Monogram-a-holic!

My name is Nikki and I’m a monogram-a-holic. Not long ago, I was not comfortable talking about my addiction. I tried to hide it from my family and friends; but, when my three favorite letters started popping up on pillows, towels, silver spoons and trays, my husband was quickly on to me.  I think it was the large embroidered “B” on my shower curtain that compelled him to ask – what’s with the obsession? 

The answer was simple.  Monograms and initials, in every form, are beautiful.  They personalize your home, they are great conversation starters, and gosh darn, I just plain love them!

My personal philosophy on monograms follows traditional schools of thought:

• The monogram in your home should always represent the woman of the house
• A traditional monogram is:
• small initial of your first name, large initial of your last name, small initial of your middle or maiden name

I think there is one exception to the rule. I love the idea of embroidering a beautiful "married" monogram on a European size pillow to display in the middle of your bed. Follow this pattern:

• small initial of wife's first name, large initial of your shared married last name, small initial of husband's first name
  

 It's a wonderful way to visually depict two becoming one.

Happy monogramming!

Rack 'em up!

I don't know about you, but I quite literally despise towel racks that are made from chintzy metal.  You know the ones I'm talking about, they are in almost all hardware stores, new construction homes, even old construction homes! Boring. Blah. Not cute!

While I recognize the job of holding up a wet towel is not exactly glamorous, that doesn't mean the rack can't be. Below are two re-purposing ideas for creating unique towel racks with  charm. 

1. Find some old cast iron hooks.
 

I love hooks! Check out this great set that I have hanging in my master bathroom. Not only do they look great, they are so functional.  Forget hanging one wet towel, I can hang eight if I really wanted to (but I don't). Typically I hang two wet towels; but with these hooks, I have room to hang miscellaneous clothing items too! I love it when style meets function.

2. Hang up some old spindles.

You heard me. Old spindles. In my spare bathroom I took a set of old spindles that I found at a local salvage warehouse.  These beauties used to support what I imagine was a beautiful staircase railing. Now they are re-purposed to hold my...say it with me...wet towel. I actually have two types of spindle towel racks in my guest bathroom:  a single and double version.  The single rack hangs next to my sink and holds an embroidered "welcome" hand towel.  The double version holds a guest bath towel and a monogrammed hand towel. To be honest, this option is more style than function.  Though not ideal for long term storage of wet towels, short term hangs should be perfectly fine.

Happy Showering!