Photography: Kristina Soljo / Styling: Lucy Gough
Indoor-outdoor living may be a popular home design trend, but if you’re not ready for a full-scale renovation, there are simpler ways to bring the outdoors inside. Natural materials such as timber and rattan are timeless in home decor, and when paired with organic forms such as ceramics, they bring a grounded and inviting feel to any space.
There are plenty of ways to style natural homewares, but if you’re seeking inspiration, we’ve got a few tips to get you started – along with our pick of homewares to shop so you can get the look.
1. Set the table with ceramic
Entertaining is as much about creating an atmosphere as it is about serving up delicious food for your guests, and ceramic tableware adds a beautiful artisanal feel, making it truly special. Start by choosing your base, such as a linen tablecloth, and build from there.
You can opt for a matching set of ceramic plates for a cohesive look, or mix and match different styles for a burst of personality. Layering plates is always a good choice, topped off with a linen napkin and napkin ring. Don’t forget to place a few vases with flowers along the table for added freshness.
2. Add a touch of texture with rattan
Rattan is always on trend and for good reason. Both durable and sustainable, it’s hard to resist the charm of rattan, not to mention the textural beauty of wicker weave homewares. While rattan is a natural fit for coastal and beach-style homes, it can complement almost any home aesthetic when used in moderation. Whether it’s a rattan armchair as an accent piece or rattan placemats adding a textural element to the table, it has a warm and organic appeal.
Other natural materials such as linen and timber always work well with rattan, and when placed among cool colour palettes, rattan offers a balancing warmth. In short, what’s not to love?
3. Go natural in the kitchen
Styling your home doesn’t have to end when it comes to cleaning essentials. In fact, functional items such as a dish brush can enhance the look of your space with beauty and sustainability in mind. Natural materials such as timber and bamboo serve as excellent alternatives to plastic in the kitchen, while also evoking the allure and charm of the outdoors. As seen below, an antique-style dish rack and dish brush feature carved wooden handles that feel rustic and made to last.
4. Embrace the warmth of timber
If you’re looking to foster a sense of connection with the outdoors, using timber is an absolute must. Durable, versatile and easy to maintain, timber effortlessly creates an inviting atmosphere in the home with its earthy warm tones. But as with everything, it’s best not to go overboard. Light and dark-toned wood can work with a few carefully chosen pieces, but can also be layered with ceramics and other homewares for a sense of cosiness and cohesion. As with the coat rack below, warm-toned ceramics paired with art adds the final stylish touch.
Shop natural homewares
01
‘Pomegranate’ cotton tablecloth in Beige
$144, Casa e Cucina
Best for: Pattern play
Crafted by interior brand Chamois, this tablecloth blends European and Indian design influences, as seen in its elegant woodblock print. Made from cotton and available in five sizes, it’s impossible not to love with its delicate pomegranate pattern, ideal for curating a vibrant tablescape. Simply pair it with patterned napkins to complete the look.
Sizes: Small up to extra long
Colours: Orange, Blue and Beige
Material: Cotton
Key features:
- Handprinted
- Made from 100% cotton
- Detailed pattern
02
‘Ruth M’ landscape sugar bowl
$48, Elevate Design
Best for: The perfect table topper
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, including this porcelain sugar bowl by Danish designer Anne Black. Designed in Copenhagen, the sugar bowl features a delicate landscape print and is offered in two stylish colour options – blue and brown. Inside, a cute printed quote reads, “I haven’t told my garden yet.” While ideal for sugar, this bowl can elegantly hold any small item.
Size: 9cm x 5cm
Colours: Blue and Brown
Material: Porcelain
Key features:
- Fair Trade collaboration
- Handmade
- Dishwasher safe
03
‘Ruffle’ bowl in Chalk White
$152.50, Marmoset Found
Best for: An artistic statement
Like the waves of a gentle ocean break, this ceramic ‘Ruffle’ bowl by Marmoset Found has a fluid and captivating look. We love the three sizes that nest within each other alongside classic and playful colourways such as Chalk White and Icy Pink. It’s lovingly hand cast, and with gift wrap also available, we have a feeling you’ll love it too.
