Beautiful Tablescapes using Cakeplates...and other Surprises

A beautiful dessert table scape cannot be underestimated.  During the recent Christmas holiday I was able to attend a number of holiday events and enjoy  the beautiful table displays.  People were so creative in their presentation.  I noticed that the elements utilized in the displays were elements that you or I would not normally consider in preparing a presentation. So I decided to share this blog entry which will show and discuss creating a beautiful table scape for any occasion that will add that little extra something for the guests who will be partaking of the tasty delights at your event.

I am a collector of fine china as you probably already know.  I kind of over indulged in the plates and tea cups and the many beautiful china patterns and serving ware that accompanies my many sets of vintage Noritake and Homer Laughlin china.  Recently I acquired a lovely domed cake plate created by Martha Stewart.  It was a raffle prize and I absolutely love it. It was one that I had seen before in the department store one of many that Martha Stewart created as part of her line of cakeplates and serve ware.  Her stuff is always beautiful.  But this particular line of cakeplates is one that I have been eyeing for some time and actually acquiring one through a prize raffle was exciting for me because her product line is pretty pricey.
A few years back people began to take a liking to the "shabby chic" style.  It consists mainly of light pastel colors, repurposed fancy furniture treated in a whitewash with a glaze overlay.  The furniture of this style is attractive all by itself but then designers began to add place settings and serve ware to the mix.  I think that is when the Martha Stewart line began to interest me.  Other manufacturers grabbed hold and now you can find a variety of beautiful white and glass shabby chic inspired cakeplates and accessories.  See the picture of the cakeplate I have?  It is a treasure to me.


 

I love the crisp white color, detail and

the glass bird knob on the dome of this Martha

Stewart cake plate.  I own now  this one.

You could virtually place a half of a bologna sandwich on this cake plate and it would look like a piece of art!  And wouldn't that make the person who was going to eat that sandwich just a little more enthusiastic about it?

Cakeplates and other serveware can be used to create dessert table displays as part of the overall decor for any party situation.  I admired the following as I researched for this blog entry.  I just have to share these!  I hope you are inspired to try to recreate these in your own home for your own occasion. In the first picture you see an old table set very attractively using sterling silver flatware, tin and wood elements and the color scheme of the treats is all sort of pastels.  Pretty but all functional.  Several different heights are created creating a great roam for the eye of  admirers.   This treats table would be suitable for a wedding or baby shower or even the wedding itself.

 

Rustic but with sophistication

I love the way this enhances the cupcakes

Circular tree slices as trays! How original!

The second photo to the right demonstrates beautifully the use of a picture frame and a color theme of pinks highlighting the cupcakes being served.  I looked at this and a sweet sixteen birthday party came to mind. See the way the creator of this lovely setting used candle holders as the "legs" between glass or acrylic shelving to heighten everything?  Adding dimension to a tablescape is so important.  Don't get stuck in everything being flat.  Have fun!

The bottom picture depicts another cupcake treat event.  I love the use of the round wood trays.  The color scheme is acceptable to use for both genders.  I like the way the eye has a center to focus on and then all the different trays that are around it.  What a great trip for the eye.  And again, I cannot over emphasize how creatively the designer elevated several of the trays to give the display more depth which creates more interest for the viewer. 


This is the very point of serveware.  While eating food is an everyday event sometimes making it a special event is the very thing that we need to do to keep the people we are cooking for engaged and excited to partake of the feast that would otherwise seem pretty ordinary.

Recently I have been setting up tablescapes in other places using serving ware.  Sometimes a pretty plate can be used in a bedroom to display jewelry or small photographs in pretty frames, or even display jewelry.  Take a look at the photo below.

 I have such a tray set up in my master bath.  I have a milk glass tray

I love love love this idea!  Just change out the size to

fit the space. Adding a beautiful vintage watch would make

this suitable for a men's room.

