Asked on Aug 28, 2014

I need some suggestions for this wonder piece!

Donna
by Donna
I bought the beautiful rod iron piece last week at an antique shop. The plates that are sitting in the hangers are make of stone. It stands about 28 inches tall. This piece spoke to me so loudly, I had to buy it. I can see all kind of ways of displaying it in my home but at the moment my thoughts are all jumbled together. I would love some suggestions so maybe it would help me define my ideas or give me NEW ideas. Thanks everyone - first time posting to Hometalk.
Stands about 3 ft tall - made of rod iron & the plates are made of stone.
  66 answers
  • Hannah V Hannah V on Aug 28, 2014
    I would put small succulent jars on them and have it be a planter display! Maybe plant the succulents or flowers in something unique like a tea cup or small mason jar? I love how it's tierd!
  • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
    Hey Hannah, not a bad idea. I'd have to use artificial succulents. Don't want to take on succulents - I think they are hard to grow & I have poor lighting through out my house. Do you happen to have a pic of a succulent jar?
  • Katrina Warren Katrina Warren on Aug 28, 2014
    @Donna It would be awesome at Halloween to display skulls on, or jack-o-lanterns! What can I say I <3 Halloween! Any other time I think would depend on what room you decide to put it in... Then display something that coordinates with the décor there. <3 it, I want one now! :)
  • Peggy C Peggy C on Aug 28, 2014
    I can see candles on this. I also see candy dishes, yes I am a grandparent!
  • Marguerite Pope Marguerite Pope on Aug 28, 2014
    Pretty with some candles maybe? Really nice piece. could do it up soon for Christmas and I guess even fall with some small pumpkins and ornamental gourds.
  • Marianne Marianne on Aug 28, 2014
    With Fall right around the corner, I would decorate it with ornate pumpkins and leaves
  • Vicki Word Vicki Word on Aug 28, 2014
    How about in the bath with extra towels soaps etc...
    • Karen Cochran Karen Cochran on Aug 28, 2014
      I love that idea the best if there was room. I can really imagine beautiful colors of towels basket of soaps etc. go from there! Can't wait to see!!!!
  • Cynthia Thomas Cynthia Thomas on Aug 28, 2014
    I would use candles. BTW this is wrought iron not rod iron.
    • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
      @Cynthia Thomas Oh my, yep you're right..... wrought iron. I'm embarrassed now......
  • Kimberly Masseau Kimberly Masseau on Aug 28, 2014
    Alot would depend on themes etc throughout your home. Perhaps decorative jars filled with sand art.....shells.....marbles or stones.
  • Carrie Carrie on Aug 28, 2014
    I have this same piece. It sits on my screen porch with jar candles in the summer and fall, and if it gets too cold for the screen porch at Christmas, then I'll bring it in and put it on the table surrounded by a wreath and use as a center piece. I decorate it with Santa's, or tree ornaments, or something of the sort.
    • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
      @Carrie What a great idea. Would love to see a picture!
  • Shirley Batik Shirley Batik on Aug 28, 2014
    Fancy crafted cupcakes (artificial). Might need to make the stones white....
  • Susan York Morris Susan York Morris on Aug 28, 2014
    Turn upside down and suspend from the ceiling to hang pots or plants.
  • Carol Mitchell Carol Mitchell on Aug 28, 2014
    Want a little extra color? Glue tile or glass beads to the stone plates. I like the idea of plants or candles.
    • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
      @Carol Mitchell That's a good idea, too. I do want to put some color in it somehow.
  • Lupe Hodges Lupe Hodges on Aug 28, 2014
    I'd use it outside as a bird feeder
  • Jen Calvert Jen Calvert on Aug 28, 2014
    I've always loved this sort of thing in the bathroom with wash rags, bath salts, decorative soaps, scrub bushes and what not.
    • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
      @Jen Calvert I always try to find different uses for items/decor that way you never get tired of them.
  • Sharon H Sharon H on Aug 28, 2014
    It would be cute on a porch decorated seasonally. Winter would have to be a tiny tree and a snowman and maybe some lights and greenery around the base. I guess it would be cute doing that indoors too.
  • Michelle Nevers-Grow Michelle Nevers-Grow on Aug 28, 2014
    I love candles and hurricane lamps - so I would try them in combination. Also it is perfect for changing with the seasons. Good luck!
  • JS JS on Aug 28, 2014
    Suggest you reprint the metal. Then use it to display seasonal decorations. It may be too tall to set on the buffet table with appetizers and pies.
    • See 1 previous
    • JS JS on Aug 28, 2014
      Sorry, missed the auto correct - I meant rePAINT. There are several metal paints to select from to match your decor. It's a lovely versatile piece
  • Kathryn Jones Richard Kathryn Jones Richard on Aug 28, 2014
    I would put it on my buffet or kitchen island. And either put real fruit or artificial on it.
