If you are in search of a gorgeous way to show off your silver collection then pull up a chair!!! This vintage silver gallery wall display idea will give you all the cozy vintage vibe feels. Plus, I’m gonna show you how to hang silver platters and odd-shaped vintage silver like a pro so you can get to decorating with all your yummy vintage silver pieces!
If you’ve been around me for a minute, you know I adore collecting old silver. I love the tarnish, the age, the design, and the throwback feel of hospitality that silver serving pieces evoke. I mean, who doesn’t love Downton Abby??? Anyway, I get lots of questions about my silver collection, so I am answering them for you today.
Where do you get your silver decor and serving pieces?
My silver collection is like any collection, it evolves and grows over time. I am always on the lookout for unique pieces, but I do have a few favorite places to find them. I highly recommend garage sales and thrift stores for silver deals. I have found countless silver platters and trays for under $5/$2 a piece. You just have to look a lot. That’s the trick with just about any thrifted find. Find your favorite spots and go to them often. Inventory turns and good things go quickly. I never pay a lot for my silver, because there is no need. If I wait, I will find it for a price I can live with. Super unique pieces might be more, you have to decide your price threshold.
Do you polish your silver?
I typically polish my silver when I first get it, especially if it is in rough shape when I get it. After that, I polish my silver about once a year. I love tarnish and wait until it gets pretty heavy before I polish it away. If I am using silver for serving and entertaining, I sometimes polish it first. Downton Abby would be very disappointed in my silver care! But I like worn and lived in, not prim and proper. If you need tips on how to polish silver, I have a bunch of polishing options here.
How do you use silver in your decor?
There are a ton of ways to incorporate vintage silver into your home decor. I have a whole list of ideas with pictures for you here, go check it out! My favorite way is to hang it on the wall. I’ve been dreaming of an all-silver gallery wall for a while now, so when we moved, I made it happen. That leads to the number one question I get…
How do you hang silver pieces?
Over the years I’ve used silver as wall art in a lot of different spots in my home. It makes for beautiful wall art. If you want to hang your silver pieces alone, in a group, or gallery wall, here are a few ideas on how to hang silver platters, odd-shaped silver pieces, and trays. My number one go-to is a plate hanger. They come in a variety of sizes and I usually stretch them larger than the label says. They work like a charm. I use these on round platters and trays all the time. Here is a good set of plate hangers to start with!
Recently, I had some odd small shape pieces and I made my hanger for them, by wrapping wire around the outer edges, crossing it in the back, and creating a hanger. You can see it in the pictures. This idea can be used for small or large pieces, just use heavier wire for heavier pieces.
Command strips are also a great hanging solution for your silver collection. Try these for your heavy-duty silver pieces! All you have to do is peel and stick. They also make these amazing invisible plate hangers you can use, they make hanging plates and platters a breeze.
Don’t overthink a gallery wall full of silver. Pick a starting point and then just hang all around it until you are happy. Then collect more and change it as you go and grow! When you need a piece to serve with, take it off the wall and put it back when you are done. Collecting silver is so much fun and relatively inexpensive as far as collecting vintage and antiques goes so I hope this idea inspires you to get out there and hunt, then hang!
Beautiful, thx !