Thanks for your input, jmm1837; I couldn't agree more - individuality is vastly better than word art and generic prints! HAS to be, right?! And I think my biggest issue is getting too matchy and overwhelming with the same idea or pattern over and over, this is what I always try to avoid - so definitely something to keep in mind. Wonder if I could find some other interesting items to throw in with the Russian plates for added interest. I like this, will keep thinking on it - thanks again! :)

Thought I'd throw in this photo of the family room, which is entirely open to the kitchen, for better idea of the overall color scheme and also style of my home. Being that it is mostly traditional, I think they'll be right at home.

I LOVE YOUR STYLE AND DECOR - IT'S BEAUTIFUL. THIS IS NOT A COMMENT BUT A QUESTION. WHAT IS THE PAINT COLOR AND BRAND OF PAINT ON YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS. IT IS HARD WHEN IT COMES TO KITCHEN WHITES THERE ARE DOZEN OF WHITES AND I DO NOT LIKE THE BRIGHT SHINY WHITE.. IF YOU KNOW, I'D APPRECIATE IT. THANKS beverlybje@aol.com

I remember your lovely family room from a few years ago! While I don't have strong opinions about plates on walls (except that I think they are weird in bedrooms), I was wondering if you've tried some of the Russian Fairy Tale plates displayed on your shelves next to the fireplace? The dark rich colors might bring some of the dark accents found in your kitchen into that space, along with your coffee table.

Yes to the above - spead them around a bit.

LOL this is an ongoing issue among my family. Plates are for sure an old fashioned decor item. My MIL had several sets...her oldest was most negative about them so of course we would find them at sales and send them to him.....Your Russian set is too fabulous not to display. I discovered they are an inexpensive way to collect the art of certain artists. To each his own!!

I think either of those would look great. I agree about not having too many in a grouping. Your home looks beautiful decorated for Christmas.

I would say the wall by the table is too narrow for a plate display. You haven't shown the other wall so can't say for sure. I like Olychicks idea to use the shelves in your beautiful living room for the Russian plates.

I like the Russian plates. I think I would want to see them somewhere I could walk right up to them to see the details (as opposed to being behind a sofa or other large furniture). In the kitchen table area there seems to be a wall that could support 4 of them (2×2). I am thinking of the wall to the right of the table, before the railing. It gets good light from the windows (plates are lightfast, yes?).

Plates on the walls may be "dated" or "un-trendy" but it's your house and if it's not for sale, put on the wall what you want and love. I would rather see a display of your Russian plates than some art you picked up at Hobby Lobby or Home Goods and I would rather see your Russian plates on the way than those big "pictures" of words and sayings.

Personally, I think houses should look like the people who live in them and have a history and a soul. In my opinion, nothing is less appealing than going into someone’s house that looks just like everyone else’s with the same generic decorative accents. Go to the library and check out some of the print shelter magazines. You will find interiors that are vastly different from some websites that are appealing to the masses. One of my favorite websites is Incollect.com—it is a high end market website that also has oodles of portfolio pics from top interior designers. The interiors are traditional, modern and everything in between. The one common thread is that every room is unique and very much curated to reflect the client. It is your house, do what you prefer and enjoy!

The plates have character. Since you have 12 Russian plates, you could also use an easel type holder near the kitchen sink to display a different plate every month (in addition to your planned display wall). Some folk tales may be seasonal.

I really like plate wall displays, but your open shelves and glass door cabinets are enough "display" for me. I am afraid adding anything else to the table area is going to make things much too busy. Leave some empty wall space. I would like to see the wall you want to use for the fairy tale plates.

I think the Russian plates would look wonderful framed- kind of a shadow box framing with cream & black frames. Then hung in a grid on a wall- somewhere they can be appreciated.

The small wall in the kitchen gives some “blank space” that is needed there. And I’m horrible at “blank space” in my own home!

Maybe something like this.....Amazon

I myself am not a fan. Not because of the aesthetics, but because I had to clean out my MIL’s home, and dispose of the contents. She had really a lot of display plates. No one wanted to buy them, but I even had trouble giving them to charity because they were full up on plates, whether dinnerware or decorative. I ended up putting the plates on Craig’s List for free, and someone else is happy with them now.

Thank you so much for your feedback so far, everyone! :)

I will take photos of the two walls in question, with paper cutouts the size of the plates against them - this will give a good idea of how they'd look on the two walls. Stay tuned!

bev evans: We painted the kitchen ourselves a few years ago, and it took many months to do it right... but it's held up beautifully without a single issue over these years, and the color hasn't yellowed or done anything else unexpected! We used General Finishes Antique White Milk Paint. Good luck with your project!

