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Inspiration For Mid-Century Modern Hobnail Glass

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The radiant glass beams brightly in the sunlight with it’s raised bumps adding to the beauty of the moment.

This post is all about inspiration for mid-century modern hobnail glass!

This type of glass is some of the most beautiful to have in your home due to the texture alone. Hobnail glassware works well with any type of design style or decor because of it’s timeless appearance and the different colorations.

Hobnail glass can be used as anchor pieces in your home, making all your spaces feel collected and cohesive. I hope you find encouragement here today on inspiration for mid-century modern hobnail glass!

white hobnail creamer displayed on a lace cloth

What Is Hobnail?

If you have never heard of hobnail glassware before, you are in for a treat. It is a timeless, vintage, and classic style that emits texture into any space. Hobnail glassware gets its name from the bumps, or raised studs, on the surface of the glass. These bumps have been said to mimic the impressions made by hobnails, a type of nail used in boot making. The design can be created by either blowing a glass vessel into a mold or by pressing the glass into a mold and was quite popular during Victorian times.

hobnail glass jars on a lace cloth

What To Look For In Hobnail Glass

In 1939, the Fenton company produced their first Hobnail glassware in translucent colors. It was so well loved by buyers that Fenton counted on it to be a ‘sure seller’ for many years. Originally the hobnail glass was produced in white, known as milk glass. Then the colors expanded to cranberry, blue, and green hobnail glassware, which can be a considerably higher dollar amount depending on the piece.

While searching for hobnail glassware, there are many brands to watch for.
These include:

  • Gillinder and Sons
  • Indiana
  • Westmoreland
  • New England Glass Company
  • Atterbury and Company
  • Bryce Brothers
  • Fenton

Vintage Hobnail

All of these brands are going to vary by price and style so it’s really up to you how much or how little you would like to spend. Hobnail glassware does not have to cost you a high dollar amount for you to be able to acquire a pretty piece that you love. All you need to do is some searching! Thrift stores, estate sales, and garage sales are honey holes when it comes to finding this type of glass.

Hobnail and Milk Glass

Many pieces of hobnail, just like the one below, are also vintage milk glass. True vintage hobnail milk glass contains the ‘ring of fire’ when held up to the light. You can read this blog, which is all about milk glass and how to find the ‘ring of fire’.

small hobnail jar with handle

Inspiration For Mid-Century Modern Hobnail Glass

This type of glassware is so pretty and adds a fancy element to a more modern palette. If you are looking to add color and texture to your home, hobnail glass can help with that as well.
Here are some ways you can incorporate the mid-century modern hobnail style into your space:

  1. Vases.
    white hobnail vase with flower boquet
    Hobnail glass vases pair wonderfully with the texture of fresh flowers or greenery. The hobnail effect is accentuated by the earthiness of the flowers, bringing a joyful moment to your dining table, a side table, or a countertop.
  2. Utensil Holder.
    tall hobnail jar holding wooden spoons
    Try using a taller hobnail jar for holding kitchen utensils such as wooden spoons or whisks. For an unexpected decor element, you could also use the same type of jar in a bathroom to hold hairbrushes, combs, or toothbrushes.
  3. As a Grouping.
    hobnail glass collection on a picture rail
    Displaying a collection of hobnail glass together on a shelf, across the top of cabinetry, or on a picture rail adds cohesion and depth to a space.
  4. Hold a Collection.
    blue glass hobnail pitcher
    Clear or colored glass hobnail pieces make beautiful vessels to hold a collection that you might have such as shells or sea glass.
  5. Handy Storage.
    small white hobnail jar as towel storage
    Hobnail jars or bowls are easily found. Use them in the bathroom to hold earrings or rings on the counter or by an entry door to hold keys or sunglasses. Hobnail jars would also look charming in a laundry room to hold clothespins or small towels.
  6. Anchor Pieces.
    hobnail glass bathroom decor
    By placing at least one hobnail glass piece in each room in your house, you create a cohesive home that flows together beautifully. As anchor pieces, even if the hobnail pieces you choose are different colors, you still get that blended flow throughout your home.

white hobnail creamer with fresh yellow flowers

For A Cohesive Home

Hobnail glassware has so many uses and is a simple way to blend vintage and modern in your home. It will help you in creating a home that feels unique yet fresh. I hope you have found inspiration for mid-century modern hobnail glass and are eager to incorporate some of that style into your space!

signature from The Antiqued Journey

I would love it if you would share your finds in the comment section below as well as any questions you may have!

Check out more inspiration for your home here!

1 Comment. Leave new

  • Paula Biessener
    July 1, 2021 7:23 pm

    What an interesting article Rachel! I think your Grandma had some pieces of hobnail glass… I remember feeling the bumps…

    Reply

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Hello I’m Rachel.

I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

Join Our Antiqued Journey

community

Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

    Popular

    Check out
    The Antiqued Journey
    Shop!

    FREE SHIPPING on all orders

    Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
    1. Home
    2. Inspiration for Your Home
    3. Antique and Vintage
    4. Inspiration For Mid-Century Modern Hobnail Glass

    Inspiration For Mid-Century Modern Hobnail Glass

    Share this post. Share the Journey!

