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.

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.

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.

I used to go the Gym. Now I stack firewood

What moving from the city to semi-rural life taught me about movement, work and slowing down. By Karen Hobson, Founder of The Eumundi Trading Co When we lived in Brisbane, exercise was something I had to schedule around work, work travel, family and life.  I went for walks. I worked out in hotel gyms. I travelled internationally  a lot for work and being an office worker I made time to move, even if it was a walk at lunchtime because walking to the kitchen to make a cup of tea 10 times a day doesn't really cut it.  Now, living a semi-rural life in Eumundi, movement seems to find me. I stack wood. I dig holes. I shovel A LOT of dirt and push that dirt in a wheelbarrow. I weed garden beds. I haul bags of soil. I build gardens out of rocks from the fill that gets delivered.  I walk to collect kindling. I move pots, prune branches, rake leaves and spend entire afternoons doing jobs that somehow leave me more tired than any gym session ever did. Oh and did I mention I've launched 2 online businesses that I've never ever done before,  so I never have to go back to corporate life?   The funny thing is, I do not really think of it as exercise.

Why Choosing the Right Candle Matters: A Guide to Cleaner-Burning Candles at Home

There's something magical about lighting a candle. The soft flicker of the flame, a beautiful fragrance drifting through the room, and the feeling that, somehow, life has slowed down just a little. For me, candles what makes a home feel warm, cosy and welcoming. They're lit while reading a book on the verandah, enjoying a cup of tea after dinner or creating a little ambience before friends arrive. But not all candles are created equal. Over the past few years, I've become far more interested in what candles are actually made from and what I'm putting into the air at home, and the truth is that the cheapest candle isn't always the best choice for your home. Here's why I believe that candle ingredients matter and why we only stock natural beeswax or soy candles with natural fragrance: A candle is more than just wax and fragrance. The quality of the wax, the wick and the fragrance oils all influence how cleanly a candle burns and how nice the scent is.  Indoor air quality experts recommend paying attention to candle ingredients and ensuring rooms are well ventilated while candles are burning. 

Why Timber Chopping Boards Are Better Than Plastic, Glass and Bamboo in Australian Kitchens

Whether you're preparing vegetables from the garden, slicing a fresh loaf of sourdough or serving a grazing platter for family and friends, the material of your chopping board can affect everything from your knives to your cooking experience. While plastic, glass and bamboo boards all have their place, timber chopping boards remain the preferred choice in many Australian homes, farmhouse kitchens and professional kitchens around the world.  Unlike synthetic alternatives, timber chopping boards develop character over time and often become a treasured part of the kitchen for years or even decades. Why Timber Chopping Boards Remain So Popular in Australia Australians have a long tradition of using natural materials in the home. From timber dining tables and hardwood floors to farmhouse kitchens and outdoor entertaining spaces, wood brings warmth and authenticity to everyday living.

The Modern Australian Farmhouse Look | Creating a Warm and Timeless Home

Farmhouse style has become one of the most popular interior design trends of the past decade. Scroll through social media and you'll find countless images of timber beams, oversized kitchens, barn doors and sprawling rural homes. While these spaces are undeniably beautiful, many are inspired by American farmhouses that bear little resemblance to the way Australians live. Australia has its own landscape, climate and lifestyle. Our homes are shaped by long summers, outdoor living, native gardens and a connection to the land that differs from many overseas interpretations of farmhouse style. According to Karen Hobson, Founder of The Eumundi Trading Co, the modern Australian farmhouse is not about copying another country's design trends. It is about creating homes that feel relaxed, practical, welcoming and connected to their surroundings.

What Makes a Home Feel Warm and Inviting?

In a world filled with fast trends and perfectly curated social media images, many Australians are seeking something different. They want homes that feel calm, comfortable and connected to everyday life. So what exactly makes a home feel warm and inviting?