Sorry Shee, but I'm not lovin' the plates on the wall ... anywhere. They might be pretty, but to me it's as if you pulled out a set of dinnerware from the cabinet and hung it on the wall. I still say use them for what they were intended and don't be in such a hurry to fill every blank space on your walls. ;)

Def. plate overload in some of the pics, IMHO.
I like the arrangements that do NOT have the plates atop the print, because when I look at the ones that do, my eye first sweeps across the plates on the sides, lands briefly on the print and then suddenly jumps up and away from the print, and I immediately forget the print, which is really the focal point, to me. The plates are the accent.

I like the first pic's arrangement best--but without the 3 on top.

Even the cat's confused by so many plates--thinking "Which one will my food be on?" LOL!

I wouldn't pair more iron work with the plates/print wall. I think just a few small touches of the black iron (and black wood) in the kitchen are just the right balance. More would be overload.

And I know this is not part of your question, but I'll broach it anyway: Is there a buffet or bench or something that you're leaving visual space for beneath the print/plate display? Because the print looks a little high to me. (That's another reason the plates above the print look "off" to me--you have to kind of strain to see and appreciate them.)

Questions are ok and again, if you don't like any of them it's ok to say so.

The middle of the picture is 60" from the floor. I don't like how it looks any lower IRL. There isn't any room behind the chair for anything below it.

I'll admit (even though it's obvious) I am trying really hard to use them because I really like the look of (transferware type) plates on the wall and wanted to do that in the house somewhere.

I like the look of hanging plates too Shee - I have 2 plates hanging in my kitchen :)

I think if you love them you should hang them, you just have to find the right spot and placement. I'm not sure about having them around that picture though.

What about some kind of iron vertical plate shelf? I did a quick google search and came up with this Amazon link (it was the quickest thing to show you what I mean by a vertical display): http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EVmo2UJXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/Mounted-Vertical-Rustic-Three-Shelf/dp/B002UZF576&usg=__FKrkXy9c53d8oU1QB2OIf5qMyws=&h=300&w=300&sz=6&hl=en&start=3&sig2=4uzOIcIUrNom3rBocy94Tw&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=vaspqKAD0yPmIM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvertical%2Bplate%2Bshelf%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2SUNA_enUS349%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=lKP6S8PSHYK78gaf7-i_Cg

Maybe you could find something like that to put in your kitchen area? Or in between your dining and kitchen area? It would be just enough to do a small display and sometimes I think less is more.

Or maybe you can display them in your china hutch?

Just some thoughts.

Don't worry you'll get those plates up :)

You know I love those plates, but I do think it's overload.

First, I would use different patterns instead of just the one. You can get some nice and inexpensive one's on Ebay.

What about a set of plate hangers where you can hang 3 plates on one, and put them on each side of the picture?

But that leads to the picture. lol. I like the picture but it doesn't go well with the plates. Maybe if you found plates in a yellow transferware pattern? Not sure if they have yellow though.

Is it Allison who has plates in her bathroom?

Maybe people who have them on their walls can post a picture so you can get ideas?

I think I'd like 3 or so plates on each side and agree that over the top of the picture isn't doing it.

What about 2 red on each side and then 1 black (kind of like the last pic without the smaller ones)

How about wall sconces instead of plates. OR I've seen others set one plate on a shelf sconce.

I like plates on the wall. I also love (and collect) transferware, so I'm partial to yours. LOL I like number 1 best, but I'm also going to add that I'm not crazy about those plates with that picture.

You are like me in your *samples*. I do the same thing (patterns) when working with a large arrangement on a wall. I once suggested that to another poster here (after they asked for help with an arrangement) and it wasn't taken too well. So, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who does that!

Have you ever visited The Nesting Place blog? She does alot of plate displays. You might get some ideas there.

tina

hmmm, it won't let me post the link - it's www.thenester.com

There are two patterns of red plates.

Nik211 & Oakley- I like that verical plate hanger and the idea of one on each side. I saw a horizontal one at the thrift store the other week but didn't want to buy something else without a game plan.

I wasn't sure what I thought about them with the picture but then told myself I have red throughout the rest of the room.

I could put them in the hutch but I honestly like what I have in there. Figured someday if I tired of it I could switch it out.
{{!gwi}}
I wasn't sure about the plates on top either. I was kind of liking #5 without plates above.

My opinion for you: Lose the picture as they have nothing to do with the plates. Could you find a platter of the same pattern for the center?

Projectsneverend - Here's this one.
#9
{{!gwi}}

I was going all plate crazy in my mock ups is because I've had people express it's such a large wall I needed a bunch more going on.

I was going to get these sconces. -I haven't seen any others I like but I'd have to drive to Kirklands for these. I also don't want to iron or candle overload either.
{{!gwi}}

Tina- I find myself drawn to patterns. I'll check out the blog then. Thanks!

