How to: How to buy art for your home

I was so flattered to be asked to contribute to this article on news.com.au last week (along with Clare Bradley, editor of Inside Out magazine)! If you've ever wondered "How to buy art for your home", it's a must read.

(above) A painting by one of my favourite contemporary Australian Artists, Miranda Skoczek.

TT Spotlight: The Ubabub BOOKSEE Shelf

Those who follow us on Instagram will already know Table Tonic Avalon is getting bigger. As in TWICE THE SIZE bigger! Yes! I'm so excited I could die. The Architect Husband is in overdrive.

Best of all, we're staying right where we are, and more space means more products (and, ahem, a new shop fitout!), so here is the first cab off the rank - the Ubabub Booksee Shelf. And it's already available for pre-order online now!

The Booksee Shelf is another great example of clearly modern design by Australian husband and wife team Natasha & Daniel Dumais, aka Ubabub.

Store your children’s books neatly away whilst displaying their beautiful covers in a decorative way - it's a win win people. Better still, your squids can now clearly see and be inspired to choose their own books. Best of all, it's perfect for aligning next to or just above your kids beds (a clever-pants slim profile reduces the chances of bumps and knocks that often occur with protruding shelves).

The bookshelf is made from a quality, thick, clear acrylic and the high lip at the front ensures your kids books stay on the shelves and don’t fall forward (or off!). Position multiple shelves side by side or one above the other or fill an entire wall with the Booksee Shelf making a brilliant literary feature wall!

To fix the Booksee shelves to your walls, simply fasten to any wall using the series of pre-drilled holes on the back panel of each shelf (these are not visible on the product pictures). These drill holes are suitable for use on stud walls and are not visible once the books are placed on the shelves.

The Booksee is sold in a set of 2 x 900mm wide shelves ($199). Click to buy.

(above) And look what clever Instagram-y folks are getting up to! I'm suddenly thinking where I can squeeze a few into our house (never mind the kids rooms!)...

Buh-bye Ikea Spice Racks. Click to buy the Booksee. And look out for them in the bigger, better Table Tonic Avalon soon (they're even part of our new shop fitout)!

Are you storing your fruit and vegetables right? I wasn't!

Gosh. Who knew there were so many "tricks" (stay with me, they're simple!) to getting the most out of your fresh produce! Lord knows, there's nothing worse than waste and after you read these "Fresh Produce Storage Tips" from Aussie Farmers Direct, I guarantee you that you'll waste less fruit and veggies next week than you did this week. I know I will. Knowledge is power people!

1. Keep fruit such as apples, pears and bananas away from the rest of your produce as they naturally produce ethylene gas which will ripen the fruit & vegetables around them – especially if they’re in a closed environment such as a crisper or sealed container. On the flip side, if you want to ripen an avocado, place it in a paper bag with a banana to speed up the process. 

2. Cut pineapples into small pieces and store in an airtight container in the fridge the moment you get them so they’re ready to eat as a snack - you’ll be surprised how quickly you get through them. You can also do this with navel oranges which are great eating at the moment. Whole oranges can be kept for up to two weeks at room temperature and even longer if you keep them in the fridge, however if you do cut up your fruit, eat it within two days – any longer and it will start to ferment.

3. If you have leftover limes or lemons, juice them and keep the juice in ice-trays in the freezer to add to drinks at a later date. 

4. Aussie Farmers Direct broccoli is harvested, packed and delivered usually within 48 hours; it’s so fresh you can still see where it’s been cut from the root. Store broccoli in a plastic bag in your fridge crisper. 

5. Onions and garlic should be stored in a dark, well-ventilated space; they can be hung in a net in a dark corner of your kitchen so they’re on hand for cooking. As Aussie garlic is only available nine months of the year you can store garlic whole or crushed with a touch of salt submerged in good olive oil. 

6. Unwashed potatoes and sweet potatoes are best stored in a cool dark place, such as inside a brown paper bag in a cupboard. However all washed potatoes that have clean skin (no dirt) such as Desiree’s or Nadine’s should be kept in the fridge crisper to stop them from going green.

7. To store iceberg lettuce, remove the core, wash and drain the leaves and place in a container or plastic bag in the fridge.

8. Capsicum will last up to one week in the fridge; given that plastic bags make them sweat, it’s best to store them in a paper bag or crisper.  

9. Mushrooms are best stored in a paper bag in the fridge. 

10. Try and buy sweet corn still in its husk rather than already cut on a cling film tray as it stores best with the husk still covering the kernels. 

11. Soft leaf herbs such as parsley, basil, chervil and coriander can be stored in the fridge for several days, they will last better if the stalks are in a tall glass of water and the leaves are covered with a plastic bag. 

