Oh happy, happy end of the week! Are you all in total denial like me that July is already over? Slow. Down. Summer.
So, we’re continuing on with our Flashback Friday series today and I’m sharing with you a project I did almost two years ago in my kitchen but it still remains one of my all-time favorite DIY’s.
You may notice that some things look a tad different in the house but don’t forget that this includes old photos. Since this time we have painted the kitchen island and changed up the dining room a bit.
Now, without further adieu, let’s take a look back at my DIY Plate Rack!
Do you ever have projects that you put off for…oh…say about 5 years?
Ummm…yeah…me neither! 😉
In our kitchen there is a narrow wall that you pass by on your way to the dining room. Or if you are coming from the dining room you pass it on the way to the kitchen. You get the idea!
I like to call it ‘The Forgotten Wall’. Just something you pass by on your way to bigger and better things…like coffee.
Oh sure, I made half-hearted attempts at giving it some attention. There was the chalkboard that looked fine but no one ever stopped to read all of my beautiful quotes carefully written with hopes of encouraging and inspiring. Because it’s a wall you just pass by after all.
Well, friends, I think it is safe to declare that ‘The Forgotten Wall’ is now my most favorite part of my entire kitchen! It is forgotten no more!
It only took me 5 years and one long afternoon to help the wall fulfill it’s destiny by making a very basic wall rack.
How to Make a Wall Plate Rack
1. Build a simple frame using the size of wood appropriate for your space. Because this is a narrow area I went with 2×1’s. I had Lowes cut the ledges to fit the width in between the size and also 2 additional pieces for the top and bottom.
2. Cut molding to trim out the top and bottom and add detail to the frame and attach with wood glue.
3. 2 rows of screen molding cut to size and attached with nails or wood glue hold the plates in place.
I painted the entire thing a lovely shade of ivory and hung it right up on that forgotten wall.
I think I might have heard it sigh.
It was a sigh of relief…of satisfaction.
Because it finally looked like it was always meant to look.
This incredibly simple and basic plate rack that only took 5 years and one long afternoon to make looked like it had always been there.
It looked like it belonged.
Like it was special…remembered.
And that’s really what we all want, after all, isn’t it?
To know that we ‘belong’…that we’re special, remembered.
We don’t want people to just pass us by without really noticing us.
Because we all know how absolutely amazing it is when someone recognizes our capacity for great things.
Our ability to truly shine.
And we also know (or we should know!) that it feels even better to be the one to recognize the potential in someone else…to speak it into their life…and to watch them shine!
It’s really pretty awesome the lessons which can be gleaned from a plate rack, isn’t it? 😉
It does look good! Great work.
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
Love it! Very creative and different. Great idea! Have a great weekend!
Love this Vanessa and love what you said
about belonging and being special. You made
my day. Take good care! : )
I love this idea and it looks fantastic with your display of silver plate trays…I pinned it to hopefully get a chance to make one, someday!
Hope you girls are doing well!
JP
You read my mind. I am so glad you posted this cause I missed I the first time around. I am really thinking about making one so this is perfect.
I’ve noticed this in your kitchen pic’s before and have admired it and assumed it was a custom built-in. That is so cool that you built it yourself!
I love it!! It looks like it has always been there. Hugs,
Fabulous, I love it!!! Yes, I have a project that’s been put off close to 4 years so far, lol!
You did an awesome job.
Enjoy your weekend.
FABBY
So beautiful and great use of space!
Shelby at craftylovestory.com
I love this project…such a great way to display your pretties!….thanks for the tutorial…
Love this! Simple – maybe even I can do it!
I have had this post in the back of my mind – because I want a plate rack! Thanks for posting it again!
Finally! Something I can do with all of the antique plates from my great grandfather’s estate. I can’t wait to get them up in the kitchen!
Thank you so much:)
Yay! So glad you think this will work for you!
I have pinned several wall plate racks similar to this and absolutely love the look. Yours is beautiful! It looks like it should have / could have been there the whole time. Perfect! I plan to do this sometime too, maybe in 5 years! lol Thanks for the directions on what you did.
Looks great easy directions but how is it hung up on the wall
How did you secure it to the wall? I love it and I am going to make it, I made a tea wagon years ago from your plans and still have it,
Hi Mamie! We attached it to the wall at both the top and the bottom using L-brackets so that it’s nice and secure. Because it’s so long, if you only attach at the top it tends to want to pull away from the wall a bit which is why we decided to secure it on the bottom as well. 🙂
Saw you in BHG this month – The hubs is on his way to get the lumber now. Thank you!!! I hated my dead space and now it’ll be useful! It may not be as decorative as yours but I’ll finally a place for my pampered chef stoneware!
I love it! I’m afraid the plates/platters could slip thru the bottom though, especially when you have two placed on same rack. Have you had that issue or have any suggestions?
Hi Chris! I’ve had this hanging on the wall for a couple of years now and have never had any problems with a platter slipping through but would definitely recommend you only put in more thin/narrow plates and platters unless you make the ledges wider.
Venessa great idea we had just the right spot for your tray rack. I added some of my own ideas (hopefully improvements). Built the rack with 5/4″x6″ to gain extra depth I used this depth to recess the nose and cove mouldings. Also trimmed the face of the shelves with a larger nose and cove which I held up a 1/4″ to act as a stop for trays. Thanks for the idea will attach photos.