Holiday season is just beginning, and picking the right table linens is an essential step for all hosts. To help you make the perfect choice, we’ve broken down the five basic questions to ask before making your decision:

1. What material should I choose?

Because they are strong and absorbent, we recommend natural materials like cotton and linen.   But if you are short on time, there are great easy-care table linen collections available which are either stain-resistant or wrinkle resistant.

2. What size tablecloth should I buy?

For formal settings, we recommend that tablecloths should hang down 10″ to 12″ evenly around the table. In contrast, casual events call for cloths that have 6″ – 8″ drops.

To calculate the size of tablecloth you need, measure the length and width of your table and add twice the desired drop to each dimension. For example, if your table measures 48″ wide and 84″ long, and you would like a 12″ drop on each side, your tablecloth should be:
48″ + 12″ + 12″ = 72″ wide
84″ + 12″ + 12″ = 92″ long

For round tables, measure the diameter of your table and add twice the desired drop. Following the example above, 48″ round tables would require 70″ round tablecloths.

3. What shape should my tablecloth be?

On square and rectangular tables, we suggest using the same shape tablecloth. On round tables, either rounds or squares may be used, while on oval tables, either oval or rectangular tablecloths may be used. If you have several tables that you use often and your budget is limited, a nice alternative is to use placemats and napkins, which will work in any situation.

4. What should I consider in choosing linens for a special event?

There are several important factors to take into account when choosing table linens for a special event:

– Location: Choose colors to complement the existing décor of your dining room. For outdoor events, let the setting be your guide. Generally, bright colors look better in sunny locations, while pastels are wonderful in garden settings.

– Season: Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while bolder colors are more appropriate during the colder fall and winter months.

– Theme: Colorful linens are one of the most effective ways to set the mood you want to create. Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more refined atmosphere.

5. Do I need a table liner?

Although designed to last a lifetime, fine table surfaces are often exposed to excessive wear and tear. To help protect your tables, thick felt table liners are designed to reduce noise and protect your tabletop against heat and scratches. Unlike ordinary liners, these are plush and generously sized (approximately 5″ larger than your table) to extend over the edge of your table in order to create a softer drape underneath your fine linens.  To read more, see Protecting Your Table with Felt Liners.

For more information on Choosing Table Linens, click here!

The leaves are turning, a brisk wind is blowing, and the magic of the fall season has just begun! Create an inviting retreat for yourself this season by adding some fall spirit to your bedroom. Here are a few key pieces to get you started:

– Roll out a warm wool rug on hardwood floors, or layer on top of carpet to welcome your toes out of bed in the morning.

– Keep soft throws at your fingertips to grab on a cold night.

– Embrace the season’s hues in rust, chocolate and crimson. Try a new throw pillow, or get some soft new sheets in these timeless colors.

Delight your senses with the warm glow of candlelight.

Always have a plush robe ready to go. Whether you use one post-shower, or just for lounging, this will always make you feel pampered.

With the crisp autumn air reminding us that winter is on the way, now is the perfect time to prep for this chilly season. Using one of nature’s best insulators, down comforters and pillows are some of the warmest and most luxurious ways to snuggle up and stay warm all winter long. Here are the essentials every bed should have:

– Start with a mattress pad or featherbed; this will help keep you both warm and comfortable.

– Every bed should have a down comforter. Whether you live in the brisk northeast, or the sunny California shores, there are different weights for down comforters, so you’ll be sure to find a perfect one.

– Down blankets are the perfect way to keep cozy, and have a lighter weight than comforters. Fold one at the foot of your guest bed for extra warmth, or keep one in the living room for late nights by the fireplace.

– No bed would be complete without the perfect pillows. In a variety of sizes, and three levels of firmness, the right pillow will feel like a custom purchase, and will last you for years to come.

For more information on choosing the perfect down items for you, read our Down Guide here!

When preparing for Halloween, most people think to costumes first. But don’t forget about your decor! Whether you’re hosting a spooky soiree, or just getting in the spirit of the holiday, adding a few tricks and treats to your home is as much fun as dressing up.

Nothing says Halloween like a classic skull. Choose one with crystals for a glamorous touch that will still be a conversation piece long after the season has ended.

For small children, keep things creepy but cute with Herend’s delicate tarantula figurines.

Mix and match real pumpkins with elegant glass ones to create a unique, textured look.

Enchant your guests with hauntingly beautiful barware in shades of smoke, midnight and jet black.

Add a punch of orange to your bed or bath to keep yourself in the spirit of the season.

