January is the traditional time to make resolutions, but for me August has always been a season for fresh thinking and planning. After years in higher education I still think in academic years, and the quieter rhythm of late summer prompts me to take stock, set goals for the coming months and consider new directions.
August often brings a slower pace at work as many colleagues take holidays, which creates a pocket of time for tasks that tend to be postponed during busier periods. You don’t need to travel to Tuscany to make the most of it; a few uninterrupted hours or days can be enough to tackle important projects: developing a refreshed strategy or visual identity, catching up on practical jobs at home, testing a new creative process without client constraints, or learning a new skill. For those of us who are self-employed and constantly connected, deliberately scheduling creative time helps ideas to develop and gives space to reflect on priorities.
When iittala invited me to style some of their pieces and rethink a table setting, I enjoyed how a small change to an everyday ritual can inspire broader creative shifts. Resetting the table offered a simple prompt: how might a fresh approach to something familiar encourage new ways of working, new aesthetics or small experiments that ripple through other areas of life and creative practice?
I already own several iittala pieces and I’ve long admired how the brand’s collections, despite differing in shape, colour and pattern, harmonise together. For example, dotted blue pieces from the Teema collection by Kaj Franck pair naturally with newer designs in the range, including pleated textiles and sculptural platters from the iittala x Issey Miyake collaboration. That balance between timeless forms and contemporary details makes mixing and matching effortless and enjoyable.
There’s no need to commit to a single matching set when you set a table. Introducing a new piece can refresh the look while keeping favourites that still work. For example, blue Teema plates and bowls sit comfortably alongside blue-and-white antique china or simple white tableware. Similarly, Kastehelmi tumblers complement vintage glasses by designers such as Timo Sarpaneva. Mixing older and newer pieces celebrates continuity while allowing a gentle update.
I’ve also been experimenting with the Issey Miyake napkins. Their pleated texture turns a meal into a small origami exercise, inviting you to slow down and try different folds and configurations. It’s a playful, tactile way to vary the table and the mood of a meal.
There are no strict rules for resetting a table, and the same openness applies to creative platforms like a blog, an Instagram feed or a small business. Rather than abandoning everything you’ve built, consider how to introduce new ideas while recognising what already works. Small experiments, playful tweaks and selective updates can refresh your brand without losing its identity.
Over the rest of the summer I plan to set aside time to explore ideas, rethink routines and be more playful in my creative approach. Pausing to review progress and priorities helps clarify what matters and what to carry forward. Gathering around the table remains a simple, meaningful ritual: a quiet way to connect, test new combinations and enjoy everyday beauty with friends and family.
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tumbler | cereal bowl | plate | large bowl | table flower | vase | napkin | platter | cutlery | mug
With thanks to iittala who kindly gifted the items featured.