The Wheel Blog
Choosing the perfect colour throw blanket & cushions for your sofa
When it comes to styling your sofa, choosing the right palette for blankets and cushions can make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your space. With an variety of options, it's essential to consider creating a harmonious and visually pleasing arrangement. Come along as we explore our top four musts when it comes to finding the perfect throw and cushion for you and your favourite space! 1. Existing Colour Palette The first thing to consider is the existing colour scheme in your living room. Take a close look at the dominant colours of your walls, flooring, and larger furniture pieces. Are they neutral, warm-toned, cool-toned, or vibrant? Choose colours for your throw blanket and cushions that complement or coordinate with the existing colour scheme. Harmonising with the surrounding elements ensures a totally balanced look. Consider trying colour swatches or paint samples to help you bring your visions to life. 2. Contrast and Balance While coordinating with your palette is essential, incorporating fun contrast can add visual interest! Contrast can be achieved through colour differences, such as pairing light-coloured cushions with a dark throw blanket or vice versa. Alternatively, you can try pairing lighter and darker tones together. For example, pair blue cushions with orange or rust-toned throw blankets. Striking the right balance between coordination and contrast will create a dynamic and visually appealing arrangement. 3. Mood and Style Consider the mood you want to evoke in your living room. Different colours evoke different emotions and have effect on overall ambience. Warm colours like red, orange, and yellow can create a cosy and energetic atmosphere, while cool colours like blue and green can foster a sense of calm and relaxation. Neutral colours like beige, gray, or cream provide a versatile backdrop that complements various décor styles. Consider the overall style of your space, whether it's modern, traditional, bohemian, or minimalist, and select colours that align with that aesthetic. 4. Consider Seasonal Changes Additionally, you can use the seasons as inspiration for color choices. During warmer months, opt for lighter and brighter colors to create an airy and refreshing look. In colder months, embrace deeper tones and rich textures for a cozy and inviting feel. Don't be afraid to experiment and let your creativity shine through.
Learn more
4 Creative Ways to Use Weck Jars
Weck jars are the epitome of both practicality and versatility! Totally so much more than just a classic preserving jar these lovable jars are favourite amongst chefs and home cooks alike with their unique shapes and endless possiblities! Come with us as we explore our top unconventional 4 ways to use your Weck jars that go beyond the traditional norms. You know how great they are at preserving and fermenting your all time favourite garnishes but have you ever thought about the classic Weck jar as an organisation must have or a trendy cocktail glass? maybe not? let these ideas spark some new found inspiration. 1. Fermenting and Preserving Food Weck jars are renowned for their unmatched ability to seal and preserve food to the highest quality imaginable. Using the rubber seals and the trusty metal clips to secure your culinary masterpiece into an airtight seal these jars are beyond perfect for fermenting both fruits and vegetables! The timeless clear glass design allows you to easily keep an eye on the fermenting process ensuring that your creations turn out perfect every single time. Try your luck at some fermented classics! 2. Storing Small Bathroom Items The Weck design is nothing but elegance partnered with practical functionality making them a non negotiable when it comes to organising your bathroom must haves. Give your cotton buds, balls, hair accessories and more a home in a stylish and organisational way. Not only does introducing Weck jars to your organisational line up eliminate clutter it also makes your space look both aesthetic and unison. Arrange a multitude of jars on your vanity space, shelves and watch you reach for the items over and over again with complete ease. 3. Storing Bar Garnishes If you enjoy hosting stellar get togethers and are looking to take your home bar setup to the next level Weck jars may just be your ticket to success. Think sliced lemons, limes or oranges and store them in their own individual jars for easy access when you're mixing up your famous cocktails. Store other cocktail favourites like cherries, maybe even olives and dried herbs! The clear design allows for the colours of your ingredients to shine through adding a bright and vibrant touch of colour to your home bar. 4. Unique Cocktail Glasses Beyond their classical functions, Weck jars can double as a playful and unique cocktail glasses that are bound to wow your guest. With their distinctive shape and glass clarity these jars visually are the perfect choice when considering a new and fun vessel for your favourite drinks. Fill the jars with your favourite beverage, ice cubes and garnish to your liking. Weck jars are the perfect practical addition to any kitchen or home. Including their traditional use these jars are full of opportunity in you home! Experiment and find the perfect use for you. Whether you enjoy a cocktail or two, enjoying culinary delights or have a knack for organisation there is bound to be a new way to use your beloved Weck Jars every single day!