Can’t wait until Thanksgiving to get this Holiday season started? The transition from summer to fall is the perfect time to host a harvest party! Head to your local farmer’s market for some seasonal garden delicacies, and invite over some friends to celebrate the brisk breezes, turning leaves, and maybe even some sprinkling showers…

Have decor and drinks ready for guests as soon as they walk in the door. Add a few of these delicate pumpkins to your entryway or mantle, and try serving a seasonal ale with a hint of spice.

Stage your table or buffet with rich, dark colors.

Leave the guest bedroom door ajar to make friends and family feel welcome. Dress the bed with warm fall colors that invite out-of-towners to stay a while.

Join the weathered look of summer with the formality of fall by letting the character of  woodgrain or brick shine through. If you have an unfinished table or exposed wall, use this as a backdrop for fine cut glass or crystal.

Set the table with rustic refinement. Stoneware and pewter are more casual than fine china and silver, but still look pulled-together. Serve bread hot out of the oven, and rip it instead of cutting for that family-style feel.

Hosting a Harvest Party? Share your tips for fun fall festivities!

Whether throwing him a huge birthday party, or just looking for a reason to show him you care, there are so many ways to celebrate the guy in your life. From glasses and decanters right down to the napkin rings, we have all the details that will make your get-together one to remember.

To create a table with sophisticated masculinity, try using a plaid or striped tablecloths. We love Libeco Home‘s refined rustic style.

For a rugged, eclectic feel, try mixing a variety of textures and materials for a look that feels special and unique. Use antler accents and leather finishes to off set fine cut glass and glistening metallics.

Like what you see? Check out more party ideas here.

Hosting for the holidays? Now’s the time to start planning those parties. And because all custom table linens are made to order, it can take up to 10-12 weeks to complete production, so get out your measuring tape! As these orders cannot be changed or cancelled after they are placed, here are six helpful tips to ensure you order the perfect table linens:

1. Count your expected guests. You may need to add additional leaves to your table for these special occasions, so be sure to measure the fullest length you need. Ordering additional napkins can be a great way to ensure you’re prepared for anything.

2. Consider shape. If you have an oval table, both an oval or rectangular cloth will work. Take a look at Sferra’s Classico, which has elegant long corners draping from an oval table shape:

3. Calculate your desired drop. We recommend a 10-15 inch drop on all sides, so be sure to add 20-30 inches to both the length and width of your table. Casual settings typically require a shorter drop, while some formal linens may reach all the way to the floor.

Not sure how long your drop should be? Place one of your dining chairs at your table and measure the gap between the bottom of the table and the top of the seat, and use this as your guide.

4. Choose your material. While linen shows classic elegance and tradition, you may also consider an easy-care option if you need to use these cloths frequently in a short period of time. Options like Egyptian Cotton allow for a texture with a beautiful, subtle sheen, while a synthetic option may be the right choice for those who need to quickly wash and dry to prepare for the next event. Easy care materials require little to no ironing, but if you opt for linen, try ironing your cloth while it’s still damp, which makes wrinkles much easier to erase.

5. Remember, these may shrink! All of our custom tablecloths are made slightly larger to compensate for shrinkage. If you would prefer to have the cloth cut exactly to your specific dimensions, without any additional fabric, please feel free to indicate this in Special Instructions at Checkout.

6. Have fun! Don’t forget the reason for the occasion: the celebrate with the ones you love! If you want to bring life to a white or ecru tablecloth, try colorful dinnerware or vibrant seasonal flowers on your table. If you love bright linens, choose from over 100 colors in the aptly named Festival Collection. Please note that the Festival fabric cannot be cut in an oval shape, but looks beautiful in round or rectangle.

For all of our custom table linens, click here.

How will you make this Holiday Season shine?

Every year, there’s a mad rush for Kim Seybert’s holiday collections, and she always runs out.  So this year we wisened up and asked for a sneak preview in July.  Take a look at what’s new, and get it now before it’s gone. Happy early holidays!

In the spirit?  Click to view all our Holiday 2014 collections here!

The fourth of July has come and gone, but don’t put away your red, white and blue just yet! Bastille Day, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, is France’s national day of independence, and it’s right around the corner on Monday, July 14.

Whether you have French heritage in your family, or simply love the flaky, soft perfection of a warm croissant, this is a great time to embrace this rich culture here in America. And what better place than the melting pot of Los Angeles? If you live in Southern California, try out some of these French festivities nearby; if not, celebrate wherever you are with your francophile friends!

