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Alphabet Decor Spells High Style for Rooms
Letters in artwork, on wallpaper and even woven into rugs show that you're well versed in design. Word up
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
School is officially in session! My 6-year-old has started first grade, and since then, we've gone from summer calm to classroom crunch in a hurry. I'm already battling piles of paper — spelling tests, math homework, art projects and so on.
In honor of the new school year, let's celebrate that most basic building block of academics: the alphabet. Like almost every writer, I have an ongoing love affair with those 26 letters in any form, font or combination. I'll take any chance I can get to weave them into my home decor, from refrigerator magnets to box signs to die-cut letters mounted on the wall.
Alphabet accents usually get relegated to nurseries, playrooms and other kid zones, but they look just as chic in grown-up rooms. Take a look at the typographic flair they add to the spaces below.
In honor of the new school year, let's celebrate that most basic building block of academics: the alphabet. Like almost every writer, I have an ongoing love affair with those 26 letters in any form, font or combination. I'll take any chance I can get to weave them into my home decor, from refrigerator magnets to box signs to die-cut letters mounted on the wall.
Alphabet accents usually get relegated to nurseries, playrooms and other kid zones, but they look just as chic in grown-up rooms. Take a look at the typographic flair they add to the spaces below.
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| Varied fonts dance across this wallpaper, adding a playful layer to the bedroom. It would work perfectly for a teenager but has enough sophistication to transition to adulthood. |
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Free-form alphabet letters meld into an abstract whole in this arresting piece of art.
by Susie Harris
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Raise your hand if you miss old-fashioned typewriters. Just me? OK then. Regardless, this take on clacking keys is an appealing nod to nostalgia.
by Joel Snayd
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The vintage-look alphabet wallpaper in this space, set off by a midcentury-style floating cabinet, is just plain cool. It's intense, so too much of it might make your eyes ache, but an accent wall or a powder room would yield just the right dose.
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I'm crazy about this twist on the gallery wall: a grouping of letters in different colors, styles and patterns.
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Alphabet artwork with a subtle message embedded in the type looks anything but childish.
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This bold chest recalls the days of movable printer's type. It would be an obvious choice for a home office or a library, but I'd also use it as a sideboard in a casual breakfast area.
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| Look closely: That's an alphabet pattern on the rug in this glam Hollywood Regency–style space. |
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A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y — these twin alphabet prints bring that old grade-school mantra back to mind. And how cute are those umlauts at the end?
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So I cheated. This is a child's room, but I'm throwing it into the mix because those brightly patterned, crisp and graphic letters are just too pretty not to make the leap to grown-up spaces.
Comments
olldbobbi Yes, when school starts in the fall it's almost like culture shock for student and parent alike. The free-form letters that meld into an abstract whole - they look like they are melting into an abstract whole!
9 months ago · Like
marm Any idea where the old typewriter key art came from. I would love to know the source.
9 months ago · Like
lag100 Where is the white shelf in the first picture from? I'm looking for one just like it for another project. Thanks.
9 months ago · Like
Jody Thompson The typewriter key art would look even cooler if they had hung it in the shape and style of the actual typewriter instead of in alphabetical order.
9 months ago · Like
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angela_flute52689 I love the idea of doing the 5th picture in a nursery. Assign all the shower guests a letter of the alphabet to design and see how creative they get.
9 months ago · Like
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the_rookie A unique feature that I have found resembling alphabetical letters in a frame format comes from Magic Carpet Letters. It brings back the rich aspects of oriental rugs back to homes.
6 months ago · Like
Guimar Urbina | KIS Interior Design You can find those wallcovering at Www.wallpapercompanyshop.com
3 months ago · Like
Uppercase Living Ind. Demonstrator Jean Danieu Love these ideas! Here are a few more ideas for a child's room, playroom, classroom, etc. (Uppercase Living Designs: http://jeand.uppercaseliving.net) 
5 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 4, 2012.
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