Distinctive-Decor.com Blog

How to Decorate with Wall Plates

I've been there.  You're perusing an estate sale or clearance sale and you spot a mis-matched plate or two.  Drawn to the pattern, you just don't know what you'd do with that one plate, that intriguing-shaped platter that you love but know you won't use.  Consider showing it off!  If the idea of a plate arrangement on your wall elicits an inward groan, inspired by memories of your grandmother’s stuffy dining room, you should take a look at some fresh ideas. 

An arch of decorative botanical plates and bronze sconces over a formal mantel arrangement is one of many ideas from Denise in Bloom

We also like this eclectic scatter of fun and funky plates suggested by Running in Stilettos.

Symmetry, surrounding a kitchen window makes quite an impression in this design by Country Living.

A group of black-and-white patterned plates make a nice seasonal display when grouped with iron accessories and pumpkins on a sideboard suggested by My Sweet Savannah:

Now, imagine switching a plate or two to solid red plates, and changing a few accessories for Christmas.

Getting the look you want is easier than you think. Mapping out the arrangement beforehand is always a good idea.  You'll need to choose a plate hanger and have your plate, kraft paper, a hammer, scissors, a pencil, ruler, blue painter’s tape, and a picture hook.

HOW TO:

1. Turn each plate over onto kraft paper, trace with a pencil, and cut the shape out.  Repeat with each plate or item.
2. Tape templates to the wall in the desired arrangement.  Change your mind as often as you like.
3. Carefully attach a hanger to each plate.  Make sure metal hangers are not scratching the finish.
4. Place the plate over its template, and mark where the hook will go.  Put down the plate, pick up the hammer, and hammer the hook right through the template.  Remove the paper and hang the plate.

The good news is that once you have your plates hung, you can add more to it without rearranging or having to fill in nail holes.  Your collection can expand as large as your wall space like French Quarters has done here:

Or you can just keep layering them like in this second example from Denise in Bloom:

Note that there’s a theme to these; the travel collector plates are mixed with one solid green plate so that it’s not too overwhelming.

If you're skeptical about mixing and matching, start slow at first.  Try finding plates that have one color in common (blue and white plates are a common theme, as are botanical plates), then expand by adding more variety or solid colors. 

Inspired?  Visit the decorative wall plates section of our store to get started!

Arthur Court

Arthur Court Aluminum Serveware is designed and made under the direction of the company's namesake, Arthur Court.  Arthur is known for his use of alternative metals like aluminum.  Arthur Court continues to draw inspiration from nature and wildlife, making pieces with flora and fauna motifs. Arthur Court, truly, is a leader in the tabletop market.

Each piece of Arthur Court Aluminum Serveware is made of FDA food-safe, sand-cast aluminum and each piece is polished by hand.  Each piece is a one-of-a-kind piece. Variations are common and are the intention. Brides like to register for Arthur Court because they do not want to polish silver.  Instead they choose aluminum serveware that requires little polishing and effort to have a great looking service tray, platter or trivet.

Caring for Arthur Court Aluminum Serveware is easy.  It rarely needs to be polished.  Simply hand wash the soiled piece with warm soapy water and dry it immediately. Never wash your Arthur Court Serveware in the the dishwasher. Aluminum will stain, so it is important to remove all food and liquid after each use.  Arthur Court recommends applying a thin coat of oil to the surface of the piece prior to serving.  The oil will act as a barrier against acidic and salty foods that will dull the aluminum finish.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of all Arthur Court designs serveware is donated to the Arthur and Elena Court Nature Watch Conservancy to preserve wildlife and the environment.

Arthur Court collections are broad and inspired by nature, however there are a number of Arthur Court collections inspired by universities, the Kentucky Derby and Disney. If you check out nothing else from Arthur Court, be sure to see the Arthur Court cheese and cracker servers: they are really neat and different than other cheese and crackers on the market. Here is a list of all Arthur Court collections:

African Safari
American Harvest
American Traditional
Botanical
Bunnies
Butterfly
Fleur de Lis
Grape
Horse
Kentucky Derby
Disney
Kitchen
Longhorn
Magnolia
Pet
Rooster
Savannah
Sealife
Sunflower
Tuscan
Western
Collegiate
Christmas Ornaments
Peace Sign
Pineapple

Match Italian Pewter | What is Pewter and What is Pewter Made From?

