Monogramming Projects

Upgrade an inexpensive set of dinnerware to "good china" status with a single black monogram in Harrington type. By limiting your stenciling to oversize chargers, you can mix and match the dishware that goes on top. When working with glossy-finish ceramics, give your paint something to stick to by prepping with clear matte spray. Or try using a wooden plate spray-painted in any color you like.

 

Large flat accessories, such as trays, provide a perfect canvas for paint. Here, a generously proportioned Edwardian-script E is encircled with a wreath motif taken from a separate stencil. To use two stencils on one surface, allow the first to dry before starting the second.

 

Pump up a plain pillow with a traditional three-letter monogram, or make a bold statement with one big character, such as this K in Castellar type.

Remove the pillow stuffing and insert a flat piece of cardboard to provide support behind the fabric for stenciling and to keep paint from bleeding to the back of the pillow cover. Replace the stuffing after the paint dries.

 

The inherent dressiness of monograms makes them the natural candidate for special accessories such as chair covers. Slip them on and off as occasions warrant. This cover features an M in Harrington type and an intricate border borrowed from a purchased stencil. Matching the paint color to the chair cover's piping creates a tailored look.

 

A pair of monogrammed planters flanking a front door can add a formal punch to a home's entrance. Or consider embellishing with numbers for a twist on the traditional address marker. This planter was coated with two layers of paint in varying shades of green, the lighter of which was sponge-painted on top. The letter T in a Harrington font was added once the base coat dried.

 

Add an elegant touch to table linens, such as this napkin and place mat, using French script initials in two sizes. When stenciling table linens, consider how they will be folded and where plates will rest to avoid covering up the lettering. Keep your color choice muted for a classic look; try primary colors or pastels for a detail that's casual and fun.