  • Dawn Hendrick Dawn Hendrick on Aug 28, 2014
    I suggest, that you do a decor of you liking, mine would be the ocean, so top plate would have a hurricane glass with about 1/2 the way with a candle neseled in the middle with starfish/ sand dollar or just shells, second plate a piece of drift wood, and more shells & sea glass , third plate a cute ocean themed basket, $ stores have so many clever things, you could in the middle of the bottom plate inside plant a philadendron vining plant, the unkillable plant and train it to go all up and around the wroght iron p.s aways use doilies so yor treasures wnt slip, curious to see ehat you do please post an shoe us what ever you fecide it is nice!
  • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
    Oh my, yep you're right..... wrought iron. I'm embarrassed now......
  • Dawn Hendrick Dawn Hendrick on Aug 28, 2014
    Ha show us what you decided also don't forget sand in top hurricane, been a long day good luck
  • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
    This is awesome I love everyones comments. JS in San Diego, what do you mean by "reprint" the metal?
  • Pam W Pam W on Aug 28, 2014
    I think it would be beautiful as a center piece for a dining table, with nice artificial fruits sitting on the plates, with grapes hanging off. I’m not talking about plastic fruit, but gold metallic grapes, or glass grapes and fruits that look like jewels.
  • Don381245 Don381245 on Aug 28, 2014
    I would put on porch or in front of fireplace in summer with house plants. Then candles or plants in winter.
  • Donna Williamson Donna Williamson on Aug 28, 2014
    I also like the idea of using it as a seasonal showpiece with a candle in the center of each plate surrounded by decorations for the season. At other times, candles of your choice and ivy, etc. would give you a beautiful change. Please don't paint it and ruin it's integrity.
  • Alice H Alice H on Aug 28, 2014
    If you have a large kitchen island, it'd be great with fruit loaded and hanging off of it....
  • Cindy Obraske Harjes Cindy Obraske Harjes on Aug 28, 2014
    What about in a bathroom with soaps, towels and foo foo stuff?
  • Ginnie Ginnie on Aug 28, 2014
    I would use it for holiday decorations. And the rest of the year change out with plants, candles, etc.
  • Wanda McGuire Wanda McGuire on Aug 28, 2014
    What about replacing the plates and hangers with small hanging bohemian lanterns or something similar that goes with your décor. light them with led candles and enjoy the ambiance.
    • Donna Donna on Aug 28, 2014
      @Wanda McGuire Wanda, I really like this idea. I'm kind of a bohemian person anyway. I may have to look into this one ......... Then when I'm tired of this look I could do something else with it. It's going to be such a versatile piece. Thank for your idea.
  • Gig308005 Gig308005 on Aug 28, 2014
    Small plant stand, holiday/seasonal display, fruit display, etc... have fun with it
  • Velma Velma on Aug 28, 2014
    Rest room for toilet paper, soaps, rolled hand towels.....
  • Teri Teri on Aug 28, 2014
    It's a nice piece! I'd probably put plants on it myself, but there are lots of great ideas here! So many creative people on Hometalk. :)
    • Ruth Andresen Ruth Andresen on Aug 29, 2014
      @Teri Good idea, how about cacti and succulents in pretty Mexican pottery bowls or some to match your decor.
  • Juanita Gibson Juanita Gibson on Aug 28, 2014
    I would use it for food display in the middle of a huge banquent table!
  • Karen Froman Hill Karen Froman Hill on Aug 28, 2014
    I would use it in the garden and hang hummingbird feeders from it.
  • Katya Toland Katya Toland on Aug 28, 2014
    Plants would look great on there but I would paint those plates with different colors so it would allow the plants to stand out.
  • Ruthann Cook Ruthann Cook on Aug 28, 2014
    I could see this with those "real looking pies" on each plate.....as if they were set out to cool.
  • Barbara R Barbara R on Aug 29, 2014
    It goes so good with your kitchen cabinets...and it's "wrought" iron, not "rod"...great with anything in any room to match your decor...
  • Vicki S Vicki S on Aug 29, 2014
    Great piece...if you own cat (s) whatever you put on it or hang on it will just be a new thing to play with and climb on....lol
  • Deeann Tilley-Amato Deeann Tilley-Amato on Aug 29, 2014
    I would hang different size mason jars from it and fill the jars with candles "or" fill them with fresh herbs if you are a cook.
  • Rebecca W Rebecca W on Aug 29, 2014
    Put it on a table in your entryway. Use it for mail, keys, etc. The top hook can be used for a small light, kind of like a night light only for right inside the front door.
  • 169756 169756 on Aug 29, 2014
    This site showed small globes that were covered with glass stones and illuminated. I would probably put small globes with lit candles in them. I'll show the larger one I did to illustrate it. Small ones, with or without lighting they would be very pretty. There are beautiful colors out there, much more vivid than mine.
