2 Delicious Holiday Cranberry Recipes and Hospitality Ideas

It’s getting to be that time of year again with the holiday season in full swing. Many properties are super busy right now as they are hosting lots of guests who are getting together and catching up. Food preparation is one of the top tasks to make sure you guests find their stay magical. Cranberry flavored-foods are always a nice option to offer to guests around the holidays. Members of the InnStyle team have two cranberry recipes that they recommend that will be a great option for the holiday season. The two featured cranberry dishes are Orange Cranberry Bread and Baked Cranberry Oatmeal.

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Monogramming Your Robes, Towels, Bed, Bath and Table Linens

Monogramming for Innkeepers

Many of our bed-and-breakfast, country inn and upscale hotel customers provide monogrammed robes in every guest room. Innkeepers find their guests love these robes and quite often want to purchase them. Simply putting a small tag on the robe hanger can explain to the guest that if they wish to purchase the robes, new robes are available for sale at the front desk.

Some innkeepers have little shops or a few shelves behind the front desk where they show inventory of many of the monogrammed items used in the rooms. Monogramming your robes not only reminds guests where they stayed but also brings back the many fond memories they made while staying at your property.

Crests, logos and initials can be monogrammed on all bath and bedding items. All monogrammed orders must be approved before work can be completed.

We use a two-step approval process:

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How to Choose the Proper Size Tablecloth for Your Table

Choosing the proper size tablecloth for your table is easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

For a square or oblong table:

Measure the length and width of the table.
Decide on the drop you prefer. A typical drop ranges between 10″ to 12″. If you want your tablecloth to go to the floor, then the drop would usually be 30” (a typical table height), but always measure.
Add the amount of the drop multiplied by two to both the length and the width of the table. (i.e., If the table measures 42″W x 84″L and you want a 12″ drop, then the oblong tablecloth should measure 66″ [42″W+24″ total drop] x 108″ [84″L + 24″ total drop.])

For a Round Table:

Measure the diameter of your table.
Decide on the length of the drop.
Add the amount of the drop multiplied by two to the diameter of the table. (i.e., If the table measures 60″ in diameter and you want it to go to the floor with a 30″ drop, then the round tablecloth should measure 120″ [60″ diameter + 60″ total drop].)

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The Beauty and Durability of Microfiber

Microfibers are used in a variety of fabrics, but most commonly in dress and blouse weight garments. They are very fine fibers, compared to more conventional forms − half the diameter of a fine silk fiber, one-third the diameter of cotton, one-quarter the diameter of fine wool, and one hundred times finer than human hair!

Although fine and lightweight, microfiber is anything but flimsy.

What is Microfiber?

In order to be classified “microfiber”, the fiber must be less than one denier. A denier is the weight, in grams, of a 9000-meter length of fiber or yarn. The higher the number − the thicker the fiber.

The many tiny fibers of microfiber are able to slide back and forth and maneuver around within the yarns of the fabric, allowing the fabric to flow and drape freely, yet still possess body and shape. Microfiber fabrics are generally lightweight, resilient or resistant to wrinkling and have a luxurious drape and body, retain shape and resist pilling. They are also relatively strong and durable in relation to other fabrics of similar weight.

How Microfibers are Manufactured

Man-made fibers are formed by forcing a liquid through tiny holes in a device, called a spinneret. In microfiber, the holes are finer than with conventional fibers. Potentially any man-made fiber can be made into a microfiber, but are most commonly found in polyester and nylon. Micros can be used alone, blended with conventional denier man-made fibers, or natural fibers such as cotton, wool and silk.

Benefits of Microfiber

Since these fine yarns can be packed tightly together, microfibers are especially useful in garments that require water repellency and wind resistance. Yet, the spaces between the yarns are porous enough to breathe and wick moisture away from the body. Microfibers seem less “clammy” to wear, and is the perfect choice for warm weather and athletic clothing.

Caring For Microfibers

Garments made of microfiber can usually be cared for similar to garments made of conventional fabrics. Fabrics made from regular polyester and nylon fibers can be machine-washed and tumble dried. Use of paper dryer sheets is not recommended because temporary spotting from the heat of the dryer may occur. Liquid fabric softener use is not a problem.

Viscose rayons perform best when dry-cleaned, however. As a general rule, fiber properties, not the fineness of the fiber, usually dictate recommended care. It is important that one follow the care instructions on a particular garment.

A few precautions should be observed when caring for microfibers. Because the fibers are so fine, heat penetrates the fabric more quickly than conventional fabric. As a result, glazing, melting or scorching can occur quickly. If pressing is necessary, use only a cool iron and do not leave the iron on the fabric too long.

As with any fine garments, avoid use of jagged jewelry that may cause pulls, snags or creates general abrasion.

