Throughout our lives, we spend many of our most special moments gathered around the table. Replacing your standard table linens with luxury, high-quality products and table décor invites extraordinary experiences into your life – going beyond your basic daily routines. Even just a delightfully patterned napkin alongside a morning cup of coffee has a positive, pleasurable impact on the start of your day. Whether you are someone who hosts guests regularly or simply enjoys the luxury of being at home, upgrading your table linens will truly elevate your way of living.
Liz Barbatelli is a world-leading expert in fine linens and luxury living, helping her clients create some of the most beautiful rooms in the world. Raised in a family with a rich heritage in fine tailoring, interior design, international business, and fashion, Liz has spent a lifetime honing her refined eye for design and style in top fashion houses including Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. Today, she offers her creative services to an extensive list of elite clients at E.Braun & Co. of Beverly Hills, while simultaneously operating The Laundry at Linens Limited, an old-world fine linen laundering company. Here are some of Liz’s top tips for selecting the highest quality linens for your home’s collection.
When shopping for quality table linens to add to your home’s collection, you may choose to purchase some, or all, of the following types:
Then, you’ll need to consider the fabric you’d like your linens to be made of. The most common types of fabrics used for table linen include linen, cotton, and polyester with linen being the most desirable. Choosing the right quality and style linens for your table settings makes all the difference.
When choosing your products, it’s important to remember that the best table linens for you may not be the best table linens for others. Knowing what you are looking for in terms of practicality or luxury (or both) will help you make a buying decision that you’ll be content with for the long haul.
Care
Maintaining the look and feel of your luxury linens requires some care and attention. High-quality linen or cotton can be washed and ironed at home, but a more intricate design and fabric may need professional laundering. Choose your linens according to the amount of use they will endure. Bearing in mind that they may require you to wash and iron them.
Size and Shape
Before you even begin shopping for table linens, you need to know the dimensions of your table. Measure the length, width, and height of the dining table(s) that you are shopping for, as you may need to invest in custom-sized items. Take a photo of your table, dining room, and dishes and keep it in a folder on your phone so you have easy access. Read below to learn more about the common sizes and shapes of different table linens.
Color
Choose your table linens, tablecloth, placemats, or napkins, by color to use as a base for your overall dining style. White, off-white, or ivory are the most common tablecloth colors. But you can choose any color you like and one that complements your home. Don’t be afraid to choose a color! Think about the room, the chair fabric, your dishes, and the occasion.
Flowers, candles, and other tableware can help to add a festive atmosphere and to complete the look of the table.
Room
How you choose your table linens relies completely on how you like to live and where you will be dining. Your dining room commonly has a more formal setting and you may like to dress up the table a bit more. You can use a tablecloth with napkins or placemats and napkins. Both are correct and functional. It really depends on your style. Some people like to use a runner down the center of the table, but it is not necessary. If dining in your kitchen or a seating area adjacent to your kitchen, you may prefer to use more informal hard placemats that can be wiped clean with your napkins. The options are truly endless to your desire and look. Using a linen napkin simply adds to your dining experience whether formal or informal, inside or out.
Smooth and Wrinkle-Free
Nothing about creating a nice or special dining experience is easy but it is well worth it. Linen or cotton fabrics require consistent care and laundering. Many will require ironing. To create a memorable experience requires a little effort. In an informal setting, you have more freedom to exercise your creative license. I am of the belief that it is better to dine with a few wrinkles than use a paper napkin. You can even use your family napkins more than once. If they are not too stained, smooth them out, fold them neatly, and use them again tomorrow night!
Choosing the finest quality fabrics for your table can elevate your dining moments – from the most extravagant of dinner parties to simply sipping a cup of hot tea on a cool evening. When it comes to table linens, quality linen and cotton are widely considered fabrics over others because of their long, durable fibers.