 

 

and on it I have placed three small crystal perfume bottles, a
pretty sterling silver necklace and a pearl necklace.  I also have a Swarovski element lipstick case on it.  It enhances the decor
of the bathroom and it actually makes me enjoy using the room and showing off my personality.

You can make your own cakeplate if you do not have exactly what you want.  If you have a candlestick or pretty jar that you are not using for anything you can cement glue it to the bottom of any vintage plate or tray and create a cake plate that way.  Here are some lovely examples of what you can make with a bit of glue, some charming china and a little bit of imagination.

Notice how old wooden candlesticks were put
to good use..and painted to create a whimsical as well
as colorful freeform cakeplate/dessert display.

Even mismatched odd candlesticks, some I recognize
as from the dollar store with a mismatched pretty china
plate are put to good use here.

The person who created these cake plates
even decorated otherwise plain and lifeless
drinking glasses to come up with these retro
style cake plates.

One thing you can say for sure is this:  There is no limit to your imagination in designing the perfect table scape using some very interesting elements.  Another idea you may want to consider is having friends and family of a mother to be put a few of these cakeplates together before the planned baby shower and use them as the door prizes or takeaways at the event.  I do not know anyone who couldn't use a unique and homemade designed serving piece at some other occasion in their life.  And if you are fortunate to have some of the elements around the house taking up much needed cupboard space this is the perfect way to use them.

Now if you are into cakeplates and serveware that is store bought there are many lovely options at any high end department or home store from where you can find the one that fits your needs and occasion.  And who is to say that if you thought they needed more embellishment you couldn't go crazy with it?  Take a look at the examples below and be inspired.



I found these on Amazon but if you go into
any fancy bakery they may be found there too.
I love the Shabby Chic style of these.



How could you not have this on your dessert table
at the next church luncheon or Women's Auxiliary
meeting?  Also perfect for any bridal or baby
shower!  So much more beautiful with a lovely decorated
cake or dessert underneath.

If you like the look of old world sterling silver
in your tablescape this one fits the bill. The mirrored
top throws light and will add another cool element
to your particular fancy occasion.



If you were fortunate enough to get a few of these
out of Grandma's things before they went off to
be donated then lucky you!  Nothing can take the
place of a vintage hand painted beauty to make
your tablescape the envy of all of your guests.


 



When you begin to decide what you will be serving at your next event and are deciding on color scheme and theme don't forget to plan on using a nice tablecloth or runner beneath the platters and serving trays and cake plates you use.  Here are a couple of ways to highlight your food table using color from napkins, tablecloths and other serving ware that will make your table glow.

Time to pull out your pretty china.  The Charger plate is a nice touch and
accents the theme or feeling you are trying to emulate at the brunch or fancy
family affair.  Too many glasses you say?  Of course not!  Use everything
you have.  Put those lovely wedding gifts to proper use!

I like the color combination of the flowers, light greens and pinks.  No, napkins
and napkin rings did not go out of style.  And notice the hand painted glassware?
Here is another way to personalize your presentations..show off your artsy
side!

Perfect for a little girl's birthday party. Can you imagine the look on your
children's mother's faces when they see this?  Notice the placemats
provide the inspiration for the colorful and whimsical presentation. 

Don't be afraid to pull your grandma's silver out for your next occasion. Don't
worry about appearing to be pretentious.  Having a beautiful setting adds
to the mood and enhances the guest's demeanor at an afternoon tea
or party.

This lace table runner needs to get out and breathe once
in a while so don't hold back.  Once you lay this down,
and here on a more primitive table shows your designer
instinct and will garner lots of attention!


 

I could add more here but will stop for now.  I may add more ideas later so come back from time to time and check.  If you have any comments to add please do!  I love to get pictures and feedback ...share your ideas with me. 
Have a wonderful day!

For information and a way to purchase the lovely things you will need to produce a glorious table scape, go to http://libertytabletop.com/2015/08/formal-dining-etiquette-by-liberty-tabletop/.