How to Channel Mediterranean Style Through Your Dinner Table

How to Channel Mediterranean Style Through Your Dinner Table

The Mediterranean is a foodie’s dream. From cold Greek salads to grilled fish caught fresh that morning, crusty ciabatta to creamy goats’ cheese, aïoli, tapenade and tzatziki – fresh almonds and olives pulled straight off the tree – olive cake, baklava, and Pastéis de Nata – we could happily spend the rest of our lives on the Mediterranean diet.

But, incredible taste profiles aside, part of what proves so enticing about the Mediterranean approach to eating lies in their presentation, and the entire ritual surrounding their meals. Their tablescapes so often marry together the simple with the special – the everyday beauty of something that never loses its importance, no matter how many times it’s repeated.

However much you want to be, you don’t have to be basking under the midday sun or leaning over the balcony to watch the tide creep in to evoke that same sense of appreciation for the simplest of ingredients.

So, from crisp white linens to hand-painted ceramics in those crisp Mediterranean colours, here’s how to channel those same vibes in your home – wherever you are.

What’s your colour palette?

The most obvious colour palette that springs to mind when we think of long lunches in Santorini or the Algarve is that distinctive blue and white. It’s a scheme that looks incredible in a simple stripe, or in a more intricate pattern of florals or abstract shapes. Traditional but easily modernised for a more contemporary type of home, blue and white ceramics like our Blue Summer Flower Salad Bowl instantly evoke that sense of the Mediterranean table.

That’s not to say, however, that you have to restrict yourself. A table solely comprising blue and white could start to look a little bit too ‘on theme’, particularly when you consider the fact that part of that Mediterranean charm stems from a more relaxed, eclectic approach to design and décor. While blue and white may be an enduring symbol, it’s not as though every table from Morocco to Greece is devoid of all other hues.

While relatively simple colour schemes centred on basic colours – blues, greens, pinks, and yellows – tend to prove the most effective.

How ‘cohesive’ do you want to be?

As we mentioned above, something that really characterises the Mediterranean style is eclecticism, and a more relaxed, laissez-faire approach to putting on a spread. If you prefer to keep things matching, then don’t let us stop you, but mis-matched ceramics scream ‘I’m bringing out every plate, bowl and side dish for this spread’, and there’s something incredibly inviting about that.

What’s more, the great thing about taking an open-minded approach to gathering up your ceramics is that, over the years, you build-up a unique collection of pieces with stories attached to them. Hand-painted pieces naturally carry that sense of uniqueness – and a more traditional feel that can introduce the world of difference to your dinner table.

Are you stockpiling beautiful linens for a celebratory feel?

When it comes to colour and print, it’s not just your ceramics that you want to be thinking about. The Mediterranean table can often represent a tableau of vibrant linens, from the napkins and place settings to the tablecloths and runners.

The trick here is to avoid getting too fixated on cohesion and colour matching. Across a lifetime’s worth of collected table linens, there’s every chance you won’t find two shades that are the same, so you might as well embrace the ‘colour clash’ and create something that captures the spirit of a family get together, whether it’s the heart of summer or deep midwinter.

For the best look possible, aim to introduce some difference in terms of pattern size, as well as colour. Create your foundation with a strong, bold print emblematic of the countries you’re channelling – something like our Kalee Blue Tablecloth – to create a good base. On top of that, layer fabrics with smaller prints in contrasting colours for your napkins and place mats.

Sometimes, the very best inspiration can be found from fieldwork, rather than the theory. Take a look at our full range of tableware and let your imagination run wild in the rolling hills of Tuscany, the waterfront villas of Portugal, or the bustling bazaars of Morocco. The most inspiring tablescapes draw elements from around the world – testament to your travels, or even just your passions and interests – and tell a totally unique story that take your guests somewhere entirely new.

At Penny Morrison, we will always celebrate the work of artisans from around the world, meaning you can guarantee that something special and unique at every family meal.