Modern ways to fold napkins from Dransfield & Ross

Looking through my one of my favorite sites One Kings Lane, I found these great tips on 'How to fold napkins' . Designers John Dransfield and Geoffrey Ross, founders of the home accessories line Dransfield & Ross, reveal their favorite napkin-folding ideas.

Read on for step-by-step instructions to create four unique and stylish napkin looks. This is how the pro's do it.

Roll Fold

“Love the roll because it shows off a napkin's pretty edge; plus, it’s a snap to do”
—John Dransfield

  1. Fold napkin into a square.
  2. Roll napkin, starting from unadorned side.
  3. Slip a napkin ring over the loose roll, exposing all four layers of trim.
  4. Place napkin horizontally over the plate to give the setting a dynamic and unexpected look!

Box-Pleat How-To

  1. Fold napkin into a rectangle, leaving a little space between the trimmed edges.
  2. Repeat fold for an even skinnier rectangle (and what looks like the start of a paper fan).
  3. Flip it over so that the smooth side is up, then grab the top edge and fold it toward you.
  4. Line up your edges for a tailored look fit for any formal occasion.

Spade-Shape Fold

“The orange velvet double-D ring matches the napkin trim for a sporty, preppy look that would be great for a luncheon or casual dinner party.”
—Geoffrey Ross


  1. Fold napkin with trim into a square.
  2. Grab closed corner (the corner without trim) and pull a couple of inches of the fabric through the napkin ring.
  3. Place the softly draped fold over the center of the plate for a sculptural spade shape.

Handkerchief Fold

“This architectural fold is so versatile! It could go with a traditionally formal table setting or work in a Mid-Century Modern environment that plays up the structured shape. Plus, the folds of the napkin also double as a place-card holder!”
—John Dransfield



  1. Fold napkin into a square.
  2. Starting at the most open and decorated corner, bring the top layer toward the closed corner.
  3. Repeat with the subsequent napkin layers, bringing each corner slightly lower than the previous one so that none of the trim overlap.
  4. Turn the triangle over, smooth side up. Take one of the narrow corners and fold it halfway over; repeat with the other corner.
  5. Flip back over for an architectural fold.

Found Via One Kings Lane

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