Why a Pantry is the hottest kitchen trend right now

It seems I'm not the only organised pantry lover with the latest report from Houzz finding that 40% of homeowners are adding a walk-in pantry with 12% adding a butler’s pantry. The beverage stations are also on the rise but I'll cover that separately. Being an avid pantry organiser over the years  I've crawled the internet looking for storage solutions, jars and labels and it's easy to lose yourself and lot's of money but the truth is; having a nice pantry display doesn't have to cost hundreds if you have access to some basic materials and some creativity.

Why does a Butter Bell need water?

Why does a Butter Bell need water? The answer remains in whether you keep your butter on the bench or in the fridge? The butter bell and it's butter keeping technique was developed before refrigeration as a way to keep butter fresh.  Back then (and what is becoming more and more common today with home cooks)  butter was made from fresh cream and salt. Without a fridge to keep the butter fresh, the water in the bottom of the butter bell as a 'seal' to keep bacteria out. 

What Is a Tea Cosy? Why Tea Cosies Are Popular Again

Tea cosies are returning to Australian kitchens as more people rediscover teapots, afternoon tea and slower living. Learn how a tea cosy works, why it is useful and how to choose one for your teapot

How to Create a Farmhouse Pantry on a Budget

A beautiful farmhouse pantry does not need custom cabinetry, matching containers or an entire room of its own. In fact, the most useful pantries are often created slowly, using practical pieces that make everyday cooking easier. Whether your pantry is a walk-in space, a single cupboard or a few shelves in a small Australian kitchen, you can give it warmth and order without spending a fortune. The secret is to organise what you already have first, then add natural materials and well-chosen storage pieces only where they will make a genuine difference. Here is how to create an affordable farmhouse pantry that feels welcoming, works hard and is realistic to maintain.

Ten Affordable Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas for Australian Homes

According to Karen Hobson, owner The Eumundi Trading Co,  creating a warm, welcoming farmhouse kitchen does not require a complete renovation—or a sprawling country property. Some of the most inviting kitchens are shaped by the smaller details: natural materials, practical pieces, collected treasures and signs that the room is genuinely used and loved.

Why Are So Many Australians Choosing Farmhouse Living?

Scroll through Tik Tok or Instagram,  browse home magazines or spend a few minutes on Pinterest, and you'll quickly notice one thing: farmhouse living is everywhere. From chickens, ducks, chopping wood, sourdough to organised pantries and re-discovering grandma's cleaning tips;  the farmhouse aesthetic continues to capture the imagination of Australians from every walk of life. But here's the interesting part. Most people embracing farmhouse living don't actually live on a farm; and we don't either but we are surrounded by them.  We live on a quarter acre block in a semi-rural area that is 5 minutes to Eumundi and 25 minutes to Noosa Main Beach and it's plenty big enough for us to have space, grow vegetables, have animals, create and just live the way we want to. 

How to Set a Beautiful Farmhouse Breakfast Table

In farmhouse homes, the breakfast table is often the heart of the morning;  where warm toast is shared, homemade jam is passed around, children chat about the day ahead and weekends begin a little more slowly.  The good news is that creating a farmhouse breakfast feeling can be done with the addition of a few simple pieces to transfer even an ordinary weekday breakfast into something special. Farmhouse style is built around authenticity and personal style. Choose pieces that feel warm and timeless rather than perfectly matching. Think:

Why The Farmhouse Breakfast is having a Comeback:

Why Farmhouse Breakfasts Are Making a Comeback in Australian Homes A farmhouse breakfast takes of different meanings for everyone but for me, it reminds me of the smells I woke up to on a Sunday morning as a teenager. The smell of Mum's home-cooked breakfasts; it could be bacon and eggs, pikelets, steak, egg and chips, you name it, Mum would fry it on a Sunday. Bubble and squeak anyone?  There was a time when breakfast was more than grabbing a piece of toast on the way out the door or Avocado on Toast in a cafe.  It was fresh bread still warm from the oven, homemade jam shared across the table, pancakes, butter softened in a crock, steaming mugs of tea and conversations that lingered long after the plates had been cleared. Today, as more Australians embrace ways to reduce the cost of living and to enjoy a slower pace of living, the farmhouse breakfast is making a welcome return. Slowing down just enough to enjoy simple food, prepared at home with beautiful kitchenware and time spent together creating memories.  Whether you live on acreage, in suburbia or in an apartment overlooking the city, you can bring the warmth and charm of a farmhouse breakfast into your own home.