Plastic Columns for Decorating
Ancient Greece and Rome may have helped kick off the use of columns for decorating, but the trend has stayed strong with some modern adaptations. Plastic columns are a popular tool for decorating, whether they are rented for a particular party or event or bought to enhance the indoor or outdoor décor of a home. Plastic columns for decorating are ideal because they are not too expensive and are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Does this Spark an idea?
Function
Since plastic columns are usually lightweight and easy to maneuver and place, they are very commonly used at parties or events. Wedding bashes may often include rows of plastic columns around the perimeter of the dance floor, in church aisles or in corners of the catering hall. Rather than stand unadorned, plastic columns are often draped with tulle, lace or other fabrics, attached to balloons or used as a pedestal for light candle or flower arraignments. Plastic columns are also great to use as props in stage plays, to create miniature graveyard fences for Halloween or as borders around Christmas decorations or other yard décor.
Types
One of the most common plastic columns for decorating is the solid white column, which is often grooved but sometimes smooth, not unlike those found in ancient Greece or Rome. Column ends can be plain, boxy structures or adorned with scrolls or other artwork. Many of the columns can be purchased or rented to be freestanding, while others work together, connecting in an archway or holding up a trellised or otherwise lightweight roof. Many types of column are available at party, garden or home stores, or online (see Resources).
Size
Plastic columns for decorating can range in size from small, tabletop columns to larger ones that may not fit in a standard doorway. The smallest may be less than 1 foot high and less than 6 inches in girth, making them a perfect platform for statuettes or other small objects. Some are hollow and ready to hold flower arrangements or single stems. Larger plastic columns can reach more than 10 feet high and be more than 1 foot wide. The purpose of the column will determine the size that's right for the job.
Effects
Plastic columns can have a huge visual impact if enough of them are used. Several dozen lined up like soldiers and painted with a marbleized glaze will add a prestigious flair to any event. Plastic columns can easily be painted with paint that is specifically made to cover plastic, and can reproduce a number of effects, from the spooky graveyard to a graffiti-ed lamppost in London. Plastic paints are available in metallic, stone and other textures, so the columns can be decorated to mimic a number of different materials.
Prevention/Solution
Since plastic columns are incredibly lightweight and not as sturdy as marble or stone columns, the plastic can be reinforced to hold up better. As the columns are usually hollow, the insides can be filled with rocks, sandbags or other heavy materials to help weigh them down in the wind. Some companies also offer plastic columns reinforced with fiberglass; the cost and weight remain minimal, but the durability is greatly expanded.
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