Learn more
Top 5 Styling Tips for Winter Home Decor
Winter is a season of warmth and classic enchantment. As cold temperatures begin to roll in, it's the perfect time to infuse your home with a touch of winter magic. By incorporating the right styling tips into your winter home décor, you can create the inviting atmosphere that embraces both your style and classic winter charm. come with us as we explore our top five styling tips perfect for giving your home the cosy winter vibe we are all craving! 1. Layer Textures for Warmth Layering textures is an excellent way to add warmth and visual interest to your winter home décor. Mixing different fabrics and materials can aid you in creating the perfect inviting atmosphere. Incorporate soft and plush textiles like faux fur or velvet pillows, chunky throws, and rugs. Mix and match these textures to create both depth and dimension, taking your space from cool to warm and comforting during the cooler months. 2. Embrace Seasonal Colours Infuse your home with seasonal colours that spark the ambiance of classic winter. Decide upon a colour palette inspired by nature's familiar winter hues. Consider tones like deep crushing blues, icy grays, and forest greens. These colours will create a serene atmosphere. Add pops of warmth with accents in rich rust reds, and browns to make your sofa, bed, or chair inviting. 3. Create a Warm Glow Lighting plays a vital role in setting the mood this winter. Create an inviting glow by incorporating soft and warm lighting. Use dimmable lights to create a cosy atmosphere in the evenings. Place table lamps with warm-toned bulbs strategically in different areas of your home. Consider adding candles or string lights to create a magical ambiance. The warm glow will instantly make your space feel inviting and snug. 4. Incorporate Natural Elements Bringing nature indoors is a wonderful way to embrace the charm of winter. Incorporate natural elements into your home to create a beautiful organic feel. Use native plants and warm tone florals as decorative accents. Arrange them in vases or create a beautiful centerpiece for your dining table. These natural elements will add a touch of freshness and remind you of the beauty of the outdoors. 5. Create Cosy Corners Create cosy corners within your home to provide inviting spaces. Arrange a reading nook with a comfortable armchair, a soft throw blanket, and a side table for a cup of tea. By dedicating specific areas for comfort and relaxation, you'll encourage a beautiful and intimate atmosphere that's perfect for winter. With these top five styling tips, you can transform your home into a winter retreat that embraces the seasons charm. Layer textures, incorporate seasonal colors, create a warm glow with lighting, bring in natural elements, and design cosy corners for relaxation. Let your winter home décor reflect the warmth and joy of this magical time of year.
Learn more
How to Style Your Dining Table for a Dinner Party
Dinner parties are a great way to catch up with friends & family over a delicious meal. However, what distinguishes a good dinner party from a great one, is all in the attention to detail. This includes curating a delicious dinner to serve to your guests, but also paying attention to the ambience you are creating with your stylistic choices. The way you style your table sets the tone for the evening, and can easily transform a general dinner with others, to a dining experience to remember! To help you effectively style your table for your next dinner party, we have listed some key styling elements that are always found on our table settings… Tablecloth & Runner Before you put anything on your table, consider would a tablecloth or table runner make the table look better? Let’s face it, some of us don’t have the nicest dining tables in the world, and sometimes our table top alone doesn’t work with our stylistic vision. This is why having a tablecloth and table runner handy can allow you to transform your dining experience into whatever you want it to be! If you are considering using a tablecloth, you first must work out what size you need to achieve your desired look. This doesn’t necessarily mean finding a table cloth that fits ‘perfectly’, but finding one that follows your brief. Consider, do you want a floor length table cloth? Do you want a more ‘throw’ rustic look? Whatever style you are trying to create, understanding what size you need in step 1. Table runners are also a styling element that can make a big impact on a table. Perfect for layering on top of your tablecloth, or for adding a bit of texture to your bare tabletop, table runners are a versatile item for any host to have. When using a table runner on our tables, we find that it is the perfect chance to add a pop of colour to a table to contrast with the tablecloth or tabletop. Don’t be afraid to play with the length of the runner as well, as layering multiple runners can allow you to achiever your desired length. Placemats Placemats aren’t just great for protecting our table from the heat and mess of enjoying a meal but can also make a statement! When choosing a placemat for your table setting, consider choosing one that has colour, texture, patterns, or other creative elements in-line with your stylistic vision. Whatever placemat your are looking at, consider how it works with your dinnerware as these two items will ne naturally layered on top of each other. Look at choosing a placemat that contrasts your dinnerware, allowing your table and food to stand out! Dinnerware We all have our everyday dinnerware available for hosting guests, but it can be worth asking yourself – does my dinner set match my vision for my dinner party? In some ways our dinnerware can be the most important item to make a statement on a table, as it holds the main focus of the event… the food! When choosing a dinner set for your dinner party, consider how the dinnerware complements the overall colour and style of your table, as well as how easily it is to enjoy your meal with. Look at choosing dinnerware that has a pop of colour, or texture to make your guests feel extra special. Another element of dinnerware is working out how you want to arrange it on your table. Layering and stacking your plates on top of each other can be a good way to save space but also add a sense of style to your setting. However, if you have plenty of space you may want to spread out your setting and allow for extra functionality for your guests. Napkins & Napkin Rings Making your table look beautiful can be easy by using napkins as a key styling element. Firstly, we recommend using cloth napkins over paper napkins to really increase the class of your dinner party. Next, consider what colour napkin is really going to make your table shine. Will you add a big pop of colour with your napkin choice, or choose a more neutral tone? Choosing a cloth napkin with texture can create additional visual interest to your table and impress your guests. Now that you have your napkin, how will you style them? Firstly, think about whether you will place your napkin on your plate, under your cutlery, above your plate, or other. Next, think about a creative way to present your napkin. There are so many ways to fold a napkin, and we say get a little creative with which fold you choose! Want to style your napkins effortlessly? We love using napkin rings to accessorise the table and allow our napkins to make a statement. Cutlery Remember, it is the attention to detail that can make your dinner party great and that’s why we even like to make sure our cutlery is adding to our table style. When setting your table consider whether your everyday cutlery fits well with the stunning ambience you’ve created, or maybe you should consider using a different coloured or shaped set? We often like to use even gold or black cutlery to complement a brighter or darker feel for our dinner party. Servingware Now that you have all the key table setting items, think about how are you going to make your food stand out? Choosing servingware that is aesthetically pleasing and adds extra functionality to your table can make a world of difference to your guests’ experience. Consider, what shape and size servingware will work best with your table? If you have a smaller table, consider using smaller serving dishes and work with shape to make your table look visually interesting. If you have more space, you may be able to afford to play with whatever serving dishes you like, just remember to avoid cluttering your table, and keep the functionality of your dinner party in mind. Thinking of functionality, make sure you choose servingware that looks great but is also easily accessible. We enjoy using footed serving dishes for example, as the foot elevates the dish to be accessed easily by dinner guests and be simply transported without the potential of burning yourself or spilling the food. Floral Arrangements Now you have all the functional elements ready for your dinner party, it’s time to take the beauty of your table to the next level. Adding a floral arrangement, garland, or even wreath to your table can really elevate your dinner party experience. When deciding what florals to add to your table, think about how much space you have. For a smaller space, choose a vertical arrangement in a vase, and for a larger space, feel free to experiment with multiple vases, and flat garland or wreath arrangements. Candles & Candle Holders Finally, setting the mood is one of the most important parts of a successful dinner party. An easy way to increase the mood and ambience is by adding some candles and aromatherapy to your table. Try scattering some lit candles across your table and watch how they bring magic to your dinner party. Play with different shapes and sizes of pillar candles, and even consider using stylish candle holders to accessorise your dining experience. When choosing your candles, pick an aroma that will bring a calm and welcoming energy to your space. Keeping all of these styling elements in mind for your next dinner party, is guaranteed to ensure you create the perfect impressive space for your guests. Just remember to stay true to your style and choose items that reflect your personality and your cooking!
