Do you love the luxe and vintage vibe of Mercury Glass? I’m a bit obsessed with mercury glass and use it all the time throughout the year. Since the holiday season is kicking off, I thought I would share how to use mercury glass accents to decorate your home, which is a versatile and timeless look. Although it’s trended for a long time now, it’s still relevant and very much in style.
Mercury glass has firmly transitioned into a timeless, vintage-inspired neutral in interior design. Its continued popularity is driven by the design shift towards nostalgia, mixed eras and natural patina for decor. I’ve been decorating with mercury glass for well over a decade now, and I’m not slowing down anytime soon. In this guide I will share all the different ways I’ve used mercury glass through the years. Also as a bonus, I have a mercury glass hack, where you can easily replicate the look.
The Gist
Mercury Glass Decor for the Holidays
> Mercury glass is a timeless, vintage inspired neutral in interior design
> Current mercury glass is a misnomer since a silvering process is used rather than mercury, which is extremely expensive & highly toxic
> Mercury glass can be used for seasonal decor, tabletop pieces and everyday accents
> Mercury glass is easy to care for and the “look” can actually be duplicated easily
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What is Mercury Glass?
Mercury glass, also referred to as silvered glass, was considered poor man’s silver when it first hit the scene in the mid 19th century. True elemental mercury glass was used in the original 19th century mirrors, which was promptly abandoned because it was highly toxic and expensive. It’s ironic that today’s mercury glass does not contain mercury or silver.
The silvering process is created in a double walled vessel. A liquid mixture of silver nitrate, ammonia and glucose or dextrose are inserted between the two glass walls. The solution is swirled around causing a chemical reaction which forms the brilliant mirror finish. Through time the silver layer might patina, causing the antiqued speckled look, adding the charm of mercury glass.
MJ Insider Decor Tip
Most mass produced pieces we find in home decor stores today skip the double walled process; simply specialized faux finish metallic paints are sprayed on the inside or outside of glass to create the effect. Hence my mercury glass hack which you can find further down in the post.
How to Use Mercury Glass in the Fall
Mercury glass frequently returns in mass to store shelves during the fall season. As days darken and lengthen, candlesticks, votives, hurricanes and more provide promise of bright and cozy interiors. I love how the shiny mercury glass profiles juxtaposition against the rustic elements of fall.
Coffee Table Arrangement
Fireplace Mantel Display
Tablescape Centerpiece
Table Setting
Halloween Mantel Decor
Halloween Tablescape Centerpiece
How to Use Mercury Glass at Christmastime
Mercury glass is perfect for Christmas decor with all its sparkle and shine. It can be used all over your home, including decor vignettes on side tables and shelving or as centerpieces for dining and coffee tables or as displays for mantels and sideboards. Mercury glass ornaments can be strung to hang on trees, and as garlands and as decorations for wreath and swags. Items can be mini for a small detail or oversized as a statement piece.
Entry Foyer Display
Coffee Table Decor
Tablescape Centerpiece
Table Setting Napkin Rings
Candle Container
How to Use Mercury Glass During New Year’s
The sparkle and shine of mercury glass carries right into New Year’s decor. The glitz and glam lends itself to New Year celebrations and makes for an easy transition of decor in your home. Reusing decor from season to season is a smart way to go, relieving stress, time and expense.
Tablescape Centerpiece
Tablescape Votives
More Mercury Glass Seasonal Decor
Winter
Valentine’s Day
Easter
Summer
More Mercury Glass Cleverness
Mercury Glass Quality and Value
Not all mercury glass its created equal. True vintage mercury glass will be heavier in weight and will contain a seal at the bottom or on a seam where the two glass walls are plugged. Many pieces will also have a seal or marking from the maker. The more elaborate the piece, the more desirable it is, which will command a higher price point. Most of the common pieces today and many shown here are the glass pieces which are painted on the interior, exterior or both. There’s also an easy and inexpensive hack to create the mercury glass look at home.
Faux Mercury Glass DIY
The mercury glass look can be easily duplicated. Everyday glass pieces sprayed with Looking Glass Spray and a water and vinegar mixture achieves a very similar look to mercury glass. Considering the expense of the faux DIYed pieces versus even an inexpensive piece in a store, it’s not a bad way to go. Plus you can design the exact look, shape and size you desire.
Mercury Glass Color Wheel
Although the majority of the mercury glass pieces are in a reflective silver finish, due to their origin, the mercury glass look can also be found in other colors. I mostly own silver pieces myself but I have found other fun pieces in colors which spoke to me.
- Thrifted Copper Votives
- Assorted Charcoal Votives from Whim House
- Red Vase from Tuesday Morning a gazillion years ago (I don’t really do red, but because it was mercury glass it totally grabbed me)
Grab a copy of my free
Vintage Home
Decor Guide
This guide provides 10 easy ideas to add timeless charm to your home with a free PDF full of images and inspiration.
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Closing Thoughts ~ Mercury Glass Holiday Decor Conclusion
Hope this inspires you to use mercury glass decor in your home. Or if you love mercury glass as much as I do, I hope this post provided a new insight. Let me know how you use this beautiful glass in your home below in the comments. I always love to hear how everyone decorates and their thought process.
Thanks for dropping by today and spending some of your day with me. It’s always lovely having you here, and I can’t wait to see you next time.
Au Revoir!
Q&A – Mercury Glass Decor
Q1. Why is it called “mercury” glass?
A1. Originally in the early 19th century mercury was used for a short stint to create a silver coating on glass for creating mirrors. The practice was quickly abandoned due to it expense and toxicity. Consequently the process we know today as mercury glass was created using silver nitrate and additives to create a similar effect.
Q2. Is mercury glass harmful?
A2. No, modern age mercury glass does not actually contain any mercury and is not harmful. Mercury glass should only be used for decor unless specified otherwise.
Q3. Is mercury glass food safe?
A3. Do not use real vintage or decorative mercury glass for consumption of food or drink. Only use mercury glass for consumption if it includes a label which states that the item is food safe.
Shop the Mercury Glass Decor Look
- Silver Votive Candle Mercury Glass Holders Set of 12
- Set of 6 Antique Silver Glass Votive/Tealight Candle Holders – Mercury Style
- Pillar Candle Holders Unique Mercury Bubble Set of 3
- Set of 3 Silver Mercury Glass Apothecary Jars
- 7″ Antique Silver Glass Coupe Vase – Handmade, Vintage
- 8-Inch Silver Compote Vase Mercury Glass Bowl Centerpiece
- Silver Etched Leaf Mercury Glass Compote Bowl
- 8 Pcs 6 Inch Mercury Glass Finial Christmas Ornaments, Silver
- Mercury Glass Ornaments in Organza Bag, Distressed Gray
- 5 Pcs Mercury Christmas Tree Decorations
- Mercury Pumpkin Decor Piece Seasonal Harvest Home Decorations
- Krylon Looking Glass Silver-Like Aerosol Spray Paint 6 Oz.
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Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”
Billy Baldwin