New Invention (Tablecloth)

The tablecloth which turns spilt red wine into pretty patterns

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:35 PM on 15th February 2010

At first glance the unusual creation appears to be nothing more than a conventional white cloth with a floral decoration.

But when it is stained with liquid such as red wine the material absorbs the mess and turns it into a pattern.

And the bizarre creation, called the Underfull, never needs to be washed - each stain simply adds to the design.

Oops: A designer has created an extraordinary tablecloth - which turns accidental red-wine spills into pretty patterns

When the tablecloth is stained with liquid, like red wine, the material absorbs the mess and turns it into a pattern

Designer Kristine Bjaadal said: 'Everyone knows how embarrassing it is when someone spills wine on a someone else's tablecloth.

'I saw this as an intriguing challenge and came up with something that takes it from a negative situation to something very positive.' According to 29-year-old Miss Bjaadal, from Oslo, Norway, the cloth will never look horribly stained, and will improve with every accidental spill.

She said: 'It works with all kinds of liquids and the pattern will take the colour of whatever is spilt.

'If you spill water and leave it to dry, the pattern will fade as the water evaporates.

'Some stains, like red wine, are hard to wash out. But since they will be formed as figures, the tablecloth will not look stained.

'The figures will form a pale, shadowy pattern that will grow as the tablecloth is being used and spilled on over time.

'This creates stories and can contribute in giving the tablecloth sentimental value.

'I think this is important in a society where we seem to have an increasingly superficial relation to the objects we surround ourselves with.' 

A close-up of the tablecloth's material which creates intricate patterns when wet

As the tablecloth is still in the prototype stage, Miss Bjaadal is tight-lipped about how it works.

But she said she has had a great response to the design and is currently looking for potential manufacturers.

She said: 'I've had an overwhelmingly positive response to the design.

'I think this is because many people are tired of products that have no story attached to them.

'I try to make products that people will care for for many years, products that also will function as memories.'