Table linens are the easiest way to quickly change up your dining room or kitchen, so it’s no surprise that we at Rue have quite the collection. We do limit our personal collection to sets of six or eight at the most. When it comes to hosting larger events or just wanting a something specific for a dinner party, you’ll be thrilled to learn about Heather Taylor Home’s latest venture. These linens look like what you would collect on a trip around the world: casual and elegant with no pretense. Founder Heather Taylor tells us more, and you can see some of the collection in the slideshow!
How did you first start Heather Taylor Home and how has it evolved?
I’ve been knitting and weaving for years and have long appreciated handmade textiles. I also love entertaining and setting a beautiful table but I couldn’t find linens I loved without traveling to some far flung locale. This was my original motivation for launching HTH. The first inkling of inspiration for the line came while eating breakfast in Greece in 2006. The table was covered in a white crocheted lace tablecloth, which felt like the perfect mix of elegance and ease.
When I was planning my own wedding five years ago, I couldn’t find rental linens that fit my needs. I came across some beautiful options but nothing that worked with the elegant, yet relaxed, look I wanted for my wedding. The flowers, plates and menus all hit the right note but I kept coming up short on the napkin and runner search. This was before I started Heather Taylor Home so I ended up going to a fabric store and having runners made the week before my big day. It was a totally imperfect solution but, at the time, it was the best option around! This past spring, one of my best friends was planning her wedding in Ojai and she kindly asked me to do the linens. I flashed back to my wedding planning linen debacle and a light bulb went off — let’s offer our linens for rent!
What is your process for designing textiles and how are they manufactured?
I am always trying to reimagine the classic stripe, taking a fresh perspective on something timeless. I find inspiration all over — books, ceramics, vintage textiles. I pull from architecture or some little corner I stumbled upon while traveling in Mexico. I design all of my collections in my Los Angeles studio and they are all handwoven by artisans in Chiapas, Mexico.
How does this event rental work — is it for local rentals only?
Customers can visit our website to peruse the different styles we offer. We are available to answer any questions about designing your tables and advising on what napkins look best with which tablecloths, etc. We typically require 4-6 weeks lead time for all rentals. However, if you need linens for a last-minute event, drop us a line at events@heathertaylorhome.com. We would love to accommodate you and will do so whenever possible. For LA-based projects, we handle the drop-off and retrieval of your order for a $40 fee. We also recently started shipping all around the country which is very exciting! We are also now offering beautiful custom monogrammed napkin, perfect for brides, grooms or any guest of honor.
