The first thing to notice about this lovely buffet has to be the way the style matches the space’s design personality. When you walk in and see this room and this table, you can immediately recognize the host’s casual, comfortable country design style.

Every element on the buffet complements every other element in the room. The rustic table fits perfectly into the space and serves as just the right space to set up a buffet. Notice the wrought iron candelabra, with a simple style that connects well with the room. Simple serving dishes and casual serving pieces are supported by a denim napkin, adding just the right touch or softness to the display while keeping that amazing wood top exposed to view. Flowers would be a nice touch, but the table may be too small – so the host has placed a rich fall display on a side table.

A couple of functional changes would be a good idea. Instead of placing the silverware and napkins on the plates, wrapping the forks in napkins and placing them in a glass or pitcher would make it easier for people to grab their serving pieces before they select their food. When you plan a buffet, even a small one, think about managing traffic efficiently so lines stay short. Other than this minor detail, this rustic buffet demonstrates a design style that is as appealing as the food.

For many people, party planning stops after inviting the guests and setting the menu. One more step in the process can move your party from nice to memorable – designing your space to complement your party.

Fresh flowers offer the best starting point. Inviting, easy, and inexpensive, they give you the best bang for your design efforts. Visit your local grocery or warehouse store and select one or two bouquets of similar flowers – either type or color. If you have color in your linens, look for flowers that will work well with them.

If arranging flowers seems challenging to you, go for very simple. Let the flowers determine the design. In this picture, just two stems join a handful of oranges to make an elegant and simple arrangement. Use any hard fruit or vegetable or even objects such as stones or marbles to hold the stems in place and add to the design.

Scatter your flower arrangements throughout your home. If your vase collection is limited, use any glassware you have to hold flowers. Whether you choose a casual approach or more design-focused, fresh flowers tell your guests that you spent some special time thinking of them and planning for their welcome.