3 ways to serve supper with style

1. Laid-back family style

Keep it informal with platters of food passed around the table and decorations foraged from your backyard.

CREATE AN EASY MENU that includes tried and tested recipes that can be served from bowls or on large plates. Think pastas, salads or roasts.

PICK YOUR CENTREPIECE from the garden. A single branch cut from a tree can look as elegant as a cluster of flowers and takes no time to arrange.

DECANT A COUPLE OF BOTTLES of wine into a pitcher.

LEAVE DESSERTS whole so guests can help themselves.

Plates, pitcher, Speck and Stone. Glasses, Zara. Napkins, runner, Crate & Barrel. Cutting Board, Kantelberg + Co.

2. Easy-breezy buffet

Perfect for large groups of people or open-house parties, a buffet can be set out in advance and replenished as needed.

SET UP ZONES with plates, napkins and glasses at oneend, food atthe other.

PRESENT THE DISHES in the same ordery ou would for a meal — appetizers followed by main courses.

MAKE YOUR DISPLAY dynamic. Stack some dishes upon books or use cake standsto vary height.

PREVENT TRAFFIC JAMS by using a separate table for dessertand cocktails.

CONSIDER HIRING A SERVER to clear dishes and keep the buffet stocked with food.

Lamp, West Elm. Dutch oven, cabbage plate, the Bay. Glasses, Crate & Barrel.

3. Fuss-free dinner party

Sometimes an occasion calls for a button-down dinner with all the trimmings. Follow these tips to make the evening a success without all the hassle.

GET IT CATERED if the idea of cooking stresses you out. Or buy dessert to reduce your workload.

MAKE YOUR TO-DO LIST shorter. Order a centrepiece from your favourite florist and skip the flower arranging.

RENT PLATES, GLASSWARE and cutlery (which need to be only rinsed to return) and cut cleanup time in half.

Table, Cornerstone Home Interiors. Candlesticks, cutting board, Elte. Napkins, Chilewich.

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