I like several of the ones in the link. Are you going for a particular theme or just looking for some things that relate well together?

From the groups shown, I like the Paros trays, and I always like the rustic galvanized metals. Reasonably priced too. The Tava trays were also nice and would seem to blend well. If you already have some baskets, you could use them and line with a contrasting or blending color cloth and use for breads or crackers and no one will notice if they match or not. I would also check for bamboo serving pieces (or metal pieces too for that matter) at Target, BB&B, or some of the discount stores. It's usually inexpensive and could save you some $$.

I like the galvanized metals too, but thought they would be more suited to the outside. Would you use them inside as well? I actually have bamboo bowls of different sizes and was planning to use them.

There's no Target or BBB within an hour of me, so i am shopping online only.

I don't like using raffia or wood serving pieces. I'm always worried about cleanliness...

Javachick, i agree with you about that----i always use either a cloth to line those surfaces or a paper doily or autumn hued paper "cheese leaves" of the kind sold at Williams Sonoma.

From the PB selection i just ordered the rectangular Paros tray, rectangular galvanized tray and three tiered server, the aluminum and brass round Rye tray monogrammed with our married initials, and the tavos trays in both sizes in honey color. I have a large round green portugese platter and bowl and a long white marble cheese tray already, as well as the aforementioned bamboo bowls. I need probably three more trays and some casual tea towels and cloth napkins. Any ideas?

Off the top of my head, Sur La Table and Wms Sonoma and iirc, Napa Style, maybe Horchow, Jayson Home are places to look. Let me think if I have other ideas. I love party housewares!

Pier One has nice serving pieces and linens that are more casual-- these napkins might be nice with the botanical prints I remember from your pics--

Botanical-Print-Napkin-Set

You can also look at Target online if you're interested, since you don't have one close by.

Am on Williams Sonoma now, totally forgot about Sur la Table, thx mtn.

Jlc I didn't love the printed napkins but the green hemstitched ones are PERFECT, they actually look just like the swivel chairs, lol, with the lighter green body and darker green hem! Ordering those now!

Those will be perfect. Happy to vicariously shop for others anytime! What else do you need?

Crate and Barrel has a lot of solid color casual linens and some prints iirc that are pretty.

So, haver ordered two sets of cheese leaves @Williams Sonoma and two from Sur La Table. Also some nice vintage looking silver cheese knives and spreaders from Williams Sonoma, they actually look like pewter so that is good. Also ordered bunches of the Blake plaid cocktail napkins from Pottery Barn--- on sale for half off, I think the colors will be perfect also.

Also from Pier one ordered a three tier server with the serving plates on arms that swing in and out so you can space them out from each other (they don't have to be stacked one atop the other, although you can swing them in so they are configured like that).

Still looking for a couple of larger trays so food doesn't have to be replenished constantly on smalle trays, as kitchen is upstairs. I forgot that I have a wooden lazy susan that is silk screened to look like the end of a wi e barrel, that should be good for something.

Need ideas for centerpiece, thinking sunflowers in a galvanized bucket. Any suggestions?

The sunflower idea is good. Maybe topiaries in terra cotta or ceramic pots.

Good idea, I can see what looks best at the nursery a few days before the event. Or.....I could take in one of my own containers and have our local florist do something springy.

Went to crate and barrel, outsideplaying, and while I didn't find napkins (the ones I liked had serged edges) they had terrific updated / modern doilies in a lattice pattern, both round and square shapes, two sizes of each, so I ordered those! They are great!

An evening of tabletop related power shopping, what could be more fun? Still open to large tray ideas, I have one HUGE off white ceramic tray that is almost too big, but I am thinking that for a fruit mountain.

Thanks guys, will be returning with menu ideas for vetting, Irish theme, no soda bread allowed :-)

I was going to suggest goodwill, consignment and antique shops for more unusual stuff....but it sounds like you're all set.

For your Irish-theme, I think of Bells of Ireland for the arrangement. You could mix white hydrangeas or something else with them in tall galvanized flower buckets to keep it simple & casual. Sounds like you are getting there with everything else.

I'd go to town on the Corning Ware site, esp. the Corelle dishes. Lightweight but dishwasher safe, unbreakable, nice and large variety of designs, serve ware, trays, etc.

And Corelle directly

I am thinking of using our 7" glass buffet plates or as a a good alternative the rigid clear plastic salad size plates. I don't know if I want to buy 120+ new dishes! I will check out the serverware though, Tibb, would not have thought of that, thx.

Oh, sorry. I misread your OP. Thought you needed everything for down there. Thought of the Corelle/Corningware because it's so light and easy to carry upstairs to the DW and back down again w/o weight and risking breaking, as well as with the brick floor.

Do you have a Party City type store near you? They have extra large rigid clear plastic serving trays and large quantity plates too. I have both a large rectangular and a round tray from there I have used for outdoor serving. Used the round one for a big fruit display once I think. You can pretty much hide the plastic edge with leaves or whatever, depending on use.

