Do you love the idea of having the picture-perfect dinner party, but just don’t have the space to festoon your home with a 12-seater dining table? Well, so do most of us! That’s why this issue the HomeStyle team set deputy editor, Natalie, the task of coming up with some nifty ways to make even the tiniest spaces a veritable bastion of housewarming joy. Flick through to page 74 for our hearty feature on making your guests feel welcome whatever the size of your pad. Some of the most creative ideas for entertaining glee are born from lack of space – necessity often being the mother of invention. I personally can’t think of anything better than lounging on a comfy floor cushion, around a coffee table set for the occasion, with candlelight, soft music, fine wine, warming food (don’t miss our Indian feast recipes on page 66 – yum!) and the best of friends. What could make for a better evening? After all, the secret of being a great host is helping your visitors quickly relax and have a good time, and if you need some matching china to seal the deal, turn to our budget picks on page 102. There’s something for everyone.
Charotte