SHELLEY SIMPSON

Founder and creative director of Mud Australia porcelain homewares

What will star in your summer menu? We love supporting local. We’re very loyal to Feather & Bone for ethical meat, and I’m currently working on a productive garden at our new studio – growing lots of tomatoes and strawberries! I also love Sift Produce, which sources direct from small farms. We buy our wine from our local Sparrow & Vine as it always has the most delicious selections.

What constitutes a well-set table for you? Nothing too overdone. We mix our Mud colours and shapes freely, as everything is designed to work together. I love fresh seasonal flowers or even herbs from the garden as a low-sitting centrepiece so as not to block conversations. I always use linen napery as it’s sustainable and chic. I am most excited about Lobmeyr glassware for Christmas, which we just introduced into stores. Lobmeyr is a family-owned Austrian glassware company founded in the 1800s. They invented the first electric chandelier with Edison and their glassware is magical, all mouthblown crystal that is perfectly simple and light.

Do you prefer a round table or a rectangle? Definitely round, so nobody feels left out! mudaustralia.com or @mudaustralia

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT Plates by

Mud Australia, the tableware company founded by Shelley Simpson (pictured in her factory space, above). Serious hosts Helen Robbins, who runs a fashion label, and her husband Steven Rayk. Steve’s Relish Food Co in Sydney. Tablescaping at the next level on the couple’s fabulous rooftop deck.