Design and Redesign

Almost a year ago, I blogged about wanting a plate wall in my dining room after seeing the ones done so nicely in the pages of Country Living Magazine.  Initially, this glamour girl painting from Hobby Lobby resided here on the wall.

After a trip down TJ Maxx's clearance aisle, I found a variety of plates for $2 each.  I thought to myself, "Wow, this would be a great start to that fabulous plate wall."  My initial attempt included a symmetrical design, maybe too symmetrical. 

I didn't love it and neither did the wall.  One day, I came home to find only three lonely tea cups remaining...

Every plate had fallen off the wall.  I guess my "glue-a-paperclip-to-the-back-off-a-plate" trick (like I saw on someone else's blog) did not work very well.  I actually took this picture after I cleaned up the mess.  Surprisingly, many plates were still in tack. I only lost two in battle between the wall and the clips.

Almost a year later, here is what the plate wall looks like today.  I like it. I'm much happier with the product.  It's not so predictable.

I purchased two shelves from the Christmas Tree Shop for $8 each and topped them off with the $2 TJ Maxx plates.

I layered some frames for interest.  The gold frame actually came from an old piece of artwork we had in our college house.  The argyle piece was a blank wooden frame from Michael's that I "Mod- Podged" with scrapbook paper.  I filled the inside of the frame with a complimentary pattern of paper.

Lastly, I topped off the shelve decor with this lovely owl, who was a gift from my mother. I believe he came from Home Goods.

I am much happier with this look.  Sometimes all it takes is design and redesign!

This project is also available on C.R.A.F.T.'s Making Monday Marvelous.