Nick and Steph's DIY Weekend

These pictures speak for themselves!

I love Nick and I love garage sales and I love summer :)

Great Plate Walls

I enjoy plate walls imensely. They look stunning in ANY room, from bedroom to living room, to dining room.

source

source

source

source

source

source

This is actually wallpaper! Find it here.

 

 source

Plates:

So, where would one find such beautiful plates? Anywhere! Thrift stores, Ebay, yard sales, flea markets, Marshalls, antique malls, Target, Gradma's attic... The best part is that you only need one of each type! Also, don't be afraid to mix up shapes, sizes, and textures. Bowls are definitely acceptable and round tin trays are a great complement to a wall full of ceramic dishes.

Hardware:

I recommend hanging up your fancy finds with adjustable plate hangers:

They are easy to find at your local craft shop and some can even hold up to 30 lbs!

OR

Disc plate hangers that can be purchased here and affix easily to the back of your plates.

Configuration:

You can arrange you plates in any configuration imaginable! There are no limits! Just be sure to know where you will be hanging each plate BEFORE you start affixing or nailing. I have learned that lesson the hard way-- too many times! A great (and safe) way to play around with patterns is to number each plate, cut out paper models (true to their size), and tape them up on the wall. Then you'll be free to experiment with different configurations. Once the paper cutouts are where you'd like the real plates to go, nail the paper to the wall, rip the paper off, and hang the plates! The pic bellow does a much better job explaining the concept...

source

Here are a few of my current favorite Etsy vintage plates and non-vintage plates... Ripe for the picking!

Stangl Colonial Dinner Plate from Etsy seller surrenderdorothy, $22.99

Antique Dinner Plate from Etsy seller ameeliabedilia, $9

Wax-Work Dinner Plate from Anthropologie, $7.95

Gorgeous Vintage Red Rose Dinner Plate from Etsy seller vintagegoodies, $7.50

Small Bird Plate from Etsy seller hellovictory, $12

Chippy Great Smoky Mts. Vintage Plate from Etsy seller mamabstrunk, $5

Chef's Choice Plate Set from Modcloth, $14.99

Two Vera for Mikasa Cocktail Plates from Etsy seller modandpop, $32

 

Hazel Atlas Pink Crinoline Dinner Plate from etsy seller jaditekate, $10

5 Tiki Vibe Mid Century Plates from Etsy seller beppiebags, $16.99

 

Scenic Dessert Plates from Anthropologie, $12

Vintage USA Pottery Plates from Etsy seller tisburylane, $15

Melamine Bird Plates from French Paper, $9

 

Personalized Monogrammed Plates by Etsy seller aedrieloriginals, $45

Vintage Scalloped Floral Plate from Etsy seller morningloryvintage, $3

La La Lamptastic

Hey everyone! I've been sort of MIA in the blogosphere for the past few days. We painted our sunroom and living room and it looks delightful! Pictures are on the way! I'm inspired to spend next weekend creating and recreating lighting with vintage lamps and upcycled materials. Below are some of my recent sources of inspiration...

Click here to find out how to make a vintage-style cork lamp.

Amazing bowl lamps, read about how to make your own at Country Living.

I can't get over the cuteness of these vintage teacup lamps from Domestic Construction.

These LOVELY hanging pendant lamps were made out of vintage tea tins! Read about it here.

These beauties are made entirely from paperclips! Check out Redesign Technologies on Etsy.

Design Sponge did a DIY article on Mason Jar Lanterns a few years back. Read how here.

And, of course, there's always the good old miracle that a can of spray paint and a new shade will work on an old, tired lamp. Read the DIY article here. Now it's off to light up our world in creative, new ways!