How to create a stylish room to entertain those important guests. Steal the style with these 10 ways to make your house a home to impress.
1. Set the mood…
with fabulous décor and subtle lighting. Use paint effects and choose an up-to-the-minute wall decoration. Think pale and interesting: choose simple designs in soft tones, not the bold colours of old. Add points of interest, say a floral group or bird design, placed centrally on each painted panel.
2. Use texture…
to add detail on the floors. Find a reputable craftsman and choose the right design. Check out his pattern book. Select flooring that fits the shape of the room or pick stylish elements that the mosaicist can weave into a wonderful pattern just for you.
3. Get the heating right…
to make sure your guests keep warm. Although the room will heat up during the evening meal, ensure you have low-level background heating. Underfloor heating is always a good talking point.
4. Go for glass…
Maximise the light to make the room feel light and airy - technological advances have made it possible to have larger window panes - the glass is now blown rather than shaped by hand.
5. Set the lighting level…
to give you maximum light at night, but won’t intrude on the scheme too much during the daytime - sets of candelabra with hanging lamps are the vogue.
6. Use accent colours…
by dotting a few brighter colours around the room – you can lift a pale colour scheme with lots of bold accessories.
7. Create simple displays…
by arranging your treasures on side tables. Your guests will expect an ostentatious show of wealth.
8. Trick the eye…
with a clever table setting. Large statement tableware arranged in a row looks simple and oversized – and makes the room feel the same way.
9. Choose your mix of guests carefully…
as moneyed people expect to dine with like people. Don’t make the mistake of inviting the new military and civil service classes from Germany or the Danube with the landed gentry.
10. Finally, serve up a gourmet meal…
that your guests will remember. Enough cookery books are available to give your cook tasty ideas. Ensure your slaves or servants are silver-service trained.
