on a modern sideboard put down a tray and arrange the glasses maybe with a bottle or two of your preferred tipple. having them on a tray creates the illusion of order and is practical for serving later. having the glasses out may encourage you to use them more also

I agree. Use the (or sell them). Otherwise what about long narrow glass enclosed shelves to display them one deep. They always look too busy when they are bunched together in a china cabinet.

something like this:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10011055

or this:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10119032

or this:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30114613.

Use a stick-on light (halogen) on the ceiling of the cabinet.

The whole thing will twinkle but will look contemporary.

In my living room I have three tall dark cherry bookcases. I use one shelf on each bookcase for displaying china and crystal. I lined the back of the bookcases with fabric that has a subtle pattern so it does not look so dark behind the books and the items on display stand out better. This arrangement receives quite a few compliments and it makes it easy for me to use the china and crystal when I want to.

I don't like the idea of actual display cases because I think it looks forced. I would break up the collection into different rooms, and the editor's right: try using some of them for practical purposes. Cotton balls, toothpicks, air plants?, whatever. I actually really like mixing up modern with traditional because it takes the edge off both of them. If you have a TON of it, you can always pack up the stuff that doesn't fit.

Although I am very prone to selling or giving away things that have sentimental value, I always regret it :(

I raise my goblet and agree with hayley d--

Small quantities on tray-based displays.

As far as usage, I think traditional crystal in a modern setting is TERRIBLY chic. So just make sure you use it!

I have a vintage Waterford crystal collection, too! I display it in a Maria Yee cabinet. I think the tricks to displaying traditional pieces in a modern setting are two-fold.

1. Is your space truly "modern," as in the minimalist architectural design style (and what some people would refer to as vintage)? If so, you should be able to mix in modern furniture with a wild, bold french chair or some Waterford without a problem. The display cabinet that you use should have ultra simple lines so that the crystal is a foil for the simplicity.

2. Is your house or apartment really a traditional home that you're decorating with modern elements? For example, a 1980s home with crown moulding, turned banisters, and oak cabinets isn't modern, and no matter how much Ikea or Eames furniture you put in it, it's never going to look modern -- it will just look "ill-fitted trendy," in my opinion. In this case, you'll be more successful incorporating crystal if you approach your space with an eye toward transitional style. Choose a few pieces to create a table-scape, rather than putting out the whole collection, for example.

Our home was built in 2003, and though it's decidedly contemporary (slightly mission style cherry cabinets, granite counters, maple floors, massive windows, slate fireplace), it's definitely not "modern." But I've mixed up my upholstery and case goods so that I can have a transitional leather sofa framed with two Knoll end tables. Or an antique English queen ann buffet topped with a pair of Robert Abbey crystal lamps and flanked by a tight-back sofa with sloped and curved arms -- a nod to the fancy feet on the buffet.

Case in point (pardon the pun) is the crystal in the Maria Yee cabinet. Modern lines mixed with traditional crystal in a contemporary (but not modern) home. It totally works.

I once knew someone with exactly this problem. She had a local artist/contractor make a set of tables (one coffee table, two side tables) that were essentially large boxes with a glass top and one side had a wooden sliding door. These were set very simply on wooden legs, or maybe metal ones - it was in the days of Handy Andy, not yet home depot. Maybe the tops were plastic, but they were thick and see through. She filled these with her waterford collection - Lismore, I think. The table tops were totally secure, and the glasses very easily accessible. On top of each side table she put a lamp, which had a mirrored surface. The lamps reflected light downward right into the tables and the glasses reflected it back up and it was amazing. IIRC, the shorter pieces (highball glasses, salt cellars, a platter, maybe some smaller bowls) went into the coffee table, but the side tables definitely held at least the taller wine glasses and goblets, and I think there might have even been a lower shelf in those tables for platters and shallow bowls. These were not expensive - they were probably made of plywood and stained, and there were incredibly simple, but they were great. The coffee table opened down the middle, hinges on the sides, it reminded me of the glass enclosed notice boards at my school. I think that might have been a little industrial/practical chic from the maker.

Crystal is timeless and transitional- it can go into any setting. If you like it, display it. We have a clean, minimalist home and have much of our crystal displayed, both old and new pieces.

http://thesweetest3.com/

Wow I thought I was the only person with this problem. I have my grandmothers waterford along with all the pieces I recieved over the years at christmas. Three years ago I moved into a VERY mid-century modern house, complete with wide paneling walls and vaulted ceiling in the living area. IN addition I inherited the queen anne style china cabinet that held all her pieces.
As you know, you can't get waterford too hot so really sunny places and fireplaces are out of the question. I have kept most of my pieces in the china cabinet and I think it works mostly because the paneling in the livingroom (the only place the humongous cabinet would fit) actually is very close in color. Seems to blunt some of the effect of having it not really "go with" the style of the house. I just cannot display waterford without some light on it. My suggestion is to visit an antique or "junk shop" and find a glass front cabinet for a few hundred dollars and as long as it is not a valuable collector piece, paint it to go along with either your walls or the general color scheme of the area it will be in. It will flow much better if it doesn't match the style of the house or other furniture. Whatever you do, don't sell it unless you are sure. Some of the pieces my grandmother left to me were shipped and destroyed in transit. I cried for days and didn't realize how much I would miss them. Of course if you do sell, let me know ;) Don't forget to add some light with some battery operated or wired if you can mini lights.

Why not use them as centerpieces? You could go so many ways using it as dining room or mantle decor.

Line up similar pieces in single file, adding air plants or single buds. Vary the plant colors for some spice or keep them in a single shade for minimalist class.