12. For longer periods, herbs such as basil and rosemary can be kept in the freezer and added to your cooking at a later date. You may lose some of the texture but the flavour will still be great. 

13. Keeping bananas in a cool dark place to slow down the ripening process - if your bananas do go too ripe, use them to make a sweet moist banana cake.

14. If you don’t get through your entire bunch of spring onions, you can replant them in your garden and then just harvest them as you need. 

One of the key tricks to long lasting fruit & vegetables is to buy truly seasonal produce from a source you can trust. Most fruit & vegetables that Aussie Farmers Direct delivers is locally sourced within each state and usually delivered within 48 hours of being harvested. 

And I didn't realise, but Aussie Farmers Direct now offers organic produce boxes ($39 for a couples box, $59 for a family box). *Runs off to place an order...

To start getting fresh, seasonal, 100% Australian produce delivered direct to your door, visit AussieFarmers.com.au. 

Lisa Wilkinson loves a #ttsalad!

In a discussion about "food porn" on The TODAY Show this morning, Lisa Wilkinson mentioned how much she loves following @tabletonic on Instagram and all my #ttsalads! Thank you so much Lisa!

Did anyone catch the segment? I missed it!

JUST IN: Vintage Moroccan Wedding Blankets

Okay it's been way too long since we had some cracking Vintage Moroccan Wedding Blankets in stock. But I'm about to change that. Yes! True story. Just right after I wear one for a little minute... 

So let's meet the girls:

 (above) "EDIE", $890

 (above) "KARI", $890

(above) "LUCETTE", $890 (SOLD)

(above) More "LUCETTE"... Because Wowsies. SOLD.

 (above) "MATISSE", $990

(above) "SARNA", $990 SOLD

(above) "SIERRA", $990

(above) "ELODIE", $990

All of the wedding blankets are shown above on a Queen size bed, and most would also be suitable for a King size bed (check measurements if you're unsure). There is only one of each available as they're genuine vintage pieces. Each wedding blanket is made from hand loomed sheeps wool and comes professionally cleaned (and in superb condition!). Click to view our full range of Moroccan Wedding Blankets.

Arty Farty: The iPhone App You NEED

The App: Waterlogue. 
What it does: It instantly turns your iphone photos into watercolour masterpieces.
Cost: $2.99.
Why you need it: Because it's BIGFUN! 

Dear Artists,

You are officially obsolete.

Sincerely,

Waterlogue

This was my original image (below)!

(above, clockwise from top left): Milo Turkish Kilim Rug $999, Cushions $59-$79, Tassel Bracelets in Mint/Mustard/Navy and Maroon/Peach/Neon Orange $49ea, Moroccan Leather Pouffe (Caramel) $199.

Just to recap: The App is called WATERLOGUE ($2.99).

5 minutes with... LOUISE BELL (that's me!)

Ever wondered...
How I would describe the look of my home?What my favourite thing in our home is?

What I am loving right now?
Coffee tea or?
Whats on my shopping list right now?
My favorite thing to do on the weekend?
My favourite day of the week?
My favourite place to shop?
My favourite place to eat?
What my signature dish is?
What my signature drink is?
My favourite quote?
What I am listening to?
What I am working on right now?
What/who I am inspired by?
What makes me happy?

CLICK HERE AND FIND OUT.

(above) Thought I'd give you a little look at Anoushka's new room! Mark Tuckey bed, Clickon Furniture bedside table, vintage lamp, Etsy tissue box cover (here), bed linen and mouse from Mamapapa Avalon.

BACK IN STOCK! The $25 Pom Pom Clutch/iPad Case

(above) Choose from Blue/Red...

(above) Perhaps Marigold/Red...

(above) Maybe you're more of an Orange/Red girl...

(above) Everybody's favourite (it seems!): Fuschia/Red...

HAPPY SHOPPING!

JUST IN! New Krysos + Chandi at tabletonic.com.au

Our new delivery of (New York based designer) Krysos + Chandi tassel-y goodness has JUST arrived and ohhhh my. You're going to love it. All of it!

(above, clockwise from left) The Nima Tassel Bracelet in Navy/Mint/Mustard ($49), the Nima Tassel Necklace in Creams/Copper ($139) EXCLUSIVE TO TABLE TONIC and the Nima Tassel Necklace in Greys/Pewter ($139) EXCLUSIVE TO TABLE TONIC.

(above) The Nima Tassel Necklace in Greys/Pewter ($139) EXCLUSIVE TO TABLE TONIC and the Nima Tassel Necklace in Creams/Copper ($139) EXCLUSIVE TO TABLE TONIC.

(above) The Nima Tassel Bracelet in Navy/Mint/Mustard ($49) is back in stock.

See? Tassel-y happiness right there. 

Click to shop all Table Tonic Jewellery.