A slow sunday breakfast

As regular Paper Thin Moon readers know, I love creating meaningful moments around food - especially at the weekend when we have the time to enjoy a long meal with family and friends. Life can so often sweep us up in the swirl of the everyday and so these moments of coming together and sharing food and conversation are even more precious. I’m all about celebrating small moments these days - perhaps it’s my age, but for a long time I’ve felt that I need little in the way of an excuse to plan a celebration. It doesn’t need to be elaborate, expensive or grand, it’s really about being in the moment, bringing people together - and, of course, creating memories and embedding family rituals.

My kids are always begging me to eat on their laps in front of the telly, and I don’t have a problem with that, as long as it’s not every night. Sitting around a table together - especially at the weekend when we have more time - is one of the highlights of my day.

On a Saturday or Sunday morning, indulging in a long lazy breakfast around a simple but beautifully laid table is a lovely thing. For me, like any other table gathering, it’s about setting the scene; creating another world for a short while and offering a welcoming space for the people you’re bringing together. If it brings a little magic into their lives, then all the better.

No one wants to be faffing around in the morning creating a lavish table setting, so keep it simple and stress-free with with some pretty placemats, a few curated ceramics and some simple, standout flowers. Simply adding a linen table cloth will always add a heightened sense of occasion. 

Minimal & Calming Minimalism

In the morning, I like to use restful, muted tones that draw inspiration from nature. I threw on a buff natural linen-blend table cloth (with only the biggest creases ironed out) and served the food on our hand thrown and turned plates, bowls and delicate, scallop-edged egg cups. I love the way the tones of the speckled oatmeal and chalky white glazes work in harmony with one another.

Slow rituals

The teapot tends to come out for special occasions. I don’t know about you, but I only ever make a pot of tea at the weekend! There’s something so pleasing about brewing in a pot with the intention of sitting down to have more than one cup. And I wouldn’t consider doing soft-boiled eggs during the week. But dipping butter and marmite soldiers into runny eggs is one of life’s greatest unsung pleasures (try asparagus spears if you fancy going upmarket).

Seasonal touches

Fill a vase with whatever is growing in your garden or allotment (or what you can forage from hedgerows) to add a seasonal flourish. Play with scale to create a focal point (dried foliage in a stoneware vase works a treat in autumn). Here I’ve used cafe au last dahlias and a gorgeous copper chrysanthemum, which tones beautifully with the basketry and the ruffles of the placemats. In the bud vase are the delicate star-like blooms of astrantia.

Lighting

Lighting can completely change the ambiance of a get together. Of course candles are a must for evening gatherings (or in the afternoon during the darker months), but the glow of a candle on the breakfast table with bring magic to the table at any time of year.

Bringing in texture

Bringing in an element of contrast with textural details is great way of counterbalancing the softness of porcelain and linen. A cane-handled teapot, a fluffy sheepskin slung over the back of a chair, a woven bread basket or the fabric ruffle of a placemat will add depth and contrast.