Round Tablecloths - Now Easier to Find!

Historically, the round table is associated with King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.  The table was apparently designed to prevent arguments regarding the seating arrangements.  A round table suggests equal status amongst the guests ~ avoiding disputes, particularly important when the Knights bear swords!  

Today, the round table is a lovely setting for entertaining. Conversation flows easily and everyone is included.  Finding the perfect tablecloth, however, is sometimes a challenge. 

We have made some changes to our section on Round Standard Tablecloths, which is designed for easier navigation.  We hope that this will make your search much easier.  Of course, if you need any personal assistance, please contact our Concierge  by email or telephone 1.866.682.0115. 

Bastille Day

The French national holiday ~ La Fete National ~ is July 14, also known as Bastille Day.  This holiday commenorates the beginning of the French Revolution on July 14, 1789.  On that date a mob of 600 people "stormed" the notorious prison in Paris...the Bastille...and set free the prisoners, most of which were politcal prisoners.  No longer did the King of France have absolute power.  At the time, the king was  Louis XVI and his reviled wife...Marie-Antoinette.  It was the birth of a New Republic formed on the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Bastille Day is, of course, a day of elaborate celebrations.  Paris is brimming with music, dancing, laughter and cheers!   During the French Revolution, the prison was burned to the ground.  Each year a large dance party is held on the Place De La Bastille on the eve of Bastille Day, featuring music from many cultures.         

It is the day of  the world's largest picnic ~ "The Incredible Picnic".   Red checkered tablecloths line a 600 mile route from north to south make a place where you can share a baquette, some cheese and wine, with a friend or stranger... in the spirit of equality!

On the morning of Bastille Day, there is a grand military parade down the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris. Celebrations continue all day, even after the magnificient fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower!

Bastille Day is celebrated in countries around the world.  It is a day for reflection and much celebration!
   
Vive la France!

Christmas in July ~ Lynn Haney Collection Pre-Order

The American movie classic, Christmas in July was released in 1940.  It is the story of a young office clerk who loved to enter contests hoping to win a fortune which would make all of his dreams come true.  It was written and directed by Academy Award winner Preston Sturges, who apparently also invented a kissproof lipstick - Red, Red Rouge - in 1920, for his mother's company, Maison Desti! 

The story goes...in 1980, a group of Irish tourists visiting the Blue Mountains in Sydney, Australia, were so thrilled to see snow in July, they convinced a local hotel to hold a "Yulefest".  The idea of "Christmas in July" soon spread throughout Australia and is now a festive tradition, with the traditional Christmas dinner and all of  the trimmings, Christmas candles, streamers and in Australia...Christmas hats and whistles.

At McMurdo Station in  Antarctica, July is the middle of winter, with the coldest and windiest weather of the year. Since planes have great difficulty landiing during this time, packages and supplies are frequently parachuted in...just like Santa sending gifts from his sleigh!  Thus, Christmas in July.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas on December 25, is actually a summer holiday.  Christmas in July is the chance to enjoy a traditional northern hemisphere holiday, with cold weather and snow. 

For most Americans, Christmas in July is an opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping.  Many merchants offer special promotions..and Tournesol is happy to continue the tradition!

For 24 years, the artisans in the Lynn Haney Collection workshop in Lubbock, Texas, have created the most amazing Santas.  Each one is hand-crafted with exquisite detail, authentic fabrics and love. 

The first Santa that Lynn Haney made was a soft-sculpture Santa with a long bell-trimmed hat... stitched by hand.  With the encouragement of his wife, he began the process of perfecting his art, adding clay heads, wonderful fabrics and enchanting accessories.  In 1987, the Lynn Haney Collection began in Lubbock, Texas, where its workshop remains today.

Today, each Santa has a distinctive personality.  Each is meticulously design with Lynn designing and sculpting each head before it is reproduced in wood resin and hand painted.  Authenticity and quality are the hallmark of a Lynn Haney Santa. European braids, trims and furs are carefully sewn on the velvets, wood and brocade costumes.  Lynn has enlisted talented seamstresses in Hungary who recreate costumes that have been based on Hungarian folk art.  Vermont knitters hand-loom the knitted designs.  Some costumes are hand-embroidered by skilled artisans in India. Each piece is signed by Lynn Haney. 

New collections are introduced each year.  This year, Lynn Haney Collection has joined with the Woolrich Company, the 180 year old woolen mill in Woolrich, Pennsylvania, to create Woolrich inspired Santas. Of course, each outfitted with the incomparable Woolrich wool.


Until July 31, Tournesol is offering you the opportunity to pre-order any Lynn Haney Santa, including the 2010 Collection the New Woolrich Collection, shown as "Featured Pieces" on their website.  Your Santa will be made for you and delivered in December.  We offer Free Shipping or you can pick your up Santa at our Shadyside shop.


One gift to cross of the list...and it's only July!

Summer Tablecloths ~ Easy and Elegant ~ Part 2

Summer is a wonderful time of year to invite guests to our home. The days are longer, the evenings are warmer and everyone seems more relaxed. The outdoors provides additional seating so we tend to invite more people, including more children. Casual parties are most popular, but sometimes you may choose to kick it up a notch and host a more elegant gathering...although you still want to enjoy your own party and not worry about blueberry pie on your new tablecloth!

Fortunately, today's fabrics offer several options and are perfect for all seasons. Earlier this year, American designer Mona Steck introduced her award winning Easy Care Collection for Settings by Mona. These tablecloths are made with specially blended linen fabric which also resists stains and spills, they remain on the surface. This fabric is soft, breathable, feels like soft linen but is totatly protected. Her elegant patterns combining white linen with black, flax or sienna fabrics are perfect for casual or formal dining.

The Easy Care Collection is offered in a variety of standard sizes, including the extra long 71"x160".  Custom sizes and color combinations are also available.

The amazing French polyester tablecloths by Jose Houel for Nydel are one of our most popular tablecloths, year round. Once avoided by top designers, today's polyester is recognized as the ultimate easy care. You can dress them up or down. Simply machine wash on gentle, hang dry and stains just disappear!  Jose Houel offers two collections each year so you can be sure that your tablecloth is the height of fashion. Jose Houel's tablecloths are also available in custom sizes and color combinations.

And for an elegant and breezy look...Lisa Corti. These hand blocked tablecloths, designed by renowned designer Lisa Corti and made in India, are simply luscious. Wonderfully sheer cotton, wonderful quality and exquisite designs...like a garden on the table!

And now a word about napkins...the trend towards preserving the earth's resources continues. Cloth napkins not only complete the stylish table, they are ultimately less costly than paper because they can be reused. Matching napkins are available for most of the tablecloths mentioned above. Or add contrasting solid cotton or linen napkins, easy to wash and easy on the enviroment.

Enjoy the summer...and enjoy your guests!