Learn more
The 3 Types of Champagne Glasses Explained
Champagne or Sparkling Wine has always been an integral part of celebrating some of the most memorable times in our life. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, work celebration, wedding, or more, saying a cheers with a glass of bubbly has become a tradition for many of us. However, knowing which type of champagne glass to use for your celebration can be difficult unless you know the various types of glasses. That’s why we have put together some information about the different types of champagne glasses from our glassware, so you can pick the most practical and beautiful option for your next celebration. 1. Champagne Coupe The champagne coupe goes down in history as one of the earliest types of glass used for champagne drinking. This shallow and wide bowled glass is known to be particularly good for enjoying the flavour of champagne. The wide opening of the glass allows for more air to access the wine and unleash the various aromas and flavours of the chosen champagne or sparkling wine. This makes the champagne coupe perfect for serving a champagne or sparkling wine that features complex and more full-bodied flavours. 2. Champagne Flute The Champagne Flute is one of the most used glasses for champagne and sparkling wine drinking, around the world. This flute shaped style of glass is so popular when serving champagne due to its ability to preserve carbonation. This long slender shape, on top of a lengthy stem presents a small surface area for the wine, allowing for bubbles to be condensed. When the bubbles are condensed, they flow to the top of the glass seamlessly and are preserved for longer. This presents the ultimate way to enjoy the bubbly texture of champagne and sparkling wine. 3. Champagne Tulip For many, the champagne tulip is not a go to, but is definitely an underrated glass for enjoying champagne. This shape of glass combines the 2 styles of coupe and flute, to create a glass that is built to preserve carbonation and present aromatics in their finest form. This glass presents a tall shape, with a small opening allowing it to function similarly to a flute in its minimising the exposure of the wine to air and condensing carbonation. However, the tulip has a more rounded base, creating room for aromas to be released and trapped inside of the glass. This means you can taste the intricate flavours of your wine with every sip, whilst also enjoying the classic bubbly texture of your champagne or sparkling wine. Now that you know a little more about Champagne glasses, why not browse our range of glassware here and pick up the perfect set for your next celebration?
Learn more
Our Top 5 Food Ideas for Valentine’s Day 2023
February 14th can mean many things to many people… Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or just another ordinary day. No matter how you spend it, we know that it is a good excuse to enjoy some delicious food with a loved one or yourself! We have put together some of our Top 5 favourite 2023 Valentine’s Day Food Ideas for you to try on this special time of year. 1. Heart-shaped Pizza Embrace the festivities of Valentine’s Day and transform your favourite pizza into a heart shape! All you have to do is make your pizza as you would usually, but instead mold the dough into a heart shape instead of a circle. If you really want to go all out (like we do), you can even cut the pizza ingredients into hearts, to make the meal look extra festive. See how cute and delicious our pepperoni pizza looks! Watch as this simple but cute idea delights your loved ones and makes your meal a little more fun. Need help making your pizza? Follow this recipe HERE. 2. Spaghetti & Meatballs Now we promise we didn’t just choose this dish because of that one romantic scene in Lady and the Tramp… Spaghetti and Meatballs have always been an easy but delicious dish that is perfect for sharing with loved ones! When you are busy and on the go it can be hard to throw together something thoughtful and tasty for Valentine’s Day dinner, so why not opt for everyone’s favourite? Check out our Spaghetti & Meatballs recipe HERE. 3. Heart-shaped scones In the spirit of all things love, these heart-shaped scones are a great option for those celebrating a Valentine’s Day breakfast, brunch, or even on a picnic. Taking our classic scone recipe but molding each piece of mixture into a heart shape before putting it in the oven, makes the cutest heart shaped scones you have seen! Take this recipe idea all the way by adding pink food colouring to the mixture and garnishing the baked scones with raspberries or strawberries. Need help making your scones? Follow our recipe HERE. 4. Grapefruit Fizz Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy a pink cocktail! Our favourite cocktail right now is our delicious and refreshing Pink Grapefruit Fizz. Combining the ingredients of grapefruit cordial, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and soda water, this cocktail is one we are sure you will LOVE. Perfect for sharing with the girls on a Galentine’s Day dinner, or with a loved one as a treat, this cocktail is sure to be a go-to even when Valentine’s Day has ended. Check out how we made this cocktail HERE. 5. Cheese Fondue Now there aren’t many occasions that we want to share one of our favourite foods - cheese, but cheese fondue is an exception! Cheese fondue creates the perfect snack for sharing and enjoying with a loved one. This romantic special snack is perfect because you can serve it with whatever extras you want. Whether you dip bread, crackers, apples, pears, chorizo, or pickles, cheese fondue presents endless opportunities for delicious snacking. Check out our recipe for Cheese Fondue HERE.
