After-class Homework

We had a great event/class tonight at the retail store with an over crowded room of Black-eyed Susan friends. Our subject was using plates as decor. I have had a long love of collectible plates, especially transferware, as well as anything monogrammed (of course!). Once you get the bug for collecting plates (and actually sets of plates), you could go on and on. I personally, have many sets of favorite plates. Each collection brings a certain joy when used or displayed. Oh yes, I love my plates!

I handed out color copies of my favorite inspiration pages using plates as art in unique and unusual placements. There were several examples I had meant to take from my home and left without this morning. So, here are the promised homework shots with brief explanations.

Dining room window with trio of monogrammed plates between drapery panels.

Close up of brown transferware collection in favorite cupboard.

Birdseye view of chocolate transferware collection at top of stairs!

Collaged collection of blue transferware collection and various objects. *Note the small card holder used to display butter pats!

This small bread and butter plate adds the perfect finishing touch and height to this grouping in the bedroom hall.

As discussed, the arch of the bed dictates the positioning of this plate collection. Symmetry and size are important. The shape of the headboard is repeated. Large art rests on either side of the bed. Plates in the bedroom, who knew?!

Vintage creme ware from Paris! (You'll recall this shot from the Bucks County Designer House.

One more shot from the Designer House. A wall collaged with plates, intaglios, and my framed button collection. Most of the plates I brought back from Paris. The square ones are from Black-eyed Susan! Yes, I still have several. I love square plates!

Okay, absolutely nothing to do with plates! At the end of our events, participants get to shop at a discount! Suzanne (a blog follower and kindred spirit), asked for some ideas to display under her new cloche. This one has a glass bottom, way cool! I came up with several ideas, but I have to say that this one was my favorite! Fabulous vintage books, small, narrow, and perfect fit.

It was a little crowded, and a bit hot. We found a chair for everyone to pull up and a good time was had by all. Next week: "Paint is my magic wand"! Come see the magic.

The Susan Rules; "Forget the Rules, Arouse the Senses"

Tonight's event was "the Susan Rules...Forget the Rules, Arouse the Senses!" We had a great turnout and alot of great interaction and comments in discussion form. The discussion with photo examples, was to inspire us to design with our own signature, inspired by others and outside sources. We talked about designing a little outside the box of the norm, and unexpected yet purposeful placement. We got a bit involved in talking about the obsessiveness of collecting and had one darling participant who's problem was not knowing what to collect! Oh, my, to have such a problem.

This is an example I embellished last night prior to leaving for home, adding layers to the existing art and finding homes for many of the accessories I brought back from the Designer House.

In the process of returning the furniture, lamps, and accessories to the retail store, one huge domino effect occur ed and resulted in an entire floor change (come in to see for yourself!), and my new summer themed windows. Sneelock usually photographs the windows for me, but just as I was leaving tonight I took a chance on getting something worthy to publish...until the real thing is done by him.

I learned recently that my windows are "famous" and a real draw! I'll take that.

Take a look for yourself, and you can always ask to see Fred's (oops, Sneelock's) in the next few weeks. It's darn hard to not get the glare, the traffic, and the stop light involved.

Orange a green, a great theme.

Dressing and changing the windows is a huge project to tackle in the late night hours, but all in all, totally rewarding! A trip to see them in person would be the real ticket.

I'll be waiting!