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Disappointed that not one of you has responded TWSS.Great box too.
Fixed.Disappointed that not one of you has respondedTWSSTWHS.
Philosophically, I believe Nakashima, that fabled master of dining tables, has it right: nicks and dings add to the character of the table: let it be naked. But he was also the kind of guy that had all hands on deck ready if SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN, especially since his tables are more porous than average. Unfortunately, if you like to keep your things nice, you cannot be Mr. Loosey Goosey.Important philosophical question: do you use placemats?
We only use placemats (sometimes) for outdoor dining (because it’s hard to keep an outdoor teak table perfectly clean). For indoor, we either use nothing or a tablecloth. To be fair we mostly use tablecloths for outdoor as well - but sometimes replace with placemats.Important philosophical question: do you use placemats?
I think you’re onto to something with your comments about Nakashima. However, I am not so much concerned with trite social formalities—this is my home and guests are treated well, but I’m not putting on a show or facade for anyone. We do not believe in having an extra set of “nice china” or “good silverware”. To me, it’s really more a matter of aesthetics and tactility.Philosophically, I believe Nakashima, that fabled master of dining tables, has it right: nicks and dings add to the character of the table: let it be naked. But he was also the kind of guy that had all hands on deck ready if SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN, especially since his tables are more porous than average. Unfortunately, if you like to keep your things nice, you cannot be Mr. Loosey Goosey.
Ultimately, the question comes down to how do you use your dining table? Do you keep things like a bottle of vinegar on it? Do you eat a lot citrus fruit? Also, how susceptible is your table to damage? Lightly or untreated wood and marble are easily damaged if you have a careless member of your household. While you may peel an orange with care, there is perhaps somebody in your household who doesn't.
Also, if you entertain, I think placemats are a must-have item, even if you do not use them regularly. Mostly anybody who is born in the US has this idea that they never need to pay attention to anything that they do. That life is a barrel of monkeys, and there are no food rules. This is a sociological disease,
For the record, I use Chilewich placemats. I have a fantasy of one day freeing myself from these encumbrances, but they provide me with consolation that philosophy fails to provide me. As it were, I am no Boethius.
Interesting. I lean the opposite way for outdoor dining—never any linens or placemats.We only use placemats (sometimes) for outdoor dining (because it’s hard to keep an outdoor teak table perfectly clean). For indoor, we either use nothing or a tablecloth. To be fair we mostly use tablecloths for outdoor as well - but sometimes replace with placemats.
1. Indoor are marble and white laminate (Hay T12). Doesn’t influence the use of placemats since we don’t use them. Typically use nothing or a tablecloth. I have never and never will worry about scratching, etching or staining on marble. The hard plate on hard/cold surface doesn’t bother me at all for breakfast or lunch. But somehow, I feel like a tablecloth is a better tactile experience for dinner.Interesting. I lean the opposite way for outdoor dining—never any linens or placemats.
Two questions:
1. See my above post regarding tactility and aesthetics. What kind of dining tables are you using and how does that influence whether you use a placemat or table linen?
2. What kind of placemats do you use? Please tell me you have found an alternative to Chilewich.
Hmm. That Hay table is not that far off from1. Indoor are marble and white laminate (Hay T12). Doesn’t influence the use of placements since we don’t use them. Typically use nothing or a tablecloth.
2. I don’t know what they are but they’re cloth placemats (like small tablecloths?) that we brought a bunch back from France. I think we have somewhere some harder placemats (woven straw stuff) from Crate and Barrel but never use them.
Uggh. We’d use up to four placemats a meal, three times a day, seven days a week. I’d need to get 84 to last a week before washing!We have a bunch so they just get thrown in the wash - not a pain at all. Same with tablecloths. Thrown in the wash basket
We last a few days between washes, but I don’t want to add washing placemats to the task list!Hmm.. you have kids - don’t you guys do a round or two per day? I feel like since the kids were born, the washer and dryer have been running a few hours every day