For years, I've been collecting French Ivory-handled flatware, but just knives and forks. Why not spoons, you might ask? 
They didn't make spoons. So, while I have loads of knives and forks, I am lacking spoons, which makes it difficult to eat ice cream and soup, or to stir coffee.
They didn't make spoons. So, while I have loads of knives and forks, I am lacking spoons, which makes it difficult to eat ice cream and soup, or to stir coffee.
I was in Target the other day and saw that they had some pearl-handled spoons, which I thought would be a good option to use with the flatware. I picked up six, and when I got to the register, I found out that they were 99¢ each! I will be going back to get some more, you can be sure.
When I was checking the Target website to get a picture of the spoons, I saw something that struck fear into my heart: Target is selling "monogrammed" flatware, china and barware. Personally, I think monogrammed china looks like you lifted it from a hotel. 
I also think that monogrammed flatware shouldn't come from Target and it should have more than one initial. The monogram font they're using is Monotype Corsiva, which is a Microsoft default font. Ew. What do you think?
Why should it have more than one initial? Are there rules/customs for monogramming flatware/china/barware?
ReplyDeleteI disagree - I am in love with that china and may get it! with a W
ReplyDeletemy friend bought a set of antique French china from Tara Shaw that just had a T for their last name and it was to die for.
and missy, why didn't you turn around and go get more spoons right then? $1????? jeez! they are so cute!!!!!!
I really like that china - I may go order it right now!
The spoons are amazing - buy lots and lots! I am undecided about the plates but would like to see them for myself. I don't mind monogramming if it is done well. xv
ReplyDeleteThe monogramming of spoons, and all silver flatware for that matter, is lovely and warm. Monograms on china seems uppity, fussy, White Housey and just plain tacky to me.
ReplyDeleteAs a former graphic designer and typesetter, I can only say Ugh! to a Microsoft default font. Goudy and Bodoni have been turning over in their graves for years already, so I guess it's a losing battle. I'm for the pearl-handled spoons.
ReplyDeleteLittle Red... i am from the school that you should have three initials on a monogram.
ReplyDeleteI didn't buy more spoons when I was at Target because I was in a hurry and the store was crowded. I will go back and get more!
you can have mine- i just returned a set of 8- I thought an unemployed girl does not need new flatware!!! too funny, my sister also bought them.
ReplyDeleteFlatware, yes, dishes no, but I couldn't tell you why. Unless they were old, maybe I would like them then. Your spoons, though, are great.
ReplyDeleteFirst, way to go on those spoons- so cute! I'd like to get my flatware monogrammed, and I'm going back and forth about doing 3 initials or 1. I'm leaning towards one, but it would need to be in an interesting font, or have some heft to it.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking spoons. . . Target never fails to surprise. But the monograms? Yuck. I agree with Ms Wis that there are too many great fonts out there to have to settle for corsiva. Monograms for the masses is what it feels like to me. Personally, I prefer monograms (on such things as china and silver and fine linens) that look like you inherited them from your great-grandmother. And just what ARE the rules? When can you use a first name initial instead of a last? Is three more formal than one or just more traditional?
ReplyDeleteHere's the monograming scoop:
ReplyDeleteTypically silver was engraved with the initials of a woman's maiden, not her married, name. It's because women were not allowed to own property in the Victorian era - except for what was called "paraphernalia," which included silver. That's why your great-grandmother's silver has HER initials on it. I've only seen it done with one initial (last name) or three (last name initial in the middle with first and middle initials on the side).
I just did some investigating, too. Here's an interesting piece on placement of monograms.
ReplyDeleteIn thinking, my family's older silver has three initials, and the newer (post-robbery replacements from an antique store) has one.
I agree that one letter is like "monograms for the masses" as Tracy said. If you have three letters, then it has to be custom-made.
Have you seen the monogrammed towels at Ikea?
ReplyDeleteHouse... NO WAY!!!
ReplyDeleteI am adding Target to my list today!
ReplyDelete99 cents??? Zowie.
{smirk}
ReplyDeleteI like 3 letters in a monogram..but will stick with the China that was my Grandmother's! Love the deal you got on that silver ware!
ReplyDeleteNot even a hotel would have those plates. Surely Target jests. At the very least, the initial could be at the center of the plates, in a discreet circle or something. Forget I wrote that; the whole production is noxious. Monogrammed silver, yes; monogrammed china, no.
ReplyDeleteSo, what's a girl to do if her parents never gave her a middle name?
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm stuck with just single initial monograms. :)
Awww... Little Red, you can make a cipher, which is just two letters combined to make a monogram. Sort of like the symbol for the Victoria & Albert Museum. It's the V&A overlapped or merged...
ReplyDeleteI hate to be a negative nelly because I like the spoons as well but... I worry about the pearly-plastic portion. If the handles are not weighted evenly with the spoon portion, then that bugs me. I like an even balance in my hand.
ReplyDeleteCutlery and China are so personal that you just have to go with what feels good to you, I would say that cutlery from Target would not be up to par with the forks and knives you have been collecting.
ReplyDeleteI just ran to look at the faux mother of pearl flatware I picked up at Monoprix (for 5 euros! a piece) to see if it was the same as Target's and it is not. But I bet in the best French tradition one could mix & match happily...
ReplyDeleteHmmm
I didn't know about the rules of monograms...
Hmmmm
I love monogrammed flatware, but only if it is vintage/antique, and someone else's monogram. Monogrammed coin silver spoons from the nineteenth century are to die for!
ReplyDeleteI used one of the spoons last night and liked the way it felt in my hand. They're actually weighted pretty well and the bowl on the spoon's got a good feel.
ReplyDeleteThey're certainly not the same quality or workmanship of the other pieces, but since they didn't make spoons, and I needed something, they'll do the job!
Wonderful flatware find from Target!! I must look into those!!
ReplyDeletewell, I guess monograms are now not 'trendy' and have moved onto the masses. It will soon pass, leaving those with a true sense of history and taste to appreciate it :-) That china doesn't offend me style-wise, but I'm sure the quality is HORRENDOUS. That is what offends me.
ReplyDelete"...looks like you lifted it from a hotel." HA!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind some china with the Cunard logo... I played around with getting some bone china that is handpainted with your monogram but just couldn't go through with it. Now your family crest... that would be special.
I do love monograms, especially on antique pieces. I will be running into Target again soon though!
ReplyDeleteHi, I found your blog trying to get some info on the set of ivory-handled table knives I found super-cheap in Bordeaux (antique store) as a present for my mom. What's funny is that I got them for her because they reminded me of the pearl-handled flatware she has that I think she got at target! These knives have printed on the blade "William s. Burton 39 oxford street. When I looked that up, there was some old advert which mentions the ivory handled knives, as well as dessert spoons, so maybe you will be able to fond the real dealspoons after all!
ReplyDeleteOh, no wait, I looked again, and it just says "desserts" which I took to mean spoons, but it's talking about dessert knives. Oh well!
ReplyDelete