Custom Monograms

The pillow that caused a phenomenon......

The Holidays are fast approaching and it's time to start getting your gift list together. In this day of mass production - what better way to make someone feel special than to give a personalized, monogrammed item. The pillow above makes such a statement in the bedroom, living room or anywhere one could imagine! It can also be customized in a variety of base fabrics, thread colors and font options.

While the shop orders from lines that specialize in embroidered and appliqued monograms, we also do custom work right in the shop. Be sure to order your items soon as monogram takes time and it is "high season" for gift giving.


One of the "safest" yet always appreciated gifts you can give is a set of white on white cocktail napkins. These Sferra napkins are classic and provide the perfect pairing to your favorite Bordeaux.

Another great option is the set of sage hemstitch napkins with ivory thread. While I typically suggest using three initials for monogrammed linens I think that a single initial works best for the small cocktail napkins. A set of guest towels will certainly bring a smile to your best girlfriend - Three initials add some serious oomph. Basic rule of thumb for monograms is that women's initials go on linens and men's initials go on anything in the office or bar.

Of course there are times when a single initial works best and that is exampled below in Matouk's appliqued guest towels.

Want a little something a step up from the Snuggie for your honey? A soft robe is always a home run.

Maybe get one for yourself, as well...and don't forget the great towels that Matouk carries in a wide variety of color and font options.

Can you imagine a sweeter gift for a little girl than these precious bloomers? This font, the Flower, is Gramercy's top selling style on bloomers. You can see why:

Babes always need a new, snugly blanket and adding a monogram elevates the gift to heirloom quality.

And, it may be worth adding a new set of linens for your bedroom to your wish list - how great is this Mirasol set below?

A few pretty fonts that look great on almost any item:

Happy designing!

Cleaning House

One of the most frequent questions I hear at the shop is how the customer is to care for her new linens. Through experience and the advice of my friends at Sferra, The Laundress and Le Blanc I put together a little “how to” for fine linen care.

Sort: Be certain to separate your fine linens from other fabrics like polyester, which causes pilling. Linens should also be separated by color: white, light, and dark.

Run: Allow detergent to mix with water in your machine before placing linens in wash tub. Always follow the manufacturer care instructions for best results, but typically you want to wash your sheets and towels in cold water on a gentle cycle.

Treat: Place stain solution on any trouble areas before adding items to washing machine. Jenny swears by The Laundress’ Stain Solution for not only linens but all laundry needs.

Wash: A detergent especially made for fine linens makes all the difference. The girls at the shop are split between The Laundress and Le Blanc Linen Wash. I particularly love the lavender scent of Le Blanc and find it works wonders on keeping both my sheets and towels bright, soft and smooth.

Dry: Most items do best when tumble dried on a low heat setting. Do not use fabric softeners as they break down the cotton fibers and reduce product lifespan. An alternative is Le Blanc’s dryer sachets – I can’t live without these anymore. When I pull my sheets out of the dryer they smell like they came off a line.

Iron: Sheets that are slightly damp do best under a warm iron. It’s always a nice touch to use linen spray while ironing. Simply spray a few squirts before going over your sheets with the iron. I also periodically spritz a bit of the spray around my room and on my sheets for a little lift.

What are some of your favorite tips to keeping your linens at their best?

If you want more detailed information on specific linen (and other wash) care check out these great links:

Sferra

The Laundress

Le Blanc

Feeling Rosey...

Ever since I read the article on the resurgence of roses in my November Vogue issue, I haven't been able to look anywhere without seeing and thinking about this bloom. From decorating to baking for my upcoming holiday guests my mind is spinning…everything roses. I love how the above arrangement “modernizes” a traditional all rose bouquet with pinks, reds and berries – great for the holidays. I found it on Saipua when looking at its soaps – more on that later.

If I have an extra 20 hours I would love to make this apple pie for my Thanksgiving guests!

And, I certainly need to organize my cording/plug situation. How fun is this USB Hub from Fred Flare?

I must make sure to re-line the guest room chest of drawers and (of course) thought of Gianna Rose Atelier. It makes a wonderful Tea Rose scented drawer liner that the even the most discerning guest will appreciate.

One of my favorite new finds at the shop is soap by Saipua. The company is family run and based in New York – it has been making these great scented olive-oil based soaps for ten years. Being a sucker for packaging I simply can’t resist the fabulous paper and hand stamps wrapped around each bar. I keep an assortment in a glass canister for guests (and me!).

This painting by Liz Barber at Huff Harrington will certainly elevate my guest bedroom. How gorgeous would this look over a bed with a white coverlet bordered in burgundy/red?

pictures from Saipua, IronSkillet, Gianna Rose, Fred Flare, and Huff Harrington

New Additions…Shop Baby, Shop Girl, Shop Hubby

October was a busy month at Gramercy. Sweet Sarah just joined the team and we couldn’t be more excited. “Little” Jenni just got engaged and we can’t wait to have another shop hubby to help move furniture and change light bulbs. Most excitingly, we have a new shop baby! Just a few weeks ago Jenny and her husband welcomed their sweet daughter, Betts. We can’t wait to see who is next – it’s a known fact around town that if you want to have a baby you should hang out at Gramercy. There is certainly something in the water.

I was recently reminded of this amazing nursery from Domino in an Apartment Therapy post. How great is this room???

Both Cam and Jenny recently designed the most adorable nurseries for their little bambinos. (Pics to come at a later date – I have to respect the babies’ privacy for a while!) This inspired the creation of Nursery Design Service at Gramercy. Let the girls help you put together the perfect space for your precious little ones. The shop carries great baby linen lines like Lulu DK for Matouk....this coral room with the lulu Tiger Lily crib bedding is such a fun take on little girl pink.

Just love Serena and Lily and these soft, soothing linens for a "calm" baby. The whole line is available on the company’s website but ordering in a retail store allows you to customize your bedding, as well as look at a wide assortment of the fabric swatches.
And, what nursery isn't complete without accessories. Mom's must have a good glider in the nursery but they often look so big and bulky. I fell in love with this looker....

While baby's certainly don't need tooth pillows for the tooth fairy, I couldn't resist showing you this most adorable pillow from Gifts that Define. The company also creates the most precious felt mobiles like the birds below.

Speaking of additions – the shop recently added another great line of linens – Ann Gish. Ann is known for creating exquisite bedding in luxurious fabrics that can bring a playful, yet sophisticated element to your designs.