Set up over four years ago, Purple & Fine Linen offers pure plain linen tablecloths, place-mats, napkins and runners in fabulously rich colours such as damson, chocolate and black. It also stocks coloured patterned damasks and plain and custom-made tablecloths, available in larger sizes. Bedlinen is kept in stock allowing for next-day delivery and competitive prices: a bespoke service is also offered here.

At www.purpleandfinelinen.com the emphasis is on table linen. The website is good-looking and user-friendly .... Choose from traditional white linen, with subtle detailing, or plain coloured linens (in cream, stone, blue, red and damson). There are also designs by Nina Campbell, and quirky hand-printed patterns by Joanna Kinnersly-Taylor .... also sells made-to-measure tablecloths.

Q. I saw a table set with a black tablecloth on television. I thought it looked great and would love to find one. Can you help? Serena Bremner, by e-mail.

A. Black is a very effective foil to bright colours and can bring out the best in a table setting. Purple and Fine Linen (www.purpleandfinelinen.com, 01491 638 184) has a range of tablecloths, napkins and runners in jet black, machine washable 100% Irish linen with a hemstitched border.

A large 175cm x 350cm cloth will cost you £113 and would look fantastic in combination with its bright red runner (from £18) and napkins (£8 each). According to the principles of feng shui, black has a negative effect on the appetite, which could be either a good or a bad thing; you may get away with serving smaller portions at your next dinner party.

Linen napkins with buttonholes for attaching to men's collars; antique style bolster cases; a chocolate coloured table runner made to fit a boardroom table, and old fashioned 'huckaback' linen bath towels. These are a few of the individual requests met by Purple & Fine Linen. From Superior Irish bed linen for the ultimate good night's sleep to quirky Jelly Stripe, Spoon and Pulse table designs by Scotland's very own Joanna Kinnersly-Taylor, you'll find a classic or designer range to complement your home. Made to measure service available.

Lay your hands on Joanna Kinnersly-Taylor's whimsical linen napkins, ideal for ladylike tea parties.

Q. I bought a linen towel for my husband's birthday and he says it is the best bath towel he has ever had. I would very much like to find him another one but the shop has closed down. Mrs M R, Lanarkshire

A. You can buy a white linen huck-a-back bath towel from Purple & Fine Linen ...

Uplifting summery designs of berries, ferns, and dandelions are delicately embroidered onto these pure cotton napkins, which are perfect for a wedding or anniversary present .

Take a look at www.purpleandfinelinen.com where you will find top quality tablecloths and napkins...

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www.purpleandfinelinen.com - For an elegant table, try Joanna Kinnersly-Taylor's bright and original jelly-and-cutlery print designs on Irish Linen. Tablecloths cost £184-£372, depending on size. Or you can opt for a clean, plain style by choosing the hemstitched range, with white tablecloths from £40 and napkins at £38 for 4 ....

Nobody can resist the pure body-pleasure of getting into a bed made with fresh clean sheets. Best of all is if they're the brand-new-linen kind: cool, crisp and with that lovely, fresh cotton smell. So do it properly, and redress your bed with white Irish linen sheets and duvet covers...

Where from: Purple & Fine Linen
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If one of your new Year's resolutions was to invest in some "proper" grown-up table linen, then take a look at www.purpleandfinelinen.com where you will find top-quality pure, plain linen tablecloths and napkins in both contemporary and antique designs, at prices up to 30% lower than on the high street.

The site has online ordering, home delivery, is clearly laid out and easy to use. Better still, they can have linen made to fit unusual or awkwardly sized tables.

Top quality: buy antique and modern linen online at Purple & Fine Linen.

Table linen: choose from traditional styles, which can be made to measure, or for a more contemporary look, go for J. Kinnersley-Taylor's designs. The designs include prints of forks, spoons and antique jelly moulds. You can also buy runners and antique tray cloths. You can never have enough napkins and table cloths so here is your chance to stock up.

Bed linen: indulgent linen sheets push you into the comfort zone the minute you climb into bed. Don't forget the more threads per inch, the better quality. Linen breathes; it is anti-static and anallergic and good for the skin. Although the cost of linen sheets is expensive, they are an investment and improve with age.

Huckaback guest towels and larger linen bath towels are the ultimate treat for your guests.

GWG Verdict: An exemplary site offering sumptuous table and bed linen.

British Bookmarks Review
December 2003

The Finest Linen - Pure linen is renowned for the beauty of its weave, its rich appearance and natural sheen and its ability to endure for a life time. Many people adore beautiful linen, but it is often difficult to find any with elegant, contemporary designs in the right table sizes.

That was until 'Purple and Fine Linen' came along, with its elegant web site selling beautiful linen. The site delivers table linen, white bed linen, hand towels, glass cloths and waiters cloths...