What other colors do you have in the room?

I like the first two; the other two seem less interesting, and less classy.

The first two look like they belong on a dining room wall. They work together because of their coordinating colors of rose, green and white, as well as the roses. They're also more formal plates. I don't think the last two would work well with them, as they're too casual in their design. There's also nothing to tie them in with the first two other than their shape and size . . . which is not enough, IMO. I don't think that the differing shapes are a problem; in fact, I like that they are a bit different. I'd look for a few more that are similar to the first two in size, coloring and design, although I definitely don't think you need to stick with roses . . . or any flower.
Don't forget to show us your final selections. I think it will end up being a lovely focal point for your room.
Lynn

Mclarke, here is a picture of my dining room. I will probably put plates on the wall with the mirror. The wall color is more muted than it appears in the photo. I never see plates with this terracotta color, but orange and pink seem to blend visaully with it. I have some china with this coloration but I was advised in another thread not to use them on the wall, since they are my best china.

{{!gwi}}

White plates would look nice in your room, you could also find 2 sconces to match your chandelier and put the plates on those.

artlover, These may be TOO terra cotta for you, but I have always loved the Spode India Tree pattern. I have included a link below to them on eBay. Below is a close-up of one that I used on my mantle for fall.

Here is a link that might be useful: See them here

I like plates in a DR, but I think they need to be a "focus", either around a painting or around a mirror. Here's some of my red tranferware in our dining room:

I would love to see plain white plates around the mirror ....

But perhaps the white plates could be scalloped or frilled around the edges?

Jan

I'm not that good at plates, but you have a very robust color on the wall (even though it's not as bright as shown in the photo) and that large floral print in saturated colors, so I don't see anything frilly by the mirror, but something in saturated colors with a dense pattern on it, like the first plate. I myself adore the red toile/transferware plates and think they would look wonderful, and it would be so much fun to get a collection of them going.

The third one is Spode's Primrose and it's not hard to find, but I think it's better as a table setting than wall art. The first two would show up better.

I am trying to work with what I have in completing my walls and have these plates I picked up at estate sales over the years....

Not sure I know how to hang the leaf plates but I think they would look lovely against your paint color.

I also love the Nippon painted scene plates (I have been thinking of picking up a few more):

the flowered ones you have picked out are lovely too. Not sure if you are going with them since you have such pretty flower paintings but I thought I would show you some other options I have been thinking of using myself. :)

Thanks everyone for your advice. While I love the ornate plates like the first and second one I posted, I think either white with some frills and texture, or a one color transfer ware pattern would look best. My3dogs, I like that pattern very much and have been drooling over the choices in ebay. I haven't seen the terracotta color locally. I'm going to have to give this some thought. One of my problems with ebay is that you can't return stuff.

Sometimes you can.

Hi,what about 3pcs/wall painting clock
http://www.simple28.com/upload/2007114/2007-11-04-20-25-12-160.jpg

Artlover I would go with some old white Ironstone, it always works well. And you can find it at most junk shops or antique shops for cheap, generally.

It's all depending on your style & decor!
Here are 2 very different examples:

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

You can do a lot w/ plates :-D

Artlover, have you looked at brown transferware? Johnson Bros. plates are lovely too just a few colors mixed with the brown. I have several in my bedroom. And I really like the idea of a single color display such as the white leaf plates boopadaboo showed

Thanks everyone for your advice.Bellaflora those pictures are so cool. I love dramatic arrangements like that although it would be too much for my dr. I think I may try some white plates I have to see how I like that and then start my collection. As much as I love the transferware , white ironstone is really more in keeping with my vision for the DR. I do want to start collecting transferware and it would look great on my mantel in the FR.

My issue of Better Homes & Gardens just came in today's mail. There's an article with pictures of plates as wall decor. Check it out.