Not all pewter is created equally.  Pewter is an alloy of three metals: tin, copper and antimony--a flaky blueish-white metal.  For pewter to be called "pewter" it must contain at least 92% tin.  Pewter is considered a semi-precious metal due to its tin content.  Did you know that tin is the fourth most expensive metal next to platinum, gold and sterling silver?  It's true, and this is why you should demand high tin content in the pewter that you buy--whether it is a figurine or a pewter ice bucket.

Higher qualities of pewter alloy like the alloy Match Pewter uses is 95% tin.  The higher the tin content, the higher the quality of pewter and more handsome the appearance of the pewter. A higher tin content produces a beautiful luster and superb finish.  While the best pewter has a high tin content, you need to be assured that the tin used is of the highest quality, also.  Stick with manufacturers who are up front about this. Sure, they will probably sell more expensive pewter, but you know that you are getting an heirloom-quality piece.  Many label their product as pewter and use a number of white metals like aluminum to give their product the pewter look, but what they make is not pewter.

When we went looking for a line of pewter for the kitchen, table and home we had to educate ourselves on who makes the best and safest pewter.  We found Match Pewter to be the company who is forthright with their pewter alloy recipe, has the best Italian pewtersmiths making the product and arguably has the finest pewter designs in the marketplace.  All Match Pewter is FDA approved, lead-free and 100% food safe. Match Pewter founder David Reiss, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, is committed to making the highest quality pewter bowls, chargers, vases, centerpieces, flatware, stemware and tableware. To do this, he contracts the the best pewtersmiths in northern Italy who use age-old techniques to make Match's pewter.

If you already have a piece of Match Pewter or are interested in purchasing a Match Pewter piece you will notice that there are stamps on it.  A stamp that will always be present is the "95" stamp denoting the content of tin in the piece.  You might also have an "M" stamp present, which stands for Match. There may be up to two more that indicate in what region in northern Italy your piece was made and the workshop where it was made.  All pieces will have at least two imprimaturs or hallmarks on them. Some pieces are classic designs with historical references.  These pieces are cast directly from molds made from original antiques.  When you see symbols and initials on the front of some Match Pewter pieces they have been picked up from these molds.

Just a quick note about Match Pewter flatware.  Match has created beautiful flatware using pewter for the handles.  All food surfaces are made of high quality 18/10 stainless steel.  The knife blades are actually forged with the handles creating a very solid knife; the blades are not simply stuck into a pewter handle.

Pewter requires little in the way of care, but it can discolor if you leave something acidic in it.  If your pewter does discolor it can be cleaned up easily with a good metal polish or "0000" steel wool.  Caring for and cleaning pewter is not as hard as some might lead you to believe.

Match Pewter creates an entire line of pewter for the desk, kitchen, bathroom and bar.  They offer pewter picture frames, vases and centerpieces, candlesticks, candelabras and lamps, pewter chargers and platters and bowls.

Franz Collection Porcelain Inspired By Van Gogh

Franz Collection has done it again.  They have surprised me with one of their newest collections--the Van Gogh Collection of vases and jewelry. I mean all of their fine porcelain sculptures are second-to-none, but this collection takes the cake in my opinion. One look at them and you know what and who inspired them. 

Each vase is substantial and carries a slightly heavier price tag than other Franz items, but they are breathtaking. Franz has taken inspiration from Van Gogh's botanical paintings and have incorporated them into this collection.  There is a vase featuring sunflowers, irises, almond flowers, white roses and red poppies.  Each vase stays true to Van Gogh's paintings, using similar shapes, colors, lines and brush strokes.  There are also 3 porcelain necklaces: sunflowers, irises and almond flowers.

Each vase and necklace charm is made of fine porcelain that is sculptured by skilled Chinese artisans from Jingde, China--the oldest capital of fine porcelain sculptors.  They use the Chinese undercutting method to create three-dimensional art on a canvas of porcelain.  Each piece is hand-made and hand-painted.

It is needless to say that most of us cannot afford a Van Gogh painting, but for those who want to be inspired by the great impressionist, a beautifully crafted vase or necklace just might do--until we win the lottery!