One of my favourite things to do on a Sunday is sit down to a big farmhouse cook-up with my husband. A big fry-up of whatever we have at the time served with fresh herbs and rocket from the garden. 

Setting the table with placemats, linen runners and napkins; a jug of freshly picked flowers and a warm loaf of bread resting on a timber serving board.

In farmhouse homes, the breakfast table is often the heart of the morning;  where warm toast is shared, homemade jam is passed around, children chat about the day ahead and weekends begin a little more slowly.  The good news is that creating a farmhouse breakfast feeling can be done with the addition of a few simple pieces to transfer even an ordinary weekday breakfast into something special.

Farmhouse style is built around authenticity and personal style.

Choose pieces that feel warm and timeless rather than perfectly matching. Think:

• Timber serving boards
• Linen tea towels
• Ceramic mugs
• Stoneware or enamel jugs
• Stoneware bowls
• Glass jars
• Woven baskets
• Wooden serving utensils

Natural textures instantly make a table feel relaxed and welcoming. One beautiful timber board filled with fresh bread often creates more impact than a table crowded with decorations. Pair that with homemade butter in your butter-bell and you have yourself an instantly cosy and homey breakfast table.

Layer with Linen

Linen has become synonymous with farmhouse living and I think of soft florals, embroidered napkins, runners, table cloths and country themed tea towels. What I love about pure french linen is how it softens with every wash and lasts for years, bringing character and natural texture to the table. 

Use linens to:

• Cover and dress the table; farmhouse print table cloths or beautiful linen table runners. Embroidered linen napkins add an elegance to any table
• Wrap warm bread
• Line baskets
• Create casual placemats
• Fold beside each plate

The slightly relaxed appearance is part of its charm.

Set the table

Once you have decided on your tablecloth and the rest of your linens it's time to set the table. Nothing is more inviting than walking up to a beautifully presented farmhouse table.

I like to layer the e is nothing more immWhether you've baked your own sourdough or picked up a crusty loaf from your local

Let Fresh Bread Become the Centrepiece

Whether you've baked your own sourdough or picked up a crusty loaf from your local bakery, placing it on a timber chopping board creates an effortless farmhouse centrepiece. Add:

• Homemade butter 
• Local honey
• Seasonal jam
• Olive oil
• Fresh herbs
• French linen tea towel
• Serrated Knife

Simple food becomes beautiful when it's served with care.

Bring Out the Butter Crock

Nothing says farmhouse more than a butter-crock or butter bell. Placing your butter bell on the table next to the bread is one of the easiest ways to create a farmhouse feel on the  breakfast table and looks so much nicer than plastic tubs! Not only does it keep butter beautifully spreadable, but it also adds character and nostalgia to the table.

Use a Traditional Toast Rack

To me, the addition of a toast rack adds that little bit of glamour and luxury to the table; maybe it's because I only ever saw them in high end hotels or on the breakfast table of friends parent's who I always considered 'rich'. They were probably only just normal working class families but the perspective of a child is so different. 

Apparently, there is also a practical reason for having one, by keeping slices upright, air circulates around the toast, helping it stay crisp instead of becoming soft from trapped steam. It's a small piece that instantly evokes images if country kitchens and leisurely weekend breakfasts.

Add Fresh Flowers from the Garden

If you can't pick them, just buy whatever is in season. You don't need elaborate floral arrangements just a small jug filled with:

• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Cosmos
• Sweet peas
• Roses
• Daisies
• Gum leaves
• Fresh herbs

can completely transform the table and the room.  Even a single bloom is enough.

Brew Tea in a Teapot

Instead of making individual cups, brew a full pot. For a fuller, stronger flavoured cup of tea add loose-leaf tea instead of tea-bags.  Place it in the centre of the table beneath a tea cosy to keep it warm while everyone enjoys breakfast.

Whether you prefer English Breakfast, chamomile, peppermint or a fragrant herbal blend, serving tea this way encourages people to linger just a little longer.

It's the same for coffee; have the coffee press on the table. 

What is your favourite go-to table settings or additions when your having people over?