1 Plain walls and floors able to withstand plenty of hard use

2 A few large, bold items - like Tsouros's collection of paintings - that will prevent your room from looking too naked

3 No fixed pieces of furniture; everything must be easily moved about.

4 Gas fires. They can be used to warm up the place at the start of an evening and then turned off once enough people have arrived and the temperature starts to climb

5 A stock of decorations - including both candles and electric lights - that will give your room a different personality depending on the occasion

6 Lots of electrical sockets; you don't want cables snaking about the floor