Napkins

Cloth napkins turn an everyday meal into a more considered occasion and are one of the small daily upgrades that meaningfully improves how a table feels. Our collection covers pure linen, linen-cotton blends and washed cotton designs from leading European houses, in palettes that work as part of a broader table setting rather than competing with the dinnerware.

Linen drapes more elegantly, absorbs better and softens beautifully over years of washing. Cotton is easier to launder, less prone to creasing and more forgiving for households not committed to ironing. For a household that loves the casual elegance of slightly creased linen, linen wins; for households that prefer a crisper, no-iron table, cotton is the better fit.

50x50cm is the standard size for a dinner napkin – large enough to drape across a lap properly, small enough to fold cleanly on the place setting. Smaller napkins (40-45cm) suit lunch and afternoon tea; larger napkins (55-60cm) suit formal dinner parties where the visual presence of the cloth matters.

Six is the practical minimum for households that host occasionally; eight to twelve covers a serious dinner-party household. Set aside one set for daily use and another for entertaining – the daily set will wear faster but the entertaining set stays presentable for years longer.

Wash at 40 degrees on a wool cycle with a non-bio detergent; dry-line where possible to keep the fibre soft. Iron while slightly damp on a medium-hot setting for the cleanest finish, or accept the relaxed creased look if you prefer. Linen improves with washing rather than degrading – a properly cared-for linen napkin softens over years of use.