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It turns out that 75% of jars sold worldwide use the same size lid. For designer Jorre van Ast this simple fact inspired the clever Jar Tops. The set of five plastic lids transform your empty jars into handy kitchen tools. Instantly create a sugar shaker, a milk jug, a chocolate sprinkler, oil or vinegar bottle and a water jug. Perfect for students or those moving frequently, the Jar Tops offer loads of personality and function that packs up small. Whether you use common everyday jars or special interesting jars you’ve collected, the Jar Tops let you change your servingware whenever you fancy. They always say it’s better to reuse than to recycle, and with these clever lids you can save space too! Available from Nigel’s Eco Store, the Jar Tops are produced by Royal VKB.
Jar Tops - £11.99
Posted by Kate on December 31, 2008 12:03 AM
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While snow and cold are fine for Christmas, I’m already looking forward to spring. With these Bamboo Servers and Chopping Board you can bring the fresh taste of Spring to your kitchen. Featuring simple flower shapes, the Bamboo collection has a charming graphic style. Made from bamboo, the quick growing material is sustainable and doesn’t even need pesticides! Perfect for serving up salad and bread, these warm striped utensils have a natural charm and beauty. Cute eco-friendly accessories you can afford the Bamboo Servers and Chopping Board are available from Nigel’s Eco-Store.
Bamboo Flower Shaped Salad Servers - £8.99
Bamboo Flower Shaped Cutting Board - £9.99
Posted by Kate on December 29, 2008 12:15 AM
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Bah! I didn’t find this one in time for Christmas, but this has just jumped to the top of my list. I love the smooth clean lines of this Gravy Jug, while the Saucer protects your tablecloth from inevitable drips. Available in the both the Bridgewater Black Toast & Polka Dot patterns, the Gravy Jug & Saucer compliments casual and eclectic china. A great addition to the Bridgewater range, the Gravy Jug & Saucer is £34.21 from Emma Bridgewater.
Black Toast Gravy Jug & Saucer - £34.21
Polka Dot Gravy Jug & Saucer - £34.21
Posted by Kate on December 22, 2008 12:05 AM
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Dynamic and clever, the NOOOOdle Trivet is handy to have both on the table and in the kitchen. Designed by Konstantin Slawinski the chrome noodle twists and turns creating four handy loops. Each loop increases in size so you can measure enough spaghetti for one, two, three or four people. With no need to guess, you’ll never be left hungry or waste left-over pasta. And when everything has been cooked to perfection, the NOOOOdle goes straight on the table ready for your hot pans. A clever gadget with designer style, the NOOOOdle Spaghetti Measure & Trivet is available for £19.95 from The Handpicked Collection.
NOOOOdle Spaghetti Measure & Trivet - £19.95
Posted by Kate on December 16, 2008 12:00 AM
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They say our greatest fear is of the unknown, and it appears this applies to cheese boards as well. If it’s not immediately apparent what the cheese is, it’s often left untouched. The Natural Slate Cheese Board offers the perfect solution. The stone board helps keep cheeses cool, while allowing you to write the names on with chalk. A brilliant rustic serving style that also works well for canapés and quiche, the Natural Slate Cheese Board is £16.95 available from The Handpicked Collection.
Natural Slate Cheese Board - £16.95
Posted by Kate on December 12, 2008 12:08 AM
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Deceptively simple, the beauty of the Emile Henry is in the gorgeous glazes. The ceramic bottles and jars have a pure basic form decorated only with simple bands and the Emile Henry mark. The glaze pools in the bands for a deep rich colour, while the Emile Henry mark rises faintly through the glaze. The oven-to-table dishes provide an elegant presentation for your favourite meals, the simplicity letting your culinary masterpieces shine. Available in Muscade and Poivre, the Emile Henry Tableware is available from House of Fraiser.
