A square placemat with a scalloped edge, printed in the Boxwood Garden design in espresso. Square is the underrated shape here, because it gives each guest a defined block of table and it does not argue with a round charger the way a long rectangular mat does. The scallop keeps all that geometry from reading as severe. Espresso is the practical half of the decision, since a dark ground does not show an evening the way a cream mat does, and it makes white china, brass, and greenery look intentional. Use a set in place of a tablecloth when you want the wood of the table visible, or lay them over a plain cloth for a second layer of pattern.
What is a placemat? A placemat is a single setting mat laid under a plate to define each guest's place and to protect the table from heat, moisture, and scratches. Cloth placemats are washable and reusable, and are often used instead of a full tablecloth when the host wants the tabletop to stay visible.
