8 Kitchen Storage and Organisation Must Haves

Everyone wants a neat and tidy kitchen, here are 8 great kitchen storage and organisation must haves...

1. Wine Bottle Storage

Wine rack designs have come a long way. Having a wine rack mounted to the wall is a huge space saver and it looks awesome!

2. Hanging Pot Rack

Putting up a simple shelf on your kitchen wall is another great way to store your kitchen ware (particularly your pots and pans) This is a good option if you're looking to get an eclectic look in your kitchen.

 3. Cutlery Drawers

We posted a blog about drawers being the new cupboard when it comes to kitchen storage space. You can have the drawer custom made or, for a more cost effective option, buy a cutlery organiser and pop that into the drawer space.

4. Sauce/Oil/Vinegar Bottles

Dried up tomato sauce bottles are something we've all had in our kitchens at some point! Decanting your sauces and/or oils is an easy way to make your kitchen look organised. These bottles range in price but essentially do the same thing.

 5. Hidden Paper Towel in Drawer Space

Tuck your paper towel into a drawer space. The best thing about this idea is that it keeps the benchtop clear, but the paper towel is still accessible.

6. Wine Glass Shelf

There's some really creative options when it comes to wine shelves. Including the use of an old garden rake. For a sturdier option we recommend something like this. You could double up a the wine rack and wine glass holder, which will save you even more kitchen storage space.

 7. Grocery Bag Holder

This is one of those versatile kitchen storage space ideas as you can DIY or buy a fancy one and it does the same thing.

8. Spice Drawer

Keep your spices organised in a spice drawer. Depending on how many spices you want in your kitchen you could compartmentalize the drawer or just have something basic.

 Got any tips to keep a kitchen neat and tidy? We'd love to hear them in the comment box below.

Winter Dinner Party Ideas

Cold weather shouldn't keep you away from your outdoor area. Why not challenge yourself to host a winter dinner party? Here are some ideas to inspire you...

Mulled Wine

No winter dinner party should be without mulled wine. This warm and spicy beverage can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Here's an easy three step recipe to make a batch:

• 10 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 1 roughly grated nutmeg
• 2 cups water
• roughly grated rind of 1 orange
• 1 apple, roughly chopped (skin on)
• 750ml fruity red wine (such as a merlot)

Step 1: Heat cloves, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, water, orange rind and apple in a large saucepan over medium heat.Step 2: Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.Step 3: Add red wine and simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain and divide among serving glasses. Serve immediately.

Whisky Tasting

Whisky tasting has become really popular and would go down very well at a winter inspired dinner party. It would most certainly keep the guests warm! Begin the evening with a cheese and whiskey pairing platter. Good foods to pair whiskey with - smoky cheeses, sharp cheddars, dark chocolate and pretzels.

Wintery Side Dishes

Here are some ideas for more wintery side dishes:

• BBQ grilled vegetables (zucchini, peppers and onion)
• Potato bake
• Veggie bake
• Warm bread rolls
• Blue cheese filled bacon wrapped mushrooms

Fairy Lights

A simple but effective feature to have at any outdoor party - fairy lights. String these along your deck or pergola to give your outdoor area that magical wintery feel.

Roast Marshmallows

 An easy and delicious dessert for a winter dinner party. If you want something extra sweet, hollow out the marshmallow with a fork and stuff it with a Rolo before roasting it.

Do you have any inspiring ideas for a winter dinner party? Comment on this post and share your ideas with your friends.

7 Great Splashback Materials

Picking the right material for your splashback can be overwhelming. So we've come up with 7 great splashback materials to consider for your kitchen...

1.Polished Concrete

Polished concrete is a sleek and unique material to use for your splashback. It's easy to install and works well in outdoor kitchens. Polished concrete can also be coloured which allows for a bit more variety. Unlike stainless steel and glass, concrete doesn't show marks easily which means it's low maintenance when it comes to cleaning.

2. Tiles/Mosaic

Tiles are highly resistant to chemicals and tend to suit a range of styles and budgets. One of the downsides to tile splashbacks is keeping the grout clean and also the process of waterproofing the grout. If you have the budget for it and want to bring some creativity to your kitchen you can use mosaic tiles.

3. Painted Glass

Glass as a splashback material is suited to most styles from modern to traditional. It's easy to wipe down but can get grubby looking if not cleaned frequently.

4. Pressed Metal

Pressed metal is attractive for several reasons. It's cost effective, quick and easy to install, easy to clean and comes in a range of designs and patterns that can be customised and painted too.

 5. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a beautiful, clean and modern choice. It does however have a tendency to get dirty quite quickly. Marks really stand out against the sleek, reflective surface.

