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Kitchen Pantry: Food Storage Solutions

Posted: Friday, October 8, 2010 at 12:10:19 PM EST by Website Administrator

We recently had a comment from a client whom we have just finished a kitchen for. Her kitchen houses a fully functional butler’s pantry and she was looking for any suggestions we may have for organizing her pantry in terms of food storage i.e. containers and canisters.So here are our suggestions:

The first thing I would recommend you consider is 'how' you want to store your food? There are loads of different options out there....so a good place to start would be to read this article from Homelife on the pro's and con's of different types of storage containers i.e. glass / plastic / ceramic / metal etc.

When it comes to storage containers and canisters most would agree that plastic is the most practical solution for these simple reasons:

· clear base so you can see what's inside
· secure seals ensures food stays fresh
· modular abilities keeps pantry organized
· dishwashers / microwave and freezer safe
· 'one LID fits all' – eliminate having a million mix matched lids and containers.

Again when it comes to plastic canisters there are many options out there: Tupperware modular mate containers definitely tick all the boxes; however they are probably not your cheapest option. Decor is another great choice and easily accessible at Kmart, Big W and Bunnings. Another place worth checking out is Howards Storage World. They have a great selection of pantry organisational systems but be aware you will probably leave having purchased more than you set out to get – that place is organisation city). Whilst you are there – check out their OXYPOP range, a contemporary square design, made from BPA free plastic and has a pop button locking mechanism which keeps your food fresh and accessible.

     

Tupperware Modular Mates and OXYPOP Range from Howards Storage World

     

Glass jars create a great visual display feature in an open pantry       

If you are more aesthetically inclined and want to make a display feature of your butler's pantry you may want to consider the glass and ceramic options. Obviously cost can be a factor and generally they are not as practical due to the inability to stack them and their tendency to break. Nevertheless they look great on display. It may even be worth considering having just a small quantity of them for display purposes. Colourful foods such as lentils and pastas can look really effective in glass jars as to can creating your own labeling system such as these DIY chalk board labels - a cute (yet practical) idea. Glass and ceramic jars are available from most home wares and/or kitchen specialty stores. If you are looking for a cost effective solution IKEA has some gorgeous jars which are also reasonably priced.

Lastly, one important note I want to touch on which is essential to ensuring your kitchen functions correctly is the need for specific activity zones. By this I mean items that are used in these areas should be stored there - eliminating excess traffic. For example, the cooking zone: all the items used for everyday cooking should be accessible and within easy reach (not stored in the pantry). These include: oils, sauces and spices. To read more on this topic check out Dynamic Space by BLUM .

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Is 'EATING IN' the new 'eating out'?

Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 8:17:09 PM EST by Website Administrator

Dinner at home is back. I don’t know about you but I am certainly cooking at home more these days AND truth be told I’m really enjoying it! Ok, so perhaps it’s partly due to the fact that I have two littlies under the age of two and opting to “stay in” is a far more enjoyable (not to mention cheaper) experience compared to the alternative… an unpredictable toddler trantrum in front of an entire restaurant where I am generally paying for a meal that is costing me an arm and a leg – not what I call enjoyable!

I would nearly go as far as saying that ‘eating in’ is the new ‘eating out’. Within my own circle of friends we have monthly dinner parties which we rotate – different home, different theme – and I know we are not the only ones. The truth is these days a lot of us are opting to stay at home and entertain family and friends – although the ‘reborn dinner party’ is a far different affair to my mother’s era where it consisted of a classic white tablecloth laid out with polished silver and crystal glasses. These days none of us have the energy to polish the silver and we generally serve dinner in a more relaxed ‘dressed down’ atmosphere, around a table in the kitchen or extended table from the kitchen. People like to go to the farmers' market on Saturday, buy some great food and then have their pals round the kitchen table that evening – sharing a good bottle of red (bought at a third of restaurant prices).

And this changing trend is having a dramatic effect on what we demand of our kitchens – both in how they look and how they function. We are seeing the request for seating go beyond that of the island bench/breakfast bar. Tables and furniture are now being incorporated and often built-in to the kitchen itself.

Tables: tables, seating and furniture incorporated / built into kitchen cabinetry (Photos from Euroccucina, Milan 2010 and Interiors By Darren James)

In equal demand is professional equipment, suitable for a real chef, to dignify the kitchen environment as a focal point for creativity and social gathering. Durability of materials plays a major role and for cooking surfaces and stainless steel is often the material of choice. It's heat resistant and hygienic qualities as well as the fact that it’s easy to maintain and can handle bumps and scratches means it’s highly sought after. Many love this material for its aesthetic and it’s commercial look, although not everyone wants the high tech kitchen. One way of toning this down is to mix stainless steel with other materials such as timber and wood - it allows for that organic touch and is the perfect combination.

Stainless Steel: the material of choice for cooking and preparation surfaces

Gourmet chefs are not the only ones that carry out more than two operations at the same time and if you’ve ever tried fixing a complicated meal when entertaining I am sure you will agree that having a sink with two or even three deep basins is much more functional as it permits less "walking" and transporting of pots and pans around the room, saving time and energy – which essentially allows you more time to spend with your guests.

Sinks: Large, deep and multiple sinks allow for more function in the professional kitchen 

But it’s not all about what you can see – space permitting, serious entertainers are opting for the ultimate concealment with the inclusion of a butler’s kitchen / scullery – in short a kitchen behind the ‘show kitchen’ that hides the mess.  

So without a doubt the masterchef phenominem is having a huge impact on our desire to cook and entertain at home. I know I am enjoying the mere fact that my husband is inspired to cook more - giving me a break from the kitchen. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us. Happy cooking!!!! 

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ONCE UPON A TIME: .kitchenbathroomdesigner

Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 7:36:08 PM EST by Website Administrator

   

Well here we are… we finally make the big leap into the sphere of social media - our own BLOG! It had to be done – there is just so much to share and it’s seems unfair to keep it to ourselves.

As kitchen and bathroom designers, we pride ourselves on creating unconventional, personalized and unique spaces for our clients. This means we are constantly on the hunt for stylistic and technological innovation – in other words ‘what’s hot’. It’s what keeps us at the forefront of the constantly changing world of interior design and the forever evolving Australian lifestyle. Our blog takes a realist approach to kitchen, bathroom and interior design in a way that you (the general public) can understand and access. In addition to posting  ‘hot off the press’ industry news, we will discuss the latest designs and trends, feature new innovative products as well as provide practical tips and tricks for tackling your next kitchen or bathroom project. We will uncover some amazing "before + after" projects and who knows during the course of all that you may even come across the odd recipe, video and pod cast. 

We invite you to provide feedback and comment, if there is something you would like us to write about or you are particularly interested in – just ask!!! We hope you enjoy and find some inspiration for your next project...

Happy reading!

 

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