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Decorative Plates: Add Some Personality to Your Walls

Homes with a very traditional, country-style décor need wall art that reflects that aesthetic. Modern portraits and plaques just don't fit in with gingham curtains and flowery upholstery, so a great option to enhance this farmhouse vibe is decorative plates. Made of wood or ceramic, these hand-painted little gems are true works of art that can add just the right touch to traditional country décor.

For people who prefer the rustic sensibilities of wood plates, the Primitive Wood Quilt Star Plate from the Hearthside Collection features a hand painted folk quilt star that is antiqued for an aged look. Designed by Kathy Graybill, this plate is available in a choice of assorted colors. It is made to sit on a plate stand but can be wall hung with a plate hanger. A Brass Plate Hanger with spring tension that is made to fit plates from 3 1/2" to 5 inches in diameter is a perfectly suitable option.

A larger decorative option with a similarly abstract design is the 12 Inch Painted Flower Quilt Pattern Plate. This large plate features a painted quilt scroll-like design in rich autumn colors of rust, pumpkin and beige. It can be wall hung if brackets are purchased or displayed on a plate stand. The Painted Flower Quilt Pattern Plate measures 12 inches in diameter.  

Another beautiful choice with an earthier vibe to it is the Primitive Pineapple Painted Wood Plate. With its hand painted pineapple in the center, this plate works perfectly in a country styled kitchen, sporting a rather primitive fruit design.  At 11 ½ inches in diameter, this larger plate is completely detailed and finished in earthy colors.  It can be hung with a plate hanger or displayed on a stand.      

In sticking with the nature theme, the Hearthside Collection Primitive Willow Tree with Stars Mini Bowl is a beautiful design by Donna White that is hand painted to look antiqued. It measures 2 ¾ inches by ¾ inches and must be displayed on a bowl stand.

If animal designs are more your style, you will love the Primitive Americana "Liberty" Sheep Mini Wooden Plate. This simple mini plate features an image of a primitive styled sheep and works perfectly with farmhouse décor. It can be hung by its attached jute hanger, displayed on a plate stand or used as a magnet. The Primitive Americana "Liberty" Sheep Mini Wooden Plate measures 4 inches in diameter.

Another beautiful animal motif plate is the Primitive Swan Mini Wooden Plate. This mini plate is 4 inches in diameter and features a primitive painted swan design. It is made with a jute hanger and magnet so it can be hung on a wall or refrigerator or displayed on a plate stand. 

For walls that call for larger plate displays, hanging trays are a good option for mixing and matching a variety of shapes. People who favor inspirational words have two great options to choose from with either the Primitive "Faith Hope Love" tray or the Primitive "God Bless This House" Large Oval Wall Hanging Plate. The Faith tray is a primitive style painted oval plate that can be hung or displayed on a plate stand. It measures 15 ½ inches long by 5 inches wide by 1 ½ inches deep.

The God Bless This House Tray is a larger painted oval primitive design that also can be hung or displayed on a stand. It measures Size: 20-1/2 inches by 7-1/2 inches by 1-1/2 inches.

Folks who use decorative plates for seasonal décor have the option of some beautiful pieces that add an old world, rustic charm to their holiday decorations. Two classic winter plates are the Primitive Snowman with Star Mini Wooden Plate and the Dashing Through the Snow Winter Scene Plate. The Primitive Snowman with Star is a miniature wooden plate that is hand painted in seasonal colors. It can be hung from its jute hanger or by the attached mini magnet. It measures 4 inches in diameter.

For a more elaborate design and a larger piece, the Dashing Through the Snow Winter Scene Plate features a horse drawn sleigh going past a church with a steeple on a snowy evening. With the white church and snow set against the blue background of the night sky, this plate is an elegant addition to any home's winter décor. The Dashing Through the Snow plate measures 6 ¼ inches in diameter and can be hung with a plate bracket or displayed on a plate stand.Whether you favor decorative plates for just holiday decorations or as year round accents to your country-styled home, there is no better option for rustic-themed wall art. With primitive, hand painted designs or inspirational words, decorative plates add an old world charm to 21st century dwellings. Find your favorites now!

About the Author

Mike Smithy is a freelance writer who writes about home decorating ideas including the use of decorative plates.

How Can I safely seal a dinner plate?

I have done some Sharpie art on a standard dinner plate, and I would like to safely seal the art on the plate so that it could be used and cleaned. What kind of sealer would you recommend for this, and where can I get it?

Honestly, I really don't think you can. Something like an acrylic varnish would protect it well enough if you were using it only for display, but if you are going to use it, everything involved needs to be food safe [I doubt if the sharpie ink is], stain resistant and washable.

So buy a nice plate stand and put it on a shelf some where.

Bundle Monster Image Plates for Nail Art Haul

Tags: art, art plate kit, art plates, chokin art plate, design, inspiration, konad nail art plates, nail art plates, photography, plates

This entry was posted on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 4:44 am and is filed under paintings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.