Muscade Emile Henry Tableware
Japanese Bowl - £3.91
Oil Drizzler - £17.61
Spice Jar - £18.10
Pitcher - £21.53
Square Oven Dish – £18.59
Rectangular Oven Dish – £25.44
Clafoutis Pie Dish £18.59
Poiver Emile Henry Tableware
Japanese Bowl - £3.91
Oil Drizzler - £17.61
Spice Jar - £18.10
Pitcher - £21.53
Square Oven Dish – £18.59
Rectangular Oven Dish – £25.44
Clafoutis Pie Dish £18.59
Posted by Kate on December 3, 2008 12:02 AM
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I’ll admit I’m not a morning person, but if you have to be up early you may as well share your breakfast with friends. Rosenthal has created a quirky and endearing collection of characters to serve your daily toast and egg. The white porcelain pieces are decorated with vibrant cheerful colours. All residents of the imaginary Vinilaville, Sir Randolf conceals your boiled egg under his hat while Pablo eagerly waits for you to spread jam on your toast. A whimsical collection of serving pieces that creates a relaxed moment before your busy work day, the Rosenthal Pepe and Friends Breakfast Range is available from Heals.
Pepe & Friends Breakfast Range
Sir Randolf Egg Cup - £8.81
Coco Milk Jug - £9.79
Sugar Daddy Sugar Shaker - £11.74
Pablo Preserve Jar - £11.74
Big Daddy Biscuit Barrel - £23.49
Posted by Kate on December 2, 2008 12:01 AM
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I have to admit I wasn’t impressed with the Jamie Oliver collection when it was first released, but it’s certainly grown on me since. The white tableware has a clean simple style that mixes easily with other china patterns. The only decoration is a white lattice pattern that sweeps across each piece for a subtle contemporary design. I’d love one of Jamie Oliver’s Party Kits for serving my family and friends this Christmas. The Mini Party set includes three triangular bowls that stack within a square plate for easy storage. The Big Party Kit (pictured above) then adds an additional square bowl and long rectangular plate. Great for serving a range of nibbles from peanuts to sandwiches, these Party Kits ensure you are always ready to serve up food in style.
Jamie Oliver Mini Party Kit - £51.50
Jamie Oliver Big Party Kit - £91
Posted by Kate on November 24, 2008 12:08 AM
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It doesn’t take much to transform your everyday dishes into a cheerful festive table setting. With a just a few pieces of seasonal serving ware, like the Holly Branch Pattern from Caroline Zoob, you can bring an added warmth and charm to your table. Inspired by vintage spongeware, these lovely robins decorate a simple ivory bone china. The mottled sponge effect brings a soft character to these charming birds. The one pint jug is perfect for milk or cheese sauce, while the Large Holly Bowl is ideal for salad or fruit. They are even planning to release a raised platter before Christmas! A beautiful addition to your table this Christmas, the Holly Branch China is available from caroline-zoob.co.uk.
One Pint Holly Branch Jug - £18.95
Large 21cm Holly Branch Bowl - £24.95
Posted by Kate on November 17, 2008 12:02 AM
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When throwing a Christmas party, who can resist adding a section of delicious British cheeses. Rather than leave your guest guessing which cheese is which, these little mice can helpfully guide the way. The silver-plated mice markers identify six of Britian’s most popular flavours with quaint charm. Lancashire, Cheddar, Double Gloucester, Stilton, Cheshire and Red Leicester are each displayed below these eager mice. Perfect for an evening of wine and cheese or as a helpful guide for picky eaters, the Cheese Mice are just £7.99 from Lakeland.
Cheese Mice - £7.99
Posted by Kate on November 14, 2008 12:01 AM
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I desperately want a set of these fabulous pails! With a modern Scandinavian feel, these Festive Pails have a cheerful charm. The scarlet pails are adorned with a white decorative hearts tied with rustic raffia. Pop one in the kitchen as a fruit bowl, another in the living room filled with nuts or sweets and the third could make a lovely plant pot or make a cheerful centre-piece filled with Christmas crackers and baubles. A durable child-friendly decoration, you could even use these pails again for Valentine’s Day. Both trendy and affordable, these Festive Pails from Lakeland will inspire you to fill them!
