Sunday, November 8, 2009

Humble Pedestal Plates, or Party Divas?

Pedestal Plates are showing up everywhere. Who can blame them? Humble vintage china plates have a new purpose. They love being the center of attention and their self esteem has reached new heights. 


They showed up at my mother's birthday party here adding beauty, elegance, and function to the serving table. The different heights add visual interest.  I swear I heard them say, "na na nana na" to the flat serving platters.  


These divas started out as plates acquired at flea markets and rummage sales. New (bargain), and old candle holders were glued to the bottom of the plates.


Mismatched plates, bowls, and candleholders were used.


CRAFT TIP: While visiting blogs the other day, I found that "Organize and Decorate Everything" had a tutorial on this very same project!  Visit her Desert Stand post for a detailed how to.  She made great looking stands with new plates. The all white plates give the grouping a sense of unity, but the use of different plates and candleholders add a wonderful interesting mismatched feel. 


Blue sheer bows were added to my mismatched plates to unify them. If the vintage plate designs had fit into one color theme: pastels, brights, blues, reds, etc. this in itself would have provided a unified look. Because I had one bright plate mixed in with the pastels, they needed a common factor, (blue bows). 
 

"O.K. my party diva plates, play nice with the other serving pieces." 
"Play nice."

Ele
PS: If you want to watch a video that will make you smile. Click HERE. Really, it's worth it!

32 comments:

Garden Cats + Crafts said...

Dear Ele, what a wonderful idea, nice plates decorating. Thank you also for the link tip.
xoxo Birgit

Connie said...

They're beautiful, sugar, but you've got excellent taste! That's exactly what I do with some mismatched plates. I get a "pedestal" somewhere and attach it for display. Very pretty, chickee....
xoxo,
Connie

debi said...

Ooooh! Love those pretty pedestal plates! They look like they're playing very nicely together....and they look so lovely on your table.

vivian said...

They are so pretty. I'm toying with the idea of throwing a kick off the season tea party. Im thinking if I do, I should make a few of these. I guess I should hurry up and decide!
have a sweet week!
vivian

Cathy said...

Ele,

I have been making a few of these lately too. I dug out a bunch of pretty plates and saucers that were hanging out in a box in the attic.

An hour later they were glued and ready for display. I use them to give different heights to my holiday cottage display. They have some many wonderful uses.

You can put something on them and place a glass dome over the top and voila "instant cloche". Great post!

xo Cathy

Beth Leintz said...

Absolutly everything looks better on a pedestal- great idea.

Lori said...

Ele, those are all so pretty and elegant!!!

Natasha Burns said...

Your pedestal plates are lovely Ele! I hadn't seen them anywhere before, and I too posted a tutorial on how to make them a while back, using a lamp base http://natashaburns.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-vintage-china-cake-stand-tutorial.html
Little did I know they are everywhere!
I thought they'd be great with a slim crystal vase as a base as another option :)

Jennifer said...

Ele They look so pretty.I love the one with the vic ladies.I think thats the same pattern Mom has found some of recently.So pretty with the bows too.Hugs,Jennifer

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Ele,

I love all your pretty plates and they all look so good together.

Hugs
Carolyn

Leanne said...

Ohhh, your plates are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us. I like the added touch of the bows. Thank you for your kind words and the link. I noticed you live in the midwest, I grew up in Indiana. I really miss Autumn there. So Beautiful. I'm thinking of changing my dining room wall and hanging plates. I notice you've done some. I'm going to take a look. Thanks again and the baby shower was woonderful. I'll post pictures later and I'm having a giveaway so stop by if you'd like.

Kai said...

What a brilliant idea! Uh-oh - I feel a LOT of pretty vintage plates being glued to candle holders in my VERY near future! Thank you for that great tip! Yours look exquisite! (Aren't I a GOOD old Kai for NOT using that OTHER 'E' word this time? LOL!)

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

I love these......

Ele I have been reading your past posts {Playing catch up} and I have to say WOW.... your decorating tastes have changed alot!
I like the new but then again I liked the old too!

Hugz,
Dolly

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Hi dear! Excellent post! I have some inspiration from it! I loved seeing you at my blog and am glad you are well! It truly is a bit of heaven visiting here. Take care dear one. Blessings.

Alison Gibbs said...

Ele they look beautiful and how wonderful to bring it all together with the blue bow
Alison

Caleen said...

Ele.. such beautiful way to display food.. Love the plates and big blue bows.. I have made some and they are wonderful gifts.. Hope you are enjoying this season..

CatieAn said...

oh Ele I have been collecting odd plates/dishes and candlesticks to do this very thing for christmas gifts for friends and family.
We all love entertaining and the random pieces are so pretty and add so much personality to a party of any kind. I admire yours bunches and the use of a single color ribbon to unify them is such a great idea. thanks for sharing

Blue Creek Home said...

These are just delightful. So pretty when they are elevated.
Great idea.
Rhonda

Elyse said...

hi ele,

these couldn't be easier or prettier and your ribbon accents take the cake!

xo

LuLu Kellogg said...

What a wonderful idea. Thank you so much for sharing this!

LuLu~*xoxo

Alice Regan said...

Ele ...these are so beautiful! What a gorgeous table setting with a grouping of them in the center of the table adorned with wonderful confections! Love the idea! Mmmmm, this gets me thinking? Oh no ...I just can't take on another tasks, but this does look very tempting.

Anonymous said...

Hey chickadee! I love making pedestals out of all sorts of things!! Great plates! love the birthday decor. Hugs

toodles-
Sarah

Bertie said...

Love these, sweetie!! That video was amazing! Wow.

Hugs,
Bertie
Aunt May's Cottage

Anonymous said...

What an amazing and interesting idea! Love it!

Mitzi Curi said...

I'm loving these pedestals, and have plenty of old plates that could use an upgrade. Thanks for the inspiration!

w00ts up said...

What a great idea! These are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

Brown Bee Studio said...

Ele, don't worry your pretty lil head one more moment about making us "sick" with ANYTHING you post on your blog, darlin! You've been charmed by the Magical Magic Fairy, and everything you create is just beautiful. Thanks for the great idea for using our lovely mismatched plates! I know I'LL be making a few...they'd be lovely Christmas gifts wouldn't they? ;o) xoxo AndieBee

Anonymous said...

Love, love, LOVE the plate ideas. I'm searching for some candle holders now. Beautiful!

Debbies Doodle said...

I LOVE that idea!!!!
deb

Unknown said...

Hi Ele, it seems alot of us creative people have made these, and I love them all! I have made many, with the base being a glass.I love all the mixed floral plates used, and especially a couple of little cloches I found for them.You can see them on my website, Junkstudio-on-karabah.com.
Good to catch up with you again,
Sue

Lindy said...

Boppin' on over from FMS and glad I did. I have some fugly wooden candle holders that would love a rustic creamy white paint job and then top them with some plates that are just gathering dust in the cupboard! Thank you!

The Tablescaper said...

Great idea! I love all of the vinatage plates that you used. I have plenty of plates so I'll have to put your great idea into action.

- The Tablescaper