Buying guide
Linen table linen: which tablecloth and runner size
A linen tablecloth turns an everyday meal into a table you want to photograph. It still has to hang right, and everything starts with the size of the table.
Calculating the tablecloth size
Add a 20–30 cm drop on each side to each dimension of the table, so 40–60 cm in total.
- Table of 140 × 80 cm: a cloth of about 180 × 130 cm;
- Table of 180 × 90 cm: a cloth of about 220 × 140 to 240 × 150 cm;
- Round table of 120 cm: a round cloth of 160–180 cm in diameter.
For a festive table, a longer drop (up to 40 cm) looks more dressed.
The table runner
Lay it on a bare table or over a contrasting cloth. Make it the length of the table plus 30–40 cm so it falls slightly at both ends, or 30 cm shorter if you prefer it to stay on the top. A width of 35–45 cm suits most tables.
Napkins and placemats
Napkins of 40 × 40 to 45 × 45 cm fold simply into a rectangle on the plate or tie with a sprig of rosemary. Linen placemats protect a beautiful wooden table while showing off its grain; pair them with napkins in a neighbouring shade rather than an identical one.
Combining colours
Natural linen and white for a bright table; sage or olive with cream tableware; terracotta and caramel with stoneware and wood. The crinkle of washed linen is intentional: it makes a relaxed, iron-free table.
Care and stains
- Treat stains quickly with cold water; rub red wine with a little soap before washing.
- Wash at 40 °C, no bleach; at 60 °C for white if needed.
- Line dry and lay the cloth on the table while slightly damp: the creases fall out on their own.
