e - Spotlight Promotions

• meet the expertsVicki Poulter (in purple) with fellowDesigning Women.Above: The hallwayThe welcome begins at the front door ...colourful rugs, artwork and lamps all help.Don’t be afraid ofhome entertainingExpert decorating advice toget the good times rollingThere are some people for whom theterm ‘entertaining’ causes migraines,cold sweats or a mix of both. VickiPoulter, a founder of DesigningWomen, says this comes mainly fromthe fact that houses are not designedor decorated with “flow” in mind. Getthe flow right and the rest will follow,she says.“When we first started thecompany in 1992 we were all aboutkitchen design,” says Vicki. “At thetime it seemed people were beingsold cupboards and benches but notsomething designed in the context ofthe rest of the home.” With a team ofaround eight designers behind her – allgals – Designing Women knows a lotabout kitchens and working homes.“We started to think not in termsof selling a kitchen but in designing alife,” she explains. “The kitchen reallyhas to work. It leads to the dining andliving rooms and the flow has to travelall the way out, even to the garden.”Vicki concedes that much of thedesign and decoration one sees inglossy magazines is pie in the sky, notnecessarily suited to family budgets orlives.“People’s dread of entertainingoften starts with the kitchen,” shesays. “You don’t need it to be flashbut you do need space. You wantpeople to be able to help out sothink in terms of work stations. Whenpeople think of entertaining theyalways think of food. Often I’ll hearpeople say, ‘I can’t cook for that manypeople!’ They’re embarrassed becauseeverything’s not as shiny and smart asthey’d like it. Wait for the day when itis and you’ve missed the fun times.”If you’re lucky enough to beplanning home renovations or in themarket for a new home, Vicki saysthe following considerations will helpwith future entertaining: “Kitchens22 spotlight.com.au