CasaSugar

Roundup: Striped Table Linens

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Stripes are the little black dress of tabletop décor. They're always in style. You can never go wrong with a good striped or broad-plaid tablecloth. For instance, I'm absolutely in love with the Designers Guild Dickenson print, and I don't see that changing . . . ever. It's a good thing, because a table cloth and six napkins will cost me $195. For now, I might have to treat myself to a set of four napkins ($40). But why stop there? There are so many striped table linens to love. See my other beautiful finds when you read more.

Do You Iron Your Table Settings?

CasaSugar — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 05:30:42 -0700

I don't always iron my clothing, but you can bet that if you have dinner at my house, the tablecloths, placemats, and napkins will be wrinkle-free. There's just something about a well-set table that makes me smile.

Casa Quickie: A Tablecloth Alternative

CasaSugar — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:30:12 -0800

For me, setting the table is a little like getting dressed: I won't be caught dead wearing the same thing two days in a row. I like to switch up my dinnerware, napkin rings, glasses, table linens, and menu (of course) each day. But sometimes I tire of my tabletop "wardrobe" and sometimes it's just laundry day. When that happens, I look into my real wardrobe for some alternatives. For this little breakfast nook, I decided to use a cotton scarf as a tablecloth. It's nothing fancy, and the shape isn't perfect for a round table, but it's just breakfast! I think the houndstooth check pattern has a sort of updated Italian ristorante vibe, don't you?

How-To: Remove Candle Wax

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:30:00 -0800

There's nothing more romantic than a candlelit dinner, but waking up to a table covered in wax is no picnic. Before you reach for a razorblade that will scratch up your gorgeous dining table, or even think about tossing your tablecloth in the washer, I have some tips for safely and easily removing that candle wax. If the wax has dripped onto a hard surface like a metal, wooden, or glass table, use a blow dryer to melt the wax. As it liquefies, wipe up the melted max with a paper towel or a cotton rag. To hear how to remove wax from your table linens, read more.

Begin by scratching away as much of the wax as you can with a dull knife. Don't pick too hard if you have delicate linens.
Now, lay a piece of newspaper or kraft paper down on your ironing board. Set the waxy portion of your tablecloth on top of that, and then lay down another piece of paper. You can also use a piece of brown paper bag (i.e. lunch bag) for this.
Turn your iron on low-medium and slowly iron over the paper. The paper should absorb the wax as it liquefies. Lift up the paper to check that it's working, and increase the heat and replace the newspaper or kraft paper if necessary.
Next, wash your linens or have them dry cleaned.

Casa Quickie: Slip-Proof Tablecloth

CasaSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:00:27 -0800

Throwing a successful dinner party is already enough of a hassle without your tablecloth slipping off of the table. You've somehow spent 10 minutes assuring yourself that your linens drape equally to the floor. You set the table, serve your feast, and realize that one side resembles a miniskirt sported by Britney Spears. Frustrating? Yes. Easy to fix? Definitely. Just cut a piece of felt to the size and shape of your tabletop, and the textured fabric will prevent your table's linen number from becoming a bit risqué.

Do You Dress Your Table?

CasaSugar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:30:13 -0800

Since I inherited a dining table from my mother-in-law that I could never afford otherwise (thank you Linda!), I try to be extra careful with it by using coasters, tablecloths, and place mats before anything gets set down on its burnished wood surface. Which doesn't prevent accidents entirely: Last week I put a pizza box down on the table for a moment, and its surface fogged up for 10 minutes! Luckily, there was no permanent damage, but I was worried!

Source

Nice and New: Lisa Stickley Tablecloths

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:15:01 -0700

I just came across the Lisa Stickley Custard Cream Tablecloth ($287 and up) and Duck Plates Tablecloth ($287 and up) at Rose & Radish, and I'm completely smitten. Stickley has incorporated a trompe-l'œil effect onto her printed textiles, giving the illusion that her tablecloths are topped with traditional British tea plates. The Custard Cream Tablecloth is printed with floral china patterns with painted rims, and the Duck Plates Tablecloth is based on her own grandfather's duck-themed tea service. I love this twist on vintage British style, and think it's the perfect fit for a tea party among modern girls.

Get the Look: Mama Mia's Terrific Textiles

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:45:28 -0700

The day after my wedding, one of my bridesmaids and I, exhausted from the weekend's events, popped into a matinee of Mamma Mia. While our reviews were mixed (please, please let me never hear Pierce Brosnan sing again), one element of the film got an enthusiastic thumbs up: the gorgeous textiles. I was absolutely inspired by the film's bedding, tablecloths, and pillows. The bright colors, suzanis, folksy embroidery, and busy patterns were absolute eye candy.

Interested in integrating some of these patterns into your home? Find out where you can get them when you read more.

While you'll want to mix and match to get this look, if you're initially stumped, start with bright, Mediterranean tones, such as tropical sea blues and rich reds.

Tabletop Keep it colorful, but also under control. If you choose a flowered tablecloth, don't choose equally vibrant napkins or placemats; a solid or complementary patterned napkin in coordinating colors will look best.

Cushions and Decorative Pillows Embroidery and ethnic touches are must-haves here.

Bedding Start with a bright white background, and then add color liberally.