Sizes: Small, medium and large
Colours: Chalk White, Light Blue, Icy Pink and Snow White
Material: Ceramic
Key features:
- Subtle waved shape
- Made by hand
- Classic neutral colours
04
‘Wish Me Luck’ dinner plate
$87, Blue Maisonette
Best for: Casual to formal entertaining
Elevate your table setting with this ceramic dinner plate by Blue Maisonette. Each plate is handcrafted in Portugal and painted by artisans with intricate blue flowers, ensuring it is unique. Use on your table settings for a glorious garden feel or as a timeless accent piece.
Size: 27cm
Colour: Blue
Materials: Ceramic and fully glazed
Key features:
- Sold individually
- Hand wash recommended
- Handmade
05
‘Alston’ bud vase
$50, Kinfolk and Co
Best for: Handcrafted elegance
Handmade pottery is made to stand out, such as this vase from Kinfolk and Co with an unexpected shape and finish that will bring beauty to any space. Though petite, this vase is ideal for small flower arrangements, with a white spotted glaze for a charming, handcrafted look. Dishwasher-safe and water-tight, there’s much to love about this vase.
Size: 9.5cm x 7cm
Colour: Speckled gloss finish
Material: Handmade pottery
Key features:
- Smooth finish
- Locally sourced materials
- Handcrafted in limited amounts
06
Embroidered scalloped linen napkin in Sky Blue
$106/set of 4, Blue Maisonette
Best for: Elevating your table setting
Looking for the perfect napkins? These napkins from Blue Maisonette add a subtle hint of colour to the table with a light blue shade and a lovely white embroidered trim which shows that beauty lies in the details. The set includes four linen napkins with soft scalloped edges. Just add a stylish napkin ring to finish your tablescape.
Size: 40cm x 40cm
Colours: Sky Blue and Amalfi
Material: 100% Linen
Key features:
- Machine wash cold
- Pair with Blue Maisonette napkin rings
- Soft blue colouring
07
‘Tulip’ basket in Seashell Pink
$138.95, Olli Ella
Best for: Stylish storage
Whether used as a storage basket, toy holder or flower pot, this basket is made to add joy to the home. The handwoven rattan makes it a sturdy choice, enhanced by a metal base, while the seashell pink shade is soft and natural. Match with the Rattan Lily Basket set to put one in every room.
Sizes: Basket and carry basket
Colours: Seashell Pink and Buttercream
Material: Rattan
Key features:
- Handwoven
- Natural rattan
- Available as carry basket
08
‘Palm Cove’ towel in Burgundy
$99.95, Mayde
Best for: Comfort and softness
The ‘Palm Cove’ towel is a delightful blend of linen and cotton for a luxuriously soft feel. The towel also doubles as a picnic blanket or throw with a classic stripe design in burgundy that will look beautiful whether at home or outdoors. Not to mention the tassels add a tactile and decorative touch.
Size: 100cm x 180cm
Colour: Burgundy
Materials: Natural cotton and linen
Key features:
- Made in Turkey
- 50% cotton and 50% linen
- 380g
09
Natural dish brush
$24, Kinfolk and Co
Best for: Sustainable and natural cleaning
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly dish brush, this one from Kinfolk and Co is handmade from beechwood with natural bristles that will effortlessly tackle your dishes. Whether hard plates or delicate ceramics, the bristles can handle a variety of wares, complemented by a wooden handle for a comfortable grip.
Size: 5cm brush head with 23cm handle length
Materials: Tampico fibre and beechwood
Key features:
- Made in Germany
- Hard-wearing
- Hanging loop on end
10
‘Holly’ 3-door sideboard
$299, Living Fusion
Best for: A dose of organic texture
The ‘Holly’ sideboard is the definition of natural elegance, with rattan panel doors, oak wood legs and a mid-century design with plenty of storage space. The rattan makes it an ideal centerpiece for a living room or a perfect addition to the bedroom for an added textural element. Enhance its natural appeal by placing a few ceramic vases on top.
Size: 73cm x 140cm x 40cm
Materials: Rattan, particleboard and oak wood
Key features:
- Sturdy design
- Shelving included inside
- Natural rattan panels
