The Perfect Tablecloth

Rain was coming down in torrents, our house had an aura of stillness, silence before a storm. Wonderful sensations, excitement, the knowledge that we were in this colourful dream, about to unfold.
As tablecloths were taken out of the cupboard, layed out and then dismissed as not suitable, the decision was not made until the last one had been judged and decided wanting. The same cloth that had been the first would go back on again, and after all was said and done that was the perfect cloth. The pattern was very distinct, it was all over lace, with crocheted hearts . I loved running my fingers along the bumpy pattern outlining the shapes .
How we peeked through the banister and watched the dining room transformed, from shabby to majestic for every festive occasions. Crockery or really parts of sets that had mostly disappeared were spread out but the few remaining pieces were still treated with reverence. Once that cloth had been laid out we knew fun was in store.
Here at http://www.homelinen.co.uk/ we know what works and we have amazing staff who can assist you.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SIZE CLOTH I NEED?

Its very simple just lay a tape measure over the surface of the table and add aprox 25 cm to each end to achieve the correct drape that is the size you require. If your table is 2.00 meters long you would purchase aprox 2.50 meters. You do exactly the same to the width measure the width and then add aprox 25 cm to each side. The most important issue is to have the cloth that suits you best so if it is a few centimetres short it is can still work. Keep in mind that if a cloth is too wide then those that sit around will have lots of cloth on their laps and that may not be so comfortable. Remember either till the floor or 20-25cm drape.

OVAL OR OBLONG TABLECLOTH??

MY TABLE IS OVAL, CAN I BUY AN OBLONG TABLECLOTH?

Even though it is not ideal you can buy an oblong tablecloth for an oval table, but you must be careful that the size is not longer than 18 cm on either side. This is because the corners will touch the floor and that can be dangerous and uncomfortable for those sitting on the sides.(and with oval tables you tend to have people sitting along the corners) Keep one thing in mind, you can not use an oval tablecloth on an oblong table, since the corners of the table will be uncovered.

I HAVE A SMALL BUDGET,SO HOW DO I CREATE A FESTIVE DINING TABLE?

If you want to transform your room and don’t want to spend a lot then today's home fashion is ideal for you. Purchase a runner in gold, silver, aubergine or red colours and put that in the centre of your table. Then experiment with coordinating placemats and contrasting napkins and you can also add a mantle runner so the fabrics soften the area and give it freshness.Your home will instantly look redecorated and so festive!

I WANT TO USE A CLOTH BUT I AM HAVING FRIENDS OVER AND HATE IRONING?

I have a wonderful solution for you here at http://www.homelinen.co.uk/ . I understand busy schedules. I run a busy household with kids, heavy work, commitments and lots of entertaining. The secret is easy care tablecloths. Gone are the notions that the tablecloths need be shiny and synthetic looking.

We have a selection of table linen that are “wash and wear” that a connoisseur would have a hard time differentiating, www.homelinen.co.uk/homelinen/Tablecloths/Swiss-Easy-Care/ whether it is cotton or linen. The Swiss range of cloths are just that, it is produced in Switzerland and has their uncompromising standards . The basic cloth that is easy on the pocket and easy to care for would be all of our plain dyed cloths with scalloped edges or straight hemmed.
So for those of you that want to buy British we have Nottingham Cluny lace that is manufactured in the uk. For those who like the rustic country patterns of simplistic style I recommend the Aubergue checks http://www.homelinen.co.uk/homelinen/Tablecloths/Country-Style.The range also has a variety of accessories pot mitts oven gloves seat pads aprons etc. For those discerning people who understand and appreciate a genuine classic piece and can only have cotton damask or pure linen I recommend www.homelinen.co.uk/homelinen/Tablecloths/Thomas-Ferguson-Irish-Linen/

TIPS!

Always wash out stains with cold water never use hot directly. If you have soda water at hand try it always use that first on the stains it will neutralize the stain. If you fold your tablecloth before placing it in the washing machine, ironing will be that much easier.
For easiest ironing take the items out of the dryer half way so they are a little damp and iron them on the reverse hey presto ! Its done!

