Upcycled Chipped Plate Idea

Turn a Chipped Vintage Plate into Heirloom-Inspired DIY Decor

This chipped plate makeover is a beautiful way to preserve a vintage heirloom. See how I transformed it into DIY ribbon art styled in our dining room vignette.

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Do you ever look at something old and chipped and see possibility instead of trash? If you’ve been around Vintage Style Gal long enough, then you know I’m a firm believer in second chances—especially when it comes to well-loved pieces from the past. Today’s DIY came about thanks to a very sentimental platter that’s seen better days but still had more to give. With a little ribbon, glue, and nostalgia, we’re transforming a family heirloom into wall-worthy art.

You know me... always finding a way to keep another item around the house. I have spoke many times about the auction we had at my grandma's house. I think some of you think she has passed, but no, she is living in a nursing care facility now. She is getting closer to 103 every day. I know, can you imagine? I really can't. 

I’m not even sure I’d want to be here that long. How about you? Think of all the changes in her lifetime—from typewriters to computers, landlines to smartphones, long chats on the phone to short texts and emojis. That’s a lot of history packed into one life, and we haven't even brushed the surface. 

One thing that hasn’t changed? Rosezella’s beautiful dish collection. My sister bid on a lot during the auction, and this platter was part of it. She decided to pass on this one to me because of all the chips. God love her, but Grandma was hard on her dishes. Some escaped unscathed… but others, like this one, have stories written in every crack and chip.

If you’ve read along with me for a while, you know I’ve got a big sentimental heart. I struggle to part with anything that once belonged to our families—even pieces from my husband’s side, folks I’ve never even met. There’s just something magical about sentimental home decor, items passed down through generations, items eventually ending up in my lap. Maybe it’s my vintage heart, or my love of nostalgia. Either way, I’m always here for giving the past a little space in the present.

This plate could no longer serve up delicious treats—too many cracks and crevices for bacteria to call home. But the edges are worn smooth, almost like someone had run their fingers over them for 50 years. And those delicate floral details? Still just as stunning. I couldn’t let it go, probably much like my grandma who still found beauty in this platter.

With recent home repairs, the platter resurfaced onto our kitchen countertop, and as I tend to do, it sat there for about a week while I mulled over what to do with it. Night after night as I made dinner, I’d pick it up, stare at it, and wonder: what can you become?

At one point, I considered breaking it and turning it into jewelry. But I’ve never done that before, and I wasn’t ready to risk it. Then I remembered a childhood memory—my mom working on a project with gathered ribbon. I don’t remember the item she made, but I vividly recall those ruffled edges. That memory gave me an idea.

Let’s see how this chipped and cracked platter—our beautiful vintage Easter egg—turned out, shall we?

How to Upcycle Chipped Dishes Into Vintage-Inspired Decor

Materials:

1. Old chipped vintage plate 
2. 18 feet gross-grain ribbon, I used navy blue
3. Glue gun
4. Glue sticks 
5. Stiff paint brush
6. Rubbing alcohol, Q-tip

Instructions:

• Clean your plate thoroughly.

• Begin at the bottom: apply glue directly to the plate and press the ribbon firmly into place.

• Create a loop with the ribbon, glue under the fold, and continue this all the way up one side.

• Repeat on the other side, starting again from the bottom.

• Cut and secure ribbon at the top.

• Make a bow (I used the same ribbon) and hot glue it at the top.

• Use a stiff brush to remove glue strings.

• For stubborn spots, rub a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol over the glue until it releases.

• Hang on the wall or nestle into your spring décor!

Do you know how excited I was that this idea worked? You can see by some of my photos that I had clumps of glue that I thought would ruin the entire project, but no, the rubbing alcohol trick worked! I couldn't believe it. I am glad I stuck with it.

You may wonder why I had another run of ribbon on the plate in my photos before I got started? Well, I really did think I was going to use the white and gold ribbon, I like to give an idea of my process. The more I looked at that ribbon, I thought no, this is all wrong for this plate, or erm... our happy vintage Easter egg. We need a strong frame that will highlight the beauty inside.  

I envisioned black gross-grain ribbon with small white polka dots... only when I went downstairs, no such luck with that sort of ribbon in my stash. And... I did say we are only working with what we have. I really do need to get some of my supplies used, our basement is looking quite full these days, so back to the drawing board I went.

Then I saw the navy blue, and thought oh... a pink polka dot would be adorable and bring out the pink flowers on the plate. Guess what? The paint pen did not show up on the ribbon, which stumped me since one would think paint would show. 

So, we took another detour, and ended with plain navy blue ribbon, and I have to say, I am kind of in love with this old, worn, well-loved plate from Grandma. If I remember with the chaos of the holidays, I am planning to take this upcycled vintage plate to Easter dinner to see what she thinks. 

For now, it’s sitting pretty in a wooden box with the rest of our spring vignette. I am kind of sweet on stacking dishes, and placed a teacup on top of the stack. I added a few sprigs of greenery, and some flower and bird design tags I worked on last year. I added a cloche over our teacup for a finished look. 

I need to find a hanger so I can hang her on the wall

The cloche no longer has the marble cheese plate that would have sat under it years ago, it became our paper towel roll holder. Since I do not like to waste anything, I am using it all this year, and figured why not? It definitely goes with my maximalist personality that is for sure. 

So, just when you think all is lost on a well loved family heirloom, don't give up. Just give it a new look. It may not be able to be used for it's original purpose, but that's what we do here, we upcycle, we give new life to the worn, well-loved pieces we cannot seem to let go of. So stick around, for more upcycling ideas. I have an entire stack of lovely pinecone plates that I am just not sure what I will do with yet, but I will let you know when I figure it out. 

Next time you come across something a little chipped or past its prime, ask yourself—could this be something beautiful again? Around here, the answer is always yes.

xo,

Cara