Linen
Linen is an excellent fabric for your table linens because of its strength and comfortability. When considering investing in designer linens, look for ones made in Belgium or Italy. Belgian flax is prized for the length and strength of its fibers and has a natural, yet comforting style. Linen comes in a vast array of hues so that you can match your style in just about any color.
Cotton
Cotton is the most common and preferred fabric for table linens. Shop for a 100% cotton, as these are highly praised for their strength, absorbency, and luxurious look. Keep thickness in mind for cleaning and care purposes.
Polyester
Many people like to use a linen or cotton napkin that is blended with Polyester. It is thought that they are easier to clean and require less ironing. This can often be true but will still require care similar to a pure finish table linen.
H2: Luxury Table Linens Shape and Sizes
Table linens bring a delightful scene to any table – from dinner parties to simple, intimate moments. Times have changed over the years and sizes are not always equated to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To make the right selection for your next meal will depend on the occasion. Is just an informal breakfast or lunch or a more formal occasion.
Before you grab just any table linen, you’ll want to consider the size to best fit your preference and your table.
Here are some ideas and a list of general sizes and shapes to make your selection:
Size and Shapes
Tablecloths
Tablecloths serve a multitude of purposes, so having high-quality, fine linen will ensure longevity and beauty over time. You cannot determine the size of a tablecloth by how many chairs are at a table – you need a tablecloth that fits the dimensions of your table. You must know the dimensions and the shape. Is it oval, rectangular, square, or round? What are the measurements and the height?
Not all tables are the same and there is no standard. Having a tablecloth that fits your table perfectly can make all the difference.
Be sure to measure your table before going shopping for a tablecloth. If your table has multiple leaves and extends, then you may want to consider getting the right dimensions for this as well. Making a simple sketch is helpful but the measurements are crucial. Your tablecloth drop should be between 12 inches to 15 inches in length. If you want it to go to the floor, you will need to know the height of your table.
You don’t always have to buy a tablecloth shape that is the same as your table. For example, if you have a round table, you can choose a round or square tablecloth. However, to get the correct drop you may need help from a seasoned linen expert. Determine the best tablecloth shape for your table by using this suggested list:
After settling on the size and shape of each item you need, you can begin searching for your next collection of table linens to make your occasion exactly what you envision.
When shopping for your table linens, consider the pieces you will need to add to your collection of table linens and the number of different occasions for which you are planning:
Numbers
When it comes to caring for your luxury table linens, always look at the manufacturers’ instructions on the care label first to know what process to use for washing your items. Some delicate fabrics need special attention. When caring for your fine products, there are some basic rules that you can follow to keep them looking their best and lasting longer.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about picking out fine-quality table linens.
How do I get wrinkles out of table linens?
Wrinkles can appear in your linens over time from general use and having been stored. If your table linens aren’t as crisp and smooth as they could be, there are several steps you can take to help remove the wrinkles and renew the look of your linens.
How do I wash table linens?
Washing your linens doesn’t have to be tricky. Knowing and understanding the right settings and detergents to use will help prevent stains and ensure the best results.
Where can I buy table linens?
The best place to look for your next luxury table linens is to seek advice from an expert. As one of the world’s leading linen stylists, Liz Barbatelli commits her time and expertise to designing and curating exquisite yet practical environments for all your dining experiences.
How do I press table linens?
All linen and cotton table linens can be washed and ironed at home, but a more intricate design and fabric may need professional laundering. The Laundry at Linens Limited has brought expert care and attention to the art of laundering and restoring fine linens for over 50 years.
Conclusion
Exchanging your ordinary or tired table settings for luxury fine linens is an investment that will elevate your dining experiences and last you for years to come. Get inspired to upgrade your home with celebrated linen stylist Liz Barbatelli’s curated collections and gain more insights on the importance of adding quality linen fabrics to your home on her blog.
Make an appointment to visit Liz at her flagship store,
E. Braun & Co. or request a virtual consultation.
Follow Liz for her latest designs & curations in bed, bath & linen.
