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Outline Trivet

Outline trivet from Hollys House
Outline trivet from Holly’s House

Mat, coaster, trivet call it what you will. As a child, growing up in my Grandmother’s house, which was full of antiques, there were mats on every table.

No-one ever dared put a glass or mug of coffee down on an unprotected surface. Not unless they were very brave. Or reckless.

If they did, their name was mentioned in shocked terms for years afterwards. The vicar got away with it because of his position in the community, but everyone else was expected to toe the line.

As a result of this childhood mat militancy, I have tended to shy away from the tyranny of the trivet in my own house.

My tables are old, but generally pine, and they don’t mind the hot ring of the coffee cup or the cold clink of the cocktail glass. They wipe clean. And besides, on old furniture it adds character. Doesn’t it?

The habit is ingrained however, and I often find myself edging a magazine or newspaper under a guest’s drink as they are heading for the table. Only, on occasion, to find said guest moving the magazine out of the way “don’t want to get an ugly ring on that beautiful cover do we” and plonking the cup on the wood anyway.

I don’t really own any mats; as you may have gathered, my relationship with them is complicated. My kitchen has a stainless steel worktop for similar reasons; it doesn’t matter how much abuse you hurl at it – hot, wet, damp, icy – it won’t mark.

Although, recently we have been toying with the idea of changing the worktop on the island. I fancy marble. That’s delicate stuff that. That is going to involve a trivet. Or seven.

Handy then, that I have just discovered these. New in at Holly’s House, these oak mats look fantastic and do a job. The perfect marriage of form and function. And, when not in use, you can hang them on the wall where they will do another job, decoration.

And add to cart…..

 

 

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.

6 Comments

  1. What lovely trivets! I’m in! We have carrara marble worktops – so beautiful. And the etchings from many a glass of wine or lemons only serve to add character. We went for honed marble.
    {goes off to look at Holly’s house}

  2. Pity your post arrived after our hot pan due to pearl barley disaster – the deep, deep burn stain on our wooden work surface still remains – trying to convince myself it looks rustic…but in truth, it’s just a big, burnt, black round disaster! *trots off to Holly’s House pronto*…

  3. Just love these – always on the look out for beautiful versions on home necessities. When you have wooden kitchen worktops things like this are a godsend! Holly’s House is quickly becoming one of my favourites!

  4. Thanks Kate – loved them! Oooh, I wouldn’t go anywhere near marble if you’re used to being fancy free with what you put on your worktop. I was in the kbb business a long time and would never recommend marble for kitchens, even heavily protected. The best surface would be Silestone but have a look at this website http://www.mexico.cosentinocenter.com – rather more interesting than the UK version. Book matched as well – scroll right to the bottom to see this

  5. Trivet is gorgeous, it’s on my wishlist too, by Ferm Living I believe, but Holly’s House has been a revelation, so many things, thanks for sharing. I think I have the complete opposite problem to you, anything went in our house so I am very prim about keeping our surfaces perfect 🙁

  6. I love Holly’s House items and just looked these up and price wise would make a fantastic…….dare I say it in October….. CHRISTMAS gift…..

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