The closer we get to a world that’s filled with AI-generated everything, the more intrigued we are by the design traditions of the Old World: hand-hewn carpentry, hand-woven textiles, hand-thrown pottery, hand-forged metalwork. (As long as there’s a hand involved, we’re all in.) Lately, the handicraft we’ve taken a shine to is embroidered linens—and in particular, these tablecloths that nod to tradition but, with their stitched line drawings that resemble whimsical doodles, are firmly of the moment. Below, five favorites we’ve been admiring.
Above: We first spotted Oeuvres Sensibles’s charming embroidered linens in 2021 (see Object of Desire: Hand-Embroidered Table Linens from Oeuvres Sensibles in Marseille), and we continue to admire artist Sarah Espeute’s renderings. Pictured here is her Repas du Bistro Tablecloth, inspired by “the convivial and lively ambiance of a bistro”; €1,050.
Above: We are fans of artist and chef Laila Gohar (see Kitchen of the Week: Laila Gohar’s Workhorse of a Culinary Studio in Lower Manhattan) and this playful tablecloth she designed for Hay. The Sobremese Tablecloth is $215.95 at Nordic Nest.
Above: Who knew a tablecloth could be a surrealist conversation starter? The Tête à Tête Tablecloth from Maison Balzac is $186. For more on Maison Balzac, see Object of Desire: Surrealist Table Linens from Maison Balzac.
Above: Love Sarah’s Espeute’s designs but looking for a lower price point? Consider her Chemin du Printemps Table Runner, currently on sale for $181 at Obakki.
Above: Embroidery in Egypt goes back to ancient times. This Mr. Mrs. Ra Tablecloth, by artisans in Cairo, modernizes the tradition with its scattering of geometric shapes and sun and moon faces; $599 at Anut.
Above: You may also want to check out Etsy for more options. We found quite a few vendors selling “hand-embroidered tablecloths.” We especially like this Buon Appetito Tablecloth from FAVRTableware; $188.18 on Etsy.
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