The tables I love most never match. A bit of everything: different textures, materials and eras, something handed down sitting next to a new find you're really excited about. Nothing's trying too hard, and that's what makes it so easy to sit down at.
Here's how I put one together...
Start with something handmade
I always start with handmade ceramics. A rim that isn't quite round, a glaze that pools a little differently on each piece, it all adds warmth. Stack them up and mix and match. A stoneware dinner plate with a side plate and a small scallop-edged dish on top, and the table already looks lovely before any food arrives.
Keep the colours quiet. Natural, sandy, speckled tones go with almost everything.
Add something that catches the light
This is where glass and metal come in. A hammered goblet glass, in a soft green tint or clear, picks up the light beautifully. Pair it with a polished stainless steel beaker or jug and the shine plays off the matte ceramics.
Don't be afraid of stainless steel on the table. We're completely obsessed with it, it's beautiful but so practical too. A good steel jug looks just as smart as silverware, and you can put it in the dishwasher.
Bring in a textile
Never underestimate a napkin. A woven plaid or checked one, especially with a bit of colour, adds pattern straight away. Fold it loosely under the cutlery rather than into a fancy shape.
It softens all that glass and steel too. Be spontaneous, throw a tea towel down and leave it where it lies, don't be afraid of bunching it up and popping a dish on top...
Something to share
A stainless steel thali tray in the middle of the table is my favourite way to get everyone tucking in. Fill the compartments with olives, a wedge of cheese, some bread, a handful of nuts and a dip. It does the same job as a sharing board but looks completely different to everything else on the table, which I love.
Always add a little nature
A vase, or in this case a stainless steel jug, filled with cuttings from a friend's garden pulls everything together. It brings colour, scent and a bit of height, and foraged foliage works just as well.
Keep the feeling the same
If there's one thing to remember, it's to mix up the materials but keep the feeling the same: handmade, personal and a little worn-in. Nothing too precious, nothing too perfect. Just a table you want to sit down at and stay a while.
Shop the pieces featured: Hammered Goblet Glass · Stainless Steel Jug · Stainless Steel Beakers · Plaid Cotton Napkins · Stainless Steel Thali Tray · Speckled Stoneware Plates · Fern Taylor Grain Dish
