How to Choose the Right Size of Your Tablecloth

Buying table linens for your home seems to be an easy task but it might become quite a confusing undertaking if not planned properly. Apart from the style and quality of a fabric you also should consider the right size of tablecloth for your dining table, as well as some matching napkins, placemats and table runners.

There are some rules which exist for any type of tablecloth and it does not matter if they are cheap or expensive. When buying a new tablecloth make sure it is at least half a metre longer and wider than your table. Then it will hang over your table with free folds on each side.

Ideally, when you are buying your dining table and matching chairs, the height of the chairs should be 30cm lower than the table surface. If this is the case, then you provide your diners with the most comfortable dining experience as the table is not too high, nor too low for keeping your back straight and relaxed at the same time. Using this guide, your luxurious linen tablecloth should ideally be same level with the seats.

Of course there can be another scenario when for some special occasion you might need your table linens to overhang the table down to the ground. This is normally the case for a formal reception and not something you would normally undertake at home. Therefore for your home you should feel comfortable with any size of the tablecloth with at least half a metre of extra length and up to additional two heights of your dining table.

The use of a luxury tablecloth is very beneficial when your furniture has lost its glamorous look and got a little older. The solution of a new tablecloth will change the situation immediately and with the minimum of effort.

You will also achieve superb results when you take the time to match your tablecloth with your window curtains. In this way, your dining room will look extremely chic and fresh.

Alternatively, if your home is set in a modern manner and you do not wish to hide your exceptionally stylish furniture under a classic tablecloth, you can always add some glamour to your table with a table runner and some matching linen napkins and placemats. Such arrangement will create an impression of luxury without being too over bearing.

There is a wide variety of quality table linens to choose from including plain linens, embroidered tablecloths and damask tablecloths.

Damask or jacquard is a figured linen fabric in which warp-satin and weft-sateen create a pattern. Such patterns are visible even in an all white cloth, woven from all white yarns. This process requires threads to be woven in contrasting directions, which creates a pattern that is visible when viewed at certain angles. Across large surfaces, damask fabrics are most extraordinary as reflect light and continually reveal new designs to your eye in a subtle and appealing way.

When making your choice of table linens you should remember that dining in style is one of those little pleasures which can bring some deserved elegance and luxury into your life. So easily achievable and so rewarding to experience! Good luck and have fun selecting your next table…

Linen Addiction from Alenska

Alenska is the UK based retail specialist in linen home accessories.

Having recognized that the UK market does not supply the range of exotic linen products found in Russia and Eastern Europe, Alenska has introduced 1st class linen home accessories to the British market via its web site www.alenska.com.

Russia is a well-known supplier of linens in Europe and America. Historically Russians have grown linen flax as the climate is very favorable and no chemicals are required.

Typically our linen is planted on Russian fields that are resting after a harvest of potato or other cultures. When grown, each part of the plant is used for different products – the finest parts are used for Alenska linen fabrics and other parts are manufactured elsewhere for ropes and insulation.

As all our linen products are made with no chemical processing but only mechanically, they are one of the most ecologically friendly fabrics on Earth. It is also highly absorbent and very wearable. Our linen is an ideal fabric for children’s clothes as well as for people who suffer from a range of allergies. It is perfect for bedding and for tablecloths. Linen napkins will be in use forever and tea towels are fantastic for polishing your crystal glass!

Linen is a fabric of strategic importance. No cases of skin diseases were registered in the Russian Royal army because the soldiers were all dressed in linen. Today, linen bedding may be crucial for treating allergies.

The product range of the new website by Alenska has been expanded from luxury bedding and table linens into bath towels, bedspreads, cushions and linen curtains. A range of curtains is with adjustable lengths and iron-on hemming strips that make it easy to shorten curtains at home without sewing.

Now Alenska offers not only high quality duvet covers, pillowcases and linen bedding sheets, but also more affordable linen accessories which can make a good gift ideas for Mother’s day, weddings, birthdays or other special occasions.

Items such as kitchen aprons and linen tea towels will nicely fit into the kitchen of any household all over the world.

All products are exclusively produced and designed for Alenska and we do not sell our products under any other brand. The new site can be viewed at www.alenska.com and there is currently free shipment on all orders over £200. Alenska also runs prize draws and promotions for its members.

Alenska has the ambition of introducing British customers to perfect and ecologically linen products that are so popular in Europe and The States… Choose Alenska to be your supplier of choice for linen and quality home accessories – you’ll become addicted too!

Luxury Bed Linen From Russia

It is really interesting to me that no one in the UK seems to have heard about Russian linen. Everyone knows there is Irish linen but how on earth - with all stories about Siberia and the really bad Russian weather and climate - can there be linen from Russia?

Simple… In Russia, we never had any cotton and through centuries linen became a national treasure.

Linen is the most ancient fabric known to man. For centuries people have been growing flax which is then made into fibre and woven to become linen. Domestication of flax occurred in India and China well before cotton ever did - more than 5,000 years ago.

But despite its venerable age flax remains to be as young as ever and is always in trend.

Flax has been grown in Russia since 2000 B.C. and ancient manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain evidence of linen made by the Slavs. Oriental writers of the time also described Slavs dressed in linen clothing. Prior to the formation of Kievan Russia (pre-Moscow), all Slavic tribes that inhabited the Eastern European plain grew flax. Flax was used to make sailcloth, fishing nets, ropes and linseed oil.

In the 10th-11th centuries A.D. flax was extensively grown for fibre and seed. It was regarded as an important crop both for crafts and commerce. Peasants used it to pay feudal taxes and make payments to the Tsar's treasury. Russian Princes collected tribute in linen.

