Sounds good to me. Deffinitely use what you have if it works. Do you have pictures?

Absolutely! Why shouldn't you enjoy them every day?? And you already know how I feel about hanging plates. :) We want pictures! Beautiful china is one of my very favorite things

I think you could use them either in the cabinet or on the wall, but not both. It would seem odd to me to have china that is used for eating (whether or not you actually do) on the walls.

But, the question is, why DON'T you use the china?

Why don't I use the china...hmmm good question. I guess when the children were young for the obvious reasons and then I just got in the habit of not using it.

Here are a couple of pictures of my dining room. The walls aren't as bright as they appear in the first photo. I plan to frame the paintings to soften the look:

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Here is a picture of the china. The pattern is Madras by Royal Limoges:

{{!gwi}}

A picture of a cup that better shows the color that looks so nice with the walls:

{{!gwi}}

This is the wall I want to create a plate display on either using these plates or some I purchase for this purpose. I've made a mock up in PhotoShop. The proportions are the full width of the wall and from the ceiling to the chair rail. I made this mirror as part of my January Shop Your House project. I could make another framed mirror, since I have another frame like this. I know my plate arrangement is not inspired. I'm open to suggestions but I think I need something on this wall other than more art work.

{{!gwi}}

artlover, what a lovely room and what great accessories! I especially love the wall art.

Bumping this in hopes that Oceanna, Pattiem and others will comment now that I've posted pictures.

Thanks, Eliza. This room was the first of my budget makeovers that I started in January. I wish I had taken a before picture. The walls were an awful shade of green, there was nothing at the windows or on the walls, and it had the original builder grade bright brass chandelier. I like the new wall color with the wood tones of the china cabinet.

I see where you're going with this, but somehow I think wall plates are in a different category than the china that can be used for eating. I love china, (have an embarassing number of sets) but think it should be used on the table or in a china hutch, not on the wall. BTW, your pattern is lovely, and it should be used more frequently. My family grumbles about the exta cleanup involved, (most of mine have to be washed by hand) but I think it's important to USE your nice things, even if it's a couple of times a year. Your china will likely be passed down and I think it's so much nicer if your children actually remember family celebrations where it was used.

Your dining room is very pretty, and a table set with your china would be so lovely. If you still want to use plates on the wall, I'd look for something with a bigger pattern in the center.

Hi Artlover! LOVE that china-the colors are gorgeous! Okay, so now that I see it, this is MHO. I love the artwork you have in there with your wall color and I love the mirror you made. Now I could be wrong (dimensions might not be what I think I'm seeing), but they each seem "lonely" on their respective walls. They seem small for the space. Keep in mind that I am someone who just likes to fill space-that may not be your thing at all. Having no idea of your budget or what you're willing to do, these are just thoughts off the top of my head. Keep in mind that always being on a tight budget myself, I tend to think CHEAP.
I love the wall color (great choice!), but with so little on the wall, it seems to take over. How about installing some inexpensive narrow white picture frame molding in vertical rectangles on the bottom half of the wall. Then you have the option of leaving the base color behind them which will just make them an architectural elemant and break up the space, OR paint the whole bottom half a glossy white and have a faux wainscot. The mirror needs to have more presence. How about mounting it sideways and surrounding it with a combination of plates and prints that are complimentary to the one you have. Are there windows in the room? Is there any fabric? I feel like it might need a softer texture somewhere-either in drapes or maybe pillows for the chairs? I can't see what they look like. By the way, I would kill for that hutch (and a place to put it!).I think this room could be dramatic and gorgeous-just a few tweaks

Sorry, but I've got to agree with jjam about 'dinnerware' and 'art'. Those pretty plates could go either way, but I wouldn't do both at the same time.

There are some fabulous deals to be had on beautiful china on eBay -- especially if you don't mind a few tiny nicks, are flexible on design, and don't want a whole set. Depressing if you're a seller, but yummy if you're a buyer.

Personally, I think you should start using the china. Why not? It's not irreplaceable, you're not going to live forever, and if you never use it, when your kids get it, they'll just feel sad you didn't enjoy your pretty plates.

Drink your coffee from those cups every morning! Seize the day!

