Buying Table Linens

Table runners are one of the hottest looks around. Use a wide one across a table instead of a tablecloth as a new way to set a special dinner for two.

Whether it's an intimate dinner for two or a small gathering of friends, great table linens are a feast for the eyes and a complement to any meal:

• Consider fabric and care before shopping for table linens. 100-percent cotton has the best look and is the easiest to care for and there are also cotton blends available. A cotton/linen blend looks nice, but requires ironing and while a cotton/polyester blend is very easy to take care of, it doesn't have the feel of 100-percent cotton.

• Check packaging for linens that are treated with a special stain-resistant coating that allows spills to puddle instead of soaking in for easy clean up.

When in doubt, go for a larger size because a table will always look fashionably dressed in a full-length skirt. Remember, there's no wrong way to set a table so have fun and let imagination be your inspiration.

The four basic tablecloth shapes are square, oblong, oval and round. A good fitting tablecloth should have an eight- to 10-inch drop (how much fabric hangs over the edge). To get the right size, measure the length and width of the table, and then add 16 to 20 inches to those measurements to guarantee the right drop.

Wash all the linens that coordinate, even the ones that weren't used for a party or dinner, so they wear evenly.

Guests
Mia Grant
Created in France (in the New York Gift Building)
225 5th Ave.
8th Fl. Suite 837
New York, NY
Phone: 212-684-0513
Website: www.225-fifth.com
Also in this Episode

Smart Design : Episode SDN-406
•	From Everyday to Dressy With Accessories
•	Lacquer
•	Buying Table Linens
•	Trays