Dear readers, as you know, I am captivated by collecting. The obsession for collecting is a passion that never dies! And it certainly has never ceased to fuel my design creativity and passion! My personal collecting passions have always been steeped in the 18th century English country house style. Collections come in all shapes and sizes –from finer things to the most humble collections that simply speak to our hearts. Often our first purchase of what becomes a collection are quiet accidental, but always seem to open “Pandora’s box!!”
I believe that to fully enjoy one’s collections, they must be displayed. With that thought in mind, I am happy to introduce another new blog category, “Collections on Display.” In upcoming posts, I’ll be sharing more advice for truly using your pieces and keeping them as a flexible part of your overall design scheme.
Today, I’m happy to share one of the simplest ways I know to display a plate or platter collection — by hanging them on the wall.
There are two very simple ways to achieve this look. First, you can opt to use a traditional wire and spring plate hanger like the one shown below. I find these to be readily available at craft and hardware stores.
If you prefer not to see the prongs or if the china you are displaying is antique, adhesive discs can be a better choice. These discs eliminate the pressure exerted by spring hangers. Activated with a small amount of water, simply apply to the back of the plate and let dry overnight. Once dry, the disc will safely adhere without damaging your china. These can be removed later with warm water. These are also for purchase in local hardware stores.
After you select your hardware, ALWAYS, lay out arrangements on the floor first and work the pattern out on the floor before “making any holes!”
As you can see a grouping of plates and platters can make a beautiful display in any room.
Have a lovely weekend,
Kathryn
Dear Kathryn,
What a pleasure to have discovered your website/blog! I found you through the Tobi Fairley blog. Tabletops are a passion of mine as well. Yours are exquisite and reinforce my love of collecting. Happily, I have lots of storage and can house a number of patterns. Among my patterns are Regency Blue by Royal Worcester, Tiffany Garland for Christmas, several Haviland Limoges collections which I inherited from my dear mother-in-law and whose pattern names I have never known. I also received her Indian Tree everyday dishes….so pretty.
Like you, I enjoy displaying and using collections. I have a set of 6 Haviland Limoges oyster plates that are white with gold trim and adornment….also from my mother-in-law. I found two plate racks to display these instead of hanging them individually. They surround two beautiful and ornate gold framed pictures from Salzburg, Austria.
Every season is represented in my collections, and I rotate the exhibition in my kitchen seasonally. Once Christmas is put away, the Valentine Kitchen goes up to be followed in March by the Easter Collection.
Maybe this link will work to the Valentine Kitchen …..IMG_20120211_054304.jpg (image/jpeg) 1248K
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Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas, collections and recipes!
LOVE this!! franki