CBD Glass Studios has carved a niche for itself by transforming traditional glass surfaces into artful, illuminated statement pieces for kitchens, bars and entire architectural spaces. Their commitment to combining technical precision with creative flair gives them an edge in a market where many glass suppliers still treat this versatile material as a purely functional resource. If you’re an interior designer, an architect or a discerning homeowner looking to put glass at the centre of your design, CBD Glass Studios promises eye-catching, bespoke installations that command attention.
History of the Brand
CBD Glass Studios, sometimes referred to as Contemporary Glass Design, has its roots more than a decade ago. While the exact dates remain secret, the brand quickly outgrew the production of simple panes and began developing decorative glass solutions enriched with texture, hue and LED lighting. Early milestones included perfecting the tempering and layering processes that made large, backlit worktops and bold bar tops possible.
The shift to complex architectural projects has continued to shape the brand’s identity. One of the most famous examples is the collaboration with a glass and stone temple in Chile, which demonstrates the company’s willingness to design culturally significant spaces with technical perfection. Over time, these projects have earned a worldwide reputation among hoteliers, restaurateurs and even homeowners looking for something other than granite or quartz. With clients in nearly two dozen countries, the brand has proven capable of shipping large, custom pieces and coordinate with outside teams for on-site installation.
Part of the appeal lies in the willingness to experiment. While glass has been seen as a frivolous design component in the past, CBD Glass Studios creates art and functional wearables that are out of the ordinary. Over the years, a collaboration has developed where architects or homeowners contribute initial ideas and the studio’s design engineers respond with 3D models, lighting tests and even small samples of etched or tinted glass. This culture of co-creation is part of the brand’s history and promotes a model that encourages customers to imagine what glass can be.
Products and Services
Glass Countertops
The brand’s flagship product is the glass worktop, which is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and even upmarket break rooms. A typical worktop is 12mm or thicker to provide both structural strength and visual presence. Customers can choose from a range of finishes — from ultra-clear to frosted to intricately textured — all of which interact with ambient and integrated lighting in unique ways.
Many of these worktops feature embedded LED strips around the edges or underneath the worktop, creating an otherworldly light, especially in low light conditions. This backlighting can be purely decorative or used as a subtle night light. Combined with the non-porous nature of toughened glass, these worktops are praised as hygienic and easy to clean, although bright overhead lighting can cause stains.
Custom Bar Tops
CBD Glass Studios also specialises in the production of eye-catching bar covers for high-end restaurants, hotels and private residences. The brand’s bespoke bar covers often feature dramatic curves, etched logos or multi-layered colour treatments. For hospitality venues, the wow factor is key — a bar cover is not only functional, but also a marketing tool that shows customers they have entered a premium space.
Some of the brand’s bar installations have a glass thickness of 15mm or more to meet the demands of a busy lounge. The LED colours can be programmed to match the theme of the venue or change throughout the evening to change the mood and ambience. The brand also offers proprietary adhesives that provide clarity and structural stability, ensuring there are no cloudy seams or visible lines where the glass segments meet.
Decorative Architectural Glass
In addition to worktops and bar tops, the brand’s portfolio also includes shower partitions, floating glass stairs, partition walls and even sound-absorbing solutions. Careful construction is essential for these architectural elements, especially for load-bearing projects such as stair treads or large partition walls that span several storeys. Here, the brand uses ASTM C1048-compliant tempered glass and sometimes covers the panes with an inner film for added impact resistance.
Textured or patterned glass is often desired to both let in light and provide some privacy. This approach is particularly popular in offices where teams want an open-plan feel without sacrificing a degree of privacy. For more elaborate buildings, the brand can incorporate frost-proof or UV-resistant coatings for external installations, as well as a special anti-slip texture for floor tiles. Each new decorative glass line emphasises the brand’s claim to combine form and function.
Specialty Solutions
For selected projects, CBD Glass Studios develops customised skylights, closed glass wine cellars or “glass fireplaces” that combine tempered panes with built-in ventilation. These types of products are aimed at customers who want to make a confident design statement that cannot be replicated with standard materials. Although worktops and partitions are still the brand’s bread and butter, these speciality products show that they are ready to bring glass into areas normally reserved for steel, wood or stone.