Agree with others that don't like the pictures with the plates.

The picture (and I like it) is dark and heavy feeling. The plates are light .. the 2 don't compliment each other.

Do just the plates, or just the picture .. and the cat must approve! :>)

Ok well... I like that picture. What on earth can I put with it? I know people say,"don't rush, it will come together someday, etc." It's been three years and I'm getting impatient, ha. We plan to start having kids in the next year or so and I'm not going to have time to do this then. If I don't know what to even keep an eye out for and have no game plan it's not likely to run into something. Once something is done, it'll be done here until I get sick of it except for minor tweaking of accessories.

I'm still trying. What about this? The picture could be odd for the DR though.

{{!gwi}}

Shee, are you doing this because other people told you the wall needs more than that one picture or is that the way you feel?

I think it looks fine as is. Simple and uncluttered.

Natal - I was fine with just the picture at first. I don't typically like lots of things going on with my walls. Most people said I needed more along the sides. Bought the plates and love them. Would like to use them someplace in the house so I figured since people said this wall needed something, and the worry of them being knocked off the wall along the stairs....

I agree looking at these photos now, the plates don't work with that picture. When Squirrel mocked it up before with my b&w plates I didn't like it with those. Ha, and the little girl print with the plates isn't working for my eat in area. Bouncing ideas off you guys does help me believe it or not! :)

So.... this was the other spot I was considering using the plates.
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

What about nixing the long wall plan and placing some of the plates on either side of your windows and above? You could also hang a few on your backsplash or above your cabinets (although I like it simple up there).

Personally, I liked your arrangement for the stairs. Unless you or your DH bang into that wall, you aren't going to have any daily worry about someone bumping them off for quite some time. By then, you may have moved them anyway :)

I had 3 young children come live with us without much notice, and I still find time to play with decorating. You adapt :) And, my plates are still on the wall after a year and a half :)

Oh, and I like it in the hall, but you don't get the nice view of them that you do with the stairwell.

How about no picture, just the plates?

I think it may be too many and that the arrangement is too symmetrical..(symmetry is not very interesting) Using plates like this is really more of a cottage look, and is not supposed to be too uniform.

I am also not really crazy about the plates with that picture. But, if I were going to use what you have, I would break it up a little. Two smaller plates on one side, one larger on the other. Try not to over think it. Very nice home, by the way! I love the wall color.

I love using plates on a dining room wall. I really like your plates in fact I have red patterned plates too. But, like many of the above posters I don't care for the red and white plates with the art work (I do like the art work itself though) Too bad you didn't like the black and white plates with it, since it fits in with your dark colors in the art, the legs on your stools and the black iron braces under the overhang of your island.

This is an old photo of my DR, I used my blue and white, and red and white dishes interchangeably as the mood hit me.
(I tore down a wall this weekend so my dining room is in a different spot now).

"There isn't any room behind the chair for anything below it."

How about turning the table and chairs a quarter? It will make it seem much more roomy when eating. You then may be able to put a narrow sidebar buffet there to anchor the photo if you wish but you would not have to. See how Judith has her table turned to show off the wall art better and the chair pull out towards the corners of the room?

To go with your dining area picture I can see something like painted tole trays.

Jen- Thank you!

Judithva - You have a knack for accessorizing. I always love seeing photos of your home. Thanks for showing me your DR. You do like the b&w plates?

Dilly - I like the look of the table that way and had it like that before I hung the art. People here said it make the art look even higher so I changed it back.
{{!gwi}}
Alex - Yeah, I liked at the stairs how it's not typically what you'd see there. You don't care for the plates with that picture either? Or were you saying to try it in back the hall with just the plates?

I like tole trays but most of what I find have lots of pink, blue, purple and I don't see them working. Like anything else it would be a matter of finding the right ones.

Anyone think I could use those Kirkland sconces with the b&w plates above for the DR?
I also like the middle ones from PB but they're a good bit more.
{{!gwi}}

I need a few days to reflect on all this and see what I think. I appreciate everyone's feedback!

Do you have room for one more idea?
What about mounting a few plates in black shadow boxes? The link shows a contemporary frame but perhaps mount them in a black shadow boxes with a traditional feel?

Here is a link that might be useful: shadow box

Yeah, I prefer the plates alone on the stairs. I think if you had something with a lot of white or white mat, they would complement each other better.

