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All this sunshine and unexpected heat has me lusting over bright and bold colours. These colanders from The Contemporary Home are the perfect colour punch for the kitchen. Perfect for draining veg or pasta when you're only cooking for 1, or even as a funky way to serve vegetables to guests at a dinner party, allowing each guest their own personal portion to be served alongside their main dish. Much more sophisticated than a free-for-all with big serving dishes and it means that no-one has to feel greedy for snaffling the last spoonful of peas! Available in 5 bright and bold colours, allowing you to remain true to your colour scheme or mix and match for an eclectic look.

As I wind down for the evening with my tea and jaffa cake in hand I wonder, as I have done many times before, if I could have a chocolate snack without humming 'moment on the lips, lifetime on the hips'? In swoop Hunkydory Home with their delectable array of tea towels, aprons and coasters. Each feature a classic treat wrapper such as the teacake, tunnocks and caramel wafer. These vintage feeling kitchen accessories should add the right dose of sweetness to curb my cravings.

Pop on over to their site to see the range and keep an eye out for their Custard Cream Footstool.

It's time to ditch the diet and find inspiration in the biscuit tin.

www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk

From their associations with classical music celebrity Lang Lang to sponsoring golf pro Matteo Manasserro it is clear that, for Scholtès, the luxury and integrity of their brand can be found through many influences and forms.

However, I don’t care for golf (too slow and I don’t look great in plus fours) or classical music (only for when I drive my grandparents), what I do care for however, is Scholtès integrated coffee machine, range cookers and that Tappan Yaki plate that had me drooling.

Along with their elite team of four excellent chefs, including the English Sat Bains who received his second Michelin star this month, and their Centre of Excellence, designed by Patricia Urquiola, Scholtès are really putting in the hours to heighten the quality of home cooking.

Recently, I hungrily explored the new Centre of Excellence on Wigmore Street, London. Set over two floors - street and basement - the area is cleverly arranged into zones for reception, meeting and demonstration. Each zone showcases fully-functioning appliances with an array of textures and materials, from copper walls to beautiful stone tiles. But in the basement was where these cool looking exteriors were thrashed and tested by Sat Bains himself.

Neither Scholtès nor Bains are known to cut corners and so a full six-course autumn menu was prepared for all to see and, most importantly, taste. Not only did Bains' menu compliment the sudden chill in the October air, but both chef and kitchen seemed to work multifariously and seamlessly at that.
So, belly sufficiently full and a very heavy and luxurious catalogue in my hand (bedtime browsing), I left Scholtès feeling enlightened and wanting a little more excellence in my kitchen. They couldn’t, however, change my opinion on golf.

www.scholtes.co.uk

This gorgeous set with its vintage-inspired design would look great in any kitchen.

Retro Refreshing Tea Set - £30.00

www.welovebritish.co.uk

The pressure to deliver gourmet meals can be high but no matter what kind of cook you are, John Lewis provides all the implements you need to score a perfect ten.

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

The first thing every decent chef needs is a good set of basics. From a trusty can opener to a sturdy spatula, the John Lewis soft grip utensils are part of nearly fifty items to make life easier in the kitchen. Each individually-designed piece has a soft-grip ergonomically-designed handle.

Whether you are pairing, chopping, dicing or carving, the Lion Sabatier knife range will meet all your slicing needs. Each knife is fully forged and triple-riveted, giving increased strength and durability. The knives are perfectly balanced to give optimum comfort.

Take a leaf from the French and deliver meals straight from the oven to the table effortlessly. The Le Creuset Bean Pot makes one-pot cooking a breeze. Stew, braise or simmer and then serve to the table with no fuss. Part of the Le Creuset Cast iron range.

Presentation

Setting the table doesn’t need to be an arduous task, John Lewis has a wealth of inspiration to set the scene for an unforgettable dinner party.  

After Party

Finish the evening in style with the Andrew Martin espresso set. New and exclusive to John Lewis, the set is available in two delicious designs: Regatta stripe and the classic Jumbo Elephant print.

Utensils,prices from £7 each

Lion Sabatier knife range, from £18

Le Creuset  Cast iron range, from £12

The Andrew Martin espresso set, £40.00

All available from www.johnlewis.com

Unlike fiddly traditional magnets, OXO’s eye-catching press clips don’t need to be removed from the surface to secure items - simply clip and  release your everyday essentials with the quick press of a finger on top of the gadget.

With a flat, slim profile, perfect for busy areas such as the household fridge,  OXO’s magnetic press clips have two powerful rare earth magnets that can hold up to eighteen sheets of paper at one time, while soft spots cushion the press area to protect surfaces and prevent scratching.

Also new to the range are OXO’s handy bag cinches which replace cumbersome bread tags, twist ties and rubber bands, keeping all manner of ingredients fresh and secure with one simple squeeze.

Practical and extremely easy to use, simply pinch the ends of the bag cinches, twist the bag and slip it into the generously sized notch for quick and easy storage. Hidden teeth on the inside of the cinch tightly seal the bag to keep food, whether fresh or frozen, at its best.

The bag cinches also feature OXO’s trademark non-slip, soft-grip pads on the ends to ensure a soft yet secure grip.

In a range of bright and funky colours, OXO’s versatile bag cinches and magnetic press clips are easy to find in household drawers when you need them most and make an attractive addition to any busy home.

Press clips £5 (4 pack) available in red, blue, green and orange

Bag cinches £3.50 (3 pack) available in red, blue and green

Available nationwide. For stockist details, please call 0114 290 1455

From cake stands to weighing scales, there is everything you need to cook the perfect cake leaving no excuses for avoiding the kitchen!

Jme Pat A Cake Kids’ Baking Tin, £18.00

Jme We Three Tins, set of 3, From £15.00

All available from www.jamieathome.com 

Perfect for the hallway, this key rack is made from heavy duty cast iron and has three hooks. This traditional-looking key rack has four old fashioned key shapes embossed into the frame and has ample room to hang your keys. 

The key rack will make a stylish addition to your home and can be hung in your hallway or near the kitchen door. It’s also perfect for creating a focal point for your wall if hung alongside other coat and storage racks. 

Cast Iron Key Rack With Three Hooks, £19.00 www.jasmineway.co.uk   

Let national pride flow at afternoon teatime with the classic one pint mug, 8.5 inch plate and 4 cup teapot, all from the iconic Emma Bridgewater brand. ‘The complicated geometric lined of Union Jack gave our hand decorators in our factory in Stoke on Trent a bit of a headache to start with. But now all we want to do is fly the flag,’ say the brand. 

Whether it’s adding some national spice to your kitchen, giving Dad the perfect ‘desk’ mug, indulging Grandpa in some good old-fashioned nostalgia or buying your brother an imaginative birthday present, the eye-catching Union Jack range has a gift to suit everyone. 

Prices start at £21.95 for a pint mug, £12.95 for a 8.5 inch plate, and £59.95 for a 4 cup teapot. Order online at www.leekes.co.uk or visit your Leekes, Melksham store to view other great designs from the Emma Bridgewater collection, including items from the Flowers, Black Toast, Polka Dot and Pink Hearts ranges.

Union Jack 4 Cup Teapot From Emma Bridgewater, £59.95

Union Jack 1 Pint Mug From Emma Bridgewater, £21.95

Union Jack 8.5inch Plate Emma Bridgewater, £12.95

All available at www.leekes.co.uk

Add some style to your kitchen with some great retro tiles.

Tiles are a great way to brighten up a room and give it an instant update.

For some fantastic prints try www.johnson-tiles.com

If you’re looking for a real style statement go to www.sainthonorewallcoverings.com