Have you looked at decorating magazines lately? The top interior designers are hanging plates everywhere! Decorating with plates is an inexpensive way to make a bold statement. Exquisite china that is beautifully arranged says much about the homeowner. Why not make vintage and antique china an integral part of your home décor?

Here are fifteen savvy styling tips to get you started:

1. Hang plates horizontally along the top of a wall as an interesting border.

2. Butter pats as a border make an exciting visual statement, particularly in the dining room and kitchen areas. Many collectors enjoy displaying butter pats along the kitchen soffit.

3. Recently I received word about a butter collector, who used vintage restaurant ware butter pats to outline the soaring palladium windows in her kitchen.

4. Hang large 19^th-century Staffordshire platters next to breakfast table

5. Don’t despair over chips, crazing or glaze flaws — they will add to the shabby chic appeal of this easy-on-the-budget decorating scheme.

6. Plain white ironstone plates in a grouping make a chic statement against exotic wallpapers or lively paint colors.

7. Try matching same theme plates and platters such as roses or fruit-motif.

8. An arrangement of vintage plates representing various states or tourist destinations is a real conversation piece and a reminder of great vacations.

9. Plates combined with Impressionist artwork create a serene environment.

10. Hang your collection of pie plates

11. Don’t throw out your breakages! Place those pieces in a clear glass vase.

12. Display plates arranged in an arch over a buffet or sideboard.

13. Hang a wooden plate-rail shelf in a dining room, kitchen, or hallway, and use it to display plates and do change your exhibit seasonally.

14. In earthquake areas use museum wax to attach valuable china pieces to shelves. Then make sure the shelving unit is earthquake-strapped to the wall as well.

15. Hang a beautiful 19^th-century Limoges plate on your office wall to remind you of the lovely home that you have to return to each evening.

Antique and vintage plates can be found at very reasonable prices and these stunning pieces with a history are so much more appealing than contemporary china. Wouldn’t you adore having your home decorated with quality Limoges or Staffordshire china?

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Mary Dessoie covers a variety of topics in the field of antiques and collectibles. She founded the Butter Pat Patter Association in 1997 for beginner and advanced collectors of exquisite china butter pats from the Victorian through Edwardian eras and 19^th-century to current-day transportation and restaurant ware. Butter pats are miniature plates that were introduced during the mid-1800's for individual servings of butter. A subscription to The Patter newsletter costs $22 and includes a mint-condition Royal Doulton butter pat. Royal Doulton located in the Staffordshire area of England is known throughout the world as one of the leading manufacturers of fine china. In addition, subscribers will receive ten issues of The Patter. Sample copies of The Patter are available by sending $4.00 and a LSSAE (63 cents). For those persons who would like to start their subscriptions immediately and receive their Royal Doulton pat by return mail, please send your check or money order, payable to Mary Dessoie, to Butter Pat Patter Association, 265 Eagle Bend Drive, Bigfork, Montana 59911-6235.