I was away for the weekend, now I'm back and have just read through both posts! Like you, I brainstorm too. The lighter, pastel feel of the plates does not work with the darker, heavier fruit pic. So, use the black plates. Use two wall sconces like I have, (always at TJM or Marshall's)place plates on top, scrolly thing over picture. If you have an oblong platter to place between scrolly thing and pic, great, but I think you can get away without it.I saw this arrangement in a mag. and totally copied the look! You can make those black transferware work with your fruit pic. Here is mine to get an idea:

I like plate decor on walls, especially in a dining room.
I vote for a large white platter in the center of one of your plate arrangements.
-Laurie

I have to agree with nanabella. Can you lose the picture and just have the plates? If you can't find a platter for the center that matches or coordinates with the other plates, you could try using a white or cream platter in the center.

Your picture is too dark to pair with very light plates...look at the pictures posted that work so well....the pictures and the plates are close to the same "value" in color level.
Also...sorry....but those plates are not "hanging worthy" they appear too ordinary to feature.
Someone said it looks like you took the plates out of your cupboard and hung them on the wall....and I agree.
If you are married to that picture you need some intensely colored plates...like some Imari or heavily gold decorated Limoges plates. But the delicacy of transferware doesn't work with a very dark picture.
Best to hang the picture and eat off the plates until you find what you want.
Linda C

Also, scrolled back up again for another look. Use the two black transferware, one on each side with a small rectangular cream or white platter for the round plates to "sit on" (instead of the plate sconce). Scrolly thing or rectangular platter on top of pic. I think part of the problem is you have too many plates very symetrically arranged and drawn out on either side. Lots of options!

I think once you get to a certain number of plates it has to be all plates. The central platter is a good idea for focus.

Its the pug thing all over, once you have a dozen pugs, maybe a hundred is next, and the single poodle will stick out like a sore thumb.

What about putting the plates in the kitchen above the cabinets.

The square and the round just don't work for me and like others, I think the plates are too light for the dark art work.

As a lover of junk/antiques/thrift, etc. as art, They're definitely "hang worthy" though, just not in this location, I think!

You are getting great feedback, and I don't have anything to add except to say - don't give up! You will find a place for those wonderful plates!

Of all the wonderful suggestions you've been given, I like kmcg's and the inspiration photo the best. As for the red/white plates, I like the recommendation to hang on a vertical hanger--someplace else.

odd man out...I loved the 2nd picture.

When I arrange plates on my walls I just play with it until it look right to me. It's easier to arrange fewer plates of course so you might want to try that. IMO your print is too dark for the light plates.

There's a well known blogger who uses plates *everywhere* and I've posted her link below. You might browse her site to see how she does it. She also has an etsy site where she sells groups of plates that make a nice arrangement. http://www.etsy.com/shop/englishtransferware

I have no connection with these sites but do find them inspirational. I have a number of plates she has for sale on her etsy site but I bot mine for much less at yard sales. Usually 25 cents to $2.00 each.

Here is a link that might be useful: plate inspiration

There's a well known blogger who uses plates *everywhere*

At first I thought I was looking at a shop. That's one plate-obsessed lady!

Kmcg - Thanks for posting your photo again. I saved it before but it must not be on this computer.

I will say the b&w plates have fruit around them. :)

Lori - You mean the 2nd mock up, right?

Moving the fruit picture completely is an idea. I paid very little for it at the thrift store (becoming my fav. place) so I don't have that financial attachment, iykwim? I like the idea of a white platter with the red plates.

Thank you for the links Deedee and Luckygal! I'll check out her blog more later. She does have lots of pretty plates and I'm sure I could find bits of inspiration from there. Pictures always help.

So as of right now I'm not putting the girl picture with red plates in the hall. I think I'm going to have our stairs fixed right (remove the lovely moulding across the middle) when the drywaller comes for the basement. So I don't think the plates or picture will go there either.

I do think the plates are nice enough to hang on the walls but I really like the look of plates. DH finally said to me the other day,"please tell me those circles on the wall are plates?" I said they were possibly going to be the red & white dishes I bought. He joking said he was hoping for Elvis. *grin*

Decisions, decisions. I'm sure I'll find something that sings to me and makes the arrangements, whatever they may be, work. I really appreciate all the feedback and thoughts.

Natal, some of the pics are from her shop. While she uses plates a lot in her home they do seem to be well arranged IMO. Shop link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nancy's shop

I love plates on a dining room wall. But I think if your're going to have them surrounding a picture they need to relate in some way with the picture - either the plates picking up one or two colors in the picture, or if there is a trim on the plates that matches the frame on the picture, just something that creates a flow from plates to picture.

Lucky, everything in the first link you shared was from her home. To me that's over the top.

Shee - Thought about you yesterday on the baltimore CL there was a set of your Old english abbey dishes for $99! and it was a much smaller set and included chipped pieces. You did good girl!
Try the platter and plate idea- with a bit more space in between- use the space. I thought you paid $$ for the painting- which I do like.
I think transferware plates- whether priceless or no- look lovely hanging on a wall.