Do you have a DW/kitchen setup in that basement?

For your 7" glass plate needs, try a party rental company. We rented 200 for a party last year, I think they were 35 cents each, delivered and picked up. The rental company told me I didn't even have to wash them, just set them in the rack they came in and rack would go directly into their washer. (I couldn't do it, I washed them anyway.)

We have masses of glass plates, probably enough for this event. But I like the idea of the lighter clear plastic because of the brick floor and pebble aggregate outside. Tibb, your idea is good and I am going to look for a salad plate size in Corelle for use down there--- not for a party of 120, but at least enough for 12 to 24. We don't have a kitchenette in the new space, by design. I thought long and hard about it with the designer, and we ultimately felt this was not really an eating area. Our grill is not in the patio, but upstairs on a dedicated grill deck off the kitchen where it is more convenient for me. Short of duplicating everything---- and this house really isn't big enough to need that--- we decided to keep all the food prep upstairs.

Maddie, if we need more plates I can get them from the caterer, who will be providing some of the food, but again hers are breakable, glass like mine.

Tray Stand from West Elm

Question: does anyone have or has anyone seen the metal tray stand that fits West Elm's large trays? I like the antique bronze finish stand with the raffia tray. It looks large enough to be useful and the color is good for the downstairs, our library, and outside. Is this durable and sturdy or would I constantly worry about it overturning? Link above (I can't get it to insert anywhere else, damn the thing!)

I like Arthur Court for a lot of serving pieces- it's not all grape vines.
I would use roses in May as it's more appropriately seasonal ( use blowsy, casual roses), sunflowers are July/August, however, I don't think most people would know the difference and sunflowers are charming.
Whatever you get, I would look for quality pieces that wash well and can be used over and over.

Good point about the seasonal inappropriateness of sunflowers, Bumble--- I was just thinking color. Would probably only use roses down there if they were part of a big trail-y french looking arrangement, but that is def one of the options. I'll order some bells of Ireland as outside suggested and different colored roses be lovely with them! We will have a centerpiece on the pool cum buffet table, and casual bouquets on a couple of other tables outside and on the screened porch.

I actually have several Arthur Court serving pieces and after years of being washed in well water, even through a filter medium and softener, their surfaces are whitish and cloudy. I can still use them and do, just lined with a cloth. The only thing that gets the bloom off is fine steel wool, and unfortunately that changes the shine wherever you use it. They are more durable for people with public utilities.

So, first stuff arrived today! Love this huge galvanized tray with wood handles, great for patio and lower level.

Finally got the rest of it unboxed and love it ALL. The plaid cocktail napkins are darker than the tomato-y red shown in the picture but it still works. The green napkins are TOO Wonderful and the plaid contains that color green. Large round tray of stainless with brass handles and riveting is monogrammed in the center but not a big enough or deep enough IMO so that was an unnecessary expense, oh well. Love the new serving pieces with wood and pewter handles, much more casual than anything I had. Although I purchased these items from several different stores, most have brass handles or some brass feature, even the flat rattan basket, and I think the mix strikes that casual downstairs vibe ☺️

Still waiting for three tier galvanized thingie, with tiers increasing in size from top to bottom, and a couple of other things Ive ordered. So far it is looking good! Thanks especially for the Pier One recommendations, I haven't even seen a store for years and did not realize they sold online, duh! (Houzz is welcome to these photos as they are only of new merchandise!)

Thanks funky! I am still looking for bowls.....I have several wood bowls and one large green ceramic bowl. I have a lot of apilco ramekins of different sizes in the same green as the napkins pictured above and could use them for condiments, nuts, soft cheeses, etc. Feel I am off to a great start!!

It's going to look very nice. How fun, hope you enjoy it all!

Thanks, jlc! Yesterday i found the most amazing bar for outside----if it isnt too long, that is----old wood banded with iron and with iron legs that fold up! And a friend has offered to lend any of his fabulous serving stuff if we need any extra at the last minute, so i think we are in good shape for a big party and ready for any kind of smaller event.

Wow, I love all the serving pieces! It will look great. Where did you end up getting that 3-tiered server in the latest picture?

That is from Pier 1 online, it is really well made and solves the problem of the tiers being too close together to get anything other than flat crackers on the bottom ones. I love that these swing around in a 360 degree arc. The plates are kind of small, about 9", but having room above them means they can be heaped with stuff. I'd love it if they made a larger one!

Did you look at the wooden serving trays at Pier 1? I've gone into Pier 1 over the past few months looking for accessories and it's a place I seldom shop but I've been impressed by the service, selection and quality. I don't know if they've changed their marketing strategy or not.

I was looking at wooden trays and they had some quite large ones. Too big for what I wanted but perhaps not big enough for what you need.