Placemats offer a great alternative to tablecloths because they only need to be wiped off (or perhaps hosed down on pasta night) and not constantly thrown into the wash. Eco designs made with bamboo, raffia or recycled materials make both a stylish and sustainable statement at your table. They also help protect the table top, which I like, since I have a destructive brood.
Above, the candy wrapper place mat at sponsor VivaTerra is kid-friendly and clever all at once for $26. (The bright colors will suit nearly any casual serving ware you use.)
I love the selection at Crate & Barrel’s CB.2, including the Kai Mats which are a handmade random-weave raffia design for only around $2 each; the Tiki mats of eco-friendly bamboo rectangles, $4.95; and in the company’s new Back to Cool catalog, you will find delicious Mosaic Recycled mats crafted of old juice boxes shredded to form a confetti-like surface, $6.95.
Go figure, you can do more than just recycle your old catalogs. Check out these crafty, circular Magazine Placemats, handwoven of post-consumer products; a set fof two is $45 at Uncommon Goods.
If you’re willing to spring for something utterly chic, the clear choice is the Recycled Glass mat by artist Sol Mesz sold for $42 each at Sillice. How cool is the separate attachment for placing silverware? These are very easy to clean and come in turquoise, purple and copper trims.
A sweet summery design sets the tone in the Hyacinth Mats made from organic fibers in blue or brown at Wrapables in sets of four for $18.95. These are ideal for non-messy picnic fare, organic vegan, of course!
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