In the late 19th-early 20th century, Russia emerged as the leading producer and exporter of flax and pure linen fabric among European nations. So popular was linen and its variety of uses that the first standard Government tax imposed in Russia, by Peter the Great, was the standard tax on flax.

Russian linen is a quality product and one of our manufactures was even a supplier of the Russian Royal Court in the 19th century when they were weaving the most beautiful and highest quality damask linen tablecloths and napkins for the Russian Tsars to use and enjoy in their Palaces. So today, with the help of Alenska, you can enjoy the same in your own home!

Nowadays linen flax is one of the main materials used in the manufacture of UK banknotes and improves their useful life. And yes, we can joke about linen having the same value as money…

Here are a few more interesting facts about Pure Linen:

• The famous Turin Shroud (that bears the image of Jesus Christ and was used to wrap his body) is spun from flax fibres. There is also evidence that the towel bearing Christ's image which was not painted by human hands - was also made of linen.
• Prior to the invention of paper, manuscripts were written on linen. One of the most renowned manuscripts - “Linen Book” by ancient Etruscans - was written on linen in the 7th century B.C.
• In ancient Greece linen clothes were the privilege of high priests.
• The famous army leader Alexander the Great wore an armour made of… linen to protect him in battle. It was said to be impenetrable to the enemy’s sword.
• In ancient Russia, linen clothes were worn on festive occasions. The first ever flag in Russia approved by Peter the Great was made of linen.

Luxury Bed Linen From Russia

It is really interesting to me that no one in the UK seems to have heard about Russian linen. Everyone knows there is Irish linen but how on earth - with all stories about Siberia and the really bad Russian weather and climate - can there be linen from Russia?

Simple… In Russia, we never had any cotton and through centuries linen became a national treasure.

Linen is the most ancient fabric known to man. For centuries people have been growing flax which is then made into fibre and woven to become linen. Domestication of flax occurred in India and China well before cotton ever did - more than 5,000 years ago.

But despite its venerable age flax remains to be as young as ever and is always in trend.

Flax has been grown in Russia since 2000 B.C. and ancient manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain evidence of linen made by the Slavs. Oriental writers of the time also described Slavs dressed in linen clothing. Prior to the formation of Kievan Russia (pre-Moscow), all Slavic tribes that inhabited the Eastern European plain grew flax. Flax was used to make sailcloth, fishing nets, ropes and linseed oil.

In the 10th-11th centuries A.D. flax was extensively grown for fibre and seed. It was regarded as an important crop both for crafts and commerce. Peasants used it to pay feudal taxes and make payments to the Tsar's treasury. Russian Princes collected tribute in linen.

In the late 19th-early 20th century, Russia emerged as the leading producer and exporter of flax and pure linen fabric among European nations. So popular was linen and its variety of uses that the first standard Government tax imposed in Russia, by Peter the Great, was the standard tax on flax.

Russian linen is a quality product and one of our manufactures was even a supplier of the Russian Royal Court in the 19th century when they were weaving the most beautiful and highest quality damask linen tablecloths and napkins for the Russian Tsars to use and enjoy in their Palaces. So today, with the help of Alenska, you can enjoy the same in your own home!



Our current collection offers easy-care, fine quality luxury bed linen which relieves our customers from long-existing belief that pure linen is demanding to look after. It is expected that linen requires extra care... Our duvet covers, pillowcases and bedding sheets do not require ironing, just tumble dry them with a couple of tennis balls and your bed linen will get a soft and gentle, slightly creasy look...

Nowadays linen flax is one of the main materials used in the manufacture of UK banknotes and improves their useful life. And yes, we can joke about linen having the same value as money…

Here are a few more interesting facts about flax fibre:

• The famous Turin Shroud (that bears the image of Jesus Christ and was used to wrap his body) is spun from flax fibres. There is also evidence that the towel bearing Christ's image which was not painted by human hands - was also made of linen.
• Prior to the invention of paper, manuscripts were written on linen. One of the most renowned manuscripts - “Linen Book” by ancient Etruscans - was written on linen in the 7th century B.C.
• In ancient Greece linen clothes were the privilege of high priests.
• The famous army leader Alexander the Great wore an armour made of… linen to protect him in battle. It was said to be impenetrable to the enemy’s sword.
• In ancient Russia, linen clothes were worn on festive occasions. The first ever flag in Russia approved by Peter the Great was made of linen.

Damask Linen Tablecloth Valse

PURE LINEN DAMASK TABLECLOTH

Nothing can look more glamorous than pure linen damask tablecloth in natural colour. Available in two different sizes - 150X200cm and 150x250cm. 300g/m2 pure linen.


This damask tablecloth with its neutral colour and classic pattern is suitable for any sort of occasion - anniversary, birthday party, official reception or dinner with your close friends and family.

It has been made in Belarus, on one of the top linen factories with the use of traditional East-European technologies.

HOW TO LOOK AFTER DAMASK TABLECLOTH

• Wash in low temperatures, such as 30 -40C
• Dry naturally, iron on *** while dump.
• Use starch if necessary

WHAT IS DAMASK?

Damask or jacquard is a figured linen fabric in which warp-satin and weft-sateen create a pattern. Such patterns are visible even in an all white cloth, woven from all white yarns. This process requires threads to be woven in contrasting directions, which creates a pattern that is visible when viewed at certain angles. Across large surfaces, damask fabrics are most extraordinary as reflect light and continually reveal new designs to your eye in a subtle and appealing way.

HOW TO BUY VALSE DAMASK TABLECLOTH

You can buy this luxury tablecloth online from Alenska website.

PRICES

150X200cm £75
150X250cm £90