Gusty winds and frosty mornings autumn winter. The wonderful cycle of the year that I love so much, Vivaldi’s four seasons encapsulates it perfectly with his musical crescendo and speeding tempos.Spring the rebirth of the world, our windows open and beckon life to start its merry tune. All flowers blossoming, suns rays slowly hesitantly showing between clouds that ride the sky.The summer brings with it anticipation of fresh breezes, sticky humid days, memories of warm hazy evenings of slow sunsets. Autumn trees baring their branches, leaves; slowly hitting the ground, scarf's being pulled out hidden away coats and jackets brought down.

Walking the crisp air surrounding me, pushing the mountains of leaves, everything looks different.Shorter days longer nights the winter cold brings with it feelings of hibernation, nesting staying home, close to familiar things. Snuggled up and cosy, warmed by home and hearth. Keeping these fuzzy memories of hot soup and delicious toasted sandwiches, under the thick feathered quilt. Fluffy quilts are so forgiving, they allow you to forget worries or feeling sad they just encase and embrace you.

At home linen http://www.homelinen.co.uk/ understand your requirements; we understand the needs of people. We can respond to different lifestyles. We test and try our products.
When you share a double, king size or super king size quilt the key requirement is that both people should get adequate comfort. A feather quilt can control two body temperatures, it has the ability to contour the shape and allow the body to breathe, through the down so you wake feeling refreshed and at ease.

WHAT IS TOG RATING?

The higher the tog rating the warmer, the quilt.In the summer months you would find a 4.5 tog feather quilt sufficient for those occasioning light chills or just simple cozy lie inns. As the temperatures drop the tog rating should rise to suit.In the spring a 9 tog would work, it supplies efficient warmth without stifling. You can even buy a quilt made up of two parts "all seasons" that can be separated and used in the summer(4.5 tog)and in the spring the 9 tog and then in the winter both combined to create the 13.5 tog rating Still overwhelmingly popular is 13.5 tog its advantages are its possible all year round use.There are those that do not have adequate heating and truly freeze in the winter for them I recommend a 15 tog quilt that is for those that simply can’t get warm enough.The quilt was one of the serious investments families made that lasted throughout their lives.

IS WEIGHT AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN A QUILT?

The duvets of yesteryear were so heavy and casings weighed so much, that if it slipped at night the easier option would be to "unite on the floor." Casings have improved massively. Jacquard cotton casing with pocketed construction with a variety of edges gives us versatility. There are still those who prefer a heavy quilt but then they purchase duck feather as that is the heaviest not necessarily the best. Experience has taught us, weight is not the deciding factor on warmth, but the quality of the feather. Instead they are lighter but they provide superior warmth.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOS E DOWN AND DUCK?

At http://www.homelinen.co.uk/ we know that Geese have 4 types of feathers but the down has all the insulating abilities we need for a high quality duvet.The feathers from foul that live in seriously cold areas, like those in Hungary or Poland or better yet from Siberia, are the best.The temperatures are so low in those regions that the foul need to be insulated well to stay alive and be light enough to give them mobility. These quality feathers appear with no central spine as do the duck feathers. The duck feathers provide fullness, and are easy to come by, but do not have the warmth and insulating capabilities of the goose down from colder areas. Duck down also exists and is superior to duck feather as it is finer than the duck feather.The GOOSE DOWN feather is plucked beneath the outer layer feather giving bounce and loftiness with its concentrated benefits.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TYPE OF FEATHER IS INSIDE A QUILT?

When a products mentions a quilt with the words goose feather and down you know that there is more goose feather than down. Whichever feather is mentioned first that is the majority feather in that quilt, i.e. there is more goose than down. If it says duck feather and down you know that there is more duck than feather. If it says duck down and feather than you know there is more duck down than feather.These feather quilts can last up to thirty years. As we deal with the challenges of life what better way to meet the seasons than under a good cozy duvet/quilt from http://www.homelinen.co.uk/ anticipation of the four seasons.

p.s. the best way to store a feather quilt Use a breathable bag to prevent mildew and avoid plastic ones that trap moisture and do not offer any breath abilityits a myth that feather duvets can’t be washed place in a large drum with minimum spins and lay out to dry and your quilt will be like new.

My mischievous little one has done it once again! This time she got an ink stain on her lovely new bed linen. How do I get rid of that easily?

Ink stains seems to be fairly common and could really get you hot under the collar. All you have to do, though, is to apply hairspray which dissolves the stain. Spray the stain with hairspray and then blot it with a paper towel, but dont rub it. Keep doing this till the stain disappears and don't forget to hold a paper under the bed linen so that the stain doesn't go into another sheet.