When setting the table, the cloth provides a foundation for everything that lies on top of it. Will you go white and starched, like a fine restaurant? Or Boho with a printed fabric? Linen tablecloths are a bit of a chameleon: starched and ironed, they have (most of) the elegant crispness of cotton but with a bit of an edge; left in their natural, rumpled state, they’re more casual and offhandedly chic. Mix in ones adorned with patterns and they’re something else altogether.
Natural, neutral hues go with nearly everything, while colors and patterns bring their own personalities. Mixing and/or matching tableware to go along with or contrast the cloth is part of the fun. Fussy plates on wrinkled linen makes a dramatic statement, while casual, colorful dishes on an ironed base has a sort of “are they are aren’t they?” vibe (and the question can be interpreted in any manner you like . . .)
Linen Tablecloths Add a Touch of Class to Your Table
Belgian Table Throw Tablecloth
This famous linen house came into being in Flanders in 1858 and, in addition to making beautiful products, they are a CO2 neutral operation that includes organic linens. They are also one of only six weavers in the world that are certified with the Belgian Linen label, which means that—in addition to everything being woven in Belgium—they use only European flax fibers to do it.
European Linen Tablecloth
Just because you’re wanting something casual doesn’t mean you don’t want it to have style. A garment-washed cloth made from 100% European flax, these hits of soft color for the table are also OEKO-TEX Standard 100, meaning they are made without pesticides or harmful chemicals. Well-priced as well so you can choose more than one of the six available colors and swap them out by the season or your mood.
Cotton and Linen Blend Tablecloth
By combining linen and cotton, you get the best of both worlds: cotton’s crispness and linen’s relaxed drape and texture. Available in a large rectangle or a round, these cloths are machine washable, certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100—and the price is certainly right.
Roses or Veggies Tablecloth
Although tablecloths are often neutral backgrounds that show off china and flatware, these stunners will wow, providing a bold foundation for whatever goes on top. They are 100% European linen, with designs by French painter Nathalie Lete, who is known for mixing images, humor, and nostalgia. Available in two sizes.
Hand-Painted Linen Brushstroke Tablecloth
Created from colors mixed according to secret family recipe formulas, the simple, hand-painted Brushstroke design on 100% organic linen is both chic and nonchalant. It’s also machine washable and can be ordered in custom sizes and shapes. (The Bertozzi family has been creating hand-painted and hand-printed designs since 1920.)
Story by Stephen Treffinger
Cover photo courtesy of Quince
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