Styling a summer breakfast table with Iittala

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For me, weekend breakfasts are something to be savoured – a chance to sit back, relax and ease into the day in a way that’s never possible from Monday to Friday. I always like to dress the table to make them feel that little bit more special, whether it’s just Chris and me or we have friends and family over to visit. So, I’ve teamed up with Finnish company Iittala to share some inspiration for easy yet eye-catching breakfast styling that you can prepare in minutes, without eating into valuable lie-in time!

Iittala is always one of my go-to brands for glass and ceramics, as it produces timeless, considered designs that are the perfect blend of form and function. These aren’t pieces that you’ll use a few times and then throw away; they’re items that you’ll treasure for years to come and maybe even pass down through the generations. In fact, many of its most popular designs were created back in the 1930s, 1950s and 1960s, but they’re just as relevant today as they were back then.

For this look, I used two iconic series by Finnish designer Kaj Franck (1911-1989), who began working with Iittala in 1946 after coming second in a competition organised by the company. He sought to revolutionise dinnerware by replacing the traditional, elaborate services of the time with simpler, more versatile ranges that people could adapt to suit their needs.

His ‘Teema’ collection, first launched as ‘Kilta’ in 1952 before being updated and renamed in 1981, is the embodiment of this approach. Consisting of minimalist plates, bowls, cups, dishes, platters and pitchers, it’s refined in appearance yet durable enough for everyday use. Each piece is derived from one of three simple forms – a circle, a square or a rectangle – and comes in various sizes and colours that can be mixed and matched to suit individual tastes and occasions. What’s more, all are now oven-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

This year a new colour option has been added to the ‘Teema’ mix: ‘Powder’. This beautiful peachy-pink is sophisticated and calming, and makes a warmer alternative to neutrals such as white and grey. It’s also the perfect fit with the décor in my own home, where neutrals sit alongside blush, black and oak accents.

I tend to stick to a muted palette and would often use the ‘Teema Powder’ range on its own, but for added summer vibes I’ve paired it here with glassware from Franck’s ‘Kartio’ series, originally designed in 1958. It too comes in a range of colours, and I opted for ‘Sea Blue’ – a new shade inspired by the ever-changing colours of northern seas, which has just been launched across a selection of Iittala products.

For the finishing touches, I added a simple vase of seasonal blooms and a tealight (candles aren’t just for evenings, you know!) in another Iittala classic – the ‘Ultima Thule’ votive, created by Tapio Wirkkala in the 1960s and inspired by melting ice in Lapland.

And voilà – a simple yet stylish summer table, using a combination of soft blues and pinks that reminds me of sunrise and sunset on a tranquil Nordic archipelago. I hope you like it as much as I do!

See the full ‘Teema’ and ‘Kartio’ collections here and here. Prices start at £10 for a small plate.

All photography by Abi Dare