It's All in the Details - A Casual Summer Buffet

After a fantastic day of shopping with readers at Kane County Flea Market in Chicago, followed by cocktails at attendee Debra Phillips' enchanting store Scentimental Gardens, Jaithan and I are back for a quick couple of days before heading down to Atlanta for a spin through Scott's with some of our more southern belles. That gives me just enough time to share preparation ideas for a casual summer buffet here at the house. Drawing on a mix of modern and traditional items of our own, together with a new collection of vintage finds from our Etsy store, I thought I'd offer up a few ideas for summer entertaining, just to get you in the mood! My inspiration came in the form of this.

It's a yellow iris from our garden, one of hundreds growing on the property. I love their old-school charm; they're like heirloom flowers with a real sense of history, the perfect centerpiece on a buffet with plenty of vintage finds.   

The tablecloth is a mossy green remnant topped with a repurposed linen scarf from H&M. Now for the food, I know some people are particular about having cold salads separate from hot items, so these Danish modern teak bowls are a great option. That way, they can even have salad before (or after) the main course altogether if they choose. The dinner plates are a set of ten with a branch and leaf pattern I love, especially for outdoor entertaining. The colors, too, tie in nicely with the yellow of the iris, the brown of the teak, and the green of the grass. For the main course, perhaps an herb-crusted grilled beef tenderloin, I'd serve in this silverplate meat tree, alongside a horseradish lemon-thyme sauce in one of these old, Wedgwood cups and saucers. And to serve it all up, here's a vintage faux antler carving set with a natural texture perfect for any al fresco setting.   

For the flowers, I used this vintage art pottery vase with a wide opening and pretty shape, flanked by a pair of beautiful, old English brass swirl candlesticks. They're a great height for giving light at dusk, and if it's a windy night, glass hurricanes are always a good option for placing around candlesticks. The unusual teak bowl is mid-century modern with these salad servers in a cool, sculptural shape. Finally, this modern amber glass dish would be perfect for serving a room-temperature side, like an almond wild rice salad with dried sour cherries.

Whenever I do a buffet, I like to place silverware towards the end because there's nothing worse than trying to balance a plate full of food, together with knife, spoon, and fork. So to hold this vintage Bloomingdale's silverplate service for 6, I opted for an American art pottery vase in a modern, rectangular shape. It's unexpected on a buffet and great for no-fail flower arrangements on a side table with zinnias, roses, or hydrangeas. Finally, for the persnickety palette, salt and pepper are a must. These unusual pressed glass cellars I paired with bone handle spoons; the shapes I thought complemented each other beautifully.

Summer entertaining is at its best when it's casual but at the same time polished and pulled together. Buffets allow guests to help themselves, giving you plenty more time to socialize and (gasp!) enjoy the party too. Shocking, I know, but good planning I've always thought is in the details—a mix of new and old, modern and traditional pieces, along with beautiful servingware at varied heights. Plan it out, make it interesting, and you're sure to pull it off!

Have a success story you care to share? In need of advice for an upcoming event? Tell me about it!  

Comments

[lecaro]

Eddie, did I miss it or did you neglect to tell us what you served? You're so creative I'd love to know your idea of a buffet menu.

[Cherry@NewburghRestoration]

Beautiful as always

[Room Service ~ Decorating 101]

Simple and perfect, the way to go. Thanks for sharing.

[ABCOroville]

You are a born merchant. Who can resist all the treasures when they are so artfully placed for use. Kudos to you.

[Ralphie]

Hi Eddie,
Love the wood bowls and serving pieces! Have fun in the land of peaches and the sweet scent of magnolias!
Ciao :-)

[Tammy518]

What a wonderful buffet you've set up! Isn't it great to be able to dine outdoors in the summer? I'm glad you're enjoying your new home and grounds.

[Amy]

Eddie & Jaithan,
Smashing as always, simple & elegant! If only I could keep you two on close hand and pull you out every time I needed a little touch of perfection. Any great ideas for a Hawaiian themed bridal shower I'm hosting in july? (I just can't stand tacky plastic decorations-yikes! Perhaps I am a design snob after all!) I'll see you in Sept. here in DC but can't wait until then to pick your brains! Enjoy this great weather!
Hugs,
Amy

[Shandell's]

Hi Eddie & Jaithan,
Beautiful, the Iris's are divine. As always.
XO
Susan

[Debbie]

Eddie,

Just thinking...Have you ever considered putting together a book of "practical ideas" using your clever decorating tips? For example, I never really thought about putting the silverware at the end of the buffet, but it makes such perfect sense!

