you said: "where can i find cute switchplates?"
Mary sent us an email a couple weeks back that said: “I’d love to find some online sources for interesting, retro, fun, cool light switch covers. There’s a lot of crap out there.”
We have to admit this question stumped us a bit. You’re right! There is a lot of crap out there. When we need switch plates (rarely) we go to Gracious Home, here in NYC, which has a nice selection of not-your-average hardware. So we did a little research and did find a few places.
Baldwin Hardware, has a nice selection including this colonial designed toggle switch plate (top row, right). It’s not for sale online though, so you’ll have to check for stores near you.
Switch Hits has a ton to choose from (some of it crap-like) but some of it quite cute like this francia one, top row left, which is a little shabby chic to us.
Speaking of shabby chic, Target has a great selection, including the Shabby Chic designed one, bottom row, middle.
At house of antique hardware you can choose between styles like art deco, bottom row, left, and arts & craft style.
Metro Retro has some that are decidedly kitch, but others that are kinda mod, top row, middle.
If you’re looking for something specific, try eBay. we found this double toile one for $6, bottom row, right, or vintage Wedgwood ones.
Also, check out these DYI instructions on how to make your newsprint covered plate at Off Beat Living. What about you? got any great sources for light switchplates? Please share!
When I bought my house, the first thing I did was swap out all the old, gross switch, outlet, and vent covers with new, brushed silver ones. The switch and outlet covers were less than a buck each at Home Depot. The vent covers were around $15. Replacing them all cost less than $75 but made a huge difference.
Dunno if they have them anymore — it was a few years ago I spotted them there — but Anthropologie used to have a nice selection of interesting ones.
Aside from SwitchHits (and ooh, is there ever a lot of crap there), there’s also switchplategallery.com (a bit kitschy for me, and not in a fun retro way) and switchplates.com (“Art Plates Inc” – commonly reproduced artwork, lots of Van Gogh, a fun Day of the Dead section).
We have these great switchplate covers that were made by Silvestri a few years back that are sort of arty sculptural cats with women hidden in their faces and beaded tails and charms hanging off their feet – they’re not polished and elegant, but they’re pretty cool. At any rate, we can’t find them anywhere anymore. And when we moved 3 years ago, my mom forgot to take my Raphael Chocolat vintage advertisement switchplate off the kitchen wall: GE made them a few years ago, sold them in Target, now I can’t find one anywhere to replace it. It’s a little bit too precious to be elegant, but I thought it was cute for a kitchen with a lot of warm tones.
I have struggled with finding classy and cute switchplates for years. And I have finally found the best website for you to visit. I have furnished all of my home with Kyle Design. She has Art Deco, Craftsmen, Bamboo and even Cat and Dog switchplates. You can mix and match metal finishes to match a rooms decor and tone. She evens has other household and gift items. Her switchplates are even on some of the sites above.
I noticed recently some switchplates on this website called etsy. The lady I bought from was CeaCeas. I’ve purchased other ones here and there, but was never liked the lines in the finish, the backs are all so horribly messy and although they don’t show you can tell a lot about someone’s craftsmanship when they can be messy but chose not to. That’s what I liked about this lady’s plates, plus her finish is the best finish yet that I’ve seen on a switchplate. I emailed her once I had my plates and asked her where did she get her finish at and guess what she told me? That her husband manufactured her very own finish. She needs to have a website. These switchplates look almost factory made. Check her out at http://www.etsy.com Her name is CeaCea and you;ll love her switcplates.
Another place to look is Habitatter.com
I love this website called Habitatter.com. They have the coolest stuff, and they are really nice too! Highly recommended!