Decorative Plates: The Unsung Heroes of Tabletop Curation

Not all plates are created equal. Decorative plates marry function and flair, offering the best of both worlds. They can be hand-painted, embossed, rimmed in gold leaf, or boldly patterned with surrealist motifs. They might hail from artisanal studios in Portugal or be sourced from age-old French porcelain houses. But here’s the twist: they’re not just for show. While they certainly deserve a place in a curated cabinet or styled stack on an open shelf, these plates are meant to be used. Imagine serving a citrus tart on a plate that feels like a piece of art—because it is.

Explore our current decorative plate collection to discover one-of-a-kind designs that bring personality to the table.

This is where the storytelling continues. Don’t relegate your beautiful plates to the back of a cupboard. Instead, think of them as part of your décor vocabulary.

 ✓ Style a stack on an open kitchen shelf or butcher block island.

 ✓ Display one or two on a plate stand next to a lamp or vase—instant vignette.

 ✓ Use smaller dishes as catch-alls for jewellery or keys in entryways and bedrooms.

 ✓ And yes, if the mood strikes, hang a few on the wall. We touch on this in our plate styling guide, but the real joy comes from using them every day.

Designers, hoteliers, and hosts who master the art of atmosphere—like the bohemian tablescapes at Big Mamma’s restaurants, where rustic plates bloom with Italian colour.

And it’s not just Europe. Stateside, designers like Athena Calderone and Roman and Williams are bringing in plates as sculptural elements on sideboards and layered dining settings. It’s less about formality and more about flair.

At Maison Flâneur, we curate with this same spirit. Our plates aren’t just chosen for their beauty—but for how they make a space feel. A little more layered. A little more lived in.