My husband's grandmother passed away this year. I was not related to her by blood, but I did know her for about ten years. Fran was a force of nature. I loved her as if she had been my own grandmother.
The saddest yet sweetest part of her passing was that she died four days after her husband of 65 years. They truly were an amazing couple. After their bittersweet funeral, their daughter, son-in-law, four grandchildren, two grandchildren-in-law, one granddaughter-in-law to be, and three great-grandchildren (or Fran's Pasadena Punkins, as she like to call the little ones) went over to their home. We walked around the house we all knew so well, and picked out our favorites out of their belongings. I felt weird about it at first; almost like we were looting. Then, it occurred to me that we would remember them every time we told a friend, acquaintance or even any future children, "This used to be Fran and Bob's".
I'll stop with the storytelling now because I'm tearing up. I'll just say that one of the items I selected was the sweetest little cake stand. Fran had a weakness for old-fashioned, ivory ceramics, and this stand was one of her best. It sits on our dining table right now, waiting for its own place. Sometimes I think I should find one. Sometimes, I think it's nice that I have to move it around every day because that means I remember her daily.
Anyway, whether it's a family heirloom or a new acquisition soon to become part of the family history, everyone should own one of these beautiful pieces. I have trolled the web for some current favorites. Honestly, does anything in this world deserve a throne more than dessert? I think not.
For those who love traditional, white stands but have no family heirlooms, these stands from
Martha Stewart and
Rosanna will fit the bill.
These two offerings from
Fishs Eddy show but an inkling of their offerings in glass, milk glass, and enameled glass.
Clara French Ceramique offers gorgeous vintage style stands to rent or own.
Modern Scandinavian Design site huset offers 60s modern updates by
Bengt & Lotta and
Anna Kraitz.