Way back when, before I started blogging, I became obsessed with plates. It started with my very first visit to our local antique mall, which was more years ago than I care to remember. In the picture below you can see the very first plates I ever bought. There were three…but one broke a few years ago. I was devastated…seriously. They have moved around my house…you never know where they will appear. Their latest position is as part of a personalized plate wall I just installed in my living room.
Why I didn’t do this before I will never know…because I love it! I didn’t have to buy a single plate. In fact, I had quite a selection to choose from. I mixed new with vintage, plain with patterned and big with little.
I knew in my head what I wanted it to look like…and found exactly what I needed on Etsy.
Decals. Brilliant huh? They are available in 3 colors and a variety of styles. The shop that sells them is Welcoming Walls. So I placed my order and here’s what my platter looks like.
It’s turned out exactly like I had imagined…which hardly ever happens. I was a little nervous about getting the decal on straight but it ended up not being hard at all. I used the trial and error method to hang the plates. I put the number platter in the middle and worked out from there. When I was finished I had holes in the wall but I just filled them in with white caulk. I didn’t even have to touch up the paint.
The image below is what this wall looked like just a few days ago…
and here it is now.
I whole new look for hardly any money. As you can see from one of the pictures above, my gigantic dough bowl is still leaning on my wall. I think it’s going to stay there because I can’t come up with a better place. I’m beginning to sort of like it there!
Heather says
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 4:30 pmThanks for sharing your gorgeous plate wall at Project Inspire{d} linky party last week!! Hope to see you at this week’s party up now : http://www.settingforfour.com/2013/05/project-inspired-linky-party-no.html Pinned your post to our group linky party board! Heather
Rita says
Monday, May 13, 2013 at 10:36 pmI’m a plate lover too…have lots on my walls. Your wall looks great!
Heather says
Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 8:25 pmThanks for sharing your fabulous plate wall at Project Inspired!! Making a plate wall around my dining room hutch and cabinet is on my to-do list!
Keeping It Cozy says
Friday, May 10, 2013 at 8:44 pmOooh, I love, love it! You just can’t go wrong with a plate wall and yours looks beautiful!
Deborah says
Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 3:23 pmLove it, love it, love it! now you’ve got me thinking where oh where can I put up a plate wall!!!! Poor hubby, more holes in the walls!!!!! Oh well, got to keep up with Ann!
Shannon at MadiganMade says
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 9:45 pmI love this quick and inexpensive update to your wall… what a difference! And the numbered decal is charming. Thanks for sharing this week on Project Inspire{d}!
Dawn says
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 10:46 amAnn, so glad you came to the BUDGET DECORATING PARTY at the Cabin this week. So nice to see a new party goer.
Heather says
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 8:13 pmI’m a vintage plate collector and collector of milk glass and westmoreland glass, so of course I am in total love with your plate wall! Love the script in the decal you chose! So pretty and great focal point for your room!
[email protected] The Better Half says
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 7:13 pmgirl, i am in love!!! BHG is going to calling you!! :)
[email protected] says
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 5:31 pmLove it Ann!!! I have some blue and white china with little quails on it and my hubby refuses to let me put it on the wall but I’m going to show him how gorgeous yours looks and maybe he’ll change his mind!
debra says
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 11:11 amIt looks wonderful and such a great way to display your lovely collection! :)
Lynne says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 10:59 pmAnn, I love your plate wall! I love that you added something to the big white one. I just recently added some plates to my wall and I also wanted to incorporate some colored ones in with my white ones. For the most part I was happy with what I came up with but something still wasn’t exactly right. Now I know I need to add something to my big white one! Your whole roo. Looks fantastic!
[email protected]ébec says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 9:19 pmI usually don’t comment after a certain number of comments but I have to tell you….. your wall is GORGEOUS.
I had to pin it.
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 11:11 pmThank you Donna…I think that’s the highest form of praise. Pinning is magic!
Cindy says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 9:12 pmSo pretty! The yellow upholstered chairs are charming and the plates look amazing!
