Kitchen Update
Need an easy upgrade for the busiest room in the house? Here’s a round-up of 14 stylish kitchen essentials.
Whether it’s stealing space in the kitchen with clever storage solutions, making modest mealtimes that much more memorable, or splashing out on an A-list appliance, now’s the perfect time to tart up a tired looking kitchen.
Not only will it brighten up breakfast and tea-time – after all, we’re talking about the most multi-functional room in the house – but it’s funny how friends choose to stop by when you’re in the throes of thinking about a mini makeover, rather than when you’ve bagged those stylish updates.
Here’s what’s caught our eye for a fun autumn kitchen fix, and items that marry flair with function…
1. 4 Tile Print Placemats And Coasters Set (other items from a selection) €18, visit next.ie
With their azure floral print, these easy, wipeclean placemats evoke thoughts of summer breakfasts, sea views and even a taste of Italy with co-ordinating stoneware for your favourite cappuccino.
2. Habitat Zela Glass 4 Seater Dining Table in Natural Wood €210 (other items from a selection), visit argos.ie
Safe to say the kitchen table has seen a lot of action over the past year or so, and there couldn’t be a better time to lighten up your dining area with natural woodgrain and glass. Modern rustic always feels fresh, especially when you mix and match with ceramics, rattan dining chairs, earthenware and striking bamboo ceiling shades.
3. Wall Mounted Wine Rack – Showvino by Umbra, currently €12 (was €24) visit aplaceforeverything.co.uk
A wall of wine… we’ll drink to that! And you can always build on this mounted wine rack, especially while it’s on special off er. ‑ ink white, red, rosé and Sunday best Bordeaux.
4. Bugatti Vita Metal and Glass Juicer 29cm €175, visit selfridges.com
The supercar of juicers, with 90-95 rotations per minute and a capacity of 0.6L, your fresh orange juice or screwdriver is going to taste that much racier.
5. 3 Tiered Storage Rack Tower by Yamazi €199, visit theyamazakihomeeurope. com
If too much kitchen clutter is pushing you to breaking point, a freestanding storage rack will lighten the load. Ideal for storage jars and cool kitchen gadgets you want on view, but not blocking up space.
6. Tea Towel Sivblom (3) €7.50, visit jysk.ie
A fresh new tea towel takes the chore out of drying up, plus these come with a hanging loop for easy storage or decorative display.
7. 16 piece Flamefield Leaf Melamine Set visit charlescamping.ie
This pretty print will turn the everyday into something special. Think avocado on toast, tropical mango salads and Sicilian style Pasta alla Norma. Complete with four 25cm dinner plates, four saucers, four bowls and four mugs.
8. STAUB Tomato Cast Iron Casserole Dish 25cm €250 visit arnotts.ie
Meanwhile, for heartier family sit-downs, imagine how much tastier your sausage and tomato pie will be when you carry this cute tomato shaped cast iron casserole dish to the table.
9. Tala Stoneware Mixing Bowls (available in yellow, dusty pink and blue) €16 each, visit barkers.ie
With a little more time on your hands, summer fêtes, children’s parties and summer berry cake season to cater for, these stoneware mixing bowls in pretty pastels channel sweet temptation before you’ve even reached for the caster sugar.
10. Spode Creatures or Curiosity Set of 2 Glass Tumblers €32.99, visit littlewoods.ie
Whether it’s a lunchtime mocktail or sultry evening cocktail, somehow a decorative glass tumbler is an easy way to give your drinks list a lift. With its yellow moth motif, we’re thinking tequila based El Matador or Nectarine Sunshine Smoothie.
11. SMEG Mini Kettle – Red €129, visit harveynorman.ie
The new kettle on the block, and boasting most of the design features of its big brother (the KLF03), minor alterations in this Mini three-cup counterpart include a manual opening knob for the lid and 1400 watts power. Available in a range of colours, who wouldn’t love its retro styling?
12. Floral Oven Glove €3.50, visit TK Maxx
Sometimes the most overlooked essential in the kitchen and easy to forget that a nice bright new oven mitt adds a little colour splash (for very little money).
13 Pink Butter Dish €8.99, visit Homesense
Once the weather turns cooler the butter is back on display on countertops and tables. This lovely little gem of a dish adds a nice whimsical touch to breakfast settings.
14 Green Plate €4; Green Jug €6; Pinch Bowls 3 Pack €3.50; Terracotta Linen Napkins €3.50; Green Bowl €4; Wooden Bowl €6; Terracotta Serving Bowl €8; Wooden Serving Board €6, visit Penneys.
A whole set of money-saving autumnal greens and terracotta to grace your table for just €41. The perfect kitchen pick me up for those on a budget.