Contemplating Plates

Though some vintage and antique plates made prior to 1971 may contain unsafe levels of lead, making them unsuitable for food, they can still be an incredibly charming addition to your home. Whether as wall art, as a receptacle for keys or jewelry or simply as an item of visual interest on a shelf, their often intricate patterns and nostalgic designs offer a timeless and unique aesthetic that can be tailored to fit your personal space and taste.

Decorative serveware and souvenir plates capture the beauty of historical periods and artistic movements ... Victorian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Mid-Century Modern, etc. Which style brings you the most joy? Or do you prefer an eclectic mix of periods and movements, brought together by a specific color family? Hand painted botanicals, scenic landscapes, geometric patterns, written recipes, etc. can wonderfully come together to enhance your kitchen, office or reading nook.

When considering a collection of plates for a wall, I find it easiest to do a mock layout on the floor. Begin by marking out the boundaries with painter’s tape. Next, center or anchor the arrangement with the most prominent or interesting piece. Then take your time in positioning and repositioning the other pieces in a manner that you find to be visually pleasing. Think about the negative space in between ... allow the eye to focus on the allure and detail of the plates rather than getting caught in a busy display. When you are satisfied, use your math skills, a tape measure, tiny pieces of the painter’s tape and a pen to mark where the nails need to go (it’s a much smaller commitment to put a pen mark on the painter’s tape than on the wall!). Have some fun and remember that the curator from the Guggenheim Museum will likely not be coming over to inspect your choices!