    The radiant glass beams brightly in the sunlight with it’s raised bumps adding to the beauty of the moment.

    This post is all about inspiration for mid-century modern hobnail glass!

    This type of glass is some of the most beautiful to have in your home due to the texture alone. Hobnail glassware works well with any type of design style or decor because of it’s timeless appearance and the different colorations.

    Hobnail glass can be used as anchor pieces in your home, making all your spaces feel collected and cohesive. I hope you find encouragement here today on inspiration for mid-century modern hobnail glass!

    white hobnail creamer displayed on a lace cloth

    What Is Hobnail?

    If you have never heard of hobnail glassware before, you are in for a treat. It is a timeless, vintage, and classic style that emits texture into any space. Hobnail glassware gets its name from the bumps, or raised studs, on the surface of the glass. These bumps have been said to mimic the impressions made by hobnails, a type of nail used in boot making. The design can be created by either blowing a glass vessel into a mold or by pressing the glass into a mold and was quite popular during Victorian times.

    hobnail glass jars on a lace cloth

    What To Look For In Hobnail Glass

    In 1939, the Fenton company produced their first Hobnail glassware in translucent colors. It was so well loved by buyers that Fenton counted on it to be a ‘sure seller’ for many years. Originally the hobnail glass was produced in white, known as milk glass. Then the colors expanded to cranberry, blue, and green hobnail glassware, which can be a considerably higher dollar amount depending on the piece.

    While searching for hobnail glassware, there are many brands to watch for.
    These include:

    • Gillinder and Sons
    • Indiana
    • Westmoreland
    • New England Glass Company
    • Atterbury and Company
    • Bryce Brothers
    • Fenton

    Vintage Hobnail

    All of these brands are going to vary by price and style so it’s really up to you how much or how little you would like to spend. Hobnail glassware does not have to cost you a high dollar amount for you to be able to acquire a pretty piece that you love. All you need to do is some searching! Thrift stores, estate sales, and garage sales are honey holes when it comes to finding this type of glass.

    Hobnail and Milk Glass

    Many pieces of hobnail, just like the one below, are also vintage milk glass. True vintage hobnail milk glass contains the ‘ring of fire’ when held up to the light. You can read this blog, which is all about milk glass and how to find the ‘ring of fire’.

    small hobnail jar with handle

    Inspiration For Mid-Century Modern Hobnail Glass

    This type of glassware is so pretty and adds a fancy element to a more modern palette. If you are looking to add color and texture to your home, hobnail glass can help with that as well.
    Here are some ways you can incorporate the mid-century modern hobnail style into your space:

    1. Vases.
      white hobnail vase with flower boquet
      Hobnail glass vases pair wonderfully with the texture of fresh flowers or greenery. The hobnail effect is accentuated by the earthiness of the flowers, bringing a joyful moment to your dining table, a side table, or a countertop.
    2. Utensil Holder.
      tall hobnail jar holding wooden spoons
      Try using a taller hobnail jar for holding kitchen utensils such as wooden spoons or whisks. For an unexpected decor element, you could also use the same type of jar in a bathroom to hold hairbrushes, combs, or toothbrushes.
    3. As a Grouping.
      hobnail glass collection on a picture rail
      Displaying a collection of hobnail glass together on a shelf, across the top of cabinetry, or on a picture rail adds cohesion and depth to a space.
    4. Hold a Collection.
      blue glass hobnail pitcher
      Clear or colored glass hobnail pieces make beautiful vessels to hold a collection that you might have such as shells or sea glass.
    5. Handy Storage.
      small white hobnail jar as towel storage
      Hobnail jars or bowls are easily found. Use them in the bathroom to hold earrings or rings on the counter or by an entry door to hold keys or sunglasses. Hobnail jars would also look charming in a laundry room to hold clothespins or small towels.
    6. Anchor Pieces.
      hobnail glass bathroom decor
      By placing at least one hobnail glass piece in each room in your house, you create a cohesive home that flows together beautifully. As anchor pieces, even if the hobnail pieces you choose are different colors, you still get that blended flow throughout your home.

    white hobnail creamer with fresh yellow flowers

    For A Cohesive Home

    Hobnail glassware has so many uses and is a simple way to blend vintage and modern in your home. It will help you in creating a home that feels unique yet fresh. I hope you have found inspiration for mid-century modern hobnail glass and are eager to incorporate some of that style into your space!

    signature from The Antiqued Journey

    I would love it if you would share your finds in the comment section below as well as any questions you may have!

    Check out more inspiration for your home here!

    1 Comment. Leave new

    • Paula Biessener
      July 1, 2021 7:23 pm

      What an interesting article Rachel! I think your Grandma had some pieces of hobnail glass… I remember feeling the bumps…

      Reply

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Fill out this field
    Fill out this field
    Please enter a valid email address.
    You need to agree with the terms to proceed

    Hello I’m Rachel.

    I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

    Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

    Join Our Antiqued Journey

    community

    Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

      Popular

      Check out
      The Antiqued Journey
      Shop!

      FREE SHIPPING on all orders

      Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
      Menu