The Monogram Comeback: What’s in a Name (Even If It’s Not Yours)

A Mark of Meaning

Long before logos, there were monograms. In ancient Greece and Rome, rulers stamped their initials onto coins as proof of power- a subtle cipher that said this is mine, this will last. Centuries later, the same instinct turned into art. Aristocrats etched letters into silver, embroidered them onto linens, and embossed them on luggage trunks bound for long sea voyages. A monogram wasn’t decoration. It was declaration. It said: I belong to something lasting. 

From “Not for Me” to “Meant for Me”

I used to pass over pieces with monograms. They felt too personal, like I was borrowing someone else’s story. But somewhere between sourcing a silver vanity set engraved E.L.P. and finding a serving spoon marked H.A.S., I had an "aha" moment: a monogram isn’t a boundary, it’s a breadcrumb. It’s an invitation to imagine who came before and to keep the story going. 

A Little Game of Letters

Now, when I come across an old set of initials, I play detective.    
•    E.L.P. — Eleanor Loved Parties. The hostess with the polished punch bowl.     
•    B.A. — Bold Adventurer. The traveler who packed her silver flask beside the map.  •    H.A.S. — Heirlooms Always Shine. (Or maybe Hand-Picked by Heidi, if you ask me.)    •    J.W.R. — Just Went Rogue. The collector who bought whatever sparked joy.

You can build a theme around those letters, a narrative that turns an object into a mystery. That’s the beauty of vintage, every letter holds a clue.

How to Style Someone Else’s Initials

Not your initials? Not a problem. Here’s how to make them yours:     

•    Turn it into conversation art. A monogrammed tray or teapot becomes a story starter.    •    Reinterpret the meaning. Let S.T. stand for Sip Time or W.P. for Weekend Plans.
•    Layer old with new. Mix a monogrammed napkin with modern glassware - the contrast feels intentional.    
•    Gift it forward. Vintage monograms make the best “story gifts.” They already come with history.

Craftsmanship Lives On

Down a quiet side street in downtown Los Angeles, a master engraver still etches letters by hand—no lasers, no shortcuts. The hum of traffic fades as he steadies his burin and coaxes each curve into metal. Watching him work feels like witnessing a forgotten language being spoken again. This is where the art continues. The same techniques that once marked kings now mark keepsakes.

The Modern Monogram Movement

Monograms are back - not as status symbols, but as acts of self-expression. They’re appearing on candles, ceramics, stationery, and silver once more. We’ve traded prestige for personality. So whether the initials match your name or simply spark your curiosity, remember: you’re keeping a centuries-old craft alive.

Field Notes from the Hunt

Every time I find an old monogram, I pause. There’s something intimate about tracing another person’s initials and wondering about the life attached. I no longer skip them - I seek them. Because the truth is, we’re all just adding our names to history.

Happy Hunting!

- Heidi, Hand-Picked by Heidi