Hollywood art director Gail Taylor says that the buffet table is the centerpiece of the room and really sets the mood for the party. When people come in, they usually head for the food and the drink first. If the food is sitting on a blank table, there is not as much energy flowing through the room. Sprucing up the table doesn't require a lot of time or energy, but it shows your guests that they are worth the effort. In addition, if the table is decorated creatively, your guests will automatically enjoy the food.
Taylor's motto is to go beyond your imagination when decorating the buffet table. In her line of work, she has had plenty of opportunity to develop some outrageous table themes. For one Hollywood party, she decked the table with Cirque du Soleil regalia (figure A). But even without a Hollywood budget there are simple ways to transform an ordinary table into an elegant buffet. Just dressing the table with some fabric and props will energize the room and help set up a theme.
Taylor developed a tropical theme by obtaining corrugated metal from a hardware store and painting some old shutters found at a flea market (figure B). Starfish, netting, pineapples and tiki birds are also incorporated into the tableau to enhance that tropical aura.
Chinese food is a popular theme for the buffet table. The rule of thumb for any oriental theme is to keep it simple. Consider these tips the next time you serve your guests an oriental experience: - Taylor suggests ordering takeout and transferring the food into beautifully displayed bowls (figure C).
- Handmade paper can be purchased at an artistic paper supplier and used as a skirt around the table (figure D).
- Weave some sheer fabric between the dishes and the props to elegantly decorate the table top.
- Chinese lamps can be obtained from IKEA or other furnishing stores to highlight an oriental theme.
- An unexpected detail such as this stone path adds elegance without clutter (figure E).
Regardless of theme, one essential element of your buffet table should be some sort of riser on which to display your food. This can be anything that will hold the weight of your platters (figure F). Taylor says that the idea is to get the most out of your table space, so if you can bring the food closer to your guests, fewer accidents are likely to occur and your table will be given dimension that is visually appealing.
Taylor advises having fun when deciding how to decorate your buffet table, and not to think of it as a chore. An original buffet table can be a great icebreaker when people are shy about starting a conversation. If you don't think you have enough time to set up an elaborate buffet, enlist the help of a friend or scale down your plans. Just a few risers and creatively draped fabric is all it really takes to create an atmosphere in which your guests escape and feel relaxed.
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