6. Stone

Granite and Marble are some of the sexiest splashback materials out there. These smooth, easy to clean materials are good for a modern looking kitchen and eliminate those grout lines you'll get if you have use tile. They're also highly heat resistant.

7. Man Made or Engineered Stone

Stone as a splashback material is a good choice if you're looking to achieve a natural look in your kitchen. Caesarstone and Essastone come in a selection of colours and are also easy to clean and durable.

Do you have a splashback in your kitchen? Leave a comment with your ideal splashback material. To see more of our work check out our Houzz page or contact us here.

Kitchen Drawer Ideas

In February we posted a blog on Outdoor Kitchen Design and one of the factors we suggested you consider is what you intend to store in your kitchen. When it comes to effective storage space, drawers seem to have surpassed cupboards. Home owners are opting for drawers in their kitchens and here's why...

Deep Drawers for Pots and Pans

We are all familiar with the annoying task of having to get the pot you want from your cupboard. All that banging around just to get the pot you need. Deep drawers allow you to organise your cookware cupboard, dividing lids from bases and laying them side by side rather than stacking them up.

Appliance Drawers

Clear your worktop space and keep your appliances safe and protected by having an appliance drawer. You could also install power points in your drawers which is handy to keep your work space cord free!

Bin Drawer

A roomy pull-out drawer bin makes waste management a lot easier. You can have multiple bins for waste and recycling all in one place. Having a bin drawer also frees up floor space. The best part of having a bin drawer is that there is no visible rubbish in your outdoor area.

Secret Benchtop Drawer

Make your space go further with a secret benchtop drawer. On the surface it looks like a normal drawer but pulled out the drawer turns into an extra benchtop or serving area. This extra space is also handy for appliances.

 

Knife and Spice Drawer

If you're a fan of the feng shui philosophy you might consider a knife drawer. Not only does it keep your  knives out of sight (which is also a benefit if you have kids) but it allows them to be neatly organised and accessed safely.  Spice racks are a bit outdated. Store your spices in a spice drawer. You can make this happen by buying a spice drawer organiser and using an existing drawer to store your spices.

Outdoor Heaters For This Winter

With winter just around the corner you might want to think about what outdoor heating solutions you have set to see you through the season. There are loads of options when it comes to outdoor/patio heating. Here's a quick list of outdoor heaters you might want to consider for winter...

Fire Pits

Fire pits as outdoor heaters are definitely the most rustic option of the lot. If you're looking for an intimate setting for your outdoor area fire pits are a great way to achieve this! They come in a wide variety of styles from galvanized steel to earthy concrete and limestone. They also come in different shapes and sizes. If you don't have much space you can always get a smaller fire pit in. The major benefit of fire pits is that it can double up as a BBQ. You can easily cook kebabs or marshmallows if the occasion calls for it! The most desirable benefit of fire pits is that they provide great ambiance when entertaining guests.

Gas Heaters

Gas heaters are versatile, easy to install and generally warm up quite quickly. The great thing about gas heaters is that you get the natural heat of fire minus the time it takes to get a fire going and keeping it lit. A  lot of gas heaters come with remote controls which makes it even easier to control. They are also far more cost effective than electric heaters. As much as we love fire pits, gas heaters do require less maintenance in terms of cleaning which can be a major plus depending on your personal preference.

Hanging Heaters

These are great if you don't want to clutter your outdoor floor space. Hanging heaters can be gas fired or electric. Some are even solar powered! Hanging heater designs range from a simple strip heater to a more elaborate hanging fire place.

Low or No Light Heaters

I'm sure we have all experienced being in the bright light of an outdoor heater before! Zero light heaters are perfect if you want to keep your outdoor area dim and intimate or lit up by candles or soft and natural lighting.

Did you find this post helpful? Share it with your friends or comment with what outdoor heater you'd prefer for your outdoor area!

Low Maintenance Plants for Your Outdoor Area

No outdoor area should be without a garden but giving plants the care they need takes a lot of time and effort. If your outdoor area needs foliage then read on – this is our top five list of low maintenance plants for your outdoor area...

1. Lavender

Lavender comes from a Mediterranean background so grows well in dry, sunny and rocky habitats. Adelaide's dry weather favours the conditions the plant thrives in. Lavender is extremely drought resistant, but during the planting phase requires moist soil or compost. Dampness and humidity are common causes for killing lavender. After flowering you should cut back about two thirds of the flower leaving only a small amount of foliage.  Bear in mind that there are different types of lavender. You’ll need to choose the best option for your soil type.

