Host a summer soiree with country flair

To create a comfortable, rustic atmosphere with a sophisticated twist, here are 5 simple décor elements that will have your guests swooning under the stars.

I’ve always considered my style to be a little bit rock n’ roll, but when it comes to hosting a backyard summer fête or a romantic outdoor wedding, nothing screams casual elegance like adding in a dash of country. Now, there is a fine line when pulling this look together! Unless you’re planning a good ol’ “Yeehaw” hoedown, you can leave the spurs and lassos at home. To create a more comfortable, rustic atmosphere with a sophisticated twist, here are 5 simple décor elements that will have your guests swooning under the stars.

  1. Add an elegant table cloth: Many of us have an outdoor dining table and chairs to wine and dine guests, but nothing will change the look of your set faster than to add a simple set of linens. Country elegance is all about striking a balance between country charm and…well, elegance! By adding crisp white linens to your table and even layering a printed outdoor fabric cloth, you will instantly create a sense of elegance and take your dining set from outdoor blah to dining ta-da.
  2. Bring indoor furniture out: The best way to create casual comfort outside is to bring the comforts of home outdoors. Consider borrowing a few chic toss cushions from your sofa and add them to your guests’ chairs, and if you’re hosting a buffet, relocate a wood desk or console table from inside to be used as a food or drink station and top it with an antique table lamp for instant outdoor ambiance.
  3. tablesettingLight the night with candle-filled mason jars: I have acquired quite the collection of vintage mason jars over the years, and one of my favourite uses for them is to tuck several around the garden and on the dining table filled with sand and tea lights. If you don’t want to buy vintage jars, I recently scooped up a collection of sweet petite ones at my local dollar store, and with a battery tea light, scrap of burlap, and a stamped luggage tag, I made simple place card holders for guests.
  4. Use crates for display: As much as I love a beautiful vintage mason jar, I have a secret obsession with antique wooden crates! There’s something about their texture and reclaimed look, and I especially love to muse about all of the places they likely traveled and the stories they could tell. When it comes to incorporating them into a chic country setting, I love using them to elevate food on buffet tables, stacked to add height and dimension around the yard, and even one or two filled with folded blankets for your guests if the evening air gets brisk.
  5. Tell a story by displaying books: Country music is incredibly expressive and narrative, so why not tell a story with your dining décor…literally! I’m a big fan of collecting and displaying vintage books in my home, and they are the perfect outdoor ingredient to create a unique look for your stylish country soiree. You don’t need many to create interesting impact…simply incorporating one or two as the base of your centrepiece to stack a collection of glass bottles will certainly give your guests something to talk about.

For a better look at Leigh-Ann’s country chic set, watch the video below: