Mr. Smith believes the recent trend of farm-to-table food and décor in restaurants works especially well at home, given that many of these restaurants are designed to look as if “you went into somebody’s home and the owner was really into cooking.” The key element for this look is an eye-catching large table made of wood. Often the piece looks rustic rather than polished, says Mr. Smith, who favors tables made of a local material, such as wood from trees indigenous to the area. Other elements of a rustic look include reclaimed lumber, exposed steel and earthy colors.