A simple table setting styled with Murmur stoneware

#thesimpleeveryday ethos – the foundation of everything I write about and share on this blog – is all about simply celebrating the everyday but also finding simplicity every day. That means sharing lived-in spaces that have meaning and feeling, that connect with people, seeking out refined objects that have a story of craftsmanship, and finding ways to uplift the daily rituals, moments and routines we all enjoy at home.

Sometimes I come across a brand or work with a company whose design philosophy perfectly chimes with my own and a little bit of magic happens. I think that is certainly the case with today’s post with homeware brand Murmur. Designed in-house at their Northern Ireland studio, Murmur produce and source simply designed, hand-crafted pieces for the home that take inspiration from the understated design aesthetics of Scandinavia and Japan.

‘Murmur captures down-to-earth style and simple living, it reflects an attitude, an approach of how to live today. The range is designed to remind you to take time to slow down and indulge in the simple things that surround us every day,’ says Julie Hall, head of design at Murmur.

Murmur’s collection features tactile, natural materials, harmonious colours and geometric patterns inspired by prints and batik-style dyeing techniques. Designed to be used and enjoyed everyday, they’re honest pieces that can be mixed and matched together depending on your style and what you have at home already.

Murmur’s Portuguese stoneware is perfect for creating an informal table setting. The pieces come in three shades – chartreuse, indigo and grey – but there was no hesitation over what I would choose to style at home. I went for an all-grey, neutral colour palette, pairing the lovely, organic shapes of the ceramics with soft grey linen and a few finishing touches inspired by nature.

I thought the designs would perfectly suit a long, laid-back brunch around the dinner table. A relaxed affair, where everything is gathered in the middle of the table and people can just help themselves and dig in. Where people can linger and chat for hours. I’m not one for placemats arranged neatly, perfectly symmetrical settings and polite manners. The irregular shapes of these pieces lend themselves to a more casual ambience.

I love how each piece is different, giving a beautiful artisanal quality. A lovely detail is the grey glazing that stops just short of the edge of the plates and bowls.

Even if it is a casual setting, it’s still nice to make an effort for guests. Layer textures with a linen tablecloth and napkins and mix and match old with new. I like to make each place setting special, if I was to transition this into the evening, I’d add some foliage, maybe wrap the knives and forks in twine, or pop some chocolates in that sugar bowl! I always light candles, even if it’s during the day, and especially when the days are getting darker and greyer. The pears add a bit of colour and have a sculptural quality, but mini pumpkins would work well for a more autumnal look.

The sugar bowl has a cute dimple that gives it character. I think these pieces could lend themselves to different styles, they’d fit in well in a countryside cottage, but would look equally at home in a minimal Scandi-style home.

So that’s my simple table setting for brunch, it’s all about simple pleasures enjoyed well. But what would yours look like? Would you go with one colour too, or mix and match for a more eclectic style?

All images: Cate St Hill. This is a sponsored post written in collaboration with Murmur