For Inspiration, Look to Your Own Back Yard

When Beverly Reese Church, co-author of “The Joys of Entertaining” and author of the new “Wedding Southern Style,” entertains outdoors, she relies on some key and some unexpected supplies. Once her party goods are gathered up, she chooses a motif, and is partial to painting it all over her linens, serving pieces and favors.

“I like to be creative when I entertain, and a motif gives me a great place to start,” Church says. “Your motif can be as simple as a favorite flower that’s blooming in your garden,” Church says, “or a featured food that’s part of your menu--maybe watermelon or chili peppers.”

To help you host an outdoor party in your own casual, creative style, Church’s list of party essentials and ideas offers lots of inspiration:

* Market umbrellas opened over a few tables, or even just one, lend high-impact ambience to an outdoor party. Customize a white or off-white umbrella by painting or stenciling a border along the edge, using permanent fabric paint. As you’ll want to use this umbrella again, choose a design that will be appealing throughout the outdoor season.

* For tablecloths or picnic cloths, choose full-size sheets in floral, geometric or animal patterns or in checks. The clue to the perfect theme for your party may be found in your sheets. Is there a graceful floral that you can copy? A black-and-white check could set off featured chili peppers or tomatoes in a bold way. Colored sheets lose their punch after a few washings, so Church recommends spot cleaning if at all possible.

* Place mats can be made from gesso-backed canvas. Paint oversize elements of your motif on the canvas--maybe a star from your night-sky patterned fabric--then cut them out. Scatter these over your patterned tablecloths for a casual yet sophisticated tabletop approach.

* Clay saucers make wonderful, rustic dinner and serving plates. Buy 10- or 12-inch saucers and boil them before your party. Line the plate with greens, such as kale, then arrange food in individual ramekins.

* Inexpensive glasses, napkins and napkin rings can be customized by painting your party motif on them using water-based enamel and fabric paint.

* Clay pots filled with blooming flowers add color to your party scene. Not only are clay saucers and pots inexpensive, you’ll find plenty of secondary uses for them year-round.

* For a centerpiece that wraps around the base of your umbrella, soak an oasis ring (that green, hard foam that florists use to secure arrangements, available at craft stores) in water, then cover it with ivy or another green. Then mix in colorful seasonal flowers. You can also trail some ivy artfully up the pole, as long as the roots are secure in the water-drenched oasis.

* Place cards and favors can be one and the same. If your meal will be hot and spicy, use a length of raffia to tie a name card and a tiny flower around the neck of a small bottle of Tabasco. Or, paint plain white cake boxes and fill with cookies, jams or pralines for each guest to take home.

* Cluster groups of votive candles and glass holders on tables to create a soft, pretty glow.

* Use torchier for lighting your entrance and garden in charming style.

* Citronella candles will help keep bugs at bay.