January 7, 2004

By LISA MARTIN / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

For a letter-perfect statement of fashion and elegance, nothing says y-o-u like a monogram. And classic though it may be, the monogram is being redefined at home, with single letters showing up everywhere from freestanding ornaments to painted platters and pillows.

This holiday season, in fact, monogramming has been the hottest thing going, retailers say.

"It's clearly a big trend right now," says Eddie Nunns, vice president of creative services for Neiman Marcus Direct. "We're seeing monograms on a huge range of items, including furniture, tuffets, ornaments, billiard balls and desk sets. I've tried to think about why the monogram is so strong at the moment. I think the reason is that sometimes the world seems so big in so many ways that people are just trying to find their niche as individuals. The monogram is an expression of that."

Adds Christy Terrill, manager of Pratesi Linens in Dallas: "People just love seeing their initials on things. It's pretty. And the monogram can add another dimension, especially when it's in a unique color."

Ms. Terrill says her luxury linens shop sold many monogrammed towels and robes throughout autumn. "I had a customer come in and buy towels and robes that coordinate, and then had them monogrammed," she says. "It's a wonderful look."

Meanwhile, a company spokeswoman says Williams-Sonoma did a land-office business this year with monograms. Catalog customers, in particular, had a host of options. Initials were emblazoned on ice buckets, water pitchers, doormats, napkins, cheese servers, flatware, steak brands and caviar holders. Corporate cousin Pottery Barn sold plenty of goods personalized with initials: Christmas stockings, throws, kids' chairs, candles.

Things Remembered stores, which are in the business of monogramming, report interest from customers in personalized poker sets, door knockers, clocks and dog beds.

At Lands' End (now part of the Sears family), in addition to the standard sweaters and button-downs, customers wanted monogrammed household items: baby blankets, pet beds, luggage and totes. Locally, at Lisa Luby Ryan in Snider Plaza, monogrammed aprons are popular.

Says Michelle Lamb, editor of The Trend Curve, a publication that tracks trends in home decor and other categories: "In today's market, the more personal something is, the better."

At the same time, she thinks the return of the monogram reflects a new interest in formality at home: "Monograms were 'out' in the '90s because they were associated with the ostentation of the late '70s and '80s. [Now] people aren't afraid of that look."

Ms. Lamb was speaking, of course, of the 1970s and '80s, but the monogram has its roots in the 1870s and earlier.

"In the 19th century, French kings began to embroider their linens with coats of arms and crests," says Caroline Brackenridge, owner of Monogram Inc. in New York. "Soon, others followed suit, and so began the evolution of the embroidered monogram."

Ms. Brackenridge, the subject of a profile in the September issue of Vogue, is intent on reviving quality monogramming in the United States with her new line of custom products. Others, like Sheri Bedell, a vendor at the McKinney Avenue Antique Market, are catering to an increased demand for heirloom-quality vintage linens that already have monograms.

"They are really works of art," she says of the hand-embroidered pieces, which are both American and European in origin. "Oftentimes, the fabric itself was woven by hand; the monogram, which was also hand-embroidered, is a wonderful finishing touch."

Ms. Bedell, who acquires her wares primarily from estate sales, flea markets and a network of contacts in the industry, says hankies, towels and baby linens remain popular. "I sell many elaborately monogrammed white-on-white handkerchiefs for weddings," she says. "It's the bride's 'something old.' "

Ms. Bedell says vintage items are versatile. "They don't have to be your initials to look great in the house," she says. "Vintage monogrammed linens look great in any setting, whether it's a traditional house or a very modern home."

And, sometimes, an eager customer gets lucky and stumbles upon his or her monogram, which is hard to resist. "I just sold a headboard and matching armoire from 1860s France that have the initials 'BB' carved into them," says Tina Stevens, an interior designer with Inessa Stewart's Antiques in Dallas. "The guy who just bought it was named Bob Black. It was too perfect!"

A couple of years ago, prowling through Horchow Finale on Mockingbird Lane, I came upon two porcelain teacups adorned with the initials of my maiden name. I snapped them up and wished there had been others. The white teacups with gold script are very traditional. (They now hold my paper clips.)

Donald Fowler, an associate with the Home Collection at Stanley Korshak, appreciates a contemporary twist on the traditional monogram. Among his favorite monogrammed pieces: a custom frame on which the back legs are a monogram and a porcelain teacup with a handle that's a monogram fashioned from sterling silver.

"A monogram is a great way to make a gift that might otherwise seem kind of random be very unique and personal," Mr. Fowler says.

For a stylish, somewhat quirky look, Mr. Fowler recommends mixing and matching monograms on a table. "You can collect old china, stemware and flatware from different places and put it all together. It's details like that that add so much interest."

In a bedroom of a client's young daughter, Dallas interior designer Charlotte Comer attached vintage hankies, many of them monogrammed, to an antique screen.

Another idea of Ms. Comer's: "I like to use old sheets as slipcovers and let the monogram show."

Often, her customers don't care whether the monogram is wholly different from theirs. Others are more specific in their requests. "I have this one client who is collecting antique linens for her granddaughter," she says. "She likes to make sure that at least one initial of the child's is present."

Whether yours or a stranger's, monogrammed items add undeniable panache to a home.

"The thing about a monogram is that it adds a sense of history to something," Mr. Fowler says. "Whether it's brand-new or very, very old, there's history behind it."

Mr. Nunns adds: "The monogram is always appropriate. You just can't go wrong with it in the home."

Lisa Martin is an Arlington freelance writer.