"What size tablecloth do I need?" is the simple one and I've dealt with it in the FAQ section on the website at www.oleanderforhome.ca. To re-cap for you - the best way to shop for table linens is to have your table measurements with you. You'll want to add approximately 16-20 inches on the width and 16-20 inches on the length for a more casual drop of 8 - 10 inches. For formal or special occasion linens, the tablecloth should be approximately 24- 36 inches wider and longer than your table for a drop of 12-18 inches on each side. Unfortunately, as with bedding, there is not a lot of standardization of tables and table linens. You'll find a wide range of sizes available so if you have your measurements we'll be able to eliminate the guess work of using the number of seats to get "close enough."
The other sizing issue I deal with in the store is a less complicated one. It turns out that napkins come in different sizes. There are luncheon, dinner and formal sized napkins available. Like with so many things, not all manufacturers make every style in every size. I've generally found it easier to go with the middle size (about 18 inches square) for almost everything and just keep the big ones (21-22 inches) in the formal white patterns. You can use the 18 inch ones everyday and save the big, pretty, white ones for when you really want to impress.
How much or how little you want to put on your table in terms of linens is pretty much up to you. Runners, napkins, placemats and tablecloths can be layered in matching and coordinated sets or mixed in colour and pattern contrasts all depending on the feel you're going for. You can simplify and leave the tablecloth off and go with runners laid width wise across the table at the place settings. Placemats on top of the runners or not? Up to you! A matching placemat would be a little more formal, a contrasting one more funky and leaving it off would be a little more casual. All are perfectly acceptable. The runners themselves could be all the same style and colour, same colour and different pattern or vice versa, or simply a collection of different pieces that you love. You should have fun dressing the table, mixing and matching or not, to suit your own personal style and the tone of your event. Whether the event is lunch for one or a feast for fourteen doesn't matter at all. A well dressed table makes life a little more enjoyable.
The more difficult issues about table linens come out of misconceptions about the linen itself. Often people are a little hesitant to spend money on something that may be easy to ruin. So here's the thing. Linen, actual linen, is not as easy to ruin as you might think it is. Good quality linens will have a natural lustre to them that work to make them a little bit stain resistant. The fibres are strong and resilient. It's neglect that will ruin linens, not their delicacy. The thing to remember is that you need to treat stains as soon as possible. If you can get at spots at the end of an evening then wash the linens they'll come out looking just fine. Putting them away dirty or leaving them in a heap in the laundry basket is what causes the real damage.
And about the washing thing? A lot of the time I hear
people say "Oh, it's so beautiful, but so hard to take care of." Really though, that just isn't true. Linen is an incredibly durable fabric. You can put it in the washer. The first wash should always be in cold water but after that if you've got discolouration you can wash it in warm water. Hang it on the line to dry and it will look great when it's done. Easy. If you don't have a line outside you can put it in the dryer on low heat for a few minutes no more than 15 for a large tablecloth then lay it flat or hang it over your shower curtain to finish. Still easy. In fact linen is so washable that our favourite kitchen towels (shown in the photo) are 100% linen. They are colourful, fun, pretty and can stand up to anything you can dish out in the kitchen. So why be nervous to put linen on the table? There's no reason at all!
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