Set of 3 Festive Pails - £11.99
Posted by Kate on November 11, 2008 12:06 AM
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An “udderly” adorable addition to your breakfast table, the Calf and Half Jug by Fred always gets a second look. The clever glass design looks like a traditional milk jug on the outside, but the interior glass wall is shaped like a cow’s udder. Much better than just pouring from the carton, the Calf and Half has a quirky modern style. The Jug holds 150mL of milk making it perfect for serving with after dinner coffees and is bound to start people talking. Available for pre-order now from Firebox, the Calf and Half Jug should arrive on the 28th of October..
Calf & Half - £14.95
Posted by Kate on October 13, 2008 12:08 AM
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Royal Doulton is well known for their beautiful china and tableware, but these are not the only fabulous designs they offer. Terence Conran has created dramatic contemporary chopping boards perfect for taking to the table. Each board features a serrated surface that prevents items from slipping or twisting as you cut, while the large groove around the edge of the board makes it easy to pick up. The round board even collects those ever important juices in the outside ring. Made from a beautiful American Oak and given an oil finish, these boards are practical both in the kitchen and on the table. Another example of British Design, the Royal Doulton Terence Conran Chopping Boards are available from The Cotswold Company.
Square Terence Conran Chopping Board - £14.95
Round Terence Conran Chopping Board - £29.95
Posted by Kate on September 23, 2008 12:11 AM
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Perfect for parties, the Enza Dip Bowl Set offers a sophisticated way to serve several dips or condiments. The bright white bowls feature sharp clean lines and a modern graphic style, while the variation in the bowl's rim creates a subtle geometric pattern of offset squares. Displayed on a stainless steel tray, each porcelain bowl rests in it's own secure slot to create a unified design. Quick and easy to take to the table, the Enza Dip Bowl can be dressed up or down for anything from casual dinners to suave parties. An attractive addition to buffets, the Enza Dip Bowl Set by Blomus is £45 from Panik.
Enza Dip Bowl Set by Blomus - £45
Posted by Kate on July 28, 2008 12:09 AM
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A modern Salad Set that captures the magic of summer, the Eva Solo collection makes a sea-side splash at your dinner table. Bringing back childhood memories of sea-side sandcastles, the Eva Solo set features an oversized spoon and fork. With a striking resemblance to toy spade and fork, these nostalgic severs easily capture lettuce for your plate. The brilliant white bucket is a pristine backdrop for your lettuce and salad making it look bright and luscious. The large looping handle makes it perfect for alfresco dining when you may have lots to carry. Simple and sophisticated, the clean modern lines bring a fresh style to seasonal salads. Available from Amazon.co.uk:
Eva Solo Salad Bowl - £41.50 
Eva Solo Stainless Steel Salad Set - £24.00
Posted by Kate on July 21, 2008 12:02 AM
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Lemon juice is the perfect compliment to many meals and even has health benefits, however fresh lemon slices don't always match your table style. The Tonfisk lemon squeezer offers you fresh lemon juice in a neat and sophisticated form. The ceramic bowl features a raised ridge on which to grind your lemon, while the high sides captures every drop and ensure that no erratic squirts attack your table and friends. The small spout allows you to neatly pour out your fresh juice, while keeping pips in the bowl. Such an elegant solution, you'll wonder why no one thought of it before. Designed by Susanna Hoikkala & Jenni Ojala, the Tonfisk Lemon Squeezer is £25 from FunktionAlley.
Tonfisk Lemon Squeezer - £25
Posted by Kate on July 15, 2008 12:04 AM
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Combining convenience and modern style, Royal VKB has created these fabulous Squeeze Bottles for your dinner table. Great for home-made sauces and dressings or simply upgrading your commercial bottles, the VKB Squeeze Bottles are both practical and sophisticated. Inspired by the squeeze bottles in American dinners, VKB brings a modern style to these kitsch icons. Featuring a stainless steel cap over a polyethylene bottle, they move effortlessly from from fridge to table. A great way to make even ketchup look glamorous, the Royal VKB Squeeze Bottle is £15 from FunktionAlley.
