Paper placemats? Yes, please.
Who ever thought a placemat made of paper could make the dinner table look so elegant? These made-in-Italy placemats are crafted from waxed paper (really!) that’s both water and stain resistant, and suited for just about any table setting. They require nothing more than a quick wipedown with a damp cloth to clean, making them as easy to care for as they are on the eyes.
Photography by James Ransom, Rocky Luten, Ty Mecham
Meet the Maker
Uashmama
Tuscany, Italy
Uashmama founder Marco Marconi and his family created a line of washable paper bags and goods that look and feel like leather, but wash and stand up to daily use with ease. Though the company has expanded significantly since it first started, many of its products are still sewn by Tuscan locals.
View Full Profile
Our Tips & Stories
How we'd use this beauty in our own homes.
11 Kitchen Storage Ideas You'll Wish You'd Known Sooner
A toe-kick drawer for baking sheets! A spot for bulky utensils!
My Time-Traveling Bowl of Spaghetti & Meat Sauce
On the transporting powers of a simple dish my mother made every week of my childhood.
How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro
Choose a dry day, dig out an old T-shirt, and get to work.
Reviews for
Essential Placemats (Set of 4)
Reviews for
Essential Placemats (Set of 4)
All reviews come from Verified Purchases
Pricey for the quality
Not a fan. When they first arrived, I looked at them with huge disappointment. “$48 for 4 got me this??” They don’t sit flat, they are super thin, the backside stains easily, and the top can stain too. I kept them because within the first day, my son got a little bit of grease on the back of one and just like that, I had to commit. I like the natural look about them, but don’t feel the quality matches the price tag. I don’t recommend purchasing these.
love these
I love how they are so flat and store easily. Nice appearance, you would never know that they are paper. I plan to purchase more colors in the spring/summer for outdoor use.
Lovely and Practical!
The Natural color oval placemats are perfect for everyday meals . . . and entertaining. They clean up beautifully, leaving no staining. One improvement I would recommend is that they could be a bit thicker - they curl up on the edges and I seem to want to smooth them down.
A Similar Style
Elsewhere on Food52
Today’s Top Story
So Hot Right Now
Big Little Recipes
The Garlickiest, Butteriest, Simplest Pasta Sauce
Absolute Best Tests
The Absolute Best Way to Make Peanut Butter