Wall Plate Rack Update

Wall Plate Rack Update. Today I’m sharing how I’m mixing in some vintage accessories on our wall plate rack. I’m also sharing three easy styling tips to make your plate rack displays look more interesting.

In This Post

Wall Plate Rack Update

I bought this wall plate rack last year and painted it white. It fills up this corner of our kitchen, giving me a place to decorate, since our counter space is rather limited. It has two shelves for plates with decorative brass safety rails, and a deeper shelf along the bottom.

I keep finding new ways to change up the look with my little vintage finds and plate collection. Even the lower brass rail with hooks has a new purpose. I can’t imagine designing a better wall plate rack, unless it could be bigger! 😉

Just for fun I’m also sharing three easy wall plate rack styling tips that work for me. To see my first wall display plate rack post, click here.

Displaying Vintage Plates

Styling tip number one is to try out different looks on whatever type of plate rack or shelf you have, until you find your perfect match. Ask yourself, do I like displays that are symmetrical or asymmetrical? For me, I like a little bit of both.

Obviously a plate rack is for displaying plates and platters, which is what I mostly use it for. I started collecting plates a few years ago, and have to refrain from buying every pretty blue and white plate I come across. There’s only so much room for display after all, and I’m very happy with these and the others I have.

The evenly spaced plates keep the top two shelves looking balanced, then I add in a few odd items to make it feel interesting. You may notice I like to mix and match patterns, however decorating with a set of plates can create a stunning display. It’s all up to you, and what you have available.

Displaying Vintage Kitchen Accessories

My second styling tip is to layer your plates, bread boards, kitchen accessories or artwork. I like to create a sense of depth to the plate rack by displaying small plates in front of larger plates. You can also add plates in front of bread boards.

I’m layering in some kitchen accessories on the bottom shelf. The vegetable masher and the butter paddles are some of my latest finds. I’m naturally drawn to vintage items that show a lot of wear, and I love the patina of the wood on these pieces.

Ironstone jars come in handy for all kinds of things in the kitchen including flowers and holding small wooden utensils.

Mixing Vintage and Everyday items

My styling tip number three, is not to be afraid of mixing old and new together. This is a kitchen that is lived in, so it just makes sense to mix vintage, and everyday items together.

Not everything on display has to be just for looks, so create a display that works for you. Everyday new items such as the candle, cutting boards, scissors, watering can and dish towel are used all the time.

You can also mix in items with a vintage feel. The bobbin frame may have an aged look, but is actually new and one that I made. You can find the post tutorial here.

One of the reasons why I’m sharing this post today is that I just polished up the copper pots. They look so pretty and clean, I just had to take photos. I usually polish them sometime during the spring or summer, and again right before the holiday decorating kicks off. I love copper in any condition, but they really do catch the eye when they are all shiny.

Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with my favorite seasonal decorating ideas.