Unusual Decorating Challenge: All That Space.

Decorating By vgcea Updated 8 Feb 2013 , 5:56pm by kikiandkyle

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vgcea Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 6:50pm
post #1 of 19

Short of covering it with rosettes (what I'm leaning toward) or sugar flowers, how in the world does one decorate a 12 inch round SMBC cake so it doesn't look like an bare expanse of SPACE? LOL. Don't want to do the dated piped roses on the top with text in the middle.

 

I've been so focused on designing stacked tiers that a single large tier has me stumped. So much space, what to do with it? 

18 replies
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DeliciousDesserts Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 7:02pm
post #2 of 19

AIs there a theme or a kind of cake?

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vgcea Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 7:08pm
post #3 of 19

Nope. Nada. I have free-reign, and I've got nothing. lol. It's a birthday cake for an adult female, if that helps.

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Sassyzan Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 7:17pm
post #4 of 19

AA graphic pattern with fondant cut-outs? Flowers on vines. Cornelli lace around a picture frame center with words in it.

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kikiandkyle Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 7:43pm
post #5 of 19

I like the single large fondant flower on top, off to the side, really simple and elegant. Maybe pearl dust the rest, and add a narrow grosgrain/silk ribbon with a bow around the bottom. 

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jason_kraft Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 7:54pm
post #6 of 19

AWrite big.

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ellavanilla Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 7:56pm
post #7 of 19

i love to do circles in two or 3 sizes, some with the centers cut out, and maybe add a bow to the top or a hanging row of penants

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DeliciousDesserts Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 7:58pm
post #8 of 19

APaisley. I nice almost henna in off white

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jgifford Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 8:10pm
post #9 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft 

Write big.

 

 

^^^^^icon_biggrin.gif

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-K8memphis Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 8:13pm
post #10 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft 

Write big.

 

 

icon_lol.gif  for real!!!

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hollyml Posted 6 Feb 2013 , 9:12pm
post #11 of 19

You could "dot" the surface with little flowers or any other shape, like a gift wrap pattern, or texture it with ruffles or a spatula pattern, and add a bow or one large flower like you would to a gift box.  Or go with a minimalist design that intentionally includes plenty of empty space. :)

 

Some ideas from the gallery:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I don't know how to get a short link to the actual gallery page with the new layout...maybe not possible any more?)

 

Holly

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vgcea Posted 7 Feb 2013 , 3:20am
post #12 of 19
Thank you all for these wonderful suggestions. Jason, your comment literally made me laugh out loud!
hollyml how nice of you to dig up some pics for me. Thank you.
 
This is going to be all SMBC (with maybe a few pearls for accents). I love the idea of covering it with piped patterns. That's definitely a great way to cover all that space when fondant/gumpaste are not an option. I'm going to Google some images to see what intricate patterns can inspire me :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyml 

You could "dot" the surface with little flowers or any other shape, like a gift wrap pattern, or texture it with ruffles or a spatula pattern, and add a bow or one large flower like you would to a gift box.  Or go with a minimalist design that intentionally includes plenty of empty space. :)

 

Some ideas from the gallery:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I don't know how to get a short link to the actual gallery page with the new layout...maybe not possible any more?)

 

Holly

 

Than

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kikiandkyle Posted 7 Feb 2013 , 4:56pm
post #13 of 19

AI can't remember where I saw the original design but I was inspired by a cake online for this one[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/2915542/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

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DeliciousDesserts Posted 7 Feb 2013 , 5:19pm
post #14 of 19
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FromScratchSF Posted 7 Feb 2013 , 6:10pm
post #15 of 19

I am a minimalist decorator - just my style - here's a few 10" cakes, the 1st was done for Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412390292147472&set=pb.229596827093487.-2207520000.1360260450&type=3&theater

 

2nd was done for a friend:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=432099743509860&set=pb.229596827093487.-2207520000.1360260439&type=3&theater

 

If you add some texture to the SMBC and especially if it has real vanilla beans in it, you really don't need other stuff on it.

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MeghanKelly Posted 7 Feb 2013 , 6:43pm
post #16 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromScratchSF 

I am a minimalist decorator - just my style - here's a few 10" cakes, the 1st was done for Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412390292147472&set=pb.229596827093487.-2207520000.1360260450&type=3&theater

 

2nd was done for a friend:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=432099743509860&set=pb.229596827093487.-2207520000.1360260439&type=3&theater

 

If you add some texture to the SMBC and especially if it has real vanilla beans in it, you really don't need other stuff on it.

O my gosh, that cake for Gavin Newsom is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!  So simple yet pure perfection.

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FromScratchSF Posted 7 Feb 2013 , 7:20pm
post #17 of 19

Thanks, they wanted something that was representative of SF while being masculine, elegant and not over the top.  I went with a magnolia since we have magnolia trees everywhere and I think they are such a masculine flower.

 

So yeah, texture in the buttercream and a strong focal point, you don't really need much else.

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vgcea Posted 8 Feb 2013 , 7:14am
post #18 of 19

Thanks for the photos Kikiandkyle. Y'all have been so helpful. I have so many ideas now. Thank you!

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliciousDesserts 

Something like this https://www.google.com/search?q=paisley+cakes&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=R-ETUc_gLZPi9gShsIAo&ved=0CDYQsAQ&biw=320&bih=416#i=96

All buttercream, very pretty, but not too firmly or childish.

 

Thanks DeliciousDesserts. I followed your link and found this one. Such awesome use of space (and color)!

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by FromScratchSF 

I am a minimalist decorator - just my style - here's a few 10" cakes, the 1st was done for Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412390292147472&set=pb.229596827093487.-2207520000.1360260450&type=3&theater

 

2nd was done for a friend:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=432099743509860&set=pb.229596827093487.-2207520000.1360260439&type=3&theater

 

If you add some texture to the SMBC and especially if it has real vanilla beans in it, you really don't need other stuff on it.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by FromScratchSF 

Thanks, they wanted something that was representative of SF while being masculine, elegant and not over the top.  I went with a magnolia since we have magnolia trees everywhere and I think they are such a masculine flower.

 

So yeah, texture in the buttercream and a strong focal point, you don't really need much else.

 

FromScartchSF, I love those cakes. I was joking in a recent thread that I tend to want to put a lot of stuff on a cake. It's like I see space and automatically think: gotta put something in it. :LOL: 

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kikiandkyle Posted 8 Feb 2013 , 5:56pm
post #19 of 19

I love that pink and yellow cake. I tend to go towards more minimalist designs too, but I had to do the flowers for a class and didnt want to use them in the traditional style. Sometimes less is more and sometimes more is more! 

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