Belvivere Linens

I’d like to welcome my new sponsor, Belvivere Linens, to Design Hole. Their online shop sells fine linens including some beautiful tablecloths.

Tablecloths seem to be out of fashion. I see most tables dressed with runners and placemats. I have a collection of heirloom linen cloths and like to layer them in various ways.

For example, if you have a beautiful, vintage cloth with a few small holes in it, don’t throw it out. Simply place a plain cloth, in the same color, under it. You’ll see the beautiful features and the holes with disappear. Or, make the holes work by setting an eclectic table setting. Think Anthropologie. The holes go with that look.

I think the reason most people don’t use tablecloths is because they need to be ironed. No one irons anymore. And there isn’t any way to get around it. A linen cloth needs an iron. My solution is to send it to the cleaners. They’ll fold it carefully and hang it on a rounded hanger to keep creases to a minimum.

Do you agree that placemats are more popular than tablecloths? Is it the ironing issue, or an aesthetic one?