Pop icon and fashion queen Victoria Beckham has a lot of strings to her bow, and it turns out she's the hostess with the mostest too. The 52-year-old has released a video sharing her dos and don'ts of hosting, includeding the one item that you will never find on her dining table.
When the mother of four was asked what her one "unforgivable sin" would be, she took a deep breath before revealing it was paper napkins. She branded them "unacceptable" and admitted that she wouldn't turn up to someone's house if they had them.
© InstagramAre paper napkins ever acceptable?
Whilst I am a big fan of a cloth napkin for special occasions, I must admit that when it comes to day-to-day dining I'm often dishing out a paper napkin. In fact, sometimes they are even novelty to match the season and somehow I predict the fashionista would recoil in horror at the sight. My justification is that I have a mucky toddler and it's me that has to put the washing on, neither of which apply to Mrs Beckham. Perhaps one day I'll elevate to a Beckham-worthy tablescape, but for now, I'm choosing ease.
Victoria and David's dining room of dreams
One place that we know Victoria loves to host at is her jaw-dropping country home in the Cotswolds. The converted farmhouse has the most incredible dining area with a seemingly endless table, ideal for family gatherings and special parties. The room is double-heighted with a grand chandelier hanging amid rustic wooden beams and there is also a roaring real fire to one side, making it cosy come wintertime. Opposite, large glass doors offer amazing views of the countryside location.
While the dining room is ideal for autumn and winter soirées, the Beckhams head outside in fair weather and like to host there. The family has installed a luxury safari-style tent with an outdoor kitchen in their grounds. The impressive structure is believed to have cost a dazzling £50,000, and it has a wooden frame and canvas roof. Inside, it's well equipped for hosting with furniture for relaxing and a no-smoke barbecue.
© InstagramTheir outdoor space is also a wellness haven with a sauna, hot tub and swimming pool. We've seen David and his sons enjoying the facilities and sharing snaps online.
The family also have a main residence in London's Holland Park area and a base in Miami. Their international portfolio is very impressive, but it's clear the Cotswolds holds a special place in their hearts as it is where a lot of the Beckham Netflix documentary was filmed. As well as David and Victoria's well-documented love for the area, David also revealed in Country Life magazine that "all of our children love to be in the Cotswolds as much as we can when we're not travelling."
