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Trend Alert: The Art of the Handwritten Note

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Trend Alert: The Art of the Handwritten Note

March 28, 2024

I’ve been enchanted to see handwriting appear in unexpected places lately (and—at the risk of sounding ancient—relieved, too, given all the hand-wringing about its slow disappearance).

As characterful house numbers, on signs, even stitched onto cloth, handwriting lends an indisputably personal, even sentimental touch. And it’s approachable and easy to do: The less perfect, the better.

Here, some inspiration for getting out your pens and paintbrushes:

at valley bar + bottle in sonoma, california, the team eschewed boilerplate sig 17
Above: At Valley Bar + Bottle in Sonoma, California, the team eschewed boilerplate signage: “The handwriting through Valley was inspired by a drawing created by Oakland-based artist David Wilson and refitted as text by graphic designer Simon Renggli,” Alexa reports. “The sign and address was hand-painted by Leah Tumerman of Two Top.” Photograph by Annamae Photo courtesy of Valley.
a simple idea for preserving loved ones&#8\2\17; handwriting, as seen in ea 18
Above: A simple idea for preserving loved ones’ handwriting, as seen in East London Cloth: Purveyors of Household Linens, Made to Last. Photography by Vincent Dolman. (Looking to try it yourself? A simple embroidery back-stitch should do.)
front door jolene
Above: At Jolene in London, the restaurant logo is written in the hand of a six-year-old (the child of one of the designers). Here, it appears above the front door…
&#8\230;and on tote bags, too. both photographs from jolene in london: 7 si 20
Above: …and on tote bags, too. Both photographs from Jolene in London: 7 Simple, Budget Ideas to Steal from the Year’s Most Rustic Bakery.
a chef at jolene also stitched the logo (and some dolly parton lyrics) onto hom 21
Above: A chef at Jolene also stitched the logo (and some Dolly Parton lyrics) onto homemade curtains. Photograph from Jolene in London: 7 Simple, Budget Ideas to Steal from the Year’s Most Rustic Bakery.
hotel le sud in france is filled with tiny details by french artist franck lebr 22
Above: Hotel le Sud in France is filled with tiny details by French artist Franck Lebraly, like these handwritten room numbers. Photograph from Let There Be Light: Hotel Le Sud in the South of France, a Guesthouse Inspired by Picasso.
look closely and you&#8\2\17;ll see marigold scrawled on the door of this i 23
Above: Look closely and you’ll see MARIGOLD scrawled on the door of this Italian eatery. See more in Design Travel: An Italian Chef and a Danish Baker at Marigold in Rome.
Above: The entrance to the (now sadly departed) Rose Kitchen in Paris.
one of many hand done signs at the waldoboro inn in maine. photograph by annie  24
Above: One of many hand-done signs at The Waldoboro Inn in Maine. Photograph by Annie Quigley.
Above: Signage is jotted in red at The Ferry Boat Inn in the UK. Photographs by Alex Towill from The Ferry Boat Inn: 15 Ideas to Steal from a Seaside Pub in Cornwall.
a sneak peek from next week&#8\2\17;s house tour: embroidered curtains were 27
Above: A sneak peek from next week’s house tour: Embroidered curtains were a gift from the designer, Sophie Rowell of Côte de Folk, for the homeowners. Check back Monday for the full house tour; photograph via Côte de Folk.
for the bold: perhaps a bon mot of choice, scrolled irreverently along a wall?  28
Above: For the bold: perhaps a bon mot of choice, scrolled irreverently along a wall? Inspiration from Villa Lena in Tuscany: A Remodelista Favorite, Revisited.

And in related trend-spotting:

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