Do guys really care about cloth napkins, napkin rings and center pieces? I can see the placemats as they protect the table,

probably not but he was asking me so I was asking for suggestions/ideas

@ functionthenlook so do you have a suggestion?

Destiny, a picture of the room and whole table will be needed for anyone to advise. It is hard to visualize from just a place setting.

What does the rest of the place look like? The curtains, the sofa, etc?

Does he want something in the blue family or something contrasting?

Natural fiber mats are nice, but you can't throw them in the washing machine, you have to vacuum them, and it may be more work then he wants to do.

Something in the blue family similar to the plate color would work, also something in the off white-wheat color too, or something that weaves in blue plus wheat or off-white plus wheat.

I would choose something that can be machine washed and does not need to be ironed.

If he chooses a mat with fringes, he should launder them in a zipped mesh laundry bag so the fringes don't become damaged in the washing machine or in the dryer.

You may want to consider a set that comes with matching napkins, and always buy lots of extras as they both tend to become stained.

Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, and Sur La Table and Cost Plus World Market.

These place mats are 4 for $19.96 with a discount for pick-up at the door-

Warm Multicolor Chindi Placemats with Fringe.

He can pick up any of the colors in the mat for cloth napkins, and I suggest a darker color such as a dark blue because there is always a nitwit who will wipe her red lipstick on a napkin.

Or the red wine will spill and everyone will rush to blot it with their napkins.

Here's the table

As long as he is asking your advice about placemats, you can advise him about the correct way to set the table.

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/table-etiquette-guide-informal-dining-manners/

By the way, Gentleman's Gazette is a great source of info for men just starting out, and kudos to your son for being willing to learn, especially from his mom.

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/

I’d do something like these woven ones, whatever color he likes, for some texture.

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/raje-round-placemat/s297500

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/grey-rattan-placemat/s450103?localedetail=US

Thank you so much everyone for your suggestion/advice and help. I really appreciate it! 💕 Your suggestions are very helpful!

I think Jinx's idea of the woven placemats is perfect. Men tend to like substantial natural things rather than pretty ones. The 'Gray' option in the second link would blend nicely with the dark blue slate color of the dishes and you wouldn't be adding another color, making it too busy.

I started out with the natural woven placemats years ago.

Then when I realized I had to vacuum them and couldn't throw them in the washing machine, that was the end of them!

Vacuum them? If ours get crumbs, we just shake them over the trash can.

I’ve used them for years and never had any cleaning issues. Plus, it’s not a major investment, not a big deal to replace if needed, just like any kind of placemat.

Here is some I like.

https://www.amazon.com/Tache-Elegant-Paisley-Tapestry-Placemat/dp/B08HJS8H1G/ref=sr_1_249?crid=2LIP2AJXTQB2J&dchild=1&keywords=placemats+set+of+4&qid=1611009974&sprefix=placemat%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-249

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DCXPZZV/ref=twister_B08DCSZKD8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Pigchcy-Placemats-Durable-Washable-Kitchen/dp/B07MP89LF7/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=2LIP2AJXTQB2J&dchild=1&keywords=placemats%2Bset%2Bof%2B4&qid=1611010321&sprefix=placemat%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-14-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySEk4RlZFUlVGQ0ExJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDI0MzM2MU1ROUxUVlk2UkgzVyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTIzMTkyOTlGSjU5WTFJWUJPJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N179LD5/ref=twister_B08N14X3QH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DCK27V8/ref=twister_B08DCSZKD8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1