Mirrors are often strategically placed to make compact spaces seem larger. With the help of Jason Caroline Design, sushi restaurant Kushiyaki, at Langham Place in Mongkok, has used that trick to lovely effect. The floor- to-ceiling, acid-etched mirror that serves as one wall of the restaurant is a lacy and graceful design feature that opens up the cosy restaurant.
The tinted mirror used at Kushiyaki was acid-etched with a pattern of a classic Japanese print, tailored by the designers to suit the venue. 'This is a traditional process that we have stylised to be contemporary,' says designer Jason Yung. 'It can be done on any type of glass with any print.'
The pattern of flowers etched into the mirror creates an illusion of depth and texture. 'It's like the scales of a fish, which is perfect for a sushi restaurant,' he says.
Given its water-resistant qualities, glass is well-suited for bathrooms. Yung's team created a circular glass shower with graduated levels of frosted etching that swirl up the column, bringing to mind puffs of steam.
Another possibility is to incorporate the feature into a sliding glass door using clear glass, etched with a motif. 'The shadow that comes through clear glass is lovely,' says Yung. And a glass-etched wall is a mould-resistant alternative to wallpaper.
Acid-etching glass is a common procedure, familiar to glass shops and most contractors, who can generally create any pattern supplied.