September 2008 - The Parklander Magazine

HOME DESIGN
V
By Saerina Tauritz
V
The reative rafter
AAmong the elite of tinsel town, there stands a group of celebrities that
have adopted orphans into their lives and families. Angelina, Brad, Tom,
Nicole, Cheryl, Calista, Meg and Madonna (just to name a few), have all
taken this step.
Now, the women of south Florida can emulate their actions. However, our
search will be in thrift shops, swap meets, bazaars, flea markets, dollar
stores and local stores to find and adopt our own, “orphaned” china: cups,
dishes, plates, creamers, sugar bowls of mixed patterns and broken sets that
will become the centerpieces of our formal or informal table. Our
combined choices will create the most beautiful and unique tabletop
accessory in your home.
The concept is to find patterns that you like that coordinate, or not, with
other patterns. The parameters are...none!! You need to find a large dinner
plate, a dessert plate and a saucer. In addition, you will need two different
teacups to serve as risers in the project. Shorter candlesticks from the dollar
store also work well as risers. Also, if you like, a creamer, small sugar bowl, nut
dish, espresso cup or anything decorative can be utilized on top as a crown for
ornamentation or to serve as a holder for nuts, artificial sweeteners,
toothpicks, little umbrellas, etc. Just keep in mind that the “wow” factor is
realized when mixing wonderful patterns and colors together. Solids work
beautifully also, either as the risers or the serving plates.
Just have fun finding what you like. Your heart will guide you and let you
know which china to adopt. Remember when you embark on this endeavor
that the journey is as much fun as the destination. Arm yourself with a few
dollars, a few friends and a list of haunts (suggestions below) and have the
most pure, unadulterated fun a group can have in broad daylight.
In the store, lay the plates on top of each other in graduating smaller sizes to
see the effect of the patterns. When you are satisfied, step back and examine
your work. Now you have the basis for your project. When choosing
teacups, make sure the handles are not higher than the rims.
To assemble the platter, use epoxy glue, as it is the
best for glass and china. Thoroughly clean
the surfaces of the plates and cups. Start
from the bottom with your dinner plate.
Mix a small amount of glue on a
piece of cardboard using
toothpicks, plastic ware or
chopsticks. Apply an ample
amount of glue to your stick
and apply to the bottom of the
first teacup. I usually sight my
placement, but you can also trace
the teacup placement before you
commit to gluing. Now repeat the process
with the dessert plate and the second teacup. Repeat once more with the
saucer and your top piece. At this point, you should have three sets of plates.
Let these parts cure for a while.
This is a great time to
take a break, have
a cup of tea and
admire each
other’s
designs. Also,
take this time
to decide if
you want checkered,
striped or dotted
bows on the handles of
your teacups. Sometimes, I do one of
each, or opt for all the same.This gives a whimsical “McKenzie Childs” effect
to the finished piece. Next, glue the sections together. Apply glue to the rim
of the teacup and place the plate on it. Do it again with the next pieces.
Again, a few more minutes of down time, and then add your bows or
tassels. I suggest you glue your bows in place on the teacup handles.
Just remember not to put your beautiful centerpiece project in the
dishwasher as the heat will break down the glue. Simply dry wipe the
platter after you use it.
Some other suggestions might be to start with a large serving platter, then a
dinner plate and then a dessert dish...or make a tower of the same size plates
(dinner or dessert) or just do a few with only two plates. They all work
wonderfully as servers for nuts, fruit, finger cakes and cookies, cut bagels
(you can use the topper to hold your spreaders), and cheese and crackers.
This is a nail friendly project, but just in case, schedule your
manicure afterwards.
Now it’s time to admire your finished piece. It’s beautiful and elegant. Your
finished project of orphaned china is definitely a “plate -a- compli”.
Supplies List
three plates, graduated or same size
two or three teacups or two candlesticks
or a topper of your choice:
wired ribbon in black/white checks or dots or stripes.
epoxy glue
chopsticks, toothpicks or plastic ware
Suggested Suppliers/Haunts
Michaels or Wal-Mart for glue/ribbons
Homegoods, Ross, TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Dollar Stores
NE Focal Point Thrift Shop - Deerfield Beach
Thrift shops at the Plum Plaza on NE 20th Street in Boca Raton.
The Deerfield Antique Mart on Hillsboro Blvd.
38 SEPTEMBER 2008