Brunch

Go Out: Named for the famous avenue in Paris, Le Champs-Elysees, Elysee is a true taste of French cuisine and pastries. Located in the heart of Westwood Village, this quaint French pastry shop is the perfect place to get brunch in French fashion. For a traditional bite, try the Croque Monsieur, a popular grilled ham and cheese sandwich that can be found on every corner in Paris! Be sure to accompany your breakfast with a delicious cup of French coffee, and if you have a sweet tooth, try the Napoleon. Also called mille-feuille, this eponymous French pastry is said to have “one thousand leaves” of thin, flaky pastry, held together with rich, sweet cream. C’est parfait!  (Other ideas: La Maison du Pain in mid-City,  Maison Giraud in Pacific Palisades, and Chaumont in Beverly Hills)

Stay In: Not near Westwood? Host a French brunch in your own home, chez vous! Pain au chocolat, the French brother of the chocolate croissant, can be picked up or ordered from many bakeries in America, so find one near you and grab some for friends! Be sure to have coffee or tea with brunch, and for a truly French flare, use serving pieces from Christofle, Ercuis or Raynaud. Bon appetit!

Cinema

Go Out: Many theaters in Los Angeles honor the intrigue of French culture through screenings of foreign films. In homage to the acclaimed French director, Michel Gondry, the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood is showing his latest film, Mood Indigo on July 14. Starring the stunning French beauty, Audrey Tatou, this surreal love story combines classic French romance with a deeply imaginative, fantastical twist. To become a member of American Cinematique, and show your appreciation for beautiful American and foreign cinema, visit their website here.

Stay In: Far from Hollywood? Invite over some friends for a French cinematic adventure of your own! Some famous French films that can be found in America include Amelie, La Vie En Rose, La Femme Nikita, Midnight in Paris, and Breathless. If you have trouble finding one of these incredible movies, try finding an American film with French actors! Some famous names that have graced the screens of both France and America include Gérard Depardieu, Juliette Binoche (think Chocolat with Johnny Depp!), Marion Cotillard and Catherine Deneuve.

Dinner

Go Out: If you are looking for pure authenticity in French cuisine, then Taix (pronounced | ˈteks |) is the perfect place. With a rotating menu of French delicacies, this charming Echo Park restaurant and bar boasts exquisite plates passed down from generation to generation within the Taix family from southern France. If you go here, go all out. The escargot is divine, the frog’s legs are perfection, and the changing menu provides different specials for every day of the week. The staff welcomes and serves you with true French hospitality, and if you just can’t get enough, you can purchase your wine glasses to take home after your meal. Délicieux!  (For more ideas, check out Eater L.A.’s Best French Restaurants in Los Angeles)

Stay In: If Echo Park is out of reach, try making a French-inspired meal at home! While French cuisine can be hard to master, there are some easy additions to your own cooking that can transform a simple dinner into a Parisian plate. Bread is essential to any French meal, so be sure to grab a baguette at your local grocery store or bakery. For that crusty exterior and warm, soft center, toss it in a 300 degree oven for about five minutes to heat it up, then hand-rip it into small pieces and serve in a French bread basket like this one from Couzon.

If you choose to serve chicken or soup, try adding a bouquet garni. Don’t be fooled by this French name; this is exactly what it sounds like: a bouquet, or bundle, of garnishes. Try combining rosemary, thyme, sage and marjoram for great French flavor. Add a bottle of French wine and some Edith Piaf tunes, and you may just confuse your own dining room for a Paris bistro!

And finally, celebrate with more French sweets, like a tarte tatin or a simple crème brûlée (for recipes, check out this guide from Saveur).

What are your plans for Bastille Day?

With Father’s Day right around the corner, Gracious Style is here to help you select that thoughtful, unique gift that tells him “I love you”. From grilling gear to abstract art, we have something for every kind of dad.

Combining the art of photography with the sophistication of modern machines, Natural Curiosities makes an industrial-chic statement with their Bugatti Collection.

With the perfect balance of whimsy and masculinity, Vagabond House‘s Bull BBQ Set is a great way to kick-start his summer.

This elegant ashtray is the ultimate companion for his favorite cigar: an item that exudes luxury and refinement.

An aptly named set for a man who once famously remarked: “Port is for gentlemen; brandy is for heroes.” Moser‘s Churchill Brandy Set is a timeless gift that he will treasure forever.

In sleek stainless steel and warm-hued wood, Nambe’s Scoop Ice Bucket fuses natural and modern materials in perfect harmony.

Beauty and simplicity define this Christofle Silver clock, with clean, modern lines and a geometric roman numeral face.

A playfully intellectual gift, Herend’s Chess Figurines are clever addition to any desktop or mantle.

For more great gift ideas, visit our Father’s Day Shop.