A Seasonal Reset in the Home
It feels like pretty much the whole of the UK has been looking towards Spring this year. As the passing of the Spring Equinox sees lighter nights and a hint of blossom on the trees, our thoughts turn towards a seasonal reset in the home.
Longings for hearty winter stews slow cooked on the stove top and old-fashioned sticky-puddings with lashings of custard (which have they place in all our hearts!) are replaced with the need for lighter, brighter flavours, which excite the eye and palate. Whilst this time of year can mean extra pressure on the chefs amongst us with the little ones at home for the Easter break and the long weekend of friends and family popping in, this is the ideal time to have a spring refresh and embrace the new season and celebrate all that it has to offer.
Tip #1 Mix & Match Crockery
Antique crockery is timeless for any season. Scour fairs and sales to find treasured pieces. When you mix and match you won’t be as heart broken if a plate gets damaged as it’s not part a set. Choose a colour theme to tie the scheme together and create a wonderful love-worn and eclectic mix.
Tip #2 Self Service
Communal eating is so much fun and really fits with the warmer seasons arrival, invest in some key serving-pieces ideal for sharing, such as big serving platters which remove the stress of having to plate everyone’s meals in the kitchen. Bring vegetables and roast potatoes to the table and let everyone serve themselves.
Tip #3 Embrace Local
Heading to your local farmers market is a great start to the weekend – buying local gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling and it can really open your eyes to what’s available right on your doorstep. Local producers can help you with new culinary ideas which will give your family a fresh take on seasonal eating.
Tip #4 Hit Refresh With Flowers And Foliage
Whilst it may not be quite warm enough yet to de-camp into the garden you can bring the outdoors in with fresh flowers. Using vibrant foliage from the garden means you can bulk up a bouquet without breaking the bank. Branches with small buds will often surprise you by going all out and blossoming or coming into leaf in your home – remember to cut woody stems at an angle to increase the surface area for water to be drawn up. And always use sharp secateurs – not scissors and never snap a branch off.
Tip #5 Rug Up
Perhaps not the ideal choice for homes with little ones but a carefully chosen rug under the table and oversized enough to reach past the chair legs can update a room in an instant.
Get the most out of your dining space this Spring.
An adaptable dining space is an essential part of a busy home. Be it a Sunday Lunch for extended family, a Saturday brunch for neighbours or a romantic meal for two once the little ones are in bed.
An Indigo solid wood dining table becomes the heart of your dining space. Choose a robust Pine Table for a rustic, homely look paired with dining benches for a flexible dining room with plenty of space for impromptu guests – for an off-beat, eclectic look choose a bench for one side and then a mix of chairs. A pew bench is a good option for adults with its supporting back. Benches can also be placed in the hallway until needed and then brought into your dining space as ad-hoc seating at busy times.
Solid Oak Tables can give a contemporary look – team with elegant dining chairs in fabric or leather to create a refined space for entertaining friends.
We’ve waited a long time for this Spring – go forth and enjoy!