When Mongrams Work for Me

I am not someone who believes in putting a monogram on everything under the sun. I like it on a well-placed French cuff, on a sterling silver hairbrush, and a few other places, but I’d never put it on a water bottle (I don’t like or use those popular types anyway), wouldn’t put it on a pinky ring, a smoking jacket, embroidered slippers, and would never  buy a wreath or doormat with it.

Generally, I like it on quieter items and a few other things that I feel seem special. For the most part, you’ll find my monogram, or my husband’s, embroidered on dinner napkins and cocktail napkins here.

This set of napkins has been perfect for when we eat outside because the colors compliment my favorite outdoors tablecloth. They are a beautiful weighty linen with a hemstitching detail and feel so fresh and pretty on the patio table. 

Inside, for casual meals, I have this set that washes so easily and feels slightly rustic, by comparison. They go with everything that isn’t formal, and I never worry if someone has a major spill.

Our bar area overlooks a spot with a blue and red striped carpet and I wanted to highlight that with these cocktail napkins I had made for my husband. They are Frette linen (one of my all-time favorites) and I had them embroidered in a nice navy blue. I’ll make another post about these pewter tankards. 

While obviously not a monogram, I had fun with this set of embroidered towels I put out for guests in our guest bathroom. The number is significant to us and they are simple enough that nobody worries they are too precious to use. I love details like this that give our house some personality.

I have this lovely little table atop which rests these antique sterling silver hair and wardrobe brushes from ancestors of mine. They have hand-engraved linear designs, and are thus a pain to polish, and monograms. To pair with them I have hair combs, nail files, button fasteners and other small accessories all monogrammed from these family members.

I have possession of this antique tie clasp with a tiny monogram on it. Unfortunately, nobody recalls where it came from, but a monogram on something like this is understated and feels special.

Perhaps my favorite personal use of a monogram was on my wedding aisle runner. My brother’s girlfriend painted our monogram at the base of our aisle runner and it was so gorgeous and unique. I wish I had a photo to share.

My tips for monograms are to relegate them to more intimate objects such as items you’d keep in your dressing room, keepsakes that are engraved or embroidered that will be passed down through the generations