When hosting a party for thirty, a number not exactly large and not too small, a great way to seat guests is at one long table. There is something so special and intimate about gathering family and friends to sit amongst each other. It reminds me of how a European grandmother would gather her kids and grandchildren for a Sunday night dinner. Long tables are for long, drawn out laughs, making closer bonds with old friends and sharing childhood stories with cousins.

The best part of setting a table is creating a story for the guest. It's quite easy to curate something classy yet rustic for a gathering of people be it large or small. I am a huge fan of using a charcuterie board as a centerpiece. The two boards used above are 8-foot untreated cedar wood. Various types of brie, swiss, and cheddar line the board alongside cured meats, roasted peppers, olives, and crostini. To add a bit of variation I baked off small casserole dishes of cherry tomatoes and garlic in olive oil and then topped them with goat cheese. Flower arrangements and fresh pears from the yard make a beautiful bouquet on the table. Tablescapes have endless possibilities, all it takes is a little bit of sun and passion.