Glass with Class

Visual appeal — plus the fact that the products are a green dream come true makes them even more desirable: Everything is made with 100 percent recycled material, powered by solar energy and produced from materials within a 500-mile radius. It’s marketing at its finest.

The tiles range in shape and size from classic 4- by 4- inch to 2- by 6-inch “subway” rectangles. “We can also make circles, ovals, and other shapes,” says Pearson, who is more than happy to oblige homeowners’ custom plans. She is also a master at putting standard shaped tiles together. One of her catalog offerings is a geometric combination of square and rectangular tiles reminiscent of Piet Mondrian’s famous painting, “Broadway Boogie Woogie” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. It’s only one combination of color and shape in Glass Roots’ repertoire.

Like many other recycled, upcycled and all-natural products, no unnatural dyes are used, so Glass Roots’ base palette is not as extensive as, say, a major manufacturer’s selection. Jennifer’s tiles are the actual color of vodka, sake, cola, water and beer bottles. But the charmingly named tiles — including Pelle-green, Big Sky Blue and Coke Bottle Clear — can be blended to produce custom colors if the glasses being mixed are compatible in the kiln. When asked about red tones — which aren’t currently in her repertoire — she replied, “I’m experimenting now with various minerals and natural oxides to create tiles in red, rust, and orange tones.”

Sleek and stylish, Glass Roots tiles are an appealing, decorative accent that works swimmingly with rustic, rough-hewn Alpine décor. It’s juxtaposition similar to wearing good jewelry with one’s favorite threadbare jeans. And obviously, the chic, translucent tiles are a natural choice for modern constructions.

The words, sustainability, green and eco are used with abandon these days. Saving the planet, upcycling and recycling are all good things, but “greenwashing” is a problem. Consumers are bombarded with everything “green”, and unfortunately, many manufacturers are taking advantage of consumers’ good intentions. So, it’s good know that manufacturers like Glass Roots tiles really are living up to the green scene.

This is only one reason why Jennifer Pearson’s work is so appealing. Her integrity and devotion for keeping her business local, community-friendly and solar powered is an inspiration. She raises the bar in the brave new world of eco-products. Equally impressive? Whatever Glass Roots can’t use for tiles and artifacts is crushed to make glass sand and gravel. It’s sold, and a large portion of the profits go to community recycling programs and various environmental organizations.

Perhaps best of all, now there is a home for all those empty Pellegrino bottles. Plus her business is likely to expand so that no matter where you live, there may be a Glass Roots near you in the not-so-distant future.