Alice Sheet Set - $79.00	St. Lucia Standard Sham - $88.00
Rooftop Garden Sheet Set - $168.00	Suzani Embroidered Duvet Cover & Sham - $229.00
DwellStudio Hedgerow Shams - Persimmon - $99.00	Plush Living - Sicily Embroidered Sheet Set - $168.00
Almost Famous Standard Sham - $98.00	Organic Cotton Washed Paisley Bedding - $198.00
Missoni Home -harpo pattern throw by missoni home of italy - $195.00	Tile Organic Sheet Set - Select Items - $129.00
Chloe Quilt - $179.95	CLOSEOUT! Martha Stewart Collection "Oasis Damask" 6-Piece Comforter Set, Queen - $220.00
Morgan 400-Thread-Count Duvet Cover & Sham - Select Items - $39.00	Chameleon Mini Comforter Set by Roxy, 100% Cotton - $29.99
Flourish Bedding - $98.00	Urban Living Brighton Spice - $29.99
Homespun Throw - $198.00	Missoni Home -hector pattern throw by missoni home of italy - $275.00

Photo courtesy of Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures

Cool Idea: a Tablecloth Sans a Skirt

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:00:07 -0700

I recently introduced you to one of my favorite blogs, My Marrakesh, about a family's quest to build an eco chic boutique hotel, called Peacock Pavilions, in Marrakesh. As part of this quest, Maryam, the blogging girl, wanted her hotel's tables, Saarinen tables I might add, "to be, well, pretty." Instead of purchasing traditional round tablecloths or leaving the tables undressed, she designed her own tablecloths, edged with handmade passementarie buttons, because she didn't want "to cover the graceful stems of the Saarinen tables." If that's not sheer brilliance, I don't know what is. One look at the table settings, and I'm already booking my flight, waiting to hear the words, "dinner is served."

Etsy Find: PataPri Pear Tablecloth

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:00:20 -0800

If the trendiness of the PataPri Pear Tablecloth ($68) weren't enough to make me swoon, it's also well designed, modern, cheerful, fun, and cuter than buttons. Its pear pattern is hand silkscreened onto light-blue, 100-percent linen, and at 60-x-90-inches, it'll fit most rectangular dining tables. Paired (excuse me) with some Danish modern chairs, it would be a show stopper, which will surely lift your spirits during the dreariness of Winter.

CLOSEOUT! Home James Jabberwocky Placemat and Napkin Collection - $45.00	Calvin Klein "Tonal Bands" Linen Collection - $10.00
Chilewich - $62.00	Confetti Indoor/Outdoor Umbrella Tablecloth - $14.99
Calvin Klein "Tonal Bands" Table Runner, 15x90" - $100.00	Unison - Porter Tablecloth - $64.00
Feed Sack Table Runner - Blue - $399.00	Fiesta Rainbow Burst Napkins, Set of Four, 17x17" - $22.00
Bardwil "Broadway" Blue Stripe Napkins, Set of 4 - $30.00	Martha Stewart Collection "Canopy Stripe" Placemat Collection - $9.00
DwellStudio Table Woodblock Runners - in ink - set of 2 - $160.00	Tuxedo Stripe Collection by Chilewich - $25.00
Striped Table Runner - $25.00	Savona Stripe Tablecloth/Napkin - $4.95
DwellStudio Table Woodblock Lake Napkin - set of 4 - $64.00

Mina Tablecloth, Round - $58.00	Coral Shell Quilted Placemat and Napkin - $5.99
Tahitian Vine Tablecloth, Round - $16.00	Eden Placemat/Napkin - $4.95
Brighton Blue Quilted Placemat and Napkin - $6.99	Fiesta Bold Stripe Outdoor Table Runner - $59.00
Summer Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Tablecloth and Napkin - $9.74	Dijon Tropical Reversible Runner, Placemats or Napkins Sets of 4 - $19.99
Batik Leaf Runner, Placemats or Napkin Sets of 4 - $24.99	Pavot Tablecloth - $108.00
Coral and Cream Sarika Tablecloth or Runner - $19.99	Provence Tablecloths, Azure Blue - $36.00
Mediterranean Patio Tablecloths - $54.00	Tahitian Vine Tablecloth - $16.00
Rooster Print Tablecloths, Claret - $44.00	Flora & Fauna Tablecloth - $58.00

notNeutral Triton Throw Pillow Blue/White - $80.00	Pixel & Houndstooth Needlepoint Pillows - $98.00
Rosa Orange-Flower Pillow Cover - $59.00	Patchwork Round Floor Cushion - $29.99
Galliformes Pillow, Pheasant - $118.00	Thai Floor Cushions - $19.99
Thomas Paul Broderie Aqua Linen Pillow - $100.00	Kerala Floor Pillow - $128.00
Sienna Patchwork Bolster Pillow Cover - $39.00	Suzani Floor Cushion - $49.99
Thomas Paul Sarah Beet Linen Pillow - $94.00	Serpent Zardozi Pillow - $98.00
Popcorn Crewel Pillow In Ivory - $88.00	Rosa Red-Flower Pillow Cover - $39.00
Dovecote Pillow, Square - $158.00	Festival Pillow - $128.00