Placemats and Linens

Placemats and kitchen linens protect a dining table while setting its tone, from the weight of a linen runner down to the small detail of a cork-backed coaster. Our collection brings together makers whose tea towels wash well into their tenth year, and placemats whose edges stay flat on the table rather than curling by spring.
  • Coasters Leicester Wallpaper
    By Heal's
    Coasters Leicester Wallpaper
    £6.99
  • Coasters Swallow and Sea
    By Heal's
    Coasters Swallow and Sea
    £6.99
  • Playa Coasters Set of 4 Playa Coasters Set of 4
    By Jonathan Adler
    Playa Coasters Set of 4
    £85
  • Marseille Face Coasters Set of 4 Marseille Face Coasters Set of 4
    By Jonathan Adler
    Marseille Face Coasters Set of 4
    £75

    A standard placemat measures around 35 by 45cm, large enough to sit a plate, bowl and side plate without overlap. Round placemats of 35 to 38cm diameter suit single-plate settings and circular tables, while rectangular mats work harder when the setting grows to include a bread plate or water glass on the mat itself.

    Cork-backed placemats handle heat up to around 100 degrees and don't slide on a polished table, making them the practical choice for everyday dining. Fabric placemats, especially linen and cotton, feel softer and more refined for dinner parties, though they need spot-cleaning between uses and don't take direct heat from serving dishes.

    Linen tea towels, runners and napkins soften with each wash and are best run at 40 degrees with a non-biological detergent. Line-drying outdoors preserves the fibre's strength and gives a natural press, while tumble-drying on low shortens the routine without damaging the weave. Iron while slightly damp for the sharpest finish.

    A runner unifies the length of a rectangular table and suits long-format settings with centrepieces and shared platters. Individual placemats break the table into place-by-place settings and work better on round tables where a runner has no natural direction. Many households use both, switching based on the occasion.

    • Contemporary Takes On The Country Kitchen-Diner
      Latest Trends
      Contemporary Takes On The Country Kitchen-Diner
      Whether its a modern update for a rural retreat or adding some rustic charm to an inner-city space, let our Country Kitchen-Diners inspire your next Modern Dining Room. With all the technology and modern conveniences that fill our everyday lives, there's something about the back-to-basics feel of a traditional English dining room that remains so alluring. Yet these designs are much more than simply nostalgia pieces, with the shaker influence of functional elegance a staple of the best country inspired spaces. Try these four very different takes on the Country Kitchen-Diner and lose yourself in the rural idyll. Shop Dining Room Cook to Perfection Functionality is at the heart of the country kitchen-diner as evidenced by the Cooks Dining Table, its large work surface (pictured here in marble but also available in oak or urban concrete top) acting as both a place to prep and eat meals. This makes it a great piece for both big or small spaces acting as a makeshift island complete with storage drawers and hanging rail. We've paired this classic silhouette with a range of mix-and match chairs from the traditionally bentwood and woven wicker Capra to the sharp timber frame of the Risi. Update with accents A touch of colour adds a contemporary twist to traditional British furniture with the mix of painted pieces and natural solid woods providing a bold accent to a country kitchen-diner. Striking the balance between traditional and cutting edge, the modern Atlantic Blue finish of the Pinner range helps the traditional silhouettes stand out especially when placed within a minimal décor. Contemporary timbers Think country kitchen-diner and you will undoubtedly call to mind beautiful solid wood worktops and furnishings. Yet placed within a city space, rustic unfinished timbers can provide a modern contrast to the more polished surroundings. The Tree to Table Dining Table provides a real feature design for the dining room, with each cut from a choice of British grown trees (Ash, Limed Beech or Oak) and paired with traditionally forged and hammered iron legs. The range is crafted in Suffolk by Made by the Forge who are also behind the stunning Farrier's Cage Long pendant shown above. Mid-century makeover First designed by company founder Lucian Ercolani in the 1950s, the Ercol Original's range brings together the brands most iconic pieces. Their mid-century take on traditional Windsor furniture means they still look fresh within a modern country kitchen-diner especially in the elegant white and fade finish shown above. Shop Dining Room Back to top
    • Interior Inspo: Give Your Dinnerware A Monochrome Makeover
      Styling
      Interior Inspo: Give Your Dinnerware A Monochrome Makeover
      Whether it's intricate ethnic patterns or minimal blocks of colour, monochrome dinnerware provides the perfect palette for vibrant seasonal dishes. Like a stylish wardrobe, every kitchen and dining room needs staple pieces to frame both your gastronomic creations and everyday dishes. So to help you add some ying to your yang, we've brought together a few of our favourite new and classic pieces of black and white themed dinnerware. Shop Dishy Designs Loft White Dinnerware from £7 shown with Mahogany Satin Cutlery £145 (24 Piece Set), O Wine Tumblers £25, Linen Tableware from £10, Ink Ceramic Bottles in Diamond £30 and Stripe £20, and Arbori Dining Table £1,495. You can't go wrong with the crisp, clean look of fine white china dishes and plates especially when they're designed and made by legendary ceramicists Thomas Rosenthal. The subtle concentric pattern of the Loft Dinnerware range, shown above, contributes wonderfully towards stylish modern home decor. Moroccan Dinnerware from £9 shown with Mahogany Satin Cutlery £145 (24 Piece Set), Monochromatic Bowl £10, Linen Tableware from £10, and Traditional Moroccan Glass from £3. Ethnic inspired patterns give an eclectic feel to the dining room as shown by this beautiful collection of dinnerware which has been traditionally fired and hand painted in Morocco. Pair bold patterns such as those above with simple accessories and solid woods to really bring out the exotic feel. Siirtolapuutarha Dinnerware by Marimekko including Side Plate £20 and Teapot £67. When it comes to "food porn", brunch is by far the most popular meal of the day for insta-influencers. So if you're planning to show off your culinary creations try Marimekko's iconic collections of dinnerware - mixing modern Nordic form with their trademark illustrative patterns, these dishes are just the thing for lazy Sunday dining. Coal Black Enamelware by Falcon including Deep Plates £40 (set of four). The utility-chic of enamelware has made a major resurgence over the last few years in no small part thanks to trendy start-up restaurateurs who love its simple style and durability. While Falcon's classic blue with white rim design is still a staple of the kitchen cabinet, these new black and white dishes give a sharp, modern contrast to the range. Shop Dining Back to top