Royal VKB Squeeze Bottle - £15
Posted by Kate on July 9, 2008 12:00 AM
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Alessi has always been masterful in creating clever engaging designs that charm and inspire. Now, continuing their partnership with the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, Alessi has released the magical new OrienTales Collection. Inspired by the National Palace Museum's art collection, the OrienTales brings common household items a whimsical eastern flair. My favourite piece is the Banana Kid Sugar Bowl. Beautifully hand-decorated, this delightful bowl sparkles with character. Made from a lovely fine bone china, the Banana Kid is light and elegant while still fun and playful. The two piece set includes the laughing monkey face bowl, a sculptural grass spoon and overflowing charm. Available in both the US & UK, you can purchase the Alessi Banana Kid Sugar Bowl for £20.00 from Alessi.co.uk or $40.00 from fitzsu.com.
Alessi Banana Kid Sugar Bowl - £20.00
Alessi Banana Kid Sugar Bowl - $40.00
Posted by Kate on July 1, 2008 12:04 AM
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Enjoying a bit of a retro revival, serving displays like this Revolving Hors D'Oeuvres Set can make a useful addition to your buffet table. Ideal for small nibbles and dips, the revolving tray ensures guests don't have to stretch for their favourites. The six porcelain dishes nest neatly into a wooden lazy susan made of Hevea, and offer a handy flexibility. The dishes can be used individually, and the lazy susan can be used on its own or with your own dishes to create your own look and style. A brilliant way to add a creative touch to your party table, the Revolving Hors D'Oeuvres Set is available from Amazon.co.uk for £18.96.
Revolving Hors D'Oeuvres Set - £28.95.
Posted by Kate on June 12, 2008 12:14 AM
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Also available from Le Creuset is a gorgeous collection of stoneware. Lighter than it's cast iron cousin, Le Creuset Poterie offers an affordable addition to your kitchen collection. While not suitable for use on the hob, the stoneware baking dishes are oven proof and suitable for use in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher. Perfect for taking straight to the table, never have to worry about disturbing your carefully prepared dishes to serve them. Available in Le Creuset's brilliant range of colours, the glaze will not craze or scratch even under sharp knives. Chip resistant and durable, Le Creuset dishes add brilliant colour and style to your dining table. Le Creuset 28cm Oval Baking Dish in graded Teal is available for £19.00 from Tesco Direct.
Le Creuset 28cm Teal Oval Baking Dish - £19.00
Posted by Kate on June 3, 2008 12:07 AM
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I'll admit I've not much experience cooking with cast iron, but you don't have to hang around cooking sites long before you start hearing rave reviews. Le Creuset is one of the best known makers of cast iron cookware, and blends classic shapes with trendy new colours. Perfect for use on both the hob and in the oven, these beautiful casseroles then go straight to the table. Ideal for casseroles, stews, pot roasting and even for baking, they are also perfect for preparing soups and rice dishes. Due to the high price, cast iron cookware is a long term investment, so you want to chose the colour carefully. I find the graduated colours much more dynamic than their plan solid styles, and the teal specifically is so bright and full of life. Definitely an item to watch for in the sales, the Teal Le Creuset 20cm Round Casserole is currently £62.40 at John Lewis and £70.20 from Amazon.co.uk
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John Lewis
Teal Le Creuset 20cm Round Casserole - £62.40
Amazon UK
Teal Le Creuset 20cm Round Casserole - £70.20
Posted by Kate on June 2, 2008 12:07 AM
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Joining the ever growing producers of cast iron cookware, Tefal have created a new collection of bright oven-to-tableware. A part of the popular Jamie Oliver range, the Cast Iron cookware features soft simple forms. Ideal for slow cooking, cast iron is safe up to 250C and offers fabulous heat retention. The hard enamel finish is available in both a trendy dark rose and a brilliant lime green. Bringing modern style to classic cookware, the new Tefal Jamie Oliver Cast Iron Cookware is available online at Debenhams.
