apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

How long is your wall? If you can, I would display them gallery-style: one row, evenly spaced - like they are art objects. Prop them up on some of those picture ledges. I would paint the wall a warm, neutral color, too.
This might look really cool in a long hallway...

You might also try displaying them in a grid bookcase like the Ikea Expedit, alternating with books and other art objects...

I know this has been addressed on AT before, but it doesn't really matter whether monograms or done or not, does it? It's just something you want to do in your home for yourself.

Nothing says narcissim like a wall full of letters that happen to be the first letter of your name. Seriously, like discussed in the other thread, boring, boring, boring!

I would chose a wall and collage them—rotating different E's and "interlocking" the serifs and the 3 "arms" of the E's. Upside down, backwardsThis way, it will be more organic and perceived as patterened artwork and unique—rather than the same old monograms lined up on the wall.

Plenty of other things say narcissism quite clearly.

My sister's name is Ee. I kid you not.

Some great ideas everyone, thanks so much!

I was thinking a square or rectangular arrangement -- as long as the outside edges of the square line up "clean," you can do what you want in the middle, including Aaron's collage. You could even create the outside lines by having all the E's facing their little arms inward, with their long back forming the implied frame.

Alternatively, organize all your little E's into a giant E pattern, using the same principle.

I think it would be awesome if you added an Enron logo to your collection! Very ironic/postmodernist hip ;-).

it might be interesting, as well, to group more than one E per shelf. especially if you have some that make interesting size, color, material, or font contrasts.

Hang them in all directions like a funky Eye Chart.

I've enjoyed the few apartment tours and slide shows where people have one letter displayed somewhere. But I don't think I could do a big display of Es. It seems like there is something more creative that you could collect. So if you have a bunch to display, I'd go the route of putting them in subtle, unexpected places. Above doorframes, tucked in corners, etc. Not as a big center of attention.

If you hang them vertically, on a narrow wall, I think it will look less country-style. ;) If you paint the wall a bright colour (perhaps fucsia?) I think the letters will look more like a reference to pop art and graphic design and less like grandpa's country store.

E
e
e
E
E
e
e

The blue letters may be the reason you think it might look country. Have you thought about painting them? Bright colors or even black would give it a modern vibe.

I've created a little graphic to show you what I mean. It sorts of looks child-like with these bright colours, but it could also be considered whimiscal...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72524617@N00/216070494/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72524617@N00/216070492/in/photostream/

While I think it's a relatvely boring idea and a bit too obvious to go and seek out these items (a bit different if you've been collecting them for years) I do have a suggestion as to how to display them...

Shadowbox them in identically sized clean black or white boxes. Center the letter in the frame and make it appear suspended. This will unify the letters and declare them as objects. It will also isolate them from the wall and eachother so that they don't look haphazzard.

That being said be particular about the letters you choose...don't simply go out and buy a whole bunch of e's. Be selective and if it takes some time to build a collection so be it-that's what collecting is all about. It will be glaringly obvious if the letters are mass purchased and frankly when someone asks about them saying "Oh, I eBay'ed them last week" is so lame.

Think about this if you're intending to build a collection: Variations on a theme

Thanks again everyone for the input. My dad got me a big "E" when I was little that I used to store all my little toys on. Through the years it has served different purposes and has been painted different colors. I still have it, it is currently black and is the inspiration for this project. I plan on painting all the "E's" black to match. I love the frame and shelf suggestions and also the vertical arrangement. I'm excited to try some of these ideas!

Wow, I can just imagine the rage and ridicule that I would endure if I suggested to you miserable crew of ingrates that I wanted to drip my walls with my frickin' initials.

Julian's shadowbox idea sounds really nice. And I echo his sentimenta about buying an instant collection.

We have a lot of letters and I tuck them in little spots around the house. I tried displaying them all together, but then was overwhelmed at the sheer volume - it made too much of a statement and looked very busy.

maybe you could also find some vinyl wall decals with your initials (blik, etc) - that would allow you to move your installation but still provide a lot of impact. I think you can also stack the decals and make a neat looking display. I agree with the others that a more abstract look (turned different ways, etc) is a good way to go.

I love DesignMilk's suggestion for a funky eye chart. I'd even go with just a huge copy of an eye chart created with your Es. As for whether something is over or not, if it's for your home and you love it, it's not over, it's just your thing.

as a collector of various things, i fail to see how it's somehow disingenous to purchase items for one's collection. how, pray tell, do you propose we acquire these things? because most collectors i know spend tons of spare time perusing eBay, local secondhand shops, etc. searching for that perfect addition to the collection.

it's not like we're just ordering it all in from pottery barn or anthropologie.

i especially find it silly in that it's apparently ok to one-stop shop for 'collectible' furniture at DWR, but it's apparently not ok to troll ebay looking for that perfect hand-painted letter.

are these things just supposed to fall from the sky?

But opoponax, collections are supposed to be lovingly built over decades, each item (a) hand made by a dear friend's aunt, who shared her humorous stories of being a hoochie dancer during WWII; (b) hand made by indigenous peoples and obtained during a deeply meaningful hike up the Amazon River with three shamans (shamen?); (c) bought in a little store in Paris that has since gone belly-up as it never put a sign out; (d) found in a rural barn belonging to an owner who thought it was worthless and gave it away; (e) discovered at the bottom of a box in a flea market, the top layers of which were filled with worthless fastfood memorabilia.

Sorry, I'm having a mercilessly sarcastic day. Pass the gin. Smack me with a rolled-up Wall Street Journal.

Honestly, the more I see on eBay, the less I want to collect anything, but that's definitely just me.

the more i look at ebay, the more i just save the PICTURES of the stuff I like. ...then i can look at them and enjoy them, and don't have to accumulate more/spend more. Virtual collection!

i guess some people would call it an 'inspiration file', but i'm not using it to inspire me in any particular direction.

Erica, I think the first suggestion (Holly's) was the best: string them out horizontally, as an art installation. Totally not country. Also, please, please, please do not paint them. You'll decrease their value and make it less interesting. Their very found object quality gives them character. One more thing--ignore all the obnoxious comments regarding narcissism. They're wrong.

wende, every day, I love you a little bit more. When ARE you coming to BC to visit me?

I think whatever you love, however you collect it, you should never consider it "in or out" based on other people's bluster. Have confidence in your collection and display it proudly. No one else has the right to determine what is best for you.

I love tropical plants. I have about 35. I collect them, and spend a lot of time caring for them and ensuring they are beautifully displayed. I know very well that houseplants are considered "out," and mass houseplants are considered "very out." Some people probably think I'm a pathetic '70s leftover (although I'm only 37). But I don't really care, because my indoor garden gives me joy and peace every single day.

while you're at it you should do a warhol-esque painting with your face in 4 different color schemes.

I've got letters and books about letters and fonts and all of that all over my place. I think the best modern way to hang them is to just hang them cleanly simply and in straight lines.

I also have them leaned againts walls and window sills and under tables.

I think that they get really cheezy and premeditated when you start 'displaying them' too elaborately.... I also like leaving them strewn around so that I can create new words or non-words on a whim

yeah, eBay kinda scares me. and i'll say that most of my collections involve things that can't entirely be shopped for.

but for a long time i collected old typewriters. i found my first typewriter (a tres mod portable smith corona) on Park Avenue on trash day, in perfect condition. thereafter, i bought some at garage sales, got a few at Materials For The Arts when i had access to that, etc. etc. i don't think i ever went to antique shops or eBay before finally realizing i had too damn many typewriters, but i would have. i see no difference between doing that and buying an eames lounge chair new from MoMA.

i like the shadowbox idea, but my first thought for a modern look would be the reverse; have boxes made for each letter and paint them white, the open side would face the wall it would look like an artist's canvas. each letter would be attached to a box and be an individual art piece.

I think the people who are saying (myself included) "don't buy an instant collection" would also say "don't buy an instant living room." Instant never looks as though much thought went into it - just my opinion.

eBay has its place. I also collect Florida memorabilia, particularly one specific pattern of drinking glasses. Through eBay I have been able to put together a decent collection. It has still taken years to find them, and I still seach for them, but I never would have been able to scour every garage sale, basement, etc. on foot.

Done, done, done to death.
My collection of letters is so 5 years ago that they have migrated out of the house, into the garden, and onto the fence.
They are all a little Mary Tyler Moore ish for my taste anymore ....but to each his own.

eBay has it's good points. When I inherited my mother's 1940 silver service for eight, I was able to expand it to 12 in about 3 months through purchases on eBay - and got some major bargains.

So check it out for your E's, but only bid on the ones your really love.

And f*ck those who think it's narcissistic or done to death. It's your space.

I think snarkily criticising strangers for superficial things like the way they decorate has been done to death, frankly. WTF is wrong with some of you people? No kittens to kick today?

All I can say is that there is a GORGEOUS apartment featured on the cover of this month's Metropolitan Home, and it has a big ole letter K right smack in the middle of the cover (and the living room).

I have personally never actually seen this in anyone's "real" home, so I'm not sure how it's "done to death." Do what you like, and don't worry about it.

Did someone say "kittens"....mmmmm....great with a little soy and ginger.

well she did *ask* "are monograms done?" i don't think the digs about narcissism and such like were called for, but... don't ask if you don't want an answer.

Yes. Of course. How silly of me. Asking honestly for people's input is actually an expression of the secret desire to be insulted by snarky, mean people.

"Dorianne" dahling....me think thou arest way too bitter, and way too snarky and mean thyself... WTF???
Did your scrips run out?

Jay, I don't think monograms are done at all. Look at Leontine Linens; that company has amazing, gorgeous linens based around monograms and other "classic" designs.

I have a different last name from my husband, so not sure how to handle monograms on things like sheets, though, darn it.

Ignoring opinions on whether monograms are 'over', here's some ideas your question prompted me to imagine:

1: Get some canvas and paint it in a style of Mark Rothko or W. Kandinsky's "Farbstudie Quadrate". Even divide the canvas by 4, 6 or 8 depending on how many E's you have. (The monograms, not the fun stuff)
Mount the monograms on the canvas. Some flush, some raised. Maybe even mount some smaller ones on top of larger E's. try find lower case ones too.
Possibly have them placed upside down or on their side too to break the monotony.

2: Get another canvas on a frame. Your choice of colour. Get a nice piece of linen or silk. Ask around to find the best way of adding glue to it to let it dry in a crumpled shape, Mount on the canvas. Add a monogrammed E to a corner reminiscent of a handkerchief. When asked, make something up such as "It's a reminder of a discarded era and lifestyle", nod thoughtfully and stroke your chin. ;)

3: Get a large 70's style round or square lampshade for a standing lamp. Fit or have it fitted with new material. Secure the monograms all around it. Add to your lampstand of choice.

I particularly like the large blue enamel E's. If you are resourceful possibly mount these away from the wall 1"-2" and put a few small LED lights behind for dramatic night time effects.
Glowing Eees...

Just to add something else to the mix, I like the photos on page 26 of the CB2 catalog. It is perhaps a way to collect letters in a different and more "arty" way.

put `em all on a display shelf from ikea or pottery barn or target.

mary tyler moore has an M on her wall, i think it's cool and retro.

Who cares if something is "done" or not?!
Being too aware of that is as boring as much as being overly predictable.
I say give it a whirl if it excites you - if you are like most people on here - your walls will be different in a year or two (or sooner) so have fun with it.
Glad to notice you haven't made any snarly comebacks -Good for you.
P.S. I did the eye-chart idea..

I mean "dig" the eye-chart idea.