Let me tell you the story of this blue and white plate wall. Wait…I have to back up just a bit.
Have you ever had one of those life moments when you suddenly totally realize something and it seems to all fall into place? You know, one of those realizations that spans over years of your life?
I recently had one.
When I was a teenager I would have never believed someone if they told me someday fashion wouldn’t be my top priority. I wondered why my mom saved her Sunday best and wore “whatever she had” the rest of the time.
A few months back I caught my reflection in a store window and I shrunk back. Sure, I had cute hair…but the rest? I looked like I just threw on some pants and a top with no regard for fit or fashion. I looked homeless.
If mom jeans were still in existence I’d be wearing them. Maybe I am and just don’t know it. It’s entirely possible.
Yikes! When did I become “that woman”. When did my mom become a more fashionable dresser than me?
My mom.
I’ll let that sink in for a minute.
I made a vow at the beginning of the year that I was going to try harder in the fashion department. I was going to channel some extra money toward wardrobe. I was going to slow down and think wardrobe.
But my dream of a blue and white plate wall was calling to me…more than a new pair of jeans. After a fourth cup of coffee the other morning I declared, “I’m in the generation of women who believe ‘We can have it all!’ Why can’t I have a cute blue and white plate wall and new jeans? Shouldn’t a woman be able to have her hand-painted Bavarian cake plate and eat it too?”
So off I went to make my blue and white plate wall dream come true. Spoiler alert…everything on this wall came from the thrift store.
What?!? An entire blue and white plate wall with vintage mirrors and gold shelves all from thrift stores? Yep.
To be fair, some items were collected along the way over months of thrift store visits. The two large Johnson Brothers Willow plates were found for $6 a piece. The mirrors were thrifted for $20 a piece. The shelves were part of a six piece set I bought for $25 (yes I have four more…squeal!). The mint and blue platter was purchased at the thrift store for $15 months ago. Every other piece on the blue and white plate wall was under $2.
I’m no accountant, but I believe I created my dream blue and white plate wall for less than $100. I couldn’t be happier. Every time I walk in the room it makes me smile.
I have lots of changes in store for this room. New bedding, a reupholstered bench (thrifted), new lamps etc…it will all happen.
But, for now…I’m on my way to the shopping center to look for some new cute jeans. Hmmm…I wonder what I should wear?
Have a fantastic day!
Nancy
My awesome friend Lucy from Patina Paradise put together this incredible party list. Lucy and I, we like to party at the same places. You should come to the party…it’s a blast:
MONDAYS
Something to Talk About @ The Crowned Goat 5AM CST
*Show and Share @ Coastal Charm 8AM or 8:30AM
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on The Porch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 3PM
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand and Sisal 4 or 5PM
TUESDAYS
Moonlight and Mason Jars @ Cherished Bliss 10 or 11AM
* Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style 6pm
* Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasures evenings at 7 PM
* Dream Create Inspire @ Refresh Living evenings at 7PM
* Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design at 10PM
What’s It Wednesdays @ Ivy And Elephants
WEDNESDAYS
Creative Spark @ Two Purple Couches 9AM
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 2PM or 3PM
* Share Your Style @ The Vintage Nest + 7MORE BLOGS!!!!! 6PM CST
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours 6PM CST
THURSDAYS
Brag Worthy Thursday @ Bless’er House + 4 more blogs 5AM
DIY Like A Boss @ The Heathered Nest
*The Creative Circle @ Up to Date Interiors 8AM
Vintage Charm @ Charm Bracelet Diva 9AM
* Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique 1:00PM
*Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage 3PM
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted In Thyme 6PM
AKA Design-Weekend Retreat party 7 pm
Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional 6pm
*Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 6PM
the weekend retreat @ AKA Design 6pm
Inspiration Friday @ The Painted Drawer 9PM
FRIDAYS
* A morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market 6AM
SATURDAYS
SUNDAYS
* Silver Pennies Sundays @ Finding Silver Pennies 6 or 7 AM
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home + 6 more blogs! 1 PM
**Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings 5PM
Also at: Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Good for YOU and your decor!!! I’m a retired secretary and live in the country. I have gotten into the habit of wandering about looking worse than what the cat drags in. When going out shopping I always fix my hair, but the rest of me is just plain jeans and tee shirt. But, since the beginning of the year, my cousin (74 and stylish) and I, have been having lunch once a week with a group of ladies (not so stylish). Getting back in my groove…it’s fun putting my style back on! Oh, and I still thrift regularly, in fact the clerks tell me I look very nice, and ask if I have a doctor’s appointment;)
Oh I love your plate wall! It’s even better than you found each piece for a song at the thrift store!
