Summer has its own rhythm. Slow breakfasts in the shade, afternoons that stretch a little longer than planned, something cold to drink by the pool and dinners that begin before sunset and end under the stars.
It is a way of living that feels especially at home in the Mediterranean, where so much of summer happens outdoors and around the table.
At Olives & Bowls, we believe those everyday moments deserve beautiful things too. Not tableware kept only for special occasions, but pieces made to become part of the summer: ceramic bowls filled with fruit, colourful plates passed around the table, a carafe of cold water within reach and napkins that become a little more relaxed as the evening goes on.
Here is how we bring Mediterranean summer style to the table, from the first coffee of the morning to dinner by the pool.
Breakfast by the Pool: A Cool Summer Morning
There is something about breakfast outside that immediately makes the day feel slower.
Keep the table simple and fresh, with natural colours, ceramic textures and just a few carefully chosen pieces. The earthy green shades of The Table Amsterdam Atelier collection work beautifully against the blue of the pool and the warm tones of a Mediterranean terrace.
Start with the Atelier Carafe 1900 ml in Black Olive, filled with cold water, juice or fresh flowers in the centre of the table.
For coffee, the Atelier Cappuccino Cup 220 ml in Asparagus brings a soft touch of colour, while the matching Atelier Medium Bowl 15 cm in Asparagus is just the right size for yoghurt, granola, fresh fruit or a simple Mediterranean breakfast.
Finish the setting with the Atelier Tea Spoon in Thyme.
Nothing needs to match perfectly. In fact, we prefer when it doesn't. Mixing shades, shapes and textures makes an outdoor breakfast table feel relaxed, personal and lived in.
Afternoon Tea, Summer Edition
Afternoon tea might traditionally make us think of cooler days, but we like the summer version even more.
Move it outside, find a shady corner and bring out a few beautiful ceramics. Fresh fruit, a homemade cake and tea — hot or iced — are more than enough reason to set the table.
The Bunzlau Castle Teapot 1300 ml in Blue Eyes brings the unmistakable blue-and-white character of Bunzlau ceramics to the setting.
Pair it with a selection of Bunzlau Castle cake plates and Farmer mugs. Mixing different Bunzlau Castle patterns is part of the charm — each piece can have its own design while still feeling naturally connected to the rest of the table.
Small details make the setting feel complete. The Saucer in Lace is perfect for serving something sweet alongside your tea, while the Baguette Dish in Daydream can be filled with biscuits, fruit or small snacks to share.
It is colourful, informal and exactly how we like a summer table setting to feel.
A Poolside Drink and Something to Share
Some summer moments do not need a full table setting.
Sometimes it is simply a bottle of something cold, a bowl of olives or nuts and an afternoon with nowhere else to be.
For those moments, the Bunzlau Castle Wine Cooler in Harmony makes a beautiful centrepiece for a relaxed poolside aperitif. Add the Bowl 150 ml in Spring Hill for olives, almonds or another favourite Mediterranean snack.
This is perhaps our favourite kind of summer entertaining: uncomplicated, spontaneous and made for sharing.
Because creating a beautiful table does not always mean setting one formally. Sometimes one ceramic bowl passed between friends is all you need.
Dinner Poolside: From Golden Hour to Late Evening
As the heat begins to fade, the poolside table becomes the place everyone naturally gathers.
Summer dinners call for generous dishes placed in the middle, food designed to be shared and a table that feels put together without feeling overly styled.
Start with flowers or greenery in one of our Belly Vases to bring a natural element to the table.
Then mix patterns freely.
The Bunzlau Castle Pizza Plate Ø 33 cm in Daydream is made for relaxed pizza evenings by the pool, while the Oven Dish Round 1000 ml in Marrakesh is a beautiful way to bring a dish directly to the centre of the table.
Add the Bowl 150 ml in Blue Valentine for sauces, olives or smaller sides and the Plate Ø 25.5 cm in Crazy Dots to introduce another playful pattern.
To soften all the ceramics, finish the table with the Weave Napkins Set of 2 in Barley and Cream. The natural textile works especially well for outdoor dining and balances the stronger Bunzlau Castle patterns.
The result does not need to be perfectly coordinated. A Mediterranean table is often at its best when it has grown organically: different plates, bowls passed around, flowers from the garden and pieces collected because you genuinely love them.
The Art of Effortless Summer Living
For us, Mediterranean outdoor living is less about creating the perfect setting and more about creating a place where people want to stay.
A morning coffee that turns into breakfast. An afternoon drink that becomes dinner. One more plate added to the table because someone else has arrived.
The pieces we choose at Olives & Bowls are intended for exactly these moments: beautiful enough to make the everyday feel special, yet relaxed enough to actually be used every day.
Mix Bunzlau Castle ceramics with the softer, organic shapes of The Table Amsterdam. Combine patterns rather than choosing just one. Move pieces between breakfast, aperitivo and dinner. Fill a carafe with water one day and flowers the next.
There are no strict rules.
Just good food, beautiful tableware and people you are happy to share it with.
The beauty of sharing, all summer long.