  • Natalie G Veary Natalie G Veary on Aug 29, 2014
    Would look cool in a bathroom as well either beside the tub with candles or as a soap dish or a cute way to display fruit on a table am so curious to see what you do
  • Tess Tess on Aug 29, 2014
    If this was mine, I would definitely put plants on it. I agree with Teri and Ruth Andresen. I am a fan of succulents and I would replace or paint plates with a mexican pottery theme.
  • Tris Smith Tris Smith on Aug 29, 2014
    Plants or candles
  • Dianne Dianne on Aug 29, 2014
    Maybe replace the stone plate hangers with baskets ... then it can be filled with anything.
  • Starr Bogle Starr Bogle on Aug 29, 2014
    Use for flower pots
  • Jacque  Castillo Jacque Castillo on Aug 29, 2014
    Flameless candles on top and bottom and a plant in the middle!
  • Donna Donna on Aug 29, 2014
    OK, now all I want to do is HomeTalking!! I keep stealing away from my work/chores to see what's going on with HomeTalk.
  • It would look great with little indoor plants, herbs in teacups, or used as a display for fresh cut flowers. No matter how you use it, that is a beauty!
  • Michelle Michelle on Aug 29, 2014
    With the holidays around the corner, I would put pumpkins, pine ones or other fall/Halloween decor and the same for Christmas. Enjoy your great find!
  • Patricia Clark Patricia Clark on Aug 29, 2014
    On my porch with potted plants!
  • Deb Byers Deb Byers on Aug 29, 2014
    I bought one quite a few years ago and just had candles on it. The plates in mine were terra cotta and I loved them. Unfortunately when I was trying to put it on display on one of those high walls I lost my balance and the plates all broke. So now I'm trying to find some kind of replacements to put in the stand.
  • 169756 169756 on Aug 29, 2014
    Donna, it's on Hometalk actually. Go to the search bar at the top and put in garden globes and scroll down thru them. you should find it. If not, I'll tell you how to do it.
  • Irish53 Irish53 on Aug 29, 2014
    I like Michelle's idea for the holidays. Flameless lights are good year round. It could be placed in a corner of a room with small plants and some kind of night light.
  • Angie Sanderson Angie Sanderson on Aug 29, 2014
    Hebs in the kitchen.
  • Theresa Powell Theresa Powell on Aug 29, 2014
    If you didn't want candles...which would be great, maybe roll up finger towels and place on one of the plates, small soaps on another plate, and then artificial flowers on another...in a guest bath.
  • Donna Serog Donna Serog on Aug 29, 2014
    I see a lamp
  • Tamara Tamara on Aug 30, 2014
    I wouldn't mess with it at all. Repurposing or changing it in any way will completely ruin it and candles will stain the stone. Keep it exactly as it is and simply place a few small, yet important trinkets, mementos, or special found objects on the stone plates. Beach glass from a special vacation, a little brooch or a few beads which may have been a gift, a small collection of air plants (plants which require no soil and only occasional watering), or tiny pots with tiny plants, but nothing over powering because you don't want to detract from the piece as that is what you fell in love with and want it to be the focus.
    • Donna Donna on Aug 30, 2014
      @Tamara I love your response. You're exactly right - it spoke to me the way it is. I love wrought iron & have it throughout my home. I will probably keep it real simple. Thank you Tamara.
  • Donna M Donna M on Aug 30, 2014
    Pumpkins!
  • Too449355 Too449355 on Aug 30, 2014
    small candles in a clear glass candle cup.......fall foliage candle rings. The candles are in a glass cup so they will not ruin the stone. Too cute.
  • Bonnie G Bonnie G on Aug 31, 2014
    During the holidays put different decorations for each session. When it is not Holiday time potatoes, onions and fruit.
  • Cindy Haskell Cindy Haskell on Sep 09, 2014
    I agree with Theresa Powell...if you have the room, fold up some face cloths or small hand towels and put it in your spare bathroom....or if not, put something that Birmingham AL is famous for, like sea Shells?? If you need some, I have a ton of them living on Cape Cod!!
  • Mary Jo-Bragg Mary Jo-Bragg on Sep 09, 2014
    I love it. Yes, I would have bought it also. I see a plant stand for my Sun Room. Also a food service stand to display and serve cupcakes or candy, cookies at gatherings. You could even put nick nacks displayed for seasonal decor . Add a little bling with ivy or anything to make it stand out
  • Rosalie chow Rosalie chow on Feb 05, 2015
    Are the plates heavy enough for placing potted plants? Valentine is almost here, put clear glass bowls One for kisses chocolates, one is heart candies, one is for peppermint candies or chocolates. The candies have to be colorful to brighten you home. Great job in finding this iron rod. Love it. Good luck.