Why We Love Plate Walls & Other Sunday Favorites
Why do we love plate walls so much? When you walk into a home or a shop and you see a plate wall, you have to look. You just do. It’s part storytelling, part order, and part personality all wrapped up into a plate wall display.
Why we love plate walls and what they might mean
Storytelling and Memory
There’s the storytelling aspect of a plate wall. Plates often carry personal or cultural meaning. The plates could be heirlooms or souvenirs from travel. Or they could be handmade, collected at a flea market, or received as a gift.
A plate wall becomes a narrative where each piece tells a story. Seeing them on our walls reminds us of these memories.
Order and Harmony
Left: Danika Herrick @danikaherrick Right: Pinterest (unknown source)
Plates are most often circular, which is a universally soothing and balanced shape. This shape symbolizes wholeness, which then naturally feels harmonious.
They can be grouped to form patterns, or they may have a more free-form. Some plate walls have a sense of order, while others feel like an ever-changing gallery as plates are added.
Play of Art and Function
Left: Lydia Rowley @liddierowl Right: Hayley Stuart @iamhayleystuart
Plates are useful everyday objects. But when hung on the wall, they transform into a work of art. Something so humble as a dish or plate can transform a wall when displayed with others. Sometimes just a few, and sometimes many, many plates.
Texture and Depth
Left: Shea McGee McGee & Co. Right: Right: @harrt_design
Plates have different thicknesses, different glazes, color–that make a room feel more collected, richer, and more layered. The collection of oyster plates is striking. We often see these at Paris flea markets. Until now, I had not thought of hanging them.
Personality and Individuality
Left: Stephanie Lynton Home Right: @akindofhome
A plate wall, like a gallery wall, really showcases someone’s interests, taste, travels, and history in a way that can feel quite intimate.
On the left, they describe this as vines of cabbage plates on the wall. I think I counted 70 cabbage plates!
In the bathroom, a plate wall using cabbage plates in all sizes and in two basic colors. Pinks and greens. Some are tiny, others quite large. The way they are arranged on a peach colored wall in a traditional bathroom is quite lovely. Love it or hate it, you won’t easily forget it.
You could buy them, like this set of 12 from Williams Sonoma, or this pair of pink plates, or these in an interesting shape. Or maybe it would just be easier to book a trip to Portugal, where they are made. When we visited Portugal last year, we saw numerous shops that offered cabbage plates and bowls of all sizes. Platters, pitchers, and all at very reasonable prices.
Read our Portugal posts here and here.
Nostalgia, Tradition, and History
Plate walls have roots in folk traditions worldwide. Think Dutch Delftware, English and French transferware, and Chinese porcelain. It’s why we love plate walls. They are beautiful, personal, and there’s a sense of history.
If you have a plate wall, I would love to share it! Email a photo (full size) to annie@mostlovelythings.com.
More Sunday Favorites
Antiqued Iron Bowls
I have two sets of these Antiqued Iron Bowls from Terrain, which I use for displaying flowers and a variety of other items. They also have these oval iron bowls that are just as beautiful and versatile. You can see how I used them on our Christmas table here.
Slice Package Opener
I’m sending out care packages to three freshman college students, and I am adding one of these Slice Box Cutters in each one! They safely open packages. It’s tempting to grab a scissors to slice open a box, but this handy little tool with a ceramic blade cuts packages, but not fingers! It would make a great stocking stuffer too!
Have you made the switch to seamless bras without wires?
At first, I only wore this type of bra for travel. But then, you realize you are not giving up support, but you are gaining comfort. I have two of these EBY bras, and I’ve also tried the sheer briefs, which I love. I highly recommend this brand. They have over 15,000 5-star reviews, and I can see why.
EBY has several to choose from. I am a 36DD, and I used their size guide to order mediums in the Relief Bra, which are perfect. Let me know if you try them. They are having a 25% off sitewide Labor Day sale!
Let’s check in with Mary Ann & Cindy!
Classic Casual Home
Read Mary Ann’s Sunday post here.
Cindy Hattersley Design
Read Cindy’s Sunday post here.