Learn more
10 Essential Items to Pack in Your Picnic Basket
Picnics are a lot of fun, and a wholesome way to share a meal and spend time with your friends, family, and loved ones. However, to ensure that you have the best picnic ever, there are a few essential items that need to be accounted for in your picnic basket. Here our 10 key items that we recommend ticking off your list for your next picnic… 1. Outdoor Friendly Crockery Transporting crockery from your home to your picnic location, and enjoying food with it outdoors, can be dangerous for your breakable plates and bowls. That’s why we always package some durable and easy to clean crockery, to make our picnic experience as smooth as possible. Melamine crockery is our go-to when it comes to dining outdoors and even eating with little ones. Melamine is one of the most durable and cleanable materials to use for plates and bowls of various sizes and shapes, and even looks like real ceramic or stoneware crockery. 2. Plastic Glassware Another important element to include in your picnic basket is durable glassware. It can be tricky to enjoy all of your favourite beverages outdoors without the risk of breaking or damaging your good quality glassware. That’s why we always ensure that we pack some poly-carbonate wine glasses, tumblers, hi balls, cocktail glasses, or more. Poly-carb drinkware is some of the most durable and cleanable glasses that are a great replica of your finest crystal glass. Make sure you only pack what you need though, as you will want plenty of space in your basket for a number of other items. 3. Cutlery A lot of picnic food can be enjoyed with your hands, but there are just some picnic favourites that require a knife, fork, or spoon. Whether you are enjoying a salad, or a cheeseboard, being prepared with cutlery will make a world of difference at your next picnic. Just make sure you don’t pack your best cutlery, but rather some pieces you won’t mind getting transported around and used in an outdoor setting. 4. Napkins Picnics can definitely be a breeze when you have something to clean up the small messes that come along the way. That’s why adding a sufficient number of napkins to your picnic basket can be a really handy. Whether you prefer paper disposable napkins, or reusable cloth napkins, each guest will be grateful to have something to keep themselves tidy whilst they are eating and having fun. 5. Containers & Storage Another thing to consider is what you will be carrying your food in! If you are anything like us, we love bringing some home cooked foods to share with our guests at a picnic. Using storage containers or weck jars can make it really easy to transport your food, but also keep your food organised in your picnic basket. Not to mention, containers can also assist in fitting all the food you need into the basket. Fill your containers or jars with fruits, salads, veggies, snacks, and more, and graze easily at your next picnic! 6. Drink bottles It’s important to stay hydrated, especially when you are outdoors, and that is why bringing 1 or more drink bottles can be helpful. Fill your drink bottles up with water or your chosen beverage and ensure you keep hydrated at your picnic. One of our favourite hacks is freezing one of the drink bottles and placing it in a water-resistant picnic basket to keep all the food cool. Throughout the picnic, watch as the frozen drink bottle melts and gives you a nice top up of ice-cold water. 7. Other Beverages Picnics are meant to be some fun, so why not bring your favourite beverages along? Depending on your occasion, you could bring a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy. We personally love to pair a picnic cheeseboard with some wine, or even sip some lemonade on a hot day. Whatever beverages you enjoy, we recommend throwing a bottle of it in your basket for your next picnic, and keep it cool with ice blocks. 8. Food Now it’s time to talk about the star of the show of any picnic… the food! There are so many different foods that are great for enjoying at your next picnic. Some of our favourites include: Sandwiches, Rolls, or Wraps Fruit Salad Cheeseboard & Crackers BBQ Foods (if you have a bbq available) Green Salad Pasta Salad Chips & Dip Quiche Croissants Vegemite Scrolls Veggie Sticks When planning what food to bring, make sure you consider what everyone likes and pack enough to share with others. Due to limited space in your basket, you may not be able to bring every type of food on the above list, but choose some of your favourites and try some different options for more picnics ahead. 9. Dessert It wouldn’t be a picnic without bringing something a little sweet to snack on. Bringing along a tasty dessert can be a great way to bring your whole picnic together. Here are some of our favourite desserts to bring on a picnic: Muffins or Cupcakes Cookies and Biscuits Donuts Cinnamon Buns Sweet Slices Lollies Chocolate Banana Bread Whatever dessert you bring, make sure that you bring something that will last in your picnic basket until the end of your picnic. Packing desserts that don’t need full refrigeration and can last in an insulated picnic basket will ensure you are enjoying only the best quality food on your next picnic. 10. Outdoor Game Now that your picnic basket is almost full, make sure you have a little room left to bring along a fun game to play. Some of the easy classic games to transport to your picnic include a deck of playing cards, ring toss, tic tac toe, bocce boules, yatzy, or Finnish throwing game. Bringing a game to a picnic could easily transform your experience from enjoyable to memorable!