Olychick: Thanks so much for your thoughts and for remembering our space, too! :) I like the idea of scattering the plates throughout the place and will definitely try them on those shelves by the fireplace! :)

Pam A: Yes, the plates are lightfast, and that's one of the walls I was considering! Will post photos once I get some paper cutouts on there to give a better idea of how they'll fit on that wall, and on the other one as well.

mle0782: Thanks for sharing that website; very cool and I can't wait to do more browsing there. I don't think that what appeals to the masses has ever done much appealing to me, with my traditional tastes. I just don't want to make our home look like it's old and stale... always trying to find that balance between tradition and elegance... timelessness. :)

Thanks again, everyone; will update soon!

Peppapoodle: I always struggle with that; it's an eternal need to cover every inch of every wall... lol. This is why I need help! I like your shadow box idea, that may work well and not something I considered!

M Miller: I know exactly what you mean; hubby and I had to go through his uncle's home after the uncle's passing, and no one wanted any of his belongings. We couldn't get anyone to buy them, and ultimately ended up donating the entire estate as one whole to a local charity. It's a little sad to think that no one will want the items we may hold dear... but that applies to every single thing we own, being that we don't have kids and won't have any. I've made peace with the fact that everything we have will be state owned and trashed at some point... but that doesn't mean I shouldn't enjoy it while I'm here. :)

Looks to me like you're ahead of your time. This looks like what they're calling "grandmillenial" style, and it's quite in, apparently.

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a28594040/grandmillennial-design/

LOVE the Russian plates because they have meaning to you and your spouse. I like the idea of putting them in black framed shadow boxes. Or I'd come up with something other than a grid pattern to display them artfully... lots of ideas on Pinterest.

Kristin S... that made me actually laugh out loud... lol! It really is true, everything old is eventually new again!

Indeed. Plates on walls even made the cover of Country Living a couple months ago. :-)

I like your plates. Display them. Although I think maybe the Russian plates go best in the kitchen and the transferware in the living room, just because of the colors. Unless you want to go hunt up some red transferware!

Plates on walls are classic. Classic things can be done well or poorly. You are giving great thought to how to to display your plates. They will look wonderful. I am sorry I don't have any useful suggestions for you beyond my encouragement.

It's all how you display the plates. BTW the bay would look so much better with a round table and 4 chairs instead of the oversized rectangular table and rug.

IMO your Russian plates are enchanting. Wherever you decide to place them make sure the viewer can enjoy their details.

I love plates - have them all over - but I have a vintage / cottage style so not a trendy space:)

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854052

If you want to present the plates in a more contemporary style, hang them closer and with more movement than expected,as in many of the pics above. When my daughter was young, I used Villeroy & Boch Russian fairytale plates in her bedroom, arranged in a more old school linear fashion.(I think it was 3 rows of 4) They looked great like that,too. Enjoy!

I have plates on the walls in two homes, I love the look, and I am a grandma! :)

Holly Stockley: Wow, I had no idea! And I love those blue transfareware plates; glad you shared - making me want to go that route since I already have some pieces (maybe add some red into the mix to predict it from being too predictable... hmmmm).

Zalco/bring back Sophie!: Well, I was primarily looking for encouragement... so thanks! :)

BeverlyFLADeziner: Love the photos and love the idea of layering the plates. Wonder how that's done... will have to look into it. Also agree with you about the table, this was brought in last minute and we never meant to keep it longterm. I do love the rug there, though. Would you do away with it altogether? Or replace it with a round/oval rug? Thanks!

jhmarie: Your kitchen is lovely! So warm and inviting, and has that timeless feel I always love. Thanks for sharing! :)

hollybar: I agree, I think I may like them with more movement as in those photos... I even like that layered effect. Will try to figure out how that's done and may just do it that way, very cool looking! :)

Notice how in Beverly’s pictures, the plates are against a strong color. I think that helps them have some oomph and cohesiveness. I have a collection of blue Danish plates, and I’d love to have them on a blue-grey wall.

Plates are great--especially ones that have meaning for you--but PLEASE secure them really well, especially close to the table like that.

You have such an obvious distinctive (and wonderful) taste that i must say you will be the best judge of what works....but there have been some interesting suggestions to consider and develop a little more toward your taste...also (think you know this) i wouldn’t listen to suggestions that you have to much clutter...in my opinion you have completely avoided the “grandma” effect...while creating a delight for the eyes...

I wish I had half the style my grandma had.