A Plate Rack That Speaks to the Heart

If you read my post a while back about that amazing photo frame wreath and the creator who inspired it, you will not be surprised that she did it again when she inspired this one…a plate rack and recipe wall that was truly personalized for us.

I was amazed when I was in her Kentucky Thistlewood Farm home and saw the original inspiration. That idea took flight to create a plate rack in my own home. One with heart and our family knows well. A rack that would be large enough to hold trays was my thought. Who doesn’t need a wall to hold trays? or plates? to share a favorite recipe? This one is inspired by the best and adds beauty and purpose.

And, everyone who knows me knows I need storage racks for serving pieces!

I had the perfect cabinet end wall for this project. I knew how large I wanted it; and yet, I knew how I wanted it to speak about this family. From the heart and loud and clearly.

You see, this recipe wall in Thistlewood Farms’ home had a recipe added to the back of the plate rack.

I immediately knew which recipe would be showcased on my rack.

French muffins. No other could be there.

It all began with the most amazing teacher in a young women’s Sunday School class. At Christmas one year, she presented us with a little yellow book about entertaining with her recipes. Let me tell you, she was one amazing cook. If she recommended anything, it was gold.

In this little book, I found a recipe for French muffins. They had fresh grated nutmeg inside and were dipped into melted butter and a sugar/cinnamon mixture that was heavenly. We were smitten.

I had made those muffins in mini muffin tins from the beginning. Perfect size for little guys and the best ratio of butter and cinnamon/sugar to muffin bite. Yum!

This is the recipe that taught me what a Christmas tradition was.

For years I made them. Every. Christmas. Morning. There was one particular year, I decided to make monkey bread instead and surprise them.

Oh, my! Disastrous.

It was met with upset boys and husband and family members– never to be repeated.

Double batches of French muffins are now made every Christmas morning.

THIS was the recipe that would be showcased on that wall. Tucked behind that plate rack.

Now, this recipe is prepared at other holidays, too: Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays…any event that requires celebration!

Here’s how that project began.

We started with the structure first.

• It is important to remember that the depth of your framework and shelves to hold your plates/trays needs to fit the items that you want to store there. Measure the depth of those items you want to showcase there to make certain that you will be happy with the fit.

• We measured the wall; selected the trim and framework for the tray racks; cut them to fit; matched the paint to use; painted all of those pieces; carefully marked where they should be hung; and attached the frame first and the racks in place.

• At this next stage, we leveled, drilled, screwed and puttied each part of the framework and rack until it was just right.

Next came the creation of the recipe for the plate rack wall.

• First, I selected the font, size and vinyl for the recipe wall. You can use a Cricut, Silhouette, Scan and Cut or other vinyl cutter to help you with this step.

• I then measured the plate rack openings and planned for the size of each strip to fit into the framework before cutting the vinyl.

• Laying out that vinyl recipe followed. I had taken note of cutting each part of that recipe into strips to fit into each section of the plate rack.
• The hard part of centering and lining the recipe to fit evenly between the racks behind where the trays would sit became the next challenge.
• Don’t forget to use a level to level all strips as you line them up in each section.

• We then began taping those strips of letters in place and pressing down each strip.
• Next, we removed the backing of each, making sure that they adhered to the wall.

TIP: I actually taped the recipe to the wall next to plate rack just to make sure that I was taping the strips in order!

My heart sang when I added those trays to the plate rack.

That inspirer had struck again.

And, can I tell you that I am over the moon with the finished product?

I change those Nora Fleming platter minis with the season and add seasonal platters, too.

I looked for some platters that might be great to add to a plate rack.

I’m attaching links for your convenience to help you create your personal look. These cost no more to you, but may help the blog as an Amazon affiliate. See my disclosure policy.

This rack is the perfect storage spot for my serving trays.

To show off their beauty and store them safely. Brilliant!

A plate rack that speaks to my heart.

Now, I’m planning a wall of cabinets on the other side of the doorway in the dining room.

And guess what?

Another rack will be added to the end of that cabinet for the perfect compliment to the plate/tray rack and for storage. For what?!

You will just have to wait and see.