Blessings,
Cindy
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 9:09 pmWow! I love this SO much! The before was pretty but this after is even better – just so bright and fresh, and the personalized plate looks so expensive and fabulous. Well done all around!
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 11:10 pmOh my gosh…that means so much coming from you. I think your plate wall is super fabulous. Thank you!
Glenda Childers says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 7:26 pmI love plates, too, and your wall looks beautiful.
Fondly,
Glenda
Elizabeth says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 5:18 pmYou should have included a picture of your little puppy in this post!
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 5:20 pmI know but she was outside when I was taking the pics. I did not want to disturb her.
Linda @ it all started with paint says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:49 pmI just love it, Ann! So pretty and I’m absolutely pinning and sharing on FB this week!
:) Linda
Candi McCubbins says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 1:02 pmHi!
This is beautiful! I love how you used my decal! Would you mind if I used the picture in my shop?
Your plate wall is just gorgeous. I have inherited some beautiful plates from my grandmother that would be perfect for this!
Thanks again, so happy you love your decal!
Candi
Welcomingwalls.com
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:23 pmOh I’m so glad you saw this. Of course you are welcome to use my photo. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
debbiedoos says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 12:35 pmAnn I simply adore this plate wall of yours! Fantastic job…what a statement you made in such an artful way!
Dawn says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 11:30 amPerfect, I really like the plate look. It sure brightens up your wall and I didn’t think it was dark before.
Eileen says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 9:50 amWhat a perfect way to display your beautiful plates Ann. I need to get serious and do a little re-decorating in my house. You make it look so easy (and I know it’s not).
Fine Craft Guild says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 9:10 amLove the plate wall. Beautiful. I’d like to invite you: Do come link it up with us at our party http://www.finecraftguild.com/party-65/ !
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 7:49 amThat looks great, Ann! I love that you got a whole new look and all you had to be was the decal.
sharon says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 1:40 amWhat a beautiful display. Your new plate wall looks so fresh, and I just love the address plate.
[email protected] designs says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:54 pmYour wall of plates is perfection…Perfectly arranged and beautiful…and then you add that unexpected piece with the numbers and then it truly makes an amazing statement. Just love the entire space…
SweetAmbrosia says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:24 pmAnn, great use of what I consider a basic decorating must!
Our last name is the same as one of the older kilns, and we collect theirs. Along with some very interesting blue and whites .. My down fall lol.
Nice post
Christina @ No. 29 Design says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 10:12 pmI love the plate wall. I have a weakness for them as well. The decal is such a classic font! It looks fantastic.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 10:06 pmNot only are your plates gorgeous but your vignette is stunning. LOVE how you used a plate stand to feature the lid of the tureen! The numbered plate makes everything look fresh and adds a trendy pop! Perfect, as usual!!!
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:22 pmI got the tureen lid on the plate stand idea from Kim Nichols…awesome isn’t it?
Anne Boykin says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 9:29 pmAnn, You have such great style! I love your plate arrangement.
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 9:28 pmLove the plate wall, it looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8:50 pmIt looks phenomenal! I just love it. That piece of furniture you ended up with: aren’t you glad you didn’t paint it? I think of it as the showcase of your home. And now all that has been created with it as the centerpiece. You done good, girl!
Brenda
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:21 pmYes I’m very grateful my blogging friends saved the dresser from being painted. You and Richard Cottrell were the ones who convinced me. Thank you!
Donnamae says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8:31 pmLove it! And, how simple…just have to have the plates! Thanks for the idea…have to do yard work first! ;)
Tanya says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8:27 pmYour plates are so pretty Ann, thank you very much for the decal info, I will be trying this!
xo, Tanya
jillflory says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8:24 pmAnn! I LOVE your plate wall! Seriously – I’ve never been just overwhelmed by plate walls but yours is just great! I love all the white plates. Now I’m trying to figure out where I can put an all white plate wall!! LOL! And just when I was thinking the plate art was one thing I probably wouldn’t be doing!!!! And I also really like your dough bowl leaning against the wall. Is it an old one? If you get tired of it you can always bring it to live at my house for awhile!
