Beverage Cooler Ideas

With Spring upon us and the weather slowly warming up we thought we'd post some awesome beverage cooler ideas so you can get yourself ready for the sunny season!

Cowboy Cooler

This beverage cooler idea is amazing! The creator has taken an old piece of furniture and turned it into an outdoor glass holder and beverage cooler. If you're into up-cycling and feel like taking on a project, why not try this.

 Custom Table with Beverage Coolers

We love these custom made tables with beverage cooler bottoms. Great for garden parties and small get-togethers. If you're planning a bigger party, a bigger cooling area would probably be required.

Picnic Table with a Gutter

Another really cool table meets beverage cooler idea. A DIY picnic table with a 'gutter' to cool drinks. The middle panel is remove and replaced with a steel 'gutter' to be filled with ice and chill your drinks! A genius beverage cooler idea perfect for any outdoor party or occasion.

Reclaimed Wine Barrel

Not only is a re-purposed wine barrel big enough to hold loads of drinks, but it looks really good. We've all seen bright coloured eskies laying around an outdoor area. This beverage cooler idea gives a rustic alternative that will serve a purpose and look good in your outdoor area.

Small Wine Barrel Cooler

For something a little less cumbersome you can opt for a smaller barrel and put some legs on it to make it waist height.

 Stay tuned for next week's blog on outdoor kitchen/bar fridges!

Fridge Types - Choosing the Right Fridge for your Kitchen

Sometimes we choose fridges according to the space we have. But if you have the space how do go about picking the right style? What are the pros and cons of different fridge types? Here's a couple pointers, pros and cons to help you choose the right fridge for your kitchen...

Single Freezer Top Fridge

Pros

• Traditional fridge has the freezer up top and fridge down the bottom
• Come in various sizes
• Economic
• Plenty models to choose From

Cons

• Freezer is usually small
• You'll have to bend down to get to the fridge part

Single Freezer Bottom Fridge

Pros

• Food is at eye level when fridge is on top
• Generally the freezer is larger when it's at the bottom
• Comes in loads of various styles

Cons

• Typically more expensive than freezer top fridges
• Bending down to get things out the freezer (which are usually heavier)
• Freezer drawers can be tricky to sort out on your haunches!

Double Door Fridge

Pros

• Loads of space!
• Freezer and fridge both at eye level so minimal bending down to get stuff!
• This style often comes with a tap too

Cons

• They take up space, but of course if you have it - use it!
• More expensive but you get a lot more space

French Door Fridge (fancy fridge type!)

Pros

• This fridge is amazing. Lots of space; shelves, drawers and pull out drawers at the bottom
• Lots of door storage
• Modern

Cons

• They are a lot more expensive than most fridges due to the sheer size
• Not easy to get into your home if you have narrow door frames
• You'll have to bend down to freezer drawers
• Takes up a lot of space

Large and Compact Fridge Types

Pigeon pairs and larder style fridges are excessively big and not very common in most homes unless you have loads of space. There generally isn't a huge choice of models either. Compact fridges are ideal for apartment living. They're usually pretty inexpensive, but can be limited and you usually have to bend down to access it if you don't have it on something.

 

Fire Pit Building Materials

Picking up from last week, let's check out some fire pit building materials. Remember for all these options to contact your local utility provider to ensure there are no utility lines in the area you want to dig out for your pit!

Traditional Brick

Brick as a fire pit building material is not the prettiest but it works! Building a brick fire place is moderately complex as you'll require some brick laying skills to get it built. You're looking at anything up to AUD500*depending on how large you want the pit. Firebrick is preferred as clay brick can crack under high temperatures.

*this is only an estimation and this price should not be quoted

Stone

Although the core of the fire pit is usually built with brick, finishing it off with stone makes for a more homely fire pit. It's a little more work but is much easier on the eyes!  We recommend spraying the inside  with black stove paint.

