insideKENT Magazine Issue 39 - June 2015 | Page 126

INTERIORS how to host your best dinner party yet... BY LISAMARIE LAMB THERE COMES A MOMENT IN EVERYONE’S (ADULT) LIFE WHEN THEY REALISE ONE THING: IT’S TIME TO ARRANGE A DINNER PARTY. WHETHER IT’S A GOOD CHANCE TO GET FRIENDS TOGETHER WHOM YOU HAVEN’T SEEN FOR AN AGE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE A PROMOTION, HOUSE SALE, NEW BABY, EXCITING PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE, OR JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO TRY OUT YOUR HOSTING AND COOKING SKILLS, THERE'S A LOT OF PLANNING INVOLVED. Apart from the food – obviously an essential component of any dinner party – the setting is the most important aspect to get right. The interior of your home, and perhaps most specifically your dining room (and, to a lesser extent, your kitchen) could make the difference between a good party and a great one. And it doesn’t take much to compliment your fabulous dishes with an equally fabulous interior that means your dinner parties are the ones that your friends and family are clamouring to get an invitation to. So how can you take your dinner party to the next level? Here are just a few ideas… Dining Table This is the focal point of the room, and there’s no getting away from the fact that your guests are going to be taking notice of it. They will be leaning on it, talking across it, and hopefully not banging their knees on it. The height of the table top, as well as how low it goes towards the floor is important when choosing your table – it needs to be a comfortable space for your guests to use; the better it is, the longer they will stay and enjoy their evening. A rustic, chunky table is a great way to entice everyone to keep talking even when the food is long gone. Tablecloth Covering your dining table in a tablecloth is a great way of bringing everything together in one cohesive design. It’s also an excellent way of bringing a little of your personality to the party – bright and funky, traditional and classic, whatever works in your home will work on your table. It’s all about organic this season, and the more natural your tableware is, the better it will look. Why not add a contrasting table runner to really make the design pop? Crockery Once you’ve found the perfect tablecloth, you’ll need something to go on it – and we mean crockery. Eating from stunning plates really 126 enhances the whole dining experience, and by laying the crockery out before the food is served, you’ll be giving your guests a cosy, yet designer feel, especially if you layer plates and bowls. Big is certainly beautiful when it comes to chunky crockery. Cutlery The other essential is cutlery – unless you’re planning on finger food, it’s a little mean to present your guests with great looking and smelling food but not give them the tools to eat it with. Don’t forget, your guests are going to be using these knives, forks, and spoons a lot, and they need to be easy to handle. Give them something elegant that they will enjoy interacting with, and you’re halfway there. Wooden handles will give your table that rustic touch.