2. Golden Barrel Cactus

These plants require almost no care at all. They originate from Central Mexico so are used to dry and hot conditions. If your balcony doesn’t receive much natural light this plant is perfect for you. The cactus can survive for up to six months with no water or care during the growing phase. It’s best to plant these in pots rather than the ground. Cacti aren’t for everyone though, so if you’re looking for a prettier option the Christmas Cactus is also an easy plant to grow and look after.

3. Santa Barbara Daisy

This delicate plant comes in white, pink and lavender and also survives well in hot and dry weather. They bloom frequently and seed themselves. The only downside to the daisy is that it can spread quickly. Depending on where you plant it that may not be a bad thing. The Santa Barbara Daisy grows well alongside a deck or paved path.

 4. Berkeley Sedge

This adaptable grass can grow in sun or shade and looks great lined along paths, flowerbeds or decks. It has a lush foliage effect and can withstand a lot of foot traffic and mowing.

5. Herbs

Every garden should have one of these! Growing your own herbs is easy, cost effective and let's face it - very impressive! We've chosen Basil as our herb of choice for this post. It grows best in moist soil. If you live in a dry area try using mulch to keep the soil moist. Cut off any flowers that you see on the plant. You might want to move your basil indoors over Winter as it doesn't grow well in cold weather. For more information on growing Basil you can check out this article.

Do you know of any low maintenance plants? Leave a comment with your own tips or suggestions!

BBQ Cleaners You Didn’t Know About

BBQ cleaners can be expensive and a lot of them are harmful for the environment so we're sharing our top five favourite BBQ cleaners that are cheap and eco friendly! Be sure to read point four if you have a stainless steel BBQ or grill...

1. Vinegar

The best BBQ cleaner around! Vinegar contains 5% acetic acid which kills bacteria and viruses, in other words, gets rid of grime on our barbie. Mix two cups of vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake it up and spray it onto your BBQ. Let it settle then use tin foil to wipe it down.

2. Baking soda

Baking soda is the miracle cleaner that every household should have! Mix a guesstimate amount of baking soda with some water to make a paste. Smear it onto your grill or BBQ and leave it for a couple hours. Wipe it down with a cloth or newspaper and you're left with a BBQ as good as new! Check out this article to find out more about why baking soda is the best cleaner you can have in your kitchen.

3. Lemon and salt

Not only for tequila! Lemon and salt is a great BBQ cleaner. Cut the lemon in half, rub it in some coarse salt and then rub it on your BBQ to scrub the grill.

4. Cleaning your stainless steel grill

Avoid using any brushes or materials that will scratch your BBQ (like steel wool or metal brushes) Clean your BBQ with warm water and soap (see soap recipe below). Use a soft cloth instead. Also remember to keep your BBQ covered! Exposure to moisture is not good for stainless steel.

5. Castile soap

Olive oil is another great BBQ cleaner and this recipe combines olive oil, lye and water to make an eco friendly soap to scrub down your BBQ.

Do you have any BBQ cleaning tips? Share our post or comment below with your ideas and spread the word on these cheap and eco friendly alternatives to clean your BBQ.

Outdoor Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Here are our top 5 outdoor date ideas for the day of love.

1. Grill some pizza

BBQs aren’t just for steaks and burgers! Prepare some toppings and design your own pizzas for dinner. The hotter the oven, the better the pizza so popping it on a fiery hot grill will give you a perfectly cooked dinner. Try out some different toppings - roasted pumpkin, sweet potato, walnuts, caramelized onion and mustard are some of our favourites.

2. Beer tasting

South Australia has some brilliant craft beers. Fill up your outdoor fridge with some local brews and have a beer tasting in your backyard. We recommend Goodieson Brewery, McLaren Vale Beer and Swell Beer. If you’re more of the cider type we recommend The Hills Cider Company's range of ciders. The beers will go down well with a grilled pizza!

3. Roast marshmallows

No matter how old we get, roasting marshmallows is always fun. Make use of your BBQ or outdoor fire pit and roast some marshmallows. If you’re up for the challenge (and don’t mind getting sticky) try making some S’Mores. Sandwich pieces of chocolate and marshmallows between a flat biscuit of your choice, grab it with some tongs and place it over the fire until the chocolate is melted and the marshmallow is soft.

4. Outdoor cinema

You don’t need a big screen to call it an outdoor cinema! Grab some blankets, pillows, wine, popcorn and a laptop and watch some of your favourite films. If you prefer a bigger screen you can always bring your TV out. Check out our blog from last week if you need tips on how to get rid of bugs and insects so they don’t bother you during the film.

5. Double date

Invite some friends over for a designer BBQ. Prepare a variety of burger patties, sauces and toppings and enjoy Valentine’s Day with some friends! Here’s a great recipe for homemade tomato sauce.

Have you got some outdoor date ideas for Valentine’s Day? Share the love by sharing our post with your own ideas with your friends.