Hanging Plates as Art

The only thing I love more than pretty plates hanging on a
wall is a pretty plate full of homemade enchiladas and fresh guacamole—okay,
can you tell I’m hungry? Well, let’s
just try to ignore my grumbling tummy and talk decorating with dishes.

What’s not to love about hanging plates on the wall? Splashes of color. Variety of pattern. Rounds, oblongs, scalloped. I’d go as far to say that their roundness is
what makes them so wonderful. With wall
after wall of angular pictures and paintings, a round plate on the wall offers
a refreshing change of shape. And,
me? I just love circles, polka dots,
and what have you…

We’ve seen plates hanging in horizontal and vertical
rows. Or maybe they are paired with framed
art or a mirror. Sometimes they perch on
ledges. But almost always they are
arranged symmetrically.

What if you throw caution to the wind? What if you hang your plates all
willy-nilly? Is that even allowed? I’m talking asymmetrical—cockamamie, even.

Over the course of months I collected plates from chain
retailers, antique stores, and an art studio to create a focal point in my
kitchen. I love the final haphazard
look.

Create your own willy-nilly wall of plate art:

Lay out the plates on the table in front of the wall.
Play around with the arrangement until you find one pleasing in form.
Take a digital photo of the arrangement, print a copy, and use it as a guide for
hanging.
Measure the total length and height of the arrangement.
Use these measurements to determine placement on the wall.
Find the center point and hang your first plate.
Using your photo, hang remaining plates around the center.
Or, if all else fails, eyeball it!

And to prove that I do love me some symmetry, as well, I hung a few plates to lighten up my backsplash. This would work to conceal a less-than-beautiful backsplash, also.