Entertaining Buffet Style
Hey my friends! With the New Year, I’ve been thinking about this year’s possibilities… goals to reach, projects to complete, along with new ideas & inspiration… so I thought I’d do a series of posts to share “Buckets of Tips” on ways to use vintage/farmhouse items in entertaining or decorating… how’s that sound? You know, suggestions on all the flea market/antique finds you “must have”, just to get them home and have NO idea what to do with them. I do that regularly 🙂 
Now, by no means am I an expert on decorating or entertaining- I’ve had no education in these fields. Much more so, it’s just a passion of mine 🙂 And I believe we (you & me) share the same love for farmhouse, vintage, & country style…right? I’m guessing that’s why you keep coming back to this little blog of mine… 
So, here we go… let’s talk about buffet style- highlighting ways to use milk glass, vintage bread boards, and zinc pots. 
First, I always set up the backdrop. This is our buffet table in our dining room. Notice here, I used a layering technique; by that I mean leaning items in front of others. First a white window, second a rustic wooden window frame, a chalkboard, & last a picture frame. You can do this with items you have. 
Chances are, you probably have a few milk glass pieces… so let’s use them for entertaining. I used plates, a pitcher for mint tea, and hobnail glasses to match. I also had two little bowls for crackers and walnuts. 
Zinc pots come in handy for a buffet luncheon. Use them for fresh bouquets of flowers, candles, or holding silverware. Lining the pots with parchment paper keeps utensils clean. 
Vintage breadboards provide a contrast on the white table & scale. And I love the contrast of white & wood 🙂 I already mentioned this…but I like layers 🙂 I also added an ironstone bowl under the salad bowl. Which could be filled with ice for keeping greens cool. 
Next, I lined a vintage box with parchment paper to hold the napkins. The old chippy green board adds another rustic element. 
Another tip, is to provide different levels. It is easier for guests to serve themselves when things are within reach. By using a drying rack or scale, items are easily accessible. Cake stands & candlesticks would add different heights, too. Not to mention, various levels are pleasing to the eye 🙂 
And never forget the fresh flowers. Ironstone pitchers, zinc pots, sap buckets, or enamelware make for perfects vases. 
Chalkboards are fun ways to display your luncheon menu. 
By using what you already have, you can set up a nice buffet on a low budget. Food and flowers were all I purchased for this salad luncheon 🙂 
I sure hope you found something useful… I’d love to hear what you think about these “Buckets of Tips”. And, if you have suggestions on what type vintage items you’d like me to discuss, let me know. I’ll do my best 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting me today! 
I’m joining SNS Farmhouse Friday Blessings, Becky C
35 Responsesso far.
Love the tips!! Your buffet looks great!!
It all look very great Beacky !!..love what i see today…..xxx..
Hi Becky,
Wonderful tips for entertaining and the buffet table looks beautiful!! I love your new segment idea, I can't wait to read more. Hope you have a great day.
Sincerely,
Melinda
It all looks rustically wonderful and tasty too!
I hope you'll drop in at Knick of Time Tuesday – Vintage Style party and share this there.
Blessings,
Angie @ Knick of Time
Great idea Becky! Love all your photos and display in this post:-)
xoxo
Kathleen
Lovely post with great ideas. I'm always looking for new and fresh and easy to implement ideas when entertaining.
Mary Alice
Hi Becky~
Love this post! Great ideas!
Rachel
xoxo
Love it buckets full! I love all things vintage and you've layered everything so beautifully – the milk glass, the breadboards – love!!
Would love you to link up to our Imagine the Impossibilities link party on Jan 31
http://www.eclecticallyvintage.com/4/post/2012/01/imagine-the-impossibilities-challenge.html
We are linking up our "impossibles" – great motivation to get done the things we've been putting off!
Hope to see you there
Kelly
Hi Becky~~ Thanks for sharing your great tips. I love all of your milk glass glasses. I have a lot of milk glass but haven't seen glasses. Looking forward to seeing more:)
~Cheryl
It is fresh and beautiful–love the zinc pots and milk glass is always right–love the hobnail!
Love it, love it…wish I was there enjoying it!
What a great idea! I so love your style and I always visit when you post. Your buffet looks great.
ny bucketlist is overflowing after reading this … make me wanna call company for tonight's chicken rise soup!
oh btw, i WANT that white scale
Darling Becky thank you for share all this ideas.
I love the way you always decore your home!
Silvia
Love it all…as usual! Thanks for the eye candy and the helpful tips! Blessings!
What an amazing space you have here. My very first visit and I have so enjoyed looking around. Thank you ever so much for sharing. I will follow on my way out and hope that you may make some time to come visit me and do the same. I look forward to engaging more in twenty twelve. Cheers SpecialK XoXo
Everything is so beautiful. I love all of the items you have chosen. I would love to begin collecting the zinc pots. I love the bottle holder too! There isn't anything I don't love.
Such a great buffet display and some really good ideas. Thanks for sharing.
What a pretty tablescape, Becky! You have such a special talent at creating beautiful vignettes! 🙂
xoxo laurie
I've passed the Versatile Blogger Award on to you. Check it out! http://designdreamsbyanne.blogspot.com/2012/01/versatile-blogger-award-liebster-blog.html
Beautiful! I love visiting your blog you have great tips and you inspire me. Hugs and have a happy weekend! I hope you'll stop by Katherines Corner and say hello and enter the Pink Poodle Giveaway too
P.S. although I follow through blogger I also wanted to subscribe via email. But unfortunately the link isn't working ( thought you should know) 🙂
Everything looks gorgeous, and I do mean everything! I am just starting a collection of milk glass so you are giving me great ideas. Then I looked at your home feature and was just blown away with inspiration. Glad I found you, and am following.
Hugs,
Patti
Oh, we also host a linky party and you are invited to link up at any time. We'd love to have you party with us!
Fabulous display tips. Thankyou for sharing your creativity with us.
What a great blog! I love going to fleamarkets in the country, I can't wait for this summer when the market season starts, we have so many of them up in our summerhouse in Sweden!
Wow, I so love how your display looks! Very appealing!
I love your Bucket of Tips…keep'em coming!
What fantastic tips and beautiful styling! I am inspired! X
Hooray!!! I can finally leave a comment on my sister's beautiful blog. I love all of these tips and cannot wait for you to share more of your "expertise".
Love ya.
Beautiful!!!!!
Wow, Okay now I'm hooked love your house. Thanks for sharing
Hi Becky,
lovely pictures of very nice items you have in your house. Thanks for sharing with us.
Angie
Hi Becky,
Love your house and vintage items. I just launched my new blog. I hope you will follow me too.
Deena
I love this post! Beautiful and I love the layering technique notes. I do the same thing in my home and I love how it looks! Thanks for stopping by my blog! 🙂
This is my first visit to your blog, LOVE IT! I wanted to leave a comment on each and every post I perused tonight!