The Dish on Decorating with Plates

Tory Burch’s Manhattan office topped off with three symmetrical rows of blue and white plates - fresh and modern

Designer Celerie Kemble completes her wall design of a Manhattan bedroom with decorative plates - charming

I have come around on decorating with plates.

For many years, I could not shake the dull and uninspired images of my Grandmother’s generation’s dining rooms: Dark and serious rooms anchored with an oversized hutch stuffed with good china to be used only on special occasions. Then there was usually a family heirloom plate or two on display. And although the plates were gorgeous, they somehow managed to look stodgy and boring in the ubiquitous setting.

A Modern Take on Plates

Fast forward two generations or so, and now I can’t get enough of plates as decoration. What changed? The display location for one. Plates hung outside of the dining room - in an entryway, office, bedroom or a living room - can provide a fabulous fresh layer of unexpected color, shape and texture.

As plates come in a a variety of shapes and sizes, they can also fit into small or oddly configured spaces where a frame or mirror may not look right. Plates are a great way to fill out or add symmetry to other wall decoration such as flanking a picture or an art object.

When executed correctly, plates as decoration are a modern and fresh addition to any room. The plates that seem to work best are vibrant in color and unique like a small piece of art. Check out some fabulous plates as decoration below and maybe you will be inspired to hang some of your favorites in your home. If you don’t own any or want to add to your collection, start hunting estate sales, antique stores or maybe your Grandmother’s hutch.

Enjoy!

A wall gallery completed with two colorful plates from designer Maggie Griffin

Designer Beth Webb’s artistic take on decorating with plates- lovely

An eclectic wall gallery completed with a red and white chinoiserie plate (via pinterest)

Tory Burch’s Southhampton home showcasing a collection of 17th-century porcelain plates salvaged from a shipwreck - fantastic

Mark D Sikes’ living room design crowned with decorative plates above the mantel and mirror - perfection

Another entryway stylized with a symmetrical pattern of blue and white plates - welcome home (via Luxe)

Jen Leonard Interiors - my own take on decorating with three red chinoiserie plates building on the geometric feel of the settee’s pattern

A traditional entryway decorated with a wonderful collection of green and white plates (via House Beautiful)