Home Plate (Part II)

Posted by Lisa & Rena

Hi it’s Lisa here. Rena’s on vacation in Portland this week, so I thought I would share a recent home project.

Ever since I created this a few months ago, people have been asking me how I did it. So, here are my tips on building a decorative plate wall.

My wonderwall

Step 1: Collect, Collect!
Think ahead about where your plates will hang. Gather as many as you need to fill the space. It’s wise to get more plates than you will you use. You’ll find (like me) that when you start hanging them, you need many to choose from to achieve the right balance in your design. You may not end up using them all.

When I started collecting, I looked for plates that appealed to my design taste.

* I like both worn-out vintage and modern looks, so I found plates that fit both of these categories but that also went well together.
* I also looked for a particular color palette -- bright colors that would pop on a white wall.
* Scale was also a factor. I looked for different sizes. I know from my art background that creating an interesting balance requires a certain lack of uniformity. (Incidentally, it took me two years to gather all of the plates that I did!) I collected most of mine at thrift stores and flea markets, but others I bought on the Internet. My “wall” ended up with items from the turn of the century, mid-century, and new melamine plates (my favorites by fellow blogger Lena Corwin).

Step 2: Purchase Plate Hangers and Hardware
I used conventional plate hangers on my wall, which can be found at most hardware stores. Again, make sure you are getting the proper size hangers for the plates. (They won’t work if they are too small or too large for the plate.) One option is to buy newer ones that are invisible from the back. Get your screws or nails, hammer, and ladder ready, too.

Step 3: Plan Your Design
I must confess: I did not plan the design of the plate wall pictured above ahead of time -- except in my mind. I just started to hang and the design was born as I went along. Like hanging a cluster of artwork, it’s something you acquire from years of practice (I had done this many times before). That said, I recommend planning ahead if you are new to the process. To get the end result you envision:

* Make a sketch on paper
* Lay the plates on the floor to create the overall shape. While doing this, ask yourself: Is the form I see an organic one? A geometric form? A diamond shape? A circle? Visualize this shape on the wall and sketch.
* Once you’re satisfied, find a space on the floor to lay out the plates to create your basic shape. Move the plates around to balance color, size, and type of plate.
* Finally, start to hang your plates based on the shape you’ve outlined on the floor. You may find yourself changing things around once you have started, and that’s okay. It’s part of the design process. Remember to step back and look at your work often as you go. This will help you to create the right balance.

The end result

Step 4: Enjoy Your Plate Wall!
Plate collecting and hanging was a really enjoyable experience for me. This project took a long time to start and complete, but it was well worth it in the end. Anyone else have a wall project to share? Send them to us.

Comments

[Alyson]

I love the look of plates on the wall. We will be moving to a smaller place soon so will not have room for my three china cabinets. Placing many of my plates on the wall will allow for me to see everyday and keep little fingers from getting to them. Child proof designs are great! You know grand-kids.....

Alyson LID 01/27/06
www.alyzabethan.blogspot.com

[Polly]

I'm really drawn to this mix of vintage and modern in this, makes me feel bolder about combining my collections. I noticed the enamel bowls in your kitchen, I just found a deep yellow/white one at a thrift store, had never seen that kind before.

[designguy333]

Awesome!!!
I've actually been collecting plates for a year now with the intent of doing exactly the same thing!!!
I decided to hang only plates in yellow, black, and charcoal, so they'll match my kitchen.

[Emily]

Holy Smokes, I LOVE this. Thanks so much for the tips on how to do our own! As soon as I can convince my husband, it's done!

[simplygrove]

I love plate displays!!!!! This one is beautiful!

[tivogirl]

Joann Etc was clearing out plate hangers a few weeks ago. I bought as many as I could for 50 cents each. Find them near picture frames hanging hardware section of the store.

[allisonlindsay]

This organic, colorful display is gorgeous, especially in contrast to the harder lines of the wainscoting. I'm a plate-on-the-wall girl; for pics, check out my home as part of Apartment Therapy's Small, Cool 2008 contest. I'm using vintage tin drink trays, each printed with U.S. states.

Again, great amalgam!

[krissy]

Thanks for sharing! I feel so inspired to try something like this... Lately I've been seeing beautiful "art" plates on Etsy and in local shops.

[ellen]

Thanks for sharing, what a beautiful display!

[Carrie]

It is Very Original how you placed these plates! I love it!

[karen c]

Oh i love the way this looks! So refreshing!

[Ginna]

I want to know what the plate is on the far right with like birds in trees or something. It's so cute! I'd love to see close ups of all these plates.
Your wall is wonderful.

[Sam.]

I hate to say this but almost more than I love your plate wall, I want your chair. I'm thinking, just now, of kidnapping him :)