Coastline Treasures

When renovating a room to be converted into a study or an office, it is important to pay attention to the details. An office usually has a subdued look to it. However, this does not mean that you have to make it dark and heavy. In fact, having sufficient light will work wonders in transforming a dull office into a breathable work space.

Blank walls must not be neglected. There are so many solutions to liven up the walls. Offices look good in neutral colors. Neutrals are safe colors and can be matched with just about any furniture or painting. A console table lined with decorative hanging wall plates may be added for that dignified executive touch.

Many years ago I started to collect decorative wall plates.  They were part of a signed and dated limited series.  I had so much fun with them.  Each month I would receive one and it was always a surprise.  Of course I knew it was coming, but I never knew which design would be next.  I never looked ahead because that would ruin my surprise.

Once I received the entire series of 12 plates, I laid them all out.  I used a wall in my dining room creating a pattern that really showed them off.  I love entertaining and having these beautiful plates decorating the wall.  I get joy out of each of the designs and it reminds me of the joy I had opening up each one as they arrived.

In decorating walls, add a bit of dimension.  How do you do this?  One way is to add decorative wall plates.  Plates come in different sizes and shapes.  I have seen beautiful artistic large plates and simple smaller round plates.  Some even have a wood frame around them.  Hang them individually or in groupings depending on the area that is available.

If you have a collection of decorative plates you can create a pattern on the wall making for an interesting design.  Adding just one plate above a small table will add interest.  Mixing one or more plates on a wall with pictures will enhance its appeal. There are plate hangers that allow for easy hanging of one or several plates adding even more décor.  Whichever way you choose, have fun and don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit.

Hand-painted decorative wall plates make great décor for your kitchen or dining room.    These intricately painted treasures make great and beautiful additions to your walls.  Hand-painted plates come in a variety of styles.  Some depict colorful natural scenes, like the beach or a hillside.  Others have flowers or crazy designs.  There is something for every taste.

Some of these plates are not only done by hand, but by fingers.  These plates are given textures because they are finger painted.  But, unlike a toddler’s finger paintings, these plates are marvelous.  The colors are bright and vibrant and the scenes depicted are incredible.  It takes a lot of skill to be able to paint that way.

Some people may find it odd to hang a perfectly good plate on a wall instead of using it for flatware.  Well, some plates are just too pretty to eat off of.  Also, hanging decorative wall hanging plates in your kitchen or dining room can be a much more interesting sight than framed pictures. 

By hanging plates, you also have the ability to space or shape differently than you would with a picture.  You can make shapes with the plates to draw attention.  Or, keep everything neat and linear.  Hanging wall plates are a great addition, or alternative, to your décor.

Some of the finest china is too priceless to eat off of, and therefore becomes decorative wall hanging plates.  The china must look gorgeous too for all the work that gets put into making it.  China is made from the paste of a substance called kaolin.  Once the dinette-ware is formed and hardened, it is decorated with the intricate painted designs we love to display.

Fine china originated in China in the fifteenth century when the fine porcelain tableware began arriving in Europe.  It was not until the eighteenth century that kaolin became available in Europe and craftsmen could begin creating china for themselves, instead of the less durable soft porcelain plates they were able to make before.  And before the kaolin became available, Europe had not had a long history of making tableware.  While they were known for pottery making, stoneware was not created in Europe until the seventeenth century and was made from pastes made out of clay and coal.  Four hundred years later, fine china is still sought after as an elegant way to serve dinner, or as a beautiful wall decoration.