Quality and Reputation
CBD Glass Studios advertises toughened safety glass that meets recognised safety standards, which is important when installing large or load-bearing surfaces. The brand states that its thicker panes can withstand normal domestic or commercial impact. Each pane is either thermally or chemically toughened to increase tensile strength and reduce the likelihood of sudden breakage.
The brand also offers a 15-year guarantee against delamination or significant discolouration. That’s a bold but important promise: Multi-layered glass can lead to visible delamination if adhesives are not applied carefully. As for the longevity of the product, many customers comment on its durability in daily use. Bar owners, for example, report that their glass surfaces have stood up well to repeated cleaning and late-night traffic.
In design-orientated circles, CBD Glass Studios is praised for “elevating worktops into the realm of functional art” as one interior design magazine put it. Professionals especially appreciate the highly transparent adhesives and the optional anti-glare coatings that minimise reflections in bright environments. They have made a name for themselves in professional circles by successfully supplying large, fragile panels to far-flung locations, from West Coast penthouses to luxury resorts in the Middle East.
In terms of sustainability, the brand claims that up to 85% of the glass in selected product lines is made from recycled glass, although details on sourcing and certifications are still relatively scarce. However, this reference to environmental awareness sets the brand apart from some glass suppliers who do not document sustainability at all. In short, customers can look forward to a sophisticated, aesthetically refined product that takes at least some responsibility for the environment.
Reviews Overview
Public reviews on design forums, social media and specialised DIY websites tend to have a few recurring themes. Although official aggregator platforms such as Amazon or Yelp are less relevant here — as these installations are usually customised and not sold as a standard product — you can find user anecdotes in architecture groups and in brand portfolios.
- Many praise the brand’s willingness to collaborate.
- Restaurant owners often rave about the visual allure of the bar tops, noting how they become an Instagram-friendly fixture and help with brand marketing.
- Some negative feedback focuses on lead times, which can stretch from 8 to 12 weeks or longer if shipping overseas.
- Fingerprints and smudges remain a universal observation.
Overall, testimonials underscore that if you’re prepared for the higher cost and extended timelines, you’ll likely be satisfied with the final result. The brand doesn’t try to conceal these factors; it’s more a reality of high-end, customized glass.
General Impressions
From a subjective point of view, CBD Glass Studios has found a sweet spot in interior design by combining the elegance of glass with the wow factor of inbuilt lighting. There’s nothing quite like a softly lit, translucent worktop in a dimly lit room. The interplay of light, shadow and colour can be futuristic but also intimate, especially when done with taste.
It’s also worth emphasising the brand’s user-friendly approach. Even if a homeowner has never considered a glass countertop before, the brand’s team seems ready to educate and guide them through finish selections, structural details and cost estimates. Yes, the cost can be significant and often exceeds that of high-quality stone such as marble or quartz. But in return, homeowners or restaurateurs get a visually remarkable centrepiece that can enhance the overall ambience of a space.
However, these benefits come with some real limitations. Project managers need to factor in delivery times, especially when ordering from abroad. You also need to find or work with professional installers who can handle heavy, large and sometimes curved glass panes. And then there’s the maintenance: you may see more stains, water rings or streaks on glass than on frosted glass. For cleanliness fanatics this is not a problem, but for others it could become a minor annoyance.
Final Verdict
CBD Glass Studios is an excellent choice for design-led spaces where glass takes centre stage. Their approach to layering, tempering and lighting results in surfaces that are both futuristic and inviting. If you can accept the high price tag and put up with a little more maintenance, the visual drama they bring to interior design is hard to beat.
Those who prioritise speed, budget-friendly solutions or low maintenance may be better served by traditional materials such as quartz or wood. But for forward-thinking designers and property owners looking for a touch of luxury, the craftsmanship of CBD Glass Studios is a real winner.
Nick Oscar