Metal

These fire pit building material is great for that rustic look. There are loads of portable metal fire pits on the market - some simple and some lasered with beautiful designs. Metal can be a bit of a safety hazard as it gets exceedingly hot but this material does weather well and is very strong and relatively inexpensive in comparison with other fire pit building materials.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel fire pits can be more aesthetically appealing than a metal one. It's low maintenance and will only require occasional cleaning. It's also light in weight so can be moved around if need be.

We really love outdoor fire pits. Who wouldn't love these? But there are pros and cons to having a fire pit in your outdoor area...

Pros

• Attractive touch to your outdoor area
• Great for atmosphere (think wine and marshmallow roasting)

Cons

• Can be a fire hazard!
• If you have a gas fire pit you need to make sure you are stocked up with gas. (Warning: you'd need to call up your local council for gas fire pit approval)

Outdoor Fire Pits

Outdoor fire pits are trending across Australia right now and you can see why! Fire pits are a great feature for outdoor areas and create an intimate and nostalgic ambiance that your guests will love. These versatile 'center pieces' of warmth come in all shapes and sizes, designs and styles. Interested? Read on to learn more...

Timber versus Gas

Traditionally fire pits would run off of timber. With growing concern that this may be a hazard you can now get gas, ethanol and gel-fueled pits. The upside of this is that it also doesn't let off as much smoke.  Of course if you're looking for something a bit more traditional, open fire pits are still very much an option!

WARNING: If you're interested in a gas fire pit you may need to get this approved my your local council!

Fire Pit Shapes and Styles

Round 

Round fire pits come across as a little more intimate. Gathering around a circular fire pit just makes it feel that way!

Square

If you're looking for a more modern fire pit to match any clear cut design lines you have in your outdoor area a square shape is the way to go!

Rectangular

A much more progressive shape for an outdoor fire pit. These are often doubled up as a table and will need a protective fire screen for safety reasons. A sleek and modern option is perfect for a decking area.

Sunken 

Some home owners opt for a sunken fire pit for something less invasive. For a more low profile look the sunken fire pit is a great option.

Stay tuned for next week's blog where we'll look at the pros and cons of fire pits and also the different materials you can use for your pit...

Cooktop Types

No kitchen is complete without a cooktop that suits your cooking needs and style. But what cooktops are out there? And what's the difference between them? Here is a basic guide to cooktop types for your kitchen...

Gas Cooktops

The clue is in the name! These cooktops operate off natural gas or propane (check out our blog here if you want to know the difference between the two) Experienced cooks prefer gas cooktops as they are far more efficient than electric cooktops when it comes to heating up. They heat up quickly and that natural heat allows you to cook to perfection! They can be tricky to clean though and may take a while to get used to when it comes to controlling the heat.

Electric Cooktops

Come in a coil version or smooth surface version. Coil type cooktops are a bit more sturdy and traditional. Smooth surface cooktops can be pricey as the surface is usually ceramic glass. The main benefit of an electric cooktop is that you can control the temperature to the exact degree. But they take much longer to heat up and cool down which can be a pain. Some home owners agree that they can control the heat more with gas cooktops. Guess it just comes down to the chef's experience!

Induction Cooktops

These look like electric cooktops but work a lil' differently. They use electromagnets as cooking elements. These electromagnets generate resistance when electricity is passed through them which heats up the magnetic cookware. You'll need to have magnetic cookware if you choose this cooktop type which can be expensive.

Cooktops with Rangehoods

Most people opt for a rangehood and we recommend that you do! Rangehoods draw in fumes and smoke keeping your kitchen clean and safe! They do take up space but they are definitely worth having.

Downdraft Cooktops

These use counter-level exhaust fans that are installed in the cooktop (behind it, on the side or in the center) Downdraft cooktops mean you don't need a rangehood (if you don't have the space or simply aren't interested in the look of a rangehood in your kitchen!) The only downside to downdraft fans is that they don't seem to pull out fumes and smoke as much as a rangehood does.

Kitchen Power Point Planning

Clients often ask us how to go about planning power points placement in a kitchen. Here are some kitchen power point planning tips just for you!

