Decorating
Decorating: Smart Ways to Add a Personal Touch With Monograms
Use lovely letters and intriguing initials all over your home for a design motif unique to you
The high street is awash with personalised pieces to make your home stand out from the run-of-the-mill and the mass-produced. One way to add a tailored touch is with monogramming, the ultimate form of customisation. It’s an ancient art that’s as striking, stylish and relevant today as it was when it was first developed back in the classical period of the Romans and Greeks. Monogramming became a symbol of aristocracy into the Victorian era, latterly becoming an indication of style and quality – think of Louis Vuitton or Coco Chanel’s famous initialled logos.
But monogramming can be as homely as it is high-end. There’s something charming about seeing your family’s initials or a collection of letters embroidered neatly across a pillowcase or adorning a wall: it stakes a claim to something, adds a certain sentimental value and instantly lifts a previously unremarkable piece into something special, sophisticated and specific to you.
But monogramming can be as homely as it is high-end. There’s something charming about seeing your family’s initials or a collection of letters embroidered neatly across a pillowcase or adorning a wall: it stakes a claim to something, adds a certain sentimental value and instantly lifts a previously unremarkable piece into something special, sophisticated and specific to you.
Stamp it out
If fine linens and hand-embroidered details aren’t really your thing, this is still a look you can embrace, because monogramming can take on many guises. In fact, unpolished, rustic versions can make just as much impact as traditional techniques.
For a cute, unassuming look, try your hand at making a cushion from burlap – a coarse woven cloth made from jute, hemp or flax – and block print a black letter boldly on the front. Ready-made alphabet stamps are widely available.
If fine linens and hand-embroidered details aren’t really your thing, this is still a look you can embrace, because monogramming can take on many guises. In fact, unpolished, rustic versions can make just as much impact as traditional techniques.
For a cute, unassuming look, try your hand at making a cushion from burlap – a coarse woven cloth made from jute, hemp or flax – and block print a black letter boldly on the front. Ready-made alphabet stamps are widely available.
Know your place
These metal wall letters add a cheery, playful spin to the bathroom and remind everyone which taps are theirs! (It would also work above toothbrush holders or face towels if multiple taps aren’t a consideration.) The plain white metro tiles are the perfect retro backdrop for the bold letter plaques and quirky crimson basin.
These metal wall letters add a cheery, playful spin to the bathroom and remind everyone which taps are theirs! (It would also work above toothbrush holders or face towels if multiple taps aren’t a consideration.) The plain white metro tiles are the perfect retro backdrop for the bold letter plaques and quirky crimson basin.
Take a bold approach
Tap into this historical tradition by incorporating some monogrammed bed linen into your scheme – it’s a wonderful way to transform plain white pillowcases into treasured keepsakes or family heirlooms.
Traditionally, white cotton was embroidered onto white linens for a restrained elegance, but today – particularly in a child’s bedroom – dare to be flamboyant with brightly coloured lettering and sparkly, metallic threads. The combination of crimson, powder blue and pure white here is fresh and inspiring and would suit any age.
Tap into this historical tradition by incorporating some monogrammed bed linen into your scheme – it’s a wonderful way to transform plain white pillowcases into treasured keepsakes or family heirlooms.
Traditionally, white cotton was embroidered onto white linens for a restrained elegance, but today – particularly in a child’s bedroom – dare to be flamboyant with brightly coloured lettering and sparkly, metallic threads. The combination of crimson, powder blue and pure white here is fresh and inspiring and would suit any age.
Dine in style
This is how to do sophisticated dining in true style. The earthy yet elegant colour palette, the fancy-framed mirror and the pretty glass chandeliers create a classic space and set the tone for formal dinners with friends, or proper sit-around-the-table mealtimes with family. But it’s the chic monogrammed linen chair covers that elevate this eating and drinking area to a space with serious class.
