Turning the Tablecloths

Elzy Kolb

The word tablecloth should not conjure the question, "Paper or plastic?"

If it does, maybe it's time to resolve to explore the world of fine table linens, starting with your New Year's Eve celebration.

It's only natural to want to dress well for a special occasion: Donning formal or festive apparel rather than jeans is a sure sign that something important is taking place.

The same rule of thumb can apply to dressing a dining table for a party or special meal.

"There are fancy parties at this time of year, and the tabletop reflects what you'd wear: For a black-tie event, the tabletop should be black tie also," says Ann Davis, owner of The Total Table, a table-linen rental company, and Best Dressed Tables, which produces custom linens.

It's disappointing to hosts when their guests mindlessly wolf down a dinner that took a lot of time, thought and money to prepare, so it's a good plan to strive to create a setting in which guests will relax and linger over their meal.

A well-dressed table is a natural venue for enjoying company and the sharing of food, good spirits and holiday cheer.

Table linens also help set the mood for the party. "People have a better time in a better setting, a better atmosphere," Davis says. "It's all about packaging, and a tablecloth makes a difference. Set your table with imagination, and it will make your dinner an event."

Color My World

White, ivory and black are the most common colors for tablecloths, but they're certainly not the only options.

The Total Table stocks linens in more than 1,200 hues and patterns, for clients including private individuals and professional party planners. Neiman Marcus carries Missoni linens in vivid prints. And even the venerable Sferra Brothers, makers of luxury linens for well over a century, offers shades such as pumpkin, berry, tangerine, cinnabar and garnet.

The tablecloth, napkins, runners and accent cloths don't have to match in color or texture. "Coordinate your fabrics," Davis says, "put them together and see if they go." Brown is in demand this year, often combined with pink, blue or a variation on kiwi green, she adds.

Gold, combined with ivory or brown, creates an elegant look for New Year's Eve. Velours and velvets in kelly green or burgundy are more traditional, but "so many people want to get away from red and green" for the holiday season, according to Davis.

For a New Year's Day get-together, Davis recommends celadon or sage-green linens. The colors are calming, which "people need ... on New Year's Day," she explains. "It's a great background for floral arrangements, and more sophisticated than kelly or hunter green. Anything shiny or glitzy is too jarring on New Year's Day. Nobody wants that."

Shop Around

Places to buy tablecloths are surprisingly ubiquitous, considering that many households use the linens only on holidays.

Department stores such as Macy's and Bloomingdale's carry them, as do Williams-Sonoma, Crate and Barrel and Sur la Table. Boutiques such as Manhattan-based Fine Linens and Gracious Style in Los Angeles and Web sites such as the Giving Tree offer products from luxury linens manufacturers including Sferra Brothers, Matouk and Yves DeLorme.

Vintage tablecloths from the 1950s and earlier are offered on eBay, at flea markets and at Web sites such as Gramas Attic and Material Pleasures.

For specific colors and fabrics or hard-to-find sizes, custom table linens are an option.

Vendors include Best Dressed Tables, Gracious Style, Jeanne Melillo Design and Amelie Michel Artisans in Provence, France.

Cotton, polyester or a cotton/poly blend are the most widely available materials.

And don't automatically shy away from synthetics: "It's not the polyester of leisure suits," Davis explains. "It's silklike." Unlike cotton, polyester won't shrink, and it may not need ironing.

Prices for tablecloths vary, depending on the size and shape of the table and the type of fabric. They often start around a few hundred dollars; however, an Alencon lace cloth from Bergdorf Goodman can set you back $1,400.

Davis says that people often hesitate to use a tablecloth because they're afraid of staining it.

Spills are bound to happen, but they're no cause for panic. She recommends spraying stains with Simple Green, diluted with water to half strength, before putting linens into the washer.

To avoid shrinkage and wrinkling, Davis advises letting table linens hang out to dry or using the dryer's air-dry setting. "Take them out when they're 80% dry and hang them, or put the cloth right back on the table," she advises.

Rent-a-Top

Those who would rather leave the shopping and maintenance to others are perfect candidates for renting table linens, as are those who plan to set up multiple tables, rarely entertain or want to impress frequent diners.

There are multiple rental outlets online, including a directory site, PartyPop.com. Most vendors carry an enormous range of colors, patterns, fabrics and sizes. Anyone who has ever craved stripes, jungle prints, patriotic patterns or kid's motifs will find that sources exist for an overwhelming variety of each.

It never hurts to plan and order as far in advance as possible, though those willing to pay a premium for overnight shipping can make up their minds at the last minute.

	Setting the Scene

The only drawback is that there's no time for reshipping if there's a problem or if your choice doesn't create the hoped-for effect once you see it in place.

After the party, there's no need to wash the linens or worry about stains -- simply shake out the cloths and return them to the vendor. The pros are equipped to handle the likes of red wine or gravy stains and to deal with drips of candle wax.

Renters will be charged for cloths that are burnt, torn or not returned, however.

So whether you're setting up a few tables at home or planning a catered party at a larger venue, banish all thoughts of paper or plastic and prepare to dazzle your guests with your creative take on table linens.

And while you're at it, consider making a tablecloth part of your daily life.

It doesn't matter if you're eating takeout, leftovers or a home-cooked meal: Everything looks and tastes better on a well-dressed table.

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