A seemingly trivial complement, the napkin actually plays a really important role in decorating the table and creating the right mise en place for any occasion.
But how should it be used? Today we give you some tips on how to choose, arrange and finally fold napkins perfectly for every occasion.
We all know by now that etiquette dictates a rectangle-fold napkin, placed to the left of the plate and cutlery and strictlymatched to the tablecloth.
We at the Borgo delle Tovaglie, however, see it a little differently and think that the napkin is the detail that can really make a
difference on a beautiful table.
We move away from trying to make it go unnoticed and minimize its unobtrusive presence, and instead choose it with great care from time to time, so that it is in harmony with the rest
of the table setting and at the table and at the same time highlighted, to become a refined and noteworthy element of decoration.
When it comes to setting a table that has some originality and character, the napkin in fact plays a key role, after choosing a nice tablecloth or special placemats, the real extra touch is given by them.
The secret lies in making them the protagonists, alternating on the places the colors as I do in different shades or even in different patterns.
You could, for example, put on the place intended for men, plain napkins, and on the place intended for women, fluffy napkins with ruffles, or alternate narrow and wide stripes of the same color!
Very important, however, is also the way you place them on the table: for a table setting according to the rules of etiquette, the napkin should be folded in a rectangle on the left side of the plate,
next to the fork, but I am of the opinion that folding it with a bit of imagination, makes my tables much more interesting.
How to choose the right color of napkins
Let me say in advance that I am talking about linen or at most cotton napkins, and that I make no concession to paper, which as I have had occasion to reiterate in the past,
I find not only ugly but also really anti-ecological and a sign of carelessness.
I range depending on the case from napkins of a simple shape but perhaps in gradations of color that recall and emphasize the edge of my tablecloth, to more elaborate ones such as the Filo line napkins with
an embroidered border in a contrasting color, up to the fluffy and romantic Gitane napkins in impalpable linen that makes them resemble flower corollas.
As mentioned, I think that the napkin does not always have to match the tablecloth perfectly; in fact, I prefer to choose it in one or more shades in the same color palette as the tablecloth, or even a range of shades that harkens back to the floral centerpiece decoration.
Patterned napkins on plain tablecloths are also welcome, but why not also stripes on floral or toile de jouy printed tablecloths, checks to go with stripes, Art Nouveau designs, tie-dye patterns, plaids to go with plain linen tablecloths! There is no limit to fantasy, and if we choose colors well, we can really add an extra touch to our table.
Fundamental is the choice of colors, which very often are the only common thread among the most eclectic fabric combinations and therefore will really have to be matched to perfection.
How to fold napkins.
The type of folding you choose is important in order to decorate the table in the best way.As for how to fold it, I can tell you that I do not like overly elaborate constructions,
such as swans or fans, which I find unsuitable for elegant tables.
Again we prefer simplicity, for example with a knot fold, a scarf fold or even a rectangle fold, but not in a traditional way.
My napkins then become cheerful and decorative and are often placed on the plate just like a bow on a beautiful gift: a knot, a bow tie, a sash that I call a tie and place on a corner of the plate, a puffy bouquet, over time I have come up with many variations of folds and I am sure there would be many more to invent!
I have prepared a little guide to explain my favorite folds in a few steps,
so you can have fun setting any kind of table thanks to a nice supply of linen napkins and a little imagination!
How to fold napkins into knots
How to fold napkins in the shape of a tie
How to fold napkins in the shape of origami
How to fold napkins in the shape of a package
Discover and purchase Borgo delle Tovaglie's linen napkins online.
Borgo delle Tovaglie's linen and cotton napkins are available in different colors and sizes. Discover the different lines:
Pure Napkins: pure washed linen napkin, perfect for any style of table setting, to match the color of the tablecloth, border or in contrasting colors according to preference.
Filo napkins: the softness and elegance of the finest linen elegantly profiled by a contrasting color embroidery stitch. Elegant and not without attention to detail but minimalist and suitable for the most basic tables as much as the richest. Available in a wide range of colors and combinations.
Gitane napkins: elegant pure linen gauze napkin enriched with a soft ruffle on the profile. Always one of our best sellers and because of its uniqueness it never goes unnoticed. Perfect for adding a touch of refined femininity to your table. Can be combined with the tablecloth from the Gitane line, but also used in contrasting style on other tablecloth models. Available in 30 colors.
Petal Napkins: Light as a petal, this linen gauze napkin printed with floral themes from our petal collections will dot your tables with a breath of natural beauty. Because of the richness and variety of its colors, it is particularly versatile in matching the hues of any tablecloth. Finished on the profile with an elegant silver embroidery stitch.
