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Margaret Megard
Editor

Growing up in a family with more creativity than money, Margaret’s parents embarrassed her by decorating their home with second-hand furniture and castoffs they lovingly painted, varnished and restored. Today, she thinks they were incredibly resourceful and talented and is happy to report that some of that resourcefulness spark has rubbed off on her. After a decade of editing home magazines such as Our House and Country Home Ideas, Margaret has seen tonnes of houses and when it comes to home decorating, she is keen to share what she thinks works and what doesn’t.

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Dining Experience
March 12, 2011, 10:55 am

Dining Experience

Everyone has their own notion of the perfect way we’d like to welcome friends and family into our homes. I always put unnecessary pressure on myself by striving to make my house perfect – a concept I know, intellectually at least, is impossible. I’ve been around the office and have asked other editors what they like to do – or what they dream of doing – when they entertain at home.

Katy Scott, editor of the decadent Chocolate series of magazines has this to say. “When I’m hosting a dinner party at home, the main event is always the dessert – so I usually throw a pork roast in the oven or some casserole ingredients into the slow cooker, and spend the rest of the afternoon creating a sweet finale. As dinner parties should be as much fun for the host as they are for the people attending, I make sure there’s lots of champagne on hand to keep me company! Usually my guests are happy to help set the table and pour the drinks, so once I have the main course and dessert on track, the pressure’s off and we can all relax and mingle.”

Not surprisingly, Suzanne Pryor, editor of the popular magazine that shows us how to successfully grow fruits and vegetables, has this game plan. “I like no-fuss entertaining and that involves hearty food made from lots of fresh vegies and fruit from my garden. I love it when guests can help themselves to as little or as much as they like. My tip is to do most of the preparation before guests arrive – or learn to delegate!”

The editor of our renovating and decorating magazines has a dream home-gathering in mind that she’d like to make happen one day. It revolves around a fridge and pantry full of exciting and exotic ingredients – many of them deli-type goodies – that need only to be arranged artfully on beautiful platters and served with freshly baked artisanal breads.

Last, but not least, Lauren Broomham, assistant editor at Country Home Ideas, would love to have a themed dinner party. “I’m hoping to try out a paella recipe I’ve found and also create other Spanish-inspired dishes,” she says. That’s the invitation I’m hoping for! We all agree this ideas-packed issue is sure to help you find your own inspiration for making visitors feel right at home.