Holiday Table Decorating Idea

I saw this table arrangement in an email from Rejuvenation and thought it was lovely and unique.

Notice there isn’t a centerpiece. No need. Instead, the table is dressed with tall candlesticks of varying shapes and heights. Wood birds are scattered here and there, and a variety of moss balls decorate the beautiful arrangement of dishes and glassware.

Notice, too, the tablecloth. It looks pretty, doesn’t it? This holiday season, I’m going to try to tempt everyone to rethink using tablecloths. Think of them as a backdrop, a starting point.

Which do you prefer – tablecloths or place mats?

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?