Are you coming to the Springfield Extravaganza? If so please look me up! A friend and I are setting up in the Vintage Marketplace’s outside lot!
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:19 pmWhen is the Springfield Extravaganza? Is it that huge antiques show at the fairgrounds?
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 7:58 pmHi Ann,
I love your plate wall and I pinned it. It has been repinned before I could even get off your site! I have been meaning to order vinyl letters for our front door so I will check out the shop where you got your numbers.
Mary Alice Patterson says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 7:49 pmYour blue and white plates make the perfect gallery on your wall in your living room. They look so pretty with your yellow chairs!
Mary Alice
Lin says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 7:09 pmThe entire vinette is just gorgeous! Very inspiring. I love that you found the numbers. Have you ever tired using Disc adhesive hangers for your plates? I have not yet, but plan on ordering some to put up my hand mirrors on the wall. Thank you for sharing this beautiful area with us.
Ann Drake says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 10:21 pmYes I’ve used the disc hangers…in fact I used one to hang the address plate. Love them…you have to think ahead though. The glue has to dry overnight!
Janel from NellieBellie says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 6:53 pmThat is fantastic!! What a gorgeous idea…gave that room an immediate update!
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:18 pmWhy thank you Miz Nellie Bellie!
Kathleen says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 6:41 pmAnn, the plates are such a great addition! You did a really beautiful job. I’m in Ohio too! Yes, I believe Spring is here!
Jody says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 5:54 pmLOVE the plate wall AND the dough bowl leaning against the wall! Happy Saturday! :)
Cindy says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 5:44 pmHello dear Ann, Your plate wall looks fabulous! I love the symmetry of it and the choice of plates is really pretty.
Hugs, Cindy
Grace @ sense and simplicity says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 5:44 pmI love your great wall of plates. I have a bit of a thing for plates myself and as you can see in this post http://gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.ca/2013/05/i-love-transferware.html I love transferware too. I have some similar to the blue and white ones you have at the bottom corners. The house numbers look great on the white platter.
Sandy says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 3:56 pmLove your plate wall. I have a wrought iron vertical plate holder hanging on a kitchen wall next to windows. I change the plates seasonally. I used an ornate wrought iron horizontal plate holder several years hanging above our fireplace. I would love to imitate your plate wall, but first I would need to remove wallpaper above the dining room chair railing and paint. I see it as a possibility next year. Four bedrooms need new paint this year.
Michele says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 3:54 pmLooks GREAT, Ann- well done, love your “new” wall. Fun shopping the house decor shoppe, isn’t it?
The numbers look wonderful- neat idea.
I need three white wall plates, let me know if you know of any anywhere- it would complete a room I just re-did – just that added something it needs.
Hugs.
kim says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 3:13 pmThat looks great, Ann.
Pondside says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 3:12 pmI am a big fan of arrangements of plates. This probably comes from my years in military housing and not being allowed to paper or paint. We lived in so many interesting places and I collected many antique plates which always made a nice focal point in a rented house. Thanks for the link to the number decals – that is a splendid idea for a housewarming gift!
sissie says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 2:56 pmHi Ann,
I love your wall of plates and the number plate is such a great idea. Good job.
hugs,
Sissie
Jane says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 2:36 pmI love it, Ann! The whole arrangement looks lovely. I’d love to try this but most of the plates I collect have patterns. I have to look for something plain, maybe an ironstone piece. Thanks for the inspiration!
XO,
Jane
Pamela Gordon says
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 2:33 pmI love your plate wall Ann. It looks really pretty there above that beautiful sideboard dresser. The numbers are great too. I think I might hang some plates one of these days. I used to then when we painted last summer I had pared down a lot. I have some beautiful platters that I’d like to show off. Enjoy the weekend. Spring has sprung big time here too! Love it!