I read about a bazillion magazines(Well, maybe not QUITE that many:)) and peruse lots of websites about entertaining and decorating, but many of your ideas are ones that I haven't come across before. A sweet, little book filled with some of your ideas would be such a handy resource.

Thanks for another great post.

Hugs,
Debbie

[Renae]

Eddie,
I am a new fan and follower. I adore your table setting and I do as you do in putting the silverware at the end of a buffet for the same reasons you stated. I really like your mix of textures and elements.
Blessings...

[seleta]

I'm convinced that "pretty" fairy dust rubs off of your skin and leaves a sparkly trail when you walk by...because everything you do is pure loveliness. And budget friendly! You are so talented.

xoxo
Seleta

[Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality]

Beautiful, Eddie! That shell flatware looks like some I used to have too. have fun in ATL!

[Kate Abney]

Hi Eddie!

I hear you are speaking at Scott Antique Market in Atlanta this Saturday. I'd love to plug this into Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles' magazine's Friday newsletter to let some of our most loyal readers know of this great event. Will you still be taking reservations on Friday? What is the best way for readers to contact you?

Please let me know!

Thank you,

Kate Abney
Assistant Editor
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
twitter.com/KateAbney

[Karena]

I love your inspiring imagination Eddie. Repurposing is so wonderful I have a drapery panel as a table cover right now, and an Italian Tapestry as a throw over a round side table.

[Charla @ For the Sake of Time]

Eddie - Your summer setting is just delightful. I would love to see a cold salmon dish on that table too. I think it would be perfect paired with a fresh green salad with feta cheese and grape tomatoes.

As always, I love the ideas you share with all of us.

Charla

[Bette]

Hey Eddie and Jaithan,
Pretty perfect I'd say. Great shots too. Now I've taken notes and I'm a quick study so....ok got it! Thanks!

Bette

[Kathysue]

Hi Eddie and Jaithan, Love the crisp white,green and yellow color scheme. I always enjoy reading your description of the food that will go in each dish, you make entertaining seem effortless, comfortable and delish! You always inspire me to be better at entertaining or designing . Have fun at Scotts! Love that part of the country. I think I am Southern in my heart of hearts, even though I am a Calif born and bred girl. Hugs Kathysue

[gail gray of a fresh start professional organizing]

What an elegant yet casual party idea. You make me want to call all my friends over and re-create this. Thank you for the inspiration!

[yansy]

Dear Eddie,

Can we be best friends? I am completely infatuated with your sense of style. You are perfection. You are truly an inspiration.

[Trintiy]

you make me want to host my own little garden party! so inspiring! Love!

[Christie Lefebvre]

Hi Eddie...love the wooden bowls!!! We used those as kids all of the time and people stopped using them. They always made the salad taste better for some reason :) I love using those large scallop shells for sorbet and unusual things. It always throws people off a bit and they realize you can use anything as long as it works in the whole picture...you are a master at this Eddie :) Now where are those wooden bowls circa 1970 my mom had???? Ooh...I have to email you this hysterical thing on 1970's food cards...so funny!

Cheers,
Christie
ACK

[hanako66]

oh how I wish I had you eye! I am planning a bridal shower with a garden theme (and 50 invitations!) this July...I am looking for all of the inspiration that I can get!

xo

Aline

[Karen]

So charming Eddie...I love this....particularly those teak bowls. Beautiful!

[Amphritrite]

Eddie, you're an inspiration :)

How do you feel about leaving a table set all the time? Some (like my mother) think that the table should be clear and blank until dinner time, while others (like my grandmother) used to set the table, complete with candles, pitchers, and chargers for daylong admiration.

[Kwana]

This is so pretty. Thanks.

[Pigtown-Design]

I love the idea of re-purposing a linen scarf as a table runner. Clever!

[Monica]

Beautiful, as always.

[Megan]

Beautiful! I especially like the silver platter.

[LindsB]

I love that you use the word persnickety- such a great word!

Lovely buffet, and lucky you for having all those beautiful iris on your property!

Have fun in Atlanta- cant wait to see what you get down there!