This is how to do sophisticated dining in true style. The earthy yet elegant colour palette, the fancy-framed mirror and the pretty glass chandeliers create a classic space and set the tone for formal dinners with friends, or proper sit-around-the-table mealtimes with family. But it’s the chic monogrammed linen chair covers that elevate this eating and drinking area to a space with serious class.
Style up your initials
You don’t have to spend a fortune on monogrammed goods, as many high-street stores now stock a range of ready-made alphabet cushions. Pick out a letter for every member of the family and scatter them around your living room for a real sense of belonging.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on monogrammed goods, as many high-street stores now stock a range of ready-made alphabet cushions. Pick out a letter for every member of the family and scatter them around your living room for a real sense of belonging.
Make an entrance
Branding your home with initials isn’t just confined to cloth and this straightforward idea is one that most novice DIYers could easily achieve at home. Invest in some good-quality letter stencils – either old fashioned italics or a plain modern font – and spray-paint onto the front of your bedroom door.
Depending on your household, you could go for one full name, or combine your initials with your partner’s. It’s a quick way to add personality to your décor and, perhaps, lay claim to the biggest bedroom in the house!
Branding your home with initials isn’t just confined to cloth and this straightforward idea is one that most novice DIYers could easily achieve at home. Invest in some good-quality letter stencils – either old fashioned italics or a plain modern font – and spray-paint onto the front of your bedroom door.
Depending on your household, you could go for one full name, or combine your initials with your partner’s. It’s a quick way to add personality to your décor and, perhaps, lay claim to the biggest bedroom in the house!
Rev up the romance
Monogrammed linens make for the perfect wedding gift. How romantic to start married life with crisp new white bed linen and be able to plump the pillows or cushions each day and see your initials nestling side by side. Here, the fresh white linens are the perfect foil to the warmer golden tones of this inviting room, and allow the black lettering to really stand out.
Monogrammed linens make for the perfect wedding gift. How romantic to start married life with crisp new white bed linen and be able to plump the pillows or cushions each day and see your initials nestling side by side. Here, the fresh white linens are the perfect foil to the warmer golden tones of this inviting room, and allow the black lettering to really stand out.
Fashion a DIY lampshade
This is such a sweet, homespun idea that will pep up a plain old lampshade without costing the earth. Plan out a monogrammed logo or simple initials
with some colourful felt, a stencil and a sharp knife, or make life even easier by picking up some ready-made felt letters from a craft store. Simply stick these to the outside of your shade and – voila – a personalised item you’d be hard-pressed to find in the shops.
Be inspired by more ideas for leftover materials
This is such a sweet, homespun idea that will pep up a plain old lampshade without costing the earth. Plan out a monogrammed logo or simple initials
with some colourful felt, a stencil and a sharp knife, or make life even easier by picking up some ready-made felt letters from a craft store. Simply stick these to the outside of your shade and – voila – a personalised item you’d be hard-pressed to find in the shops.
Be inspired by more ideas for leftover materials
Hang up a giant wall letter
Your choice of letter can mean many things to many people. If your name is Adam or Alice in this house, fair enough, but equally you might choose a certain letter or set of initials for an altogether different reason. Perhaps it is a symbol of a favourite country, a much-loved destination or even a restaurant where you’ve had a special meal. Let visitors start the guessing game…
TELL US…
Have you added a personal touch to your home with monograms or letters of the alphabet? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Your choice of letter can mean many things to many people. If your name is Adam or Alice in this house, fair enough, but equally you might choose a certain letter or set of initials for an altogether different reason. Perhaps it is a symbol of a favourite country, a much-loved destination or even a restaurant where you’ve had a special meal. Let visitors start the guessing game…
TELL US…
Have you added a personal touch to your home with monograms or letters of the alphabet? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Sometimes it’s the simple touches that are the most effective. These crisp black initials embroidered onto the edge of a plain white fabric blind transform it into a smart and snappy window treatment, suitable for any room in the house.
Seek out professional monogramming services or consider iron-on lettering – do a test-run with the latter to ensure the quality of the product passes muster.