apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Not quite a large letter, but we did find a huge sign that says "shoes" a few months ago, which we've hung in an otherwise odd spot of our loft. Check out the last photo here:

http://visualingual.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/the-state-of-smiths-toggery-shoppe/

I love these examples, being a typography geek myself, but they are infinitely cooler if they're real vintage artifacts, rather than something bought at Pottery Barn or wherever.

I loooove Gregory's loft (Gregory, if you're looking for a roommate, hit me up!)

I'd like to add some suggestions for how I might fill such an awesome space:

(Inspired by the post above) A decommissioned / vintage commercial sign.
A super-oversized clock
An arch lamp
A very tall sculpture (i.e. 9ft ), either DIY or local artist. For DIY, wire or carved wood assembled in pieces could be a relatively easy and inexpensive way to add some drama.
A very tall canvas (leaning and anchored). Assembly in sections could be a way to add height with ease.

I'm more of a "cool" decorator, though, so a hyper-minimalist (even barren) decor especially in a space like Gregory's doesn't bother me at all as long as the pieces that are there are high quality.

i prefer to sew them on my clothes, Lavergne DeFazio-style

All those big letters - It's getting a bit "Sesame Street" here...

I'm such a sucker for large typography as decor. I found a great ampersand at an antique fair a few months ago and I display it proudly.

http://thewifeofanartist.blogspot.com/2009/08/one-mans-trash-antique-fair-part-2.html

That big, red "S" so reminds me of a Warhol's dollar sign.

I interviewed a woman who embeds LEDs into soft household objects (pillows, sofas) to make a room light up like that S.

I love letters as decor. I found a delightful green A at Home Goods recently. For some reason they had it in the baby aisle. Normally I don't visit that section. Luckily I was wandering aimlessly that day. I've also had luck at thrift stores.

If you don't have an industrial elevator, these huge letters are a pain to haul up. I like letters, but I'm not panicked about filling up my loft space to make it look like an apartment--the open space is the point.

And unless you get these things right as the wrecking crew goes in, they're pricey. The light-up ones usually buzz and/or suck down the electric juice too. But they are cool.

very striking!