My readers would love this creative idea too! I’d love for you to share at my linky party ~ The DIY Collective. We are live now!
Oh how I envy you all your gorgeous goodies whether from thrift store or wherever. Your bedroom is so pretty, love everything I can see in this photo. My absolute favorite is your blue/light green platter. You did great job arranging them over your bed.
In early Dec. I had my right shoulder replaced so had home health folks coming here for 4 weeks. Since they were all women they’d comment on much of my decorations. So many of things I have out are from thrift stores and things we made including our art on walls.
They were so surprised at many items that were purchased at thrift stores, for instance our couch. Had to do some financial scrambling to fit it into budget but was determined to get it, never been sorry. Had a 25% off coupon from Habitat so figured would use it on something big. We were in middle of painting living room (I waited 8 years for that to happen) and some furniture in room so” new to me couch” was perfect. We’d been using a hand me down sofa and I really did not like it, ever. So when I saw couch at Habitat as soon as we walked in I made up my mind it was going to be mine. What an incredible difference it made in how our living room looked after the big black hole (other couch). We gave old couch to our local thrift store and it sold right away. Felt good to do something for somebody else, hope whomever bought it enjoys it.
I think I enjoy things gotten at thrift stores as much or more than new pieces we get once in while.
I think after finding those gorgeous plates you sure deserved those cute new jeans.
Enjoy them and spark yourself up daily, just some little thing. Happy weekend
Nancy this is such a beautiful space! I love your thrifted and collected plates. They definitely make a gorgeous gallery wall and add an extra special touch to your lovely bed. Hope your weekend was so much fun, CoCo
What a gorgeous display! And I can’t believe those mirrors were only $20 a piece! You’re good, lady! Enjoy. Cynthia
Hello, Nancy. This is my first visit to your blog-I came over from Coastal Charm. Your wall is beautiful! I’m on a blue and white kick right now, so your party pictures really was a stand out for me. I love you plates and knowing that they were thrift store finds makes them even more special. The headboard is a show stopper!!! Family piece? Too pretty, for sure. I secretly wonder what the wall would look like without the gold shelf and the vases….sorry. I’m just curious! I hope that it was ok to say that.
And the mom jeans. I would so buy nice jeans-and pay more for them than I would for my tried and true go-to pair that cost $20. My problem is that I don’t know HOW to fit my body. It’s just a regular old body….nothing too big or too small, so you think I’d be able to do a good job??!! I catch my reflection, too, sometimes…..after first retiring, I was a afraid the “What Not to Wear” people might be filming me and I could hear the tape rolling in my head…”This once professional lady is now seen spending her days in public wearing Mom Jeans and t-shirts!” I’m trying to do better, too.
Happy Monday!
Your blue and white plates look wonderful above your bed! I have entered into collecting blue and white dishes myself but I don’t think I have arrived just yet. I know how you feel, I focus on home décor so much more than clothes. When did I become an old woman? I often ask! Cute post!