LOVE a plate wall. I’ve been wanting oyster plates to decorate with since we have oyster shells on our beach and Howard and Tommy love shucking and serving them…hopefully in Lyon. I saw some at an antique store yesterday that were $150 each.
Can’t wait to try the EBY bras.
Mary Ann! Look when you are in Lyon! You’ll find a set for less than $100. They have tons!
I love plate walls! Don’t know why I have never had one? So many options that make up such an interesting wall! Also, a great thing to collect when traveling. Great ideas as always!
Hi Nancy! You’re right…a great item to collect when traveling! I have a few…I just need a few (several) more for a plate wall!
xx
Hi Anna,
Gorgeous plate walls! My granny had one and I loved walking into her kitchen and looking at all the scenery on the plates and making up stories about all the figures. Happy week!
Francesca,
That sounds so lovely!
xx
I love the plate walls. Such pretty collections/arrangements! I also really like the photo of the iron bowl with the pitcher and bowl of tomatoes, a great late summer look.
Hi Lynda,
The iron bowl was the perect size for collecting our garden tomatoes and the pitcher of roadside flowers are perfect fot a French stoneware pitcher!
annie
I love plate walls but ZI have never had one!! Now you have me thinking..
The oyster plates are amazing!!!!!!! Love love! I love the artist Lrnce so much – I would love to have a wall with her plates! Or colorful Moroccan plates…..
Totally scheming……
Haven’t worn a wired bra for a long time….as a cancer survivor a cute sport bra is my jam
thanks, Annie
Hi Dianne,
I had to look up Lrnce, thank you for that introduction.
A cute sports bra is your jam… LOVE that!
xx
Annie, Loved the different plate walls. Each one was unique and beautiful. Being an oyster lover, I have several plates. It’s time to add to my collection and build my own plate wall. Naturally, I will be referring back to this post. Thank you!
Jean! I see oyster plates at the flea markeets in France often, but have never thought about using them for a plate wall. How cool to have a collection of oyster plates! I’m jealous!
xo
Annie!
Marveling over the plate walls has helped me stay somewhat calm while the Sounders beat InterMiami in the Leagues Cup. And, marvel it was. The symmetry and asymmetry, same and dissimilar colors, and shapes creatively displayed delight the eye.
I ordered the slice box cutters for stocking stuffers but will send our grand daugher’s in her first care package of her sophomore year. Would love some “care package” ideas. Used up most of mine during her freshman year.
Enjoy your NYC walk.
Diney
Hi Diney!
Go Seattle Sounders! We are watching all tennis over here!
I’m sure you have created the best care packages! I always inlcude a box of twinkle lights. No room is cozy without twinke lights!
It was a cool 71 degeees in the city this afternoon and we even met up with our son and walked to Central Park. The best!
xx
Annie, because of your endorsement and reading the reviews on line I decided to order the EBY, Relief Bra. I always wear underwire bras, and I have never ordered a bra on line. In the past I always go to Nordstrom to be professionally fitted. I’m excited to receive it. I went with the medium in nude. I’m a 34C at least in one boob, I think having the padding will help my other one to look better.
Thank you for sharing. I will keep you posted.
HI Katherine! I hope you love these bras as much as I do! I too would usually go for a prefessional fitting, but lately Nordstrom has not really had anyone that specializes in fittings. I ordered according to the EBY’s suggestion and they are great! I cannot imagine gong back to a wired bra. Please do keep me posted, Katherine!
annie
Annie, Oh I love the plate walls you found. I have been meaning to put my green plates up and was waiting to find a better plate holder for one. I just love how they make a kitchen really unique. The idea of using plates from your travels is the best . I was just watching You’ve Got Mail and the plate wall in Maureen Stapleton’s kitchen is my latest obsession.
Your gold bowls from Terrain are so pretty! I need to get one. You make them look great. Off to order one of the bras you recommended! xo
Kim, do tell, what green plates do you speak of? I’m sure they are gorgeous! I love your kitchen and how you always make little changes from switching out the cookbooks, or your utensil holders, or small bowls with lemons or tomatoes….those little things that make such an impact on cozyness!
Now, I need to watch You’ve Got Mail for the upteenth time! I can just picture her kitchen…and the scones!
xx