CB2 Pressed Vinyl Dot Placemats

As a child, one of our household chores was setting the table. We took our job very seriously as we would put out the placemats, napkins, plates and silverware. We have a vague recollection of having some placemats similar to these in our childhood home. Perhaps that's why we were drawn the CB2's Pressed Vinyl Dot Placemats.

The Pressed Vinyl Dot placemat, $6.95 each, features a linen-like texture and open dots which touch to create a lovely lacey pattern.

Available in white and sage, this fun pattern is perfect for children and adults.

Comments (7)

The design is charming but a bad choice for the dinner table. First of all, they would be annoying to clean unless you have a super neat kid.

Second, PVC leaches and off-gasses. It is very dirty to make. It is not a safe choice around children.

posted by JudiAU on March 17th 2009 at 11:41am
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I can see the argument about these being hard to clean (although I'm sure a quick soak in the sink would do a fine job) but seriously, what is the bubble made of that you keep your kid in??

posted by Lucky Bug on March 17th 2009 at 1:46pm
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I agree on the PVC and my kids don't live in a bubble. PVC is proven to give off toxins (that's what makes the lovely plastic-y smell you breathe in) thanks to the phthalates in it. That's why phthalates have now been banned in children's products -it's not considered safe for kids. It's in a lot of stuff so you can't eliminate it 100%, but there's nothing wrong with trying to minimize their exposure when you can.

posted by cerise518 on March 17th 2009 at 2:56pm
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We don't live in a bubble. But I try to make sure that my children aren't exposed to *known* neurotoxins. Young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

The research has been around for a long time and is well established. PVC can't be used for children's products in many first world countries.

posted by JudiAU on March 17th 2009 at 3:36pm
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these are exactly like the chilewich ones. just about .50 cheaper.

posted by eribear12 on March 17th 2009 at 4:17pm
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OT: the use of the first person plural is HORRIBLY annoying, especially when it involves bad grammar.

posted by Sol on March 18th 2009 at 2:06pm
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To clarify JudiAU's point, PVC isn't banned in children's products; phthalates are banned. It's easy to mix them up, but they aren't the same thing. Manufacturers of children's products currently use low- or non-phthalate versions of PVC to comply with the safety regulations. That's different from the off-gassing issue. And both are separate from the other environmental issues related to the production of PVC products. That said, if CB2 is using phthalates in these placemats (which they may not be), your child is not really exposed to the phthalates unless she munches on them. If your concern is exposure to PVC, plastic off-gassing, or general environmental issues around using too much plastic, that's different. However, this is a design site, and I agree with AT that these are super cute.

posted by girl from oaktown on March 19th 2009 at 1:14pm
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