The Future of Microfiber Garments

The strength of microfibers make them particularly adaptable to suede or sandwashed finishes, such as polyester and nylon, because of their extensive fiber surfaces and use of strong fibers. As such, suit jackets and bottom weights are becoming increasingly available in microfiber. Micros are becoming increasingly the fabric of choice in clothing such as lingerie, rainwear, outdoor fleeces, wind-resistant sportswear, track and jogging suits. Many microfibers simulate the appearance of sandwashed silk and are excellent for use in utility fabrics for use in tents and sleeping bags.

Microfiber garments are generally durable and provide long-lasting wear, despite their fine silk-like feel. Enjoy microfiber garments in your wardrobe!

Four Fancy Ways To Fold A Napkin

InnStyle is a wholesale fine linens supplier for bed, bath and dining for the innkeeping industry. We are a family business that began by providing hotel fine linens to local bed and breakfasts, country inns and restaurants in our community. We expanded nationally and provide a full product line to fulfill the needs of our customers who prefer “one stop shopping”.

As we approach the holiday season, many of our loyal customers are interested in tips for setting a warm, inviting holiday table. From simple to elegant, InnStyle carries the table linens needed to set “just the right” table. But, how to set this table has always been up to our customers!! InnStyle would like to offer our assistance in this area as well.

Here are four techniques for folding an elegant napkin:

Envelope fold: Place square napkin on table like diamond, with one point facing you. Fold in half upward, point to point, to make triangle. Fold left and right corners of triangle inward so points meet at midpoint of base. Fold outer portions inward again in similar manner, with folds meeting at centre. Fold bottom section of napkin up so you have rectangular bottom and triangle “flap” above it. Fold “flap” down over rectangle to resemble sealed envelope.
Fleur-de-Lis fold: Begin with your square napkin unfolded (press it for a really polished look). Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top corner to form a triangle, then bring the two side corners up to the top corner so that you have a square again. Bring the bottom corner up part way so that there is an inch or so of space between it and the top corner. Fold the bottom corner down so there is a little triangular tab hanging down. Finally, tuck the side flaps towards the back. And pull the “rabbit ears” at the top down and to the side – and there you have your fleur de lis!
Silver Buffet fold: This creates a nice pocket to put the silverware in. Start with your square napkin unfolded. Fold in half from the bottom two corners up to the top two corners to form a rectangle (hot dog style!). Fold in half again to form a square (hamburger style!) and rotate it so that the open corners are pointing up. Roll the top two corners down to the halfway point, then just tuck the two side corners behind the whole thing, and you have your silver buffet pouch. Slide a set of silverware in, and place it on top of the plate, next to it, or in true buffet fashion, in the center of the table.
Pyramid fold: Place square napkin on table like diamond, with one point facing you. Fold in half upward, point to point, to make triangle. Fold left corner up to meet top corner. Turn napkin over. Fold diagonally in half by bringing bottom point up to meet top. You now have a triangle. Lift up base of triangle toward you while bringing outer points closer together underneath.

InnStyle stocks napkins in many styles, fabrics, sizes and colors. You will be pleased with our selection, prices and customer service. Call us Toll Free: 1-800-877-INNS (4667).

Decorate Your Holiday Table Festively with Natural Elements

In our previous blog we considered how table runners are a fast, easy, inexpensive way to beautify a table. In keeping with this theme, let’s now concentrate how we can inexpensively dress-up these table runners for the holidays, simply using nature as our muse.

Many of the following eco-friendly suggestions can be found at the grocery store, in your backyard, or possibly already laying around the house just waiting to be repurposed:

Embellish cloth napkins by tying springs of herbs, such as rosemary and thyme with beautiful strips of cloth or ribbon.
Employ a pomegranate as a place card – Use silver, gold or black permanent marker to write the guests name on the deep rich red skin of the fruit before dinner, and enjoy the delicious fleshy seeds for dessert afterwards!
Dress-up a craft store cornucopia with pickling stain on the outside with burlap lining on the inside. Copiously fill with a variety of squash, apples, pears, mini pumpkins, and pomegranates. Place the cornucopia on a platter so you can move it easily without upsetting the work of art.
Place a small glass hurricane inside a larger one with about a 1/4-1/2 inch space between. Slip wheat, cranberries, acorns, leaves or another seasonal detail between the candleholders. Place a candle in the center (make sure the candle is shorter than the height of the inner glass).

These decorations inspired by nature look particularly stunning juxtaposed on href=”https://www.innstyle.com/catalog/Opal_Innocence_Tablecloth-880.html” target=”_blank”>Opal Innocence by Lenox, an elegant scroll damask.

View our large selection of fine table linens – many styles, fabrics, sizes and colors available. Or call us Toll Free: 1-800-877-INNS (4667).