(ARA) - Before you know it, another change of season will be upon us. Temperatures will start climbing, the snow will melt, trees will get new leaves, and people everywhere will feel a growing urge to redecorate.

It's a time honored tradition Tionne Edwards of Chicago acts on every year. "I redecorate every season to liven things up. It gives you a fresh outlook, a fresh feel, a little bit of pep."

Design experts say spring is one of the most popular times of years for redecorating because it symbolizes renewal. "Spring is my excuse to start over. I get to repaint the walls and move the furniture and framed artwork around. I also put the pinecones, wreaths and snowflakes away and take out the floral arrangements in big glass vases and my crystal figurines that complement them. I love glass. It's a great medium to decorate with," says Edwards.

These days, decorative glass is being used more and more in a variety of ways to beautify our homes. It comes in the form of collectibles, like the figurines, cups and vases Edwards has on display. It's also showing up in customized windows as etched or stained-glass; in mirror fames that have so much detail they are works of art in themselves; and even in picture frames.

Edwards keeps some of her glass pieces on the table, others on shelves; but her most treasured works of art -- those she created herself -- are behind preservation glass in custom-framed shadow boxes hanging from the walls. "I spend extra on custom framing because it's just so professional looking and adds a touch of class," she says.

Her latest piece is a collage she created using left-over material from a reupholstered couch. She glued the pieces of fabric to a canvas and painted over them with muted pastel greens and yellows she says are perfect for spring. The piece is going to hang over the living room couch.

When Edwards took the piece in to get it framed, the framer who worked on the project recommended she use conservation glass. Edwards selected Museum Glass by Tru Vue, a Chicago company that specializes in preservation quality glass for the framing industry.

"It's called museum quality for good reason," says Danata Donnerson of Tru Vue. "This glass has anti-reflective technology coupled with UV-blocking properties to protect the artwork inside from dangerous elements for generations."

To learn more about Museum Glass and other conservation glazing options, and where to find them, log on to www.tru-vue.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content