Start with the big stuff

People often forget that you need to start planning where to put your power points when you're planning the kitchen. Start thinking about your major kitchen appliances - dishwasher, fridge, microwave and rangehood are some that come to mind.

Then little stuff

Think about your benchtops and where you'd want your kettle and toaster (maybe a sandwich toaster or blender) to be. Aim for at least three powerpoints for your small benchtop appliances.

 Plug Points on Island Kitchen Bench

These are usually placed on the side of the bench, which can be a hazard if you have little kids who might be tempted to stick their fingers in there. Consider getting some plug protectors or covers if this is a concern. Some island benches have "pop up power points" which are super  handy, but remember these will also need to be placed away from the sink (if the bench has one)

Quad Powerpoints

Considering the use of iPads, iPods and other devices in the kitchen it might be worth considering a corner quad powerpoint if you've got the space. Three is usually enough, but if you like to bring your devices in the kitchen with you then we recommend the quad powerpoint.

Hidden Power Points

Appliance drawers are becoming super popular. Placing a hidden power point in there is good way to keep you counters cord clutter free!

Safety First

Make sure you don't place any powerpoints close to a sink or stove top. You can read more about water and power point distance here 

Mini Grills for Urban Barbeques

Not everyone has the space for an outdoor kitchen, but most people will have space for these mini grills! They're perfect for urban living - apartments or units that don't have space for an outdoor kitchen or even weekend parties and picnics. Not only are they functional but they are a great talking piece! Check out these modern, portable mini grills...

FYRKAT Picnic Charcoal Mini Grill from Bodum

• Come in a range of funky colours
• Fit around four burgers or small fillets
• Chrome plated steel legs and silicone handles which keeps the BBQ cool. The silicone also gives you a good grip on the BBQ when transporting it!
• Removal cooking rack

Charcoal Bucket Grill 

• Reasonably priced (perhaps not as long lasting as some other mini grills)
• Compact, light and easy to transport
• Made from high-temperature plated steel
• Chrome-plated steel grill
• A great gift idea!

Weber® Baby Q™s

• A bit more money for a lot more quality
• Economic - can cook up to 100 meals per 9kg gas bottle
• Single spark piezo ignition system
• Sleep design

BeefEater Amber Bugg

• Rust free porcelain enamel coated, cast iron cook tops
• Approx weight 20kgs
• Stainless steel burners
• Two burners

Picnic Time V-Grill

• Decent mid-range price
• Steel frame
• Easy to assemble and transport (comes with bag)
• 3KW heat output

 

Semi-Permanent Decor Ideas for Your Outdoor Area

Decorating your outdoor space can be challenging. It's a challenge to keep up to date with design trends but also tricky to maintain decor pieces that are left outside. We've come up with some semi-permanent decor ideas that you can try in your home - giving it a trendy look without the permanence and upkeep!

Chinese Lanterns

These are a great way to freshen up your outdoor area's decor. It's cost effective and suits any occasion. Choose white or beige for something neutral or mix it up with some bright colours! The lanterns come in all shapes, sizes and designs as well. Here's a handy video on how to string the lanterns yourself. Our favorite semi permanent decor idea!

Drapes and Make Shift Canopies

Create an exotic look by draping material. It's a really easy way to create an intimate atmosphere. Drapes are also versatile as material comes in all different colours and designs.

Rugs, Throws and Pillows (and lots of them!)

A really easy semi-permanent decor idea to brighten up the area and make it nice and cosy for your guests!

Hammock

Okay, so this may not be something you'd put up for decoration but they do add an awesome chilled out vibe to outdoor living areas. Plus it's extra seating!

Rusted Wall Hangings

If you've got the wall space it's worth throwing some wall hangings up on them. We recommend materials that gain character as they weather. Corten is a good example of a material that gets better with age. It's a really versatile material that can be lasered into virtually any shape or design.  Corten gives your outdoor area a warm rustic look and be a point of interest. This could be permanent or semi-permanent.Have you got some semi-permanent decor ideas? We'd love to hear them. Leave a comment below!