Your plate wall is amazing! How cool that you got it all at thrift stores. I used to say that I was either in “house mode” or “fashion mode” because our budget could not do both. 🙂
This is my first time to your blog… I was drawn by the pictures of your pretty blue plates on the wall! Your bedroom here is so pretty! I’m going to start following you. I’d love for you to link up at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop…. It’s on every Wednesday night! http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com
I love your collection. And headboard is gorgeous!
Hugs,
Mila
your a girl after my heart LOl
I love blue and white china and have a couple walls with beautiful plates on them also.
However I paid a lot more for my plates than you did
I need some more flat plate hangers now to hang more
go get those jeans
Oh gosh I can not agree with you more with how fashion takes the back seat. I made the same confession to myself this year…look better and have a cute home! Cheers to that! Love the plate wall and especially since these are all thrift finds. Thanks so much for linking up at The Creative Circle Link Party.
Hi Nancy–I’m in love with your beautiful, blue and white gallery wall! I’ll be featuring your post tomorrow at Vintage Charm. Hope we get to party with you again 🙂
First of all, I’m blown away with how beautiful your wall turned out, particularly for the price you paid! Well done!! Second, I promised to come look at this with the coastal design in mind and I absolutely think it fits, even with the gilded shelves. In fact, I love the gilding with the blue and white and don’t think it takes away from the coastal look at all. I would definitely not paint them white. Instead, as long as you are thinking of changing some of the fabrics (bedding and bench) I’d think white linens and that sort of thing there. The plate wall is perfect as is… 🙂
LOL! You can have it all my friend! LOVE your story and I HAD to click.
#bestpostever
Happy day!
karianne
!Wow! Just !Wow!
This is one of the best bedrooms I’ve seen, ever! Your colors are marvelous and the ceiling is just lovely. And where, I wonder, did you find that terrific ceiling fan?
Aside from the lamps, which you are going to change. (I have one in the BR, right next to the bed, but it’s still a long difficult reach to turn it off from the bed. You have to get OUT OF BED to manage yours!!! LOL)
I seem to collect those little fancy shelves (6 so far–2 not so little) but have not put one up yet…still thinking about it and you have given me a kick in the backside to get to it! Thank you! Bought a b & w Wood & Sons pitcher in thrift yesterday…1/2 price @ $7.50. Getting a nice collection of my own and have the shelves already. Couldn’t be better!!!!!!
I came over from Vintage Charm #16 and glad I did. Now following you. In my jeans–but with earrings and stretchy fave bracelets…….
Wishing you all good things, MJ
Thank you for sharing your beautiful thrifted plates at Talk of the Town. Love the headboard and your fabulous ceiling too!!!
As another coastal, decorating, multi-tasking mom I completely get your ‘oh my’ moment when you glance in a mirror from time to time. I am so guilty of running out without a spot of makeup on…I figure as long as I’ve brushed my teeth and showered, it’s all good.
Anyway, I’m also a sucker for plate walls and yours turned out gorgeous! Well done and, as importantly, well sourced!
Hugs for a fantastic Sunday, Lynn
I LOVE your plate wall…and I want to make one too. I need to hit some thrift shops for sure! I love your shade of blue paint too. All so lovely. I just signed up for posts.
Sheila
Very classy, love the blue and white…
Thanks for sharing this on Dream Create and Inspire.
Maria
First time viewer here. I also love blue and white and you have incorporated into your decor very well. I am curious to know how you hung the plate and platter on the wall?
Nancy,
I love the plates above the bed. I have some blue & white vases and accessories in my guest bedroom, but no plates. I do have pretty plates over our bed in the master bedroom. I really like the tall mirrors you have over your nightstands, and I especially like the tray ceiling. It is “to die for!” Gorgeous bedroom all around!
Smitten! I am so in love with the blue transfer ware. Your room is beautiful! I am smiling though about your fashion quandary. I have become the jean and T- shirt girl again in my retirement. I have gotten really lazy about my wardrobe. So with the first of the year, I decided I may need to upgrade a little — you know, just in case I have to look presentable some where. 🙂