbler, you’ll find an injection of design, playfulness and in some cases; sophistication. We’re very much feeling the re-emergence of dimpled coloured tumblers. Whereby the glass itself has undergone a light hammering process during firing, resulting in a wonderfully textured, and in many ways elegant, finish.
For example, take our Pebley Tumbler Large Amber. The base of the glass benefits from a concentrated burnt orange mix and then steadily tints through the glass’ body upwards, but purposely it doesn’t ever fade to a translucent, underlining its retro appeal, which the light hammering only serves to further state. We think this piece would serve each season perfectly, through autumn and winter into hazy summer afternoons with ease.
On the other hand, there’s the more shapely and sleek Melbury Smoke Tumbler, this coloured glassware benefits from an altogether more subtle approach. A smoky moody grey hue is found at the base and there is a sharper gradient tint to the completely translucent glass found at its top. Classic, yet enjoyably post-modern. Another tumbler that will carry through each season with simplicity at its heart.
From Jugs To Flutes, Retro Drinking Glasses Embolden Any Dining Table
There’s no denying the fact that coloured glasses help to embolden a dining table, bringing interesting texture and light-play to a spread. Whereas the scope of what’s available needn’t end with tumblers or wine glasses, why not introduce some statement coloured glassware in the form of a water jug. Using a colour-infused design for your water jug can be eye catching and help to punctuate plain-feeling arrangements. With many types of tinted or outright coloured glass jugs to consider, it’s worth considering the longevity of use. We think, for example, the Pebley Jug Dusk provides an opportunity to make a statement but also has a gorgeous classic round shape, which prevents it being too eccentric. The hammered finish is achieved from a mouth-blown process and combined with the charming dusk pink, and translucent handle, it is sure to provoke conversation and cement itself as a firm favourite for years to come.
Retro drinking glasses are all too easily represented by coloured glass tumblers and tinted smoke wine glasses, however, flutes should not be overlooked as a chance to introduce coloured glassware to formal or celebratory dining. Opting for a flute with a colour infused into its design will help underscore your event, the devil is so often in the detail after all. Whereas tumblers, high ball glasses and even wine glasses generally positively benefit from off-kilter designs, flutes are a difficult shape to apply too much change on. For this reason, we think tinted glass flutes remain the strongest option if wanting something that isn’t the status quo.
Our Melbury Flutes are undeniably retro drinking glasses that offer a lovely concentrated tint from base through the stem and fan out throughout the body. As with smoke wine glasses, the moody tint is a forever popular choice, although if wanting to stand out from the crowd perhaps the amber is the right option for your spread, beginning its colour journey from burnt caramel through to a golden orange. Whereas the intriguing green tint and goblet-like shape of the Olton Wine Glass will suit those looking to add bright and breezy hues to their events, it goes especially well with crisp white table linen. Both are pictured below.
Whatever your reasoning or interest in coloured glassware, we could not be more on-board with this reinvigorated trend that’s illuminating dinner tables for 2022 and onwards. Why not take the plunge and boost your dinner table with some fabulous coloured pieces? See our whole selection here.
