The word is out, in more ways than one. Written words are being seen as an important element of more than one form of decorative art.
What you read is what you get
Contemporary British pottery is getting rather “edgy.” Bridgewater Pottery Limited in Stoke-on-Kent, England, is using the written word big and bold as a punchy, witty decorative element along the rims of pieces. Perhaps they want you to be sure you know what you are getting when you use their Black Toast and Marmalade pattern. A full line of plates, cups, saucers, containers and cooking dishes, even a gallon teapot, are labeled with intended contents–a mug says “coffee” along the outer rim and “chocolate” on the interior rim, a breakfast plate says “Boiled Egg and Toast Fingers.” Bridgewater Pottery–prices range from $22 for a dessert plate to $28 for a dinner plate to $42 for a teacup and saucer–is sold at Tabula Tua, 1015 W. Armitage Ave., 773-525-3500. If the piece you want is not in stock, you can order it.
You’ll be able to see the writing on the wall too, thanks to Words 2 Paint.com, an Internet provider of easy to use lettering stencils. Now any amateur painter can decorate kitchen, bath, family and kids’ room walls with mottoes, slogans, inspirational quotes, charming sayings or thought provoking phrases. Until now, a faux artist would have to be called in to create this kind of painted script, a favorite form of decoration in show houses. (Actually, many interior decorators and faux artists order the product.) The company offers both standard and customized stencils of words to live by. (The most popular saying so far? “Vivez bien, aimez beaucoup, riez souvent,” or live well, love much, laugh often.) The self-adhesive stencils are for one-time use. After they are positioned on the wall, paint is applied with a roller. Price depends on type size, style and number of letters, but the average standard stencil, 3 inches tall, starts at $40. People chose their own font-a dozen or so are available. Order online at www.words2paint.com. Or call 703-288-5050.
Sweet dreams
What’s black and white and read all over? Not a newspaper, as the old joke goes, but a set of well-written bed linens. The text is an excerpt from a travel journal written by a Garnet Hill copywriter, describing a trip to Polynesia. Translated into French, the pages were printed on 200 thread-count Egyptian cotton percale. The Travel Journal Sheets are $28 for twin flat and fitted; $40, double; $50, queen; $60, king. Standard pillow cases are $30 a pair; $35, king cases. Available from the Garnet Hill catalog, 800-622-6216 or visit www.garnethill.com.