Virginia Farmhouse Summer Party

A tire swing and rustic benches are hallmarks of Caroline Verschoor's loose and lovely entertaining style.

All manner of textures—from slate and ironstone to bentwood and rattan—add interest to the neutral table setting.

Glass jars, candles, and an umbrella stand transform a sculptural branch into a showstopping centerpiece.

Simple galvanized metal pots with baby lettuces do double duty, serving as place cards and party favors.

The coolest kids' table ever uses tree stumps as fairy tale-like seating.

Paper pinwheels add whimsy to the kids' table—and give children something to play with before dinner.

Verschoor tucks dish labels into a pitcher filled with summer flowers.

This pretty tableau allows guests to serve themselves while keeping clutter off the dining table. Indoor pieces like this wooden sideboard bring polish to an outdoor buffet.

Informal touches, like this basketful of old-fashioned butterfly nets, help put guests at ease.

Pups in repose.

Lit by lanterns threaded through the trees, this bench offers guests a place to slip away if they like.

A three-tiered stand finds a new life as a s'mores station. Verschoor says animals, like Tibby the goat, "add to the ambience."