Put a cluster of different pieces in the center of the dining table, along with elegant tapers or pillar candles in simple and streamlined candleholders. The light will show off the crystal and the modern candleholders would compliment, rather than distract from their beauty.

In either case, you get them out and in the open, where they can be appreciated every day, but still maintain flexibility with space.

I know your pain, but in a bigger way--I have a 1950's six-chair dining set I inherited from my grandmother. It is a glorious combination of white marble pattern Formica, aluminum, and matte dimensional patterned vinyl. And I have nowhere to put it.

I'm also considering putting up my husband's great grandmother's glass tea set in our new place. I have a very rustic dining room table, and modern fabric chairs. I was hoping to buy a modern sideboard and some ikea float shelves above it. I was going to display some of it along with some other interesting pieces, such as a framed print leaned against the wall, perhaps a wooden bowl, a bronze statue of a chief's head from India, other random meaningful things. Not sure exactly how it will turn out, but hopefully not too cluttered and with a space to be appreciated.

Otherwise, perhaps an idea might be to take some small floating shelves (ones that fit a few glasses at most). Stagger these small shelves in a group, and put a few glasses on each. That way they can be prettily displayed as an art piece.

You can make anything modern by treating individual objects as graphic elements - for example, arrange the glasses in in a grid pattern - three simple, floating shelves stacked vertically on a wall, equally spaced and aligned, with three glasses on each shelf - picture the space between each glass equal to the space between glass and shelf above... or group a grid of small cubes on a wall, and display a single crystal glass on each cube. Just don't think of them as functional objects (although they are, and they can be!), think of them as individual shapes that when grouped together create a pleasing pattern to the eye. And light them well, so they sparkle and catch the eye - use a fun, punchy color as a backdrop to highlight the graphic nature of the display and voila! - cool and modern! Have fun with it, and you will surprise yourself.

Echoing haileys suggestion, my first thought was to set them up in some kind of bar - get something that suits your style whether its a bookcase, shelving, a sideboard, and group with a few bottles, a vintage cocktail shaker, decanters, whatever floats your boat. Its also practical, when you do fancy a drink, its all in one place..... Check out this makeover - see the shelving in the corner, and the bar on the shelf? One idea of making it fit to this guys style...

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/04/garden/20100304-cheap-interactive.html?ref=garden

It might be cheesy, but why not turn some of your crystal glassware into a crystal chandelier? I know Anthropologie uses silver spoons and I'm sure I've seen a lamp/glass rack recently...

It might take the help of a local artist or handyman, but I think a few light fixtures and a frame could make a unique light fixture to both store and display your glasses. Maybe in a spiral/helix pattern...::shrug::

I like RQinGeorgia's idea of using them as centerpieces. And it doesn't just have to be the traditional candles or flowers; there are all kinds of cool centerpieces now- stones, petals, confetti, berries etc. I'm sure AT has some posts w/ centerpiece ideas, and check out Martha Stewart, Flickr, even wedding sites like theknot.com and just adapt centerpiece ideas to go in your glasses. And this also really goes in line with Colleen's suggestion of using them to hold stuff whether it be utilitarian or decorative. You could fill some up with m&ms or other little candies.

http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/rrmag/slideshowImages/centerpieces/centerpiece_aug08.jpg -- love this one!

http://wedding-pictures.onewed.com/edgy/files/imagecache/576w/images/1042920/pretty-centerpieces-diy-budget-non-flower-fun-bridal-shower.JPG

http://openhouse.homegoods.com/wp-content/photos/ss_100225811_1.jpg

http://shamrockaffiliations.ws/images/upside_down_wine_glass_centerpiece_LRG.JPG

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/quickcandles/y_1762.jpg

One way to think about crystal is as a reflector and magnifier of light. I've found/made spots in many different places in my apartment for crystal, using it to catch the sunlight throughout the day.
My long, narrow apartment has what I call "prison cell lighting" -- one big patio slider at the north end, and two high rectangular windows at the south end. I try to capture and reflect the light throughout by deflecting it east and west. Crystal is great for this. I put as many pieces as possible to use so they don't look "displayed". Artfully placed mirror helps. I mix in smooth glass, as well, so it doesn't look like Grandma Went to the Disco.

This is so timely for me! My mom just sent us the final two Waterford wine glasses from our wedding registry for our three year anniversary. It's the Lucerne pattern ... fairly ornate and I was just thinking about how I could incorporate them into our dining room when we aren't drinking wine. They are really beautiful.. I thought about putting tealight candles in them, but my mom said that putting a flame inside crystal glasses is not a good idea!

@thorndale - where can I see a photo of your dining room table? It sounds amazing!

www.mydesigndreams.com

I'm 100% with failjolesfail and rapunzel - find a way to play with light!

My initial reaction was to purchase/DIY one of those "lit from below" shelves to display them around your home, however, in a kitchen as part of the chandelier or on shelving in a window would look gorgeous, too. My mom has her Waterford in a cabinet in the living room with all her other nice china and antique-y items, lit from above and still looking gorgeous. My Irish grandmother had all of hers in an entirely glass cabinet with a mirrored back that us kids weren't allowed to touch.

Thanks for bringing it up! I've been brought into the fold, as it were, this Christmas, and I have a feeling I'll be developing a collection of Waterford of my own!

I, too, have a large collection of stunning cut glass. I use the different types of wine stems as votives (I use tea lights to avoid wax) and the rest of them are used on a daily basis -- nothin better than drinking water from a beautiful glass. I have broken a few, but my pattern is still in production, so I don't much think about it.

use them as vases or votives