Thursday, February 16, 2012

FROM LUXURY AND SOPHISTICATION TO PRE-TEEN BEDROOM MAKEOVERS.....OUR K1 DISCOVERY...PAD THAI...DO DAI FOR!...THE YUKIGUNI COCKTAIL AND OUR TAKE ON PERSEVERANCE...ITS ALL ON THE BLOG!



IT'S ALL ABOUT QUALITY DESIGN AND PRODUCT
This week the design team have been working on a new project.  The directive for the girls was luxurious, classic, sophisticated style and product.  This is for a lady who knows quality, of which there are no shortcuts.  We make sure you get what you ask for, and its right the first time.  Our clients expect the 'wow' factor and thats what we aim to deliver.

Looking forward to our presentation with the client today!




PRE-TEEN TRANSITION
...And from sophisticated woman to mid-primary aged young man whose parents feel has grown out of his 'Buzz Lightyear' bedspread and priamary coloured bedroom walls.  This has been a fun project for the girls.  We are looking forward to sharing the finished room with you, but here's a glimpse of the 'hero' of the room.  Andrew Martin UK 'Library' Wallpaper which will feature on one wall.  



OUT AND ABOUT WITH STYLE IN THE CITY
K1 Winery.  Tynan Rd. Kuitpo. SA.

Every now and then you find a treasure in the most unexpected of places.  Pete the Greek and I were on another child-free weekend in McLaren Vale, South Australia when we stumbled upon the K1 sign, and of course the name Geoff Hardy along with it, before we knew it the car was spun around and along the track to K1 winery we ventured.  



Through the sandstone gates....and down the long agapanthus lined driveway




.....to this!  This is the cellar door!  Exciting to say the least.  A lake house in the most beautiful setting surrounded by vineyard and picturesque grounds.




Anyway....once we picked up our jaws from off the ground and contained ourselves we ventured into the cellar door area.  Greeted by very sharp, shiny and knowledgeable staff we tasted a Pinot and Shiraz at the hand crafted tasting bench which is the centrepiece of the space.



Apparently when Geoff Hardy wasn't creating exceptional wines, in his spare time he crafted the tasting bench from a 400 year old piece of Redgum.  And so there we are at the lakeside cellar door, surrounded by quality wine, and expert guidance and if thats not enough enticement for one day, they offer tasting platters full of regional produce!

Lovers of our quality red, Pete and I sampled the Shiraz
and Pinot Noir.

Time does not permit me to publish the accolades bestowed upon the K1 wine portfolio.  Needless to say, with a background of 5 generations of wine making and viticultural experience in the family, the result is a polished, quality range, that the Greek and I purchased, yet realised wouldnt fit back in the suitcase or hand luggage...so we just drank what we couldnt squeeze in 
:-)

Photo courtesy of K1


  On the day we visited the 'special of the day' was freshly picked regional strawberries and icecream.  Considering we passed a strawberry farm on the drive through to K1, I have a hunch these were most likely just off the bush.


Next time we will be sure to linger longer.  According to staff, due to the popularity of their platters and  ambience of the deck setting, its advisable to phone ahead and book.  We really cannot wait to venture back to K1 as it ticks all the boxes for ambience, knowledgeable and friendly staff, food, wine...tick, tick....tick!!..bliss...

Points of interest:

On my return back home, intrigued as to how the name K1 came into being I googled away, and the name K1 was born when Geoffs wife felt that Kuitpo (Ky-poh) was a bit hard for people to pronounce.

In 1987, Geoff Hardy and his family began planting 30 hectares of vines with the aim being to eventually produce high quality grape yields which of course is now a dream realised with the creation of wines of the highest calibre.  Wine Business Magazine have rated K1 as one of the Top 10 Best Cellar Door experiences in Australia.  I wholeheartedly agree and would recommend to all....even if you dont care for the drop of the Gods, just to see a mans vision realised.  It gives us all the inspiration to keep forging ahead and dreaming on....
Thank you to the staff of K1 for their hospitality and also permission for use of selected website photographs and information.  We do love to promote great Australian businesses!
If you would like to know more about the wines, location and the people who make K1 special, then please click on the link below.


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PAD THAI

I love Pad Thai.  The mix of flavours  really goes well with a nice cold Sauv Blanc in summer...or even a nice Pinot.  You dont have to dine out at the local Thai place to achieve the full impact of this dish, when you can give it a go at home.  I have provided my all time easiest recipe for this dish - apart from Asia At Home mix from the supermarket.  Give this a go...and feel free to add extra vegies, for example we added broccolini, sliced capsicum and also some julienned snow peas.



Ingredients (serves 4)



  • 250g packet rice stick noodles
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 2 chicken breast fillets, thinly sliced
  • 500g green prawns, peeled, deveined
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 2 small red chillies, deseeded, finely chopped
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup bean sprouts, tails removed
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, finely chopped, optional
  • 1/2 cup coriander leaves
  • lime wedges, to serve



Method

  1. Place noodles into a heat-proof bowl. Cover with hot water. Stand until tender. Drain. Rinse under cold water.
  2. Combine lemon juice, fish sauce and sugar in a jug. Whisk with a fork to combine.
  3. Heat a wok over high heat. Add oil. Swirl to coat. Add chicken. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until golden. Add prawns, onions and chillies. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until prawns turn pink. Add noodles. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
  4. Add lemon juice mixture to wok. Toss to combine. Slowly pour eggs over noodles. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Add sprouts. Toss well.
  5. Spoon pad Thai onto plates. Sprinkle with peanuts and coriander leaves. Serve with lime or lemon wedges.

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THE YUKIGUNI COCKTAIL.......................................

Is a legendary Japanese cocktail made from very basic ingredients.  Super easy to construct, the Yukiguni is the first Japanese cocktail to appear in western listings, created in 1969 by legendary bartender Keiichi Lyama.
Super easy to make and look how pretty it looks!

Photo courtesy of Savit Keawtavee


INGREDIENTS
Mixing Instructions
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a sugar-rimmed glass. We garnished ours with a Mint Cherry.....Enjoy!.....or as they say in Japan....Tanoshimu!

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......PERSEVERANCE.....
Nobody trips over mountains.  It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.  Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.  ~Author Unknown

Image courtesy of Morgue File - Greenfinger
And until next week...we hope to see you in the showroom this Saturday.  We still have a smattering of great half price items...for example our stunning Moroccan Lantern in rust glass is now half price...and its amazing!....We also have huge reductions off of our old doors, pots, urns and more!  Grab a true bargain this weekend.
Need to know more?  Just phone us on 07 38526002, or pop into Charcoal Interiors 59 Doggett St. Newstead.

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

The Charcoal Team
xx