Do you have a link to these bowls?
I haven't used one, but always thought they looked pretty alright actually. I've seen Geo Fatboy use them (the owner of Shave Nation). Geo posts videos on youtube so you could look him up to see them in action.
The pedestal is used to hold the lather bowl. Seems pretty cool to me.
I would consider getting stuff from Shave Nation if shipping to Australia wasn't so much from that website. Its more than what i've seen others try. There's several products i've looked at getting from sahve nation, but had to pass as shipping was just as much (in some cases MORE) than the products themselves.
I don't like the bowl design. It's too smooth on the inside. I have found shave bowls with lines and dots inside work better.