Tala Mahj: A Mahjong Set Pretty Enough to Leave Out on the Coffee Table
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I have a confession. My mahjong collection has reached the point where Cameron has started asking which mat is “the new one” and which is “the one from last week.” (They are, in fact, both new. Moving on.)
So when Tala Mahj crossed my radar, I tried to be reasonable. I lasted about four minutes. I now own two of their mats, my racks just arrived, my tiles are still on the way, and I am checking the porch like a kid waiting on Santa.
Two sisters, two continents, one very good excuse
Tala’s story is why I fell for the brand before I ever touched a tile. It started with two sisters, one living in America and the other in Europe, who decided an ocean was not going to get in the way of a mahjong game. Every time their planes touched down, whether in a sleepy coastal village or a busy new city, the first order of business was unpacking the tiles.
That is my kind of travel ritual. I am the person who plans a trip around where we’ll eat and where I can set up a table.
About that name
Tala comes from a little island in Bahrain where one of the sisters lived, and it is also the name of her rescue dog. In Arabic, it means little palm, gold, and rhythm. A name with a palm tree and a rescue pup behind it? Byron approved immediately.
The mats
The mats are what sold me, and I say that as someone who already has a mat problem. Each one has a fringe edge, which sounds like a small detail until you see it on the table. It turns a mat into something that looks like it belongs in the room, not something you hide in a closet between games.
There are cheerful Cabana stripes in seafoam, pink, and sage, a Colony mat in chartreuse and petal pink, and a bamboo-toned Veranda mat for people who like their neutrals with a little texture.
They’ve also launched holiday mats, including a plaid and a very cozy Sweater Weather, which is dangerous news for anyone hosting a Christmas game day. (Me. I’m anyone.)
I own two of them. The Sweater Weather mat is the one I can’t wait to play on all winter, and it has already earned a spot at one of the tables at my Christmas mahj party this year. The Cabana mat is gorgeous and high quality, and it looks even better on the table than it does in photos.
The tiles
Tala’s Tradewind tiles are made from a premium resin acrylic with a stone-inspired finish. Each one is engraved and hand-painted, and the set arrives in a grasscloth storage box that is honestly nicer than most of the furniture I’ve owned. They come in a handful of soft, coastal colorways, and the whole idea is that the set is something you’ll want to display, not just play.
Mine are on the way, so I’ll update this post with my honest take once I’ve had them on the table for a few games. I promise to tell you if my pung-calling hands are not worthy of them.
The extras
If you’re the type who likes everything to match (hello me), Tala also makes racks and pushers, tablecloths, card folios for your mahjong cards, and display cases that look more like home decor than game storage. A set on the shelf or the coffee table is a conversation starter, and I am all for a hobby that doubles as decor.
I just received the chocolate woven racks with the straight pusher, and they are every bit as gorgeous and high quality as the mats. Warm, rich and a little bit fancy, which is exactly how I like my game night.
Save a little on your own set
Shop through my link and use code JESSJONES for 10% off. You can browse everything at Tala Mahj, and if you’re building a wish list for the holidays, this is a very good place to start dropping hints.
I’d love to hear which mat or colorway is calling your name. Tell me in the comments, and I’ll tell you which one I’m still trying to talk myself out of.
