hat’s new on the horizon for linen trends? Table décor seems to change as rapidly as this year’s fashions, and hotels are challenged to stay abreast of what’s hot and what’s not. Decorating firms can be great resources in creative linen design and procurement and are often the key to securing the most sought-after event business.

Philadelphia decorator Brian Kappra of Evantine Design sees current linen trends in event production following more luxurious and traditional designs, with damasks and brocades more prevalent in table dressing. Kappra recently featured chocolate velvet tablecloths with a lace overlay and gold accents at a private party and suggests that tabletop décor mirrors the fashion runway in its use of color and fabric. The 1970s color palette has returned, with mauve making a big comeback.

“The black-and-white color story has been around for years but remains eternally popular,” says Kappra. “We recently used exquisite white linen tablecloths with black velvet designs—as visually stunning as any couture fashion. The luxe design reminded me of a fabulous Balenciaga ball gown. Another contemporary take on black-andwhite damask was used for the Philadelphia Orchestra Opening Night party.”

Kappra sees dinner napkins getting fussier with double-sided designs, lace edging, and trims becoming more prevalent. Black or ivory napkins are still de rigueur for formal events, with synthetic fabrications ensuring durability and easy care. Plain flat folds are most suitable to these standard napkins.

Daniel Briones, director of catering at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, works with several local decorating firms, a vital measure in transforming banquet space and differentiating themes for various events.

“Our hotel is Federal in design, and the ballroom features crystal chandeliers, gold accents, and mirrors,” says Briones. “These features are typically complemented by soft pastels and deep, rich browns. Black and white is not a flattering look for this traditional ballroom setting, yet we are able to adapt the room to other trendy color palettes through draping. We recently staged a beautiful Art Deco party, reminiscent of 1930s South Beach with white draping and metallic accents. A good decorating partner is key to opening up endless possibilities, staying ahead of trends—and it’s not terribly expensive.”

Briones suggests that the hotel’s use of linen is more minimal for receptions, given their traditional furniture such as sideboards and cocktail tables. “A simple runner or minimal draping is sufficient for our hard-surface furniture, and we steer away from full table linen. Trends have influenced a cleaner design, and we rarely use the more outdated table skirting.”

At the Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C., 90 percent of corporate clients opt for using luxury in-house linen, which is expertly laundered and pressed onsite. Senior Catering Manager Bob Sierralta speaks to the success of their catering department, which has been profitable since opening three years ago.

The hotel made a large initial investment in linens, purchasing five patterns by Garnier- Thiebaut of Gerardmer, France. The table coverings feature 100 percent cotton in chocolate with copper accents—their most popular selection. Additional patterns have been added to inventory, with stone, taupe, gold, bamboo, and Chantilly offering more options.

“Given our location in a political town and with a large Asian clientele, we see a trend toward a more natural and eco-friendly palette, with more greens and neutrals. We use less floral arrangements and more live plants and grasses, and the table coverings reflect the trend toward greener lifestyles,” Sierralta says.

“Our wedding clientele is handled differently, in that half of our brides opt for themes requiring decorating firms. Linens are a huge part of what makes or breaks an event, so we use three local firms and one national in producing the concepts needed for this prestige market. We recently catered a $300k wedding, and the tables were a mix of different sizes and shapes, with beautiful silk dupioni runners, all rendered in yellows, greens, and white. Communal tables are becoming more popular overall, and using runners is the perfect choice for these table coverings. We partnered on another recent event featuring a luxurious Moulin Rouge theme with a French red dupioni silk table covering and a platinum shimmer overlay—just lovely.

“We are fortunate to have an amazing event team and the latitude of using inside talent and resources, as well as several highly professional decorating partners we can rely on,” says Sierralta. “As the largest Mandarin Oriental property in the United States, we have a reputation to maintain, and the creative use of table linen is significant to our success.”

Nancy Fox is a frequent contributor to HOTEL F&B.