table settings:
SPRING INTO LINEN
It started with a spenser mom and grandmother who both used to pull out drawers and drawers of monogrammed napkins, tablecloths, and cocktail napkins all neatly ironed and creased with precision. It didn’t take long for a certain spenser staffer to start sneaking a quick grip on a napkin to watch how the material gave into her squeeze – adding new ceases to her delight and her grandmother’s chagrin. So, for us, “Linens: For Every Room and Occasion” (Rizzoli 2014) is a true spring treat. As the book’s author and founder of the fine linen company, Leontine Linens, Jane Scott Hodges explains, the book is meant to be an a resource for the “endless interpretations” of applique, embroidery, weaves, colors, and monograms that linen has to offer. The overall takeaway from the book – that the luxury of linen is best when matched with casual dinners by the fire or breakfasts on patios – matches our sentiments. For us it is more than the beauty of the fabric, but also what entertaining really is about – ease of elegance, which allows us to create special moments and spend time over the dinner or patio table with friends and family. While we’ve already bookmarked the chapter on building a bed of linen elements, layer by layer (how else do we get these issues of spenser done if not for good sleep), we were delighted that dining and entertaining pieces were highlighted throughout the book.
26 | spensermag.com | spring 2014