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Friday, Sara Kate went to Ikea to pick up another Anes dresser (which has become a fave), and stumbled across these simple table runners, LENDA ($6 ea), that reminded her of our time in France, two years ago...

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When we were in Paris, we noticed that the Brasseries didn't use table cloths as much as simple runners, which were easy to replace often and had a style that, while still luxe, were simpler and more efficient.

I used them to set up a dinner table for guests on Saturday night and thought that they were gorgeous and more fitting in the heat than a tablecloth. Better yet, they're cheap, machine washable and come in four GOOD colors (for Ikea). Here's a complete list of Ikea's table runners.

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Aside from recommending them, I thought I'd also give you the lowdown on the rest of the stuff in the picture:

  • Table - made of old barn wood, from Barntiques
  • Plates - Crate & Barrel Aspen collection
  • Flatware - Jasper Morrison's Knifeforkspoon by Alessi
  • Thonet Chairs - from Craigslist Scavenger a few years ago
  • Napkins - from Sur La Table

    And give you some strong links to other table runners we've covered:

  • Table Runner by Modern-twist
  • Table Setting Ideas from Etsy
  • Marimekko Fabric as a Table Runner