Learn more
6 Items to Remember When Planning the Perfect Outdoor Dining Experience
Moving your dinner, party, or gathering from indoors to outdoors can be a lot of fun and a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather! However, to make your experience as smooth as possible, it is important to bring all of the essential items. That is why we are sharing our check list for outdoor dining, to help you make sure you have everything you need to make your next picnic, BBQ, gathering, or party a memorable one. No. 1 – Melamine Dinnerware & Servingware When enjoying a meal with family and friends outdoors, it can be a risk to use your good quality dinner set due to varying outdoor conditions or the heightened risk of breakages. That’s why we always have melamine dinnerware on our check list of items to use when outdoor dining. Melamine is an organic-based nitrogen-rich compound that is used to make a variety of kitchen utensils, plates, and other plastic products. Melamine has become so popular over time due to its extreme durability, and heat and water resistance. Not only this, but melamine is 100% dishwasher safe and light weight, making it way too easy to clean and transport. Plates and bowls made from this material are virtually unbreakable and the most convenient, making them the perfect material to use when dining outdoors and with little ones. Melamine Dinnerware Don’t let this technical description deter you, our range of melamine plates are designed in such a way that they resemble your finest stoneware and ceramic crockery. Coming in a range of sizes, colours, and designs, our range of melamine dinnerware is sure to have you dining outdoors in style! Each size and shape of plate is just as convenient as the next, with our range featuring melamine dinner plates, side plates, and bowls. Melamine Servingware Why stop at the dinnerware when you could pick up some melamine servingware too? Your food is sure to keep safe and cleaning up will be a breeze with our range of melamine serving platters, plates, bowls, and more! No. 2 - Poly-Carbonate Drinkware Now if anything is going to break at the next BBQ or backyard party, it’s glassware! Some of our finest glassware is not always equipped for outdoor conditions, transporting away from home or being used by guests that may be having a little too much fun. That’s why number 2 on our list is poly-carb drinkware. Poly-carbonate is a transparent thermoplastic material that is often used to create drinkware in place of glass, due to its high durability, impact resistance, insulation, and flexibility. Being light-weight and dishwasher safe makes this material an absolute bonus when it comes to needed to quickly clean or transport drinkware for outdoor gatherings, parties, BBQs, picnics and more. Functionality aside, poly-carb drinkware also looks the part! The clear plastic appearance of the material resembles glassware beautifully, helping you still look and feel classy when enjoying your favourite wines, cocktails, beer, spirits, and more. Imagine being able to enjoy a margarita by the pool in a classic margarita glass, but without the fear of potentially breaking the glass or getting it damaged by the outdoor elements. Well, you can do just that with our poly-carb range that features several different types of glasses: Wine glass Margarita glass Martini glass Highball Tumbler Champagne Flute Pitcher No. 3 – Food Cover Worried about going to the effort of making food to enjoy at a BBQ, picnic, or outdoor gathering, and it getting attacked by bugs or the outdoor elements? Well, that is exactly why we make sure to have a food cover on our check list for outdoor dining. Don’t make keeping your food safe an afterthought, by having a food cover in your collection! Featuring a tray base, and a rounded cover, our food net covers are built to protect all of our favourite dishes, but also make your table look beautiful. Light weight, these food covers make it easy to transport the cover to your outdoor event, as well as move food and drinks around your gathering with ease. The tray base also makes it easy for you to transport your food and beverages around whilst keeping them covered and secure. No. 4 – Trays Speaking of trays, having a tray handy at your outdoor gathering will provide a world of difference when it comes to transporting your food, beverages, and other items from indoors to outdoors. Great for parties as well, an ample size tray will assist you in serving your snacks and drinks to guests with ease. You won’t have to worry about dropping any food and beverages and will cut-down the number of trips you do when setting up your outdoor dining or serving guests at a party. No. 5 - Picnicware Picnics make a great way to enjoy your food out in the beautiful weather, or a fun pass-time to share with friends and family. Picnics are also great because they are easy to set up just about anywhere you desire, and don’t require all the extra hassle of setting up a table or outdoor entertaining equipment. That’s why we are adamant that having a good picnic kit will be a great start for you to enjoy outdoor dining! Picnic Basket In our picnic kit, we always make sure we have the essentials. Firstly, a good picnic basket is essential to carrying all your food, beverages, crockery, and cutlery! Purchasing an insulated picnic basket is also a good idea in helping keep your food and beverages fresh and safe from hotter weather. Some of our picnic baskets also come with plates and cutlery stored inside, to assist you in getting your full picnic set up together! Picnic Blanket Next you want to make sure you have something to lay on the ground to make your picnic a comfy one, and to keep your food and drinks from getting dirty on the ground. We enjoy using a picnic rug or blanket that has a water proof backing for those less-than-ideal weather days, and to make it easier to clean the bottom of your rug after use. Cooler Bag Like a picnic basket, we also like to bring a cooler bag to assist in transporting our food and beverages and keeping everything at a nice temperature. Cooler bags are a good option when wanting to keep things specifically cold, as our cooler bags are designed to resist moisture. This means you can put your refrigerated items and even ice blocks in the bag without worrying about damaging it! Picnic Table Picnic tables are also another item that we keep on our list when it comes to outdoor dining. Our picnic table is a short fold out table that allows you to keep your food and drinks off ground, whilst also being able to easily enjoy them whilst sitting down. Our picnic table even has slots to help hold stemmed glassware, and a bottle of drink. No. 6 – Outdoor Games Outdoor dining doesn’t just have to be just about the food, why not introduce some outdoor games in the mix to help keep everyone entertained! Simple yet fun outdoor games can easily transform your gathering, party, or picnic into a memorable one. Why not try some of our outdoor games including: Bocce Boules Yatzy Finnish Throwing Game
Learn more
An Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Right Serving Trays
One of the most elegant and convenient ways of serving food to visitors is piling it high on serving trays. Whether you're serving up turkey on Christmas Day or hosting a casual brunch for a few friends, you want to make sure you're using the right serving tray. A useful serving tray is one that gives you a nice platform for carrying everything from glasses to hors d'oeuvres to the main course meals. It’s community dining at its finest; food on a tray being ushered in for the gazing pleasure of hungry onlookers. With so many different designs and materials available, you’re bound to find a serving tray to suit your needs. Here are some things to consider and tips you can use when choosing a tray. Size, shape and colour Your individual taste and intended usage will determine your serving tray’s size, shape, and colour. If you go with a solid colour scheme like gold, black, white, brown, clear, or cream: it’ll be easier to adorn the tray in different ways for every season, for any reason. As far as shape is concerned - if you're thinking modern styling, you should go for more squarish forms. If you're going for a more homely look, you might want to try rounder forms. What is the best colour? When in doubt, go with white or a neutral colour. It simply increases versatility. Is bigger always better? Not always. The tray size should correspond to the size of the party and the amount of food being served – you don’t want people thinking you have under catered because you served a small amount of food on a giant tray! Use The first question you should ask yourself is, "How will I be using my serving tray?" Do you want to use your tray every day or only on special occasions? Will you be transporting food and drinks from room to room on your tray? If so, you'll need a serving tray with easy-to-grab handles and a large enough flat surface to hold your cups and plates. Each tray has its differentiating characteristics and advantages, so it's important to know where and how you'll use your trays, what you'll be using them for, and who will be using them. Material Another important consideration before selecting a serving tray is the material - this is important not only for its usefulness but also for its style and pricing. The material of a serving tray should reflect the functional requirements and the décor of the place where you’ll use it. If you prefer natural and sustainable materials, a serving tray made of wood or bamboo is a good choice. Serving trays are offered in a wide variety of materials. Here are some of the most common: Plastic Ceramic Wood Melamine Metal Marble Rattan Metal trays are ideal for serving food and beverages since they are attractive, robust, and easy to clean. The same is true for melamine but it may fade with regular washing, especially in the dishwasher. Plastic is a good lightweight alternative that is perfect for outside and poolside use. Trays made from acacia or mango wood are becoming increasingly popular as they are attractive, durable and an environmentally sustainable choice. For a touch of formality, ceramic serving platters are elegant and come in a multitude of shapes, colours designs and styles. While ceramic tends to be a bit heavier than many other options, it is easy to clean and doesn’t absorb liquids, so you can serve just about anything on it without damaging the surface. Features When researching the many varieties of serving trays, consider the extra features you might want your tray to come with. For instance, you may require a serving tray with a lid for outdoor occasions, or you may prefer a serving tray with handles to make carrying simple. Serving trays with elevated sides are highly useful since they keep items from toppling over or spilling over the edge. Trays with handles are also more convenient because they are more portable than those without handles, which are typically to display food or décor items.
Learn more
Organise Your Kitchen and Manage Storage with Wheel&Barrow
For most of us, our kitchen is the heart of our homes. It is the space that defines us through our culinary quirks and “secret” recipes kept within, it’s where we bond over meals with family and guests. As time goes by and our memories grow, the kitchen also grows: but not always how we’d like. Managing kitchen storage, keeping it neat and convenient can be quite a task. If you’re thinking what we’re thinking, and your kitchen needs a little refresh to make it the ideal space it should be, then Wheel&Barrow are here for you. From storage containers and shelves to spice racks and knife blocks, we’ve got everything you need to get the heart and soul of your home sorted! Shop the Right Kind of Kitchen Storage Products There are a few things you should consider before heading out to buy items for improving kitchen storage: because you don’t want to end up buying stuff that’s going to add to the mayhem, right? Begin by looking at what you need to store better. This will help you settle on the right storage products for your kitchen. Do you need to clean up dry goods, like flour and sugar? Or do you need solutions for wet goods, like oils and vinegar? Then, think about how you want to store your items. Do you want to keep them in clear containers so you can see what you have at a glance? Or do you prefer to store them in opaque containers so they’re out of sight? Once you’ve considered these things, you are ready to browse through Wheel&Barrow. Going through our extensive range of storage products, will certainly help you find something that suits your needs and matches your taste. Look At Your Space For Kitchen Storage Consider all the different places you can utilise for storing your kitchen items: Cabinets and cupboards: These are the most common place for kitchen storage. Whether built-in or freestanding, cabinets and cupboards offer a hidden away and tidy storage place. Shelving: Exposed shelving is a great way to maximise bare kitchen walls and can be used to store everything from pots and pans to dry goods and whatever else you want. Drawers: Drawers are ideal for storing small items such as spice jars, cutlery and utensils. Make sure you have the right tools to organise your drawers – or you will be forever losing things in them! Baskets: These are a great way to keep your kitchen tidy and organised. Baskets can be used to store an array of snacks, knickknacks, fruit and vegetables, cleaning products, or even toys to keep the little ones entertained while you prepare meals. Hooks and racks: Hooks and racks are a great way to utilise free wall spaces in the kitchen, and can be used to hang pots, pans, tea towels, or utensils. Door storage: Door storage is a great way to use dead space – think the back of your pantry or under-sink door - you can use it to store cleaning products, spices, or even canned goods. Knife blocks: Knife blocks are a great way to keep your knives organised and within reach. It is a neat way to use empty bench space and clear some room in your drawers. Spice racks: Spice racks are a great way to organise one of the most important items in our kitchen: our spices, and always keep them within arm’s length. Utensil holders: Utensil holders or pots can help you store utensils that will be used more or less every day. They not only free up space in your drawers, but help the utensils to properly air dry between uses. Shop Kitchen Storage and Organisation Products at Wheel&Barrow A well-organised kitchen is always a joy to be in and will make entertaining as well as daily cooking easier and more fun. When it comes to kitchen storage and organisation, Wheel&Barrow has everything you need. From storage containers and shelves to spice racks and knife blocks: we’ve got everything you need to get your kitchen spick and span. When you buy from Wheel&Barrow, you can be sure you’re getting quality products at great prices. So why wait? Get your kitchen organised today.
Learn more
How to Choose the Correct Glassware for Your Drinks
There are various styles of glassware available for different kinds of beverages. Choosing the right type of glass can be easily overlooked, and people tend to buy glasses mostly on their aesthetic appeal. However, it is essential to choose the correct glasses to preserve the essence and integrity of your drink’s contents. If you’re concocting a cocktail like a Bloody Mary or a Gimlet, selecting the wrong glassware for that drink might minimise certain wonderful aromas, essentially taking out the essence of your cocktail. You could be holding a drink right now, but it might not be at the ideal temperature for that beverage, essentially robbing you of the complete experience. Do not fret over the fact you may been unwittingly drinking out of the wrong vessel all this time; it happens to the best of us. Read on to learn the science behind selecting the most appropriate glass for enjoying your drinks (without enrolling in a mixology degree!) Wines It can feel a little overwhelming seeing how many varieties of wine are available. Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir… the list goes on! Different blends and styles call for the right type of wine glasses; to allow the best flavours of your vino to make themselves known. Here are some well-known wines and their best style of glassware to make the most of your wine. Doctors recommend consuming a glass of wine a day, after all! Burgundy There are different styles of wine glasses to suit the various wine blends. A lighter style of red wine, such as a Pinot Noir or a fragrant white wine like a Chardonnay or Chablis should be paired with a Burgundy glass. This style of wine glass has a large mouth, a round bowl, and a long stem. The round bowl is used to swirl the drink and let it come in contact with the air. Moreover, the long stem keeps the hand away from the glass, stopping it from getting too warm. Red Wine Heavier red wines, such as a shiraz or a cabernet sauvignon call for a Red Wine Glass. This style of glassware is larger, allowing the wine to aerate but has a smaller opening at the top, to allow for spicier flavours to be softened. White Wine Unlike red wine, white wine does not need to be served out of glass with a large mouth since it oxidises much faster. Therefore, White Wine Glassware should have a smaller mouth and surface area so that the wine does not come in contact with the air. This style of wine glass will also allow white wine to remain cooler for longer. Champagne Unlike red and white wine, Champagne and sparkling wine need surface area to preserve the bubbles. Therefore, the ideal glassware for these drinks comes in the shape of flute glasses, with small mouths and tall, thin bowls. Flute glasses also prevent Champagne and sparkling wine from fizzling out; essential to preserving their integrity (and yours!) over dinner parties and the likes. Alternatively, a Coupe Glass is a style of Champagne glass with a shallow bowl that can also be used for sparkling wine. Whilst these glasses look fantastic and elegant, they are not the most practical for consuming champagne. However, these beautiful glasses can still be utilised for cocktails, and make the perfect vessel to serve a Manhattan in! Cocktails Listed below are different ways to choose glassware for different types of cocktails: Traditional Cocktails Classic cocktails require large-mouthed inverted cone bowl glassware. An open mouth allows the person drinking the cocktail to come in contact with the various scents and notes the drink gradually releases. Carbonated Cocktails Carbonated cocktails usually require glasses with a wide shape. Therefore, HiBall glasses are the most appropriate type of glassware for iced or carbonated cocktails. It is essentially a glass tumbler with a short and wide structure which is also a suitable glass for mixing drinks. Iced Cocktails Large, tumbler type glasses, such as HiBall glasses are best suited for cocktails or beverages filled with ice. These glasses are generally longer and large-mouthed. For serving liquor neat, we suggest LowBall glassware. Martinis The term cocktail glass is used interchangeably with a Martini Glass, despite their slight differences. Martini Glasses are usually long-stemmed glasses with a larger bowl and a conical stand, allowing for large servings that retain the essence of the iconic drink. Margaritas Margaritas can be served in either a Margarita Glass (go figure) or a Rocks Glass. The iconic Margarita Glass features a large, round bowl with a broad rim. The wide bowl allows an ample amount of salt or sugar to coat the rim. A Rocks Glass is much sturdier and can sometimes be easier to salt the rim of the glass as it doesn’t spill anywhere. Beer Beer comes in thousands of different versions around the world and some of them certainly require different types of glasses to make them more enjoyable. Here’s how you can choose the right beer glass according to the style of beer you are drinking. Traditional Beer Pint Glasses are the most well known of all beer glassware. With a large mouth and their cylindrical shape, these glasses can hold a large amount of beer with ample surface to grasp. Heavy Beers Heavy beers like Belgium Ale require a heavier stem and thicker glass than the usual pint glass. Therefore, Chalices or Pilsner Glasses are the appropriate type of glassware for these drinks. Wheat Beers Wheat beers require glasses that will retain their aroma. The Weizen or Pilsner Beer glasses have a thin and tall structure with a large head to help maintain the foam and the scent of wheat beer. Fizzy Beer Fizzy beers such as pale ales require glassware that preserves their aroma and fizz. Tulip glasses, or a Pilsner Glass with a round stem and an elongated mouth help capture the essence of these drinks. Brandy and Whisky When drinking brandy or whisky, you want the quality of your spirit to be reflected in its taste. Certain styles of glassware can help to bring out the best flavours and aromas of your drink. Glencairn Whisky Glass Drinking out of a Glencairn Whisky Glass will allow you to fully appreciate your whisky. The wide crystal body and tapering mouth of this glass allows you to focus on the colour, aroma and taste of the Whisky. Balloon Shaped Glassware You can also pour brandy or whisky into large-mouthed glasses to swirl and aerate it. Using Balloon Shaped Glassware with large spherical bowls allows for terrific aeration that will enhance the taste of Brandy and Whisky served in it. Furthermore, you can also use balloon glasses to serve Gin. Wrapping Up These are the ways you can determine the most appropriate glassware for your drinks. Now that you know how to choose the most suitable glasses for your drinks, enjoy your drinks to the fullest while retaining their original essence.
Learn more
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Wine Cooler or Wine Bucket
Anyone who enjoys drinking white or sparkling wine will understand the importance of keeping it chilled and ready to drink. There’s nothing worse than pouring yourself a glass of crisp Riesling, only to realise that it’s the same temperature as your room! To ensure your wine, beers and other beverages remain chilled and maintain the integrity of their flavours at a social event, consider keeping them in a wine cooler or wine bucket. Why A Wine Cooler? If you’re bringing a bottle (or two!) of wine to a party or a picnic, consider bringing it in a wine cooler bucket. This will ensure that your wine will arrive chilled and ready to drink. You also don’t know if they’ll be room in your host’s fridge or esky, so it’s best to be prepared! Wine coolers and wine buckets are a must have for wine lovers; here are a few reasons why they’re a must-have for parties: Convenience And Effectiveness A wine cooler makes carrying your wine and keeping it cool easy. It’s also a great way to keep your bottles close by when you’re out and about. Larger wine buckets can declutter your dinner table by holding many bottles in one place, leaving the table looking neat and tidy. Functional Wine coolers will control a bottle’s humidity and temperature, preserving the wine's quality and making it much more delicious to drink! Aesthetics Wine coolers are aesthetically appealing and can improve the appearance of your kitchen and entertaining space. A dazzling stainless steel wine cooler can be placed in a central location to make a statement, and to also let your guests know where to top-up their glass! The Different Types of Wine Coolers We stock a range of wine coolers at Wheel&Barrow. Whether you’d like wine cooler for a single bottle or for many, you’ll find what you need at Wheel&Barrow. Stainless Steel Wine Coolers for Single Bottles Stainless steel wine coolers from Wheel&Barrow are double walled to stop condensation trickling down the sides, and to avoid mess on table surfaces and picnic blankets. Our high-quality wine coolers are the perfect size to chill a singular bottle of wine; perfect for a picnic date, or to take along to a BBQ. The stainless steel ensures the body remains immaculate and striking wherever you may choose to take it. For preserving the stainless-steel body of these wine coolers, make sure you wash the wine cooler by hand, and be gentle while scrubbing. Champagne Tubs and Buckets Wine buckets, also known as Champagne tubs, are perfect for chilling multiple bottles of wine simultaneously. Champagne tubs from Wheel&Barrow are double walled for insulation purposes, to ensure your beverages remain chilled for as long as possible. Wine buckets are the perfect party companion for large social gatherings. Ideal for picnics, dinner parties and BBQs, they protect the ice from external heat, and keep the contents cooler for longer. Timeless and stylish in appearance and unbelievably practical, consider a Champagne tub or wine cooler from Wheel&Barrow for your next party. Hammered Wine Coolers Looking for a wine cooler that’s more elevated than plain stainless steel? Consider a hammered wine cooler to add an element of opulence to your next social occasion. Hammered wine coolers are textured and can look more stylish than a regular wine cooler. Available in an array of sizes designed for single bottles or multiple bottles, consider a hammered wine cooler from Wheel&Barrow. Acrylic Wine Coolers Acrylic wine coolers are fantastic if you’re looking for a lightweight and inexpensive wine cooler to keep your beverages cold. Made from thick acrylic, these wine coolers also have insulation properties to keep your drinks chilled. Simply add ice to get the party started! What’s more, acrylic wine coolers from Wheel&Barrow are durable, and stain and odour resistant. Wine cooler buckets can replicate the functionality of refrigerated wine coolers for social events. They keep your wines and other beverages fresh and chilled whilst naturally saving energy. Ultimately, the wine cooler you settle on is determined by your needs, drinking habits, and preferences. Before you buy, consider how many times you’ll actually be using your cooler, and for how many people. It’s best to have one small and one large wine cooler bucket at home, so you don't find yourself in a position when the need arises for both. Shop our range of wine coolers and wine buckets at Wheel&Barrow to ensure you never serve luke-warm wine again!
Learn more