The return of the tablecloth
Not just for traditional dining tables, tablecloths are beautiful, practical and an item to acquire, writes Bea Taylor.
For the past few years it’s been common to enjoy a meal on a bare wooden tabletop with only a placemat for company. But did tablecloths ever really go out of style? asks Paula Wallace, creative director for Wallace Cotton, who believes they have always been a covetable accessory.
Suzannah Tonascia, owner of Bolt of Cloth, thinks they are making a from-behind comeback: ‘‘We are getting way more requests that we used to.’’
So whether it’s a true comeback, or just a re-appreciation of something that never really went away, one thing these two designers agree is that they’re an item to acquire for your home.
‘‘Tablecloths add a sense of occasion and anchor your dining setting. Not only are they practical, and can hide a multitude of sins underneath, I think they look very sophisticated,’’ Wallace says.
‘‘It’s an easy way to quickly add some personality and atmosphere into a room,’’ adds Tonascia. But what style to choose?
Bright and bold
A colourful tablecloth is the chance to make an impact without too much effort, says Tonascia. ‘‘It’s amazing how sitting at a bright and colourful table can actually make you feel happy.’’
If you’re after an oilskin or laminate cloth, avoid the ‘boring, sterile plastic sheet look’ by choosing one with a bold, bright pattern. But Tonascia says that a lot of laminate tablecloths now feel more like material than thick plastic.
‘‘With laminates, it’s quite cool if you trim around the bottom of the pattern with scissors to make an edge, it’s super quick and no sewing required. We’ve done this in our studio and it looks great.’’
This material is a great option for kids. Caroline Botting, a mother of two kids who are ‘‘avid artists’’, says her oilskin tablecloth has been a ‘‘god send,’’ saving her table from their artistic destruction.
Neutral linen
‘‘I would definitely opt for a linen tablecloth,’’ says Wallace. Either in traditional white or in a raw natural colour, she says it’s a look that will never date.
Linen is having a moment in the spotlight and now here’s a chance to bring this relaxed, soft look into the dining room and kitchen.
‘‘The only downside is having to iron them, though I think raw linen looks more rustic when you leave it as it is. It’s elegance without effort.’’