Rose Jamie Oliver Cookware
Rose Gratin Dish - £30
18cm Rose Tegame - £50
26cm Rose Tegame - £80
20cm Rose Cocotte - £70
24cm Rose Cocotte - £90
30cm Oval Rose Cocotte - £105
Lime Jamie Oliver Cookware
Lime Gratin Dish - £30
18cm Lime Tegame - £50
26cm Lime Tegame - £80
20cm Lime Cocotte - £70
24cm Lime Cocotte - £90
30cm Oval Lime Cocotte - £105
Posted by Kate on May 9, 2008 12:06 AM
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Transforming coventional packaging into elegant serving dishes, the Takeaway Collection juxtaposes familiar forms with beautiful materials. Created from glamorous white porcelain, the Takeaway Collection reveals the detailed textures found in disposable food containers. The Takeaway Bowls are inspired by pie cases, while the Tubs are familiar takeaway containers. In the Takeaway Cake Stand, an aluminium pie tray is recreated to form the base while the second layer recalls a square paper plate. A clever approach that elevates everyday items into contemporary dining pieces, the Takeaway Collection is available from Heal's online store:
Takeaway Tub - £6 each
Takeaway Bowls - £6
15cm Takeaway Cake Stand - £30
Posted by Kate on April 15, 2008 12:01 AM
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Serve exotic Moroccan cuisine in these glamorous new Tagines from Emile Henry. This wonderful traditional cookware is given a new sophistication with trendy new glazes in Olive, Figue (Fig) & Poivre (Pepper). Tagine refers to both the cookware and the resulting meal. The cone shaped cover creates an oven-like effect that allows steam to circulate creating lovely moist dishes full of flavour. A part of the Flame Cookware Collection, the Tagines are virtually non-stick, 30% lighter and are safe over open flames, on the hob and in the oven and in the freezer or microwave. Quickly growing in popularity, Tagines are a brilliant way to flex your creative cooking muscles. You can find the new 32cm Emile Henry Tagines for £70.50 from Salamander Cookshop. The Olive & Poivre Tagine are also available from Amazon.co.uk for £62.95.
Amazon UK
Olive Emile Henry Tagine - £62.95
Poivre Emile Henry Tagine - £62.95
Salamander Cookshop
Figue Emile Henry Tagine - £70.50
Olive Emile Henry Tagine - £70.50
Poivre Emile Henry Tagine - £70.50
Continue reading "New Emile Henry Tagines" »
Posted by Kate on April 9, 2008 12:12 AM
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When cooking or baking something for the first time, preparation is often the key. Measuring out all your ingredients at the start can ensure everything goes smoothly and nothing is forgotten. The Zak Nesting Bowls are a great way to keep everything organised and easy to hand. The brightly coloured melamine bowls stack neatly to conserve storage space, while the range of sizes make them great for serving and cooking. A great addition to your summer kitchen, the Zak Nesting Bowls are £22.97 from Amazon.co.uk.
Zak Nesting Bowls -£22.97
Posted by Kate on March 11, 2008 12:02 AM
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A brilliant addition to summer parties, the Pic' Nix Finger Food Bowl by Koziol is a charming and easy way to serve tasty snacks. With three separate compartments, you can serve a selection of appetisers conveniently. At the centre of the divided tray stands a cute little warrior. His spiky hair is formed by the tooth picks set out for serving. With no need to assemble your appetisers before hand, you save time while allowing your guests to create their ideal combinations. Available in orange and blue, the Koziol Pic' Nix Finger Food Bowl is £22.00 from Iggloo Homeware and Amazon.co.uk.
Iggloo Homeware
Blue Koziol Pic' Nix Finger Food Bowl is £22.00
Orange Koziol Pic' Nix Finger Food Bowl is £22.00
Amazon.co.uk
Orange Koziol Pic' Nix Finger Food Bowl is £22.00
Posted by Kate on February 29, 2008 12:20 AM
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