I would set the table, using placemats so the beauty of the wood shows, sometimes for two, somtimes four, change with mood, formal/casual, full dinner/only coffee desert, etc, that way you can practice table scaping and enjoy all your nice pieces everyday, and have a new look as often as you want. I agree, if you display the plates, you might like diferent art. If you love the art, you might want more of equal scale and bold. Beautiful room and details, AND love the color!

Thanks, everyone. Your points are well taken. I do need to start using that china.

The artwork does look lonely, which is why I was trying to come up with other things to add. I think frames on the paintings will help. I know they look a little stark. Since I'm on a budget, I may have to wait on frames. I can make more art for the walls, but I think I need something other than flowers. Any suggestions? I will also start looking for other plates to put on the walls. I would love to do a whole wall arrangement in a semi-circle or double crescent shape.

One of my ideas is to paint pictures of plates, lifesize, one per canvas, and frame them to use on the walls with the existing paintings. If I did this I would probably mat them in round mats in square frames. The room could use some pattern. Of course for the amount I would spend on frames and mats I could probably buy more plates.

The wall with the iris painting and the wall with the mirror are both the same width and are at right angles to each other. This has me stumped.

Maybe photo copy a plate and then blow it up to experiment with the size you want, then paint or even mural the images right on the wall.

Someone said hanging plates can cause small chips and cracks. How do you hang plates safely?

"One of my ideas is to paint pictures of plates, lifesize, one per canvas, and frame them to use on the walls with the existing paintings"

What a fabulous idea! I'll keep my eye open for plates for you-somehow, they always seem to find me....
Artlover, whast is the paint color in there? It would help if I could have the color chip and I have most of the fandecks here

Here's a gorgeous display of wall plates by Kelly Wearstler (at the Viceroy in Santa Monica). It might give you some ideas.

Pattiem the color is Terrace Tile. Its a Martha Stewart color from Lowes. I would really appreciate your help. I went to my local antique bazaar (really lucky to have a great one 1/2 mile away) and looked at old china today. I didn't have a paint chip with me but a think I saw a few that would match. Do you think $25 is a reasonable price to pay for a plate you're going to hang on the wall?

Oops, the photo won't come up. I've posted a link below. There are a few other wall plate displays as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: hanging plates

Artlover, they probably are "WORTH" $25, but I'm the one who always tries to find the least expensive option. Have you looked on Ebay? You can find plates for 6-10 dollars. Even with shipping, they'll be less. I'm going to go find that paint chip today
Taliaferro, the first pic you posted isn't showing! WAAAH-I want to see! The link has some great ideas

Rather than hanging the plates on the wall, or spending the time (and money) to do paintings of them, why not just paint the plate decoration as a border right on the wall? Or paint it in an area were it can be a accent to something else you have on the wall? You have a lot of talent and I bet your handmade images would be so much more meaningful that hanging the plates. Plus, when you DO use the plates, then they are a perfect fit for the decor!

Alexa

Taliaferro - those plates are awesome. That's what I really want to do - hang REAL plates on the wall. I guess I just have to patiently start collecting. Patience is not my strong suit. ; 0.

Alexa, that's a great idea, and very sweet of you. I'm not sure I want to paint anything on the walls but I could paint that design o something. I love architectural prints and prints of chandeliers and furniture. Maybe I'll create some new china pieces in that pattern, but on paper.

I looked though the DR Eye Candy in the gallery last night and got some ideas for wall decor. As I was looking I remembered the 7/8s rule about filling the wall. That's why my art looks so lonely. I will definitely start looking for some friends for it.

Thanks so much to everyone for your help. This forum rocks!

These are pretty... together they form an image of Adam & Eve. By Piero Fornasetti.

Link below in case picture doesn't show up.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

I would love to see a wall arrangement of the dark green majolica china (usually available at this time of the year at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Ross etc.) that looks like leaves ..... which would work well with the artworks of flowers ......

OR simple plain white china or creamware ...

Jan

Seriously - eBay! I was doing a broken-china mosaic piece once, and bought all my china on eBay. It broke my heart to see so many gorgeous pieces being sold for so little money. Here are just a few being sold for $10 or less: