Decorating Guides
The Details: Using Typography in Design
Vintage Letters and Numbers Add Instant Interest to Walls, Furniture and More
Subway signs, London bus rolls, vintage typewriters, a new appreciation for letterpress, oversized numbers: It's official – typography has taken over. Even people who know nothing about graphic design know their Times New Roman from their Arial. Let's take a look at this design detail and all of the ways it's worked its way into our homes.
Vintage bus and subway signs have been much sought-after for the past few years. The trend hit the tipping point when chain stores started to sell new fake ones, but I still love the graphics and would not mind having one in my home. Remember how cool they were in J. Lo and Michael Vartan's bungalow in Monster-in-Law? Oh admit it, you saw it. Just say you saw it on a plane.
The typography on this modern shed recalls Robert Venturi's mad PoMo moves.
I'm not sure what the original use of these large metal typographical plates are, does anyone have a good guess? Let me know in the comments section.
This "F" is from a T.G.I. Friday's sign. I'd say this room has at least 15 pieces of flair.
This designer collected the letters from several sources such as Homegoods and put them all together to compose a typographical wall.
Side Note: She also constructed that headboard from some extra furniture packing material! It's a pallet.
Side Note: She also constructed that headboard from some extra furniture packing material! It's a pallet.
The Surf Lodge in Montauk makes a fun graphic out of something as simple as motel room numbers.
Ordinal Dresser
I have a lot of fun imagining what the purpose of these numbered drawers could be. Underwear prioritization? Weekly outfit planning for a severe Type A personality? What do you think?
Metal Stacking Trunks
Vintage accents like these numbered metal trunks are a good way to get the look. Keep your eyes open at flea markets and on Etsy, or get crafty with some stencils and spray paint.
Here the vintage typewriter trend makes its way onto the wall.
Sometimes a simple monogram in an unexpected typewriter font is a good way to incorporate this detail.
I think I may have set a record for how many times I've used this image in an ideabook, but it never gets old to me. I love the thought of a therapy sign in the dining room. I guarantee these folks have never had a boring dinner party. And yes, I've probably said that before!
I've always meant to ask Brian Patrick Flynn (a.k.a. Decor Demon) what the SEVEN is all about. I hope it's more about a Prince song than that scary movie where Gwyneth's head winds up in a box.
(See the answer in the comments section!)
(See the answer in the comments section!)
Using vintage signs is a great way to get this look. They serve as works of art.
I spied this in the workroom of a fabulously retro atomic ranch on a house tour in Atlanta. The owner is a graphic artist.
Dreamy Whites uses numbered votive holders as part of one of her many creative tablescapes.
Subway Sign Art Small Restoration Hardware
So yes, this is that subway sign tipping point I was telling you about earlier. Whatever, they still look good!
Heather Lins Home 3-D Eye Chart Pillow
It's official: I'm declaring eye charts the new vintage subway signs. It brings me back to the time I tried to get my learner's permit, and the lady said, "Read the numbers off the first line," and I looked a sea of swimming figures and said, "Um, E?" And she said, "No hon, they're numbers." That was the day I found out I needed glasses. O.K., so maybe I don't want this pillow...