Marti’s Blog

TABLE TALK

Although I love cooking and entertaining, setting the table often brings me more joy than the cooking itself, which, over the years has resulted in a slight obsession with table linen.  No matter how insignificant the meal, I believe that it needs to be enjoyed at a table with at least a napkin to wipe that last bit of deliciousness from your lips.

Whether you invite people for a casual family-style supper or a more formal sit-down meal, nothing makes people feel more welcome than a table that has been set by the time they arrive.  It indicates that you have gone through some effort to make the time with them special.

I personally love using table runners. Not only is it an easy way to quickly set a table it’s also extremely versatile and sets the mood.

Runners used directly over a table is less formal and it’s so quick to set up.  Over a white or natural table cloth it becomes more “dressed” up and formal.

Runners are also a wonderful way to ring the changes of the mood, season and theme: – red for Christmas, blue for summer, grey for winter and so forth.  Short runners can also be used across the table to double up as placemats.

So, a golden rule for tableware is to invest in a good quality (preferably linen), fairly plain white tablecloth and bring in the fun and ambience with different colour runners and napkins.

Masquerade has recently developed three ranges of 100% linen runners and napkins which were specially woven for us according to our design; Summer Blue, French Country Red and Midnight Grey.  The linen has been stonewashed to enhance the softness and relaxed feel.  The runners come in three sizes in order to cater for different table sizes with the shortest being 1,5m to be used across the table to double up as placemats, which is an alternative to using one long runner down the middle.  Matching napkins make for an impressive table setting.

Hope you find at least one of these to your taste and feel inspired to use it as often as possible.

Bon Appétit!

Products featured in this article:

Summer Blue Table Runner

French Country Red Table Runner

Midnight Grey Table Runner