canaille

instead of frosted glass, if you have the budget, you can opt for glass with japanese paper or leaves or bougainvillea flowers in between. not cheap but gives a softer look than frosted glass. or you could DIY with this idea from ikea hackers http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/03/ikea-vases-for-translucent-rounded.html

they can be dust traps. my family thought of using them for our water feature but decided otherwise coz they can turn green with moss growing in them.