"Manufacturers of glass and glazing products are creating truly eye-popping products right now that designers just love," says Brian Pitman, director of marketing and communications for the Glass Association of North America (GANA). "Adding those products to an enhanced desire to innovate has resulted in groundbreaking design across North America, both in the home and in business."

GANA recently held the Design in Glass Awards featuring much of this innovation. Winners were named in several categories that covered both residential and commercial applications. All of the winners embraced glass as a viable design tool with endless potential.

"The quality of entries was absolutely stunning," says Rachel Long, special projects editor for Hospitality Design Magazine, and member of the Glass in Design judging panel. "Glass can be amazing in design in the home or business, and these winners really show that."

The experts at GANA reveal this year's top trends in glass in design:

Green design, or the use of energy efficient and environmentally friendly products in design, has become a huge trend in the architectural community, and liberal use of glass is one of the signatures of this trend. Allowing natural daylight into the space using high performance glass cuts consumption of electricity and adds a cheery element to interior space.

Glass in nearly any application is beautiful, but if it's functional its beauty expands. Glass walls provide unique differentiation between rooms while still allowing light to enter spaces. Glass tables offer a modern dining surface while giving an open-air feel to rooms.

Glass staircases have become an incredibly popular design element, both in retail stores and public spaces, as well as in the home. The "walking on air" feeling is only increased when the entire staircase is made of a super strong laminated glass, making for an exciting and futuristic conversation piece.

Natural stone tile is still popular, but can make kitchens and bathrooms seem neutral and dull. Punching up a basic palette with glass tile in bright, bold colors makes focal points pop.

Innovations in LED lighting come together with glass applications -- indoors and out -- with illuminating results. Walls and windows can now show their true colors after dark and can even change like a gleaming chameleon. Looking to add an extension to a home or office space? Laminated glass provides opaque coverage for walls and staircases while letting the light shine in.

To view photos and videos of the 2007 Design in Glass winners and to find GANA glass professionals near you, log on to www.GlassWebsite.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content