CREATIVE JESS WINS!!...BRISBANE RIVER APARTMENT FITOUT....OUR NEW CREATIVE COMPETITION...NEW ARRIVALS THAT WE JUST LOOOOVE!....LOW FAT LASAGNE IN A PAN AND THE 'SVELTE MAKER' (LONG ISLAND ICED TEA)...PLUS WORDS OF WINSTON AND MORE...ENJOY AND HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL!! xx

JESS...THE EXCITED WINNER OF OUR VERY FIRST CHARCOAL INTERIORS COMPETITION!

When we shared on facebook our first Charcoal Interiors Competition, we never really expected to get the huge response that we did.

The idea was to introduce as many friends to our Facebook Page for a chance to win an original artworks by local artist Margaret Fredericksen.  The interest in the comp was huge and we ended up with loads of new followers, who all qualified to win.  One lady who went crazy with referring us to her friends was Kellie Layton.  She really wanted to win the comp for her daughter 11 year old Jess, who has been absolutely mad keen on art and all things creative since she was 5.  Amongst her other loves of cooking and flowers Jess spend hours immersing herself in her artwork.  Mum, Kellie says Jess's favourite colours are Green and Purple and she is way above her grade standard in Art classes and was presented with honours at a recent Melbourne Show exhibition.  And all at the tender age of 11.  Jess tells us that when she grows up she wants to have her own shop called Jessica-Rose Flower and Art!

We are told that the Margaret Fredericksen original that she won is now taking pride of place amongst Jess's other creations on her bedroom wall.  As you can see from the pictures, she sure looks happy with her win!  Jess is lucky to have a family that nurtures her creative spirit in a positive and loving environment.  We are thrilled to have them in our Charcoal Interiors Facebook family!
And the competitions just keep on coming.  Keep reading through the blog for info on our latest little brainwave!...its a chance for YOU to get creative and win!

RIVERFRONT APARTMENT PROJECT

We now live in a service society.  Need your house cleaned?...then there are services for that.  Want your garden maintained?...its as easy as making a phone call and instant gardener at your service!...and if he's cute, well then that's just a big bonus then isn't it!?  
The design girls finished a project this week, that called for a lot of trust from the client, who was new to working with Charcoal Interiors, but liked what she saw on the website and also via phone calls to the team.  She lived interstate but had an apartment here in Brisbane on the river that needed a full fit-out.  It can be quite a nervous decision from the client to put such a huge job into someone elses hands.
After design consultations over the phone and emailing of images and ideas, the vision was complete and after a big thumbs up from the client the girls got cracking with the task of fitting out the apartment with magnificent views of the Brisbane River.
The girls found that their biggest challenge was working with the colour scheme of floor, walls and drapes that was a little dated.  After much consideration they came up with rugs, lamps, cabinetry, beds, desks, tables and more that worked in well.  The emphasis was on quality and classic pieces that would not date and stand the test of time. 
Below we have some 'Before and After' shots that show the difference key pieces can make to the overall appearance when given a completely blank canvas to work with.


BEFORE  AND   AFTER  IMAGES

OUR LATEST COMPETITION IS UP AND RUNNING....AND YOU COULD WIN!

Join our facebook page (just click on the link at top right of the blog page) and you not only have access to design inspiration from the experts, a weekly blog with great recipes, our latest projects and more, but you also get a chance to win great prizes.  This months competition is all about you getting creative.  Just come up with a suitable name for each of our Huge Bronze Lion Statues that we now have in our front courtyard.  We have all heard the usual 'Leo' and 'Simba' so we want you to come up with something fitting.  The winner will be the proud owner of our Asian Art Tryptich which translates to Hope, Harmony and Dance!

So, get cracking with some names (you get 5 chances to win) and we look forward to hearing from you.

LATEST ARRIVALS THAT WE ARE LOVING......



ANTIQUE RUSTIC FRENCH IRON BED

This bed is stunning, and for an antique, quite versatile in its design.  The sides of the bed fold down, so you can also use it as a bench seat, or convert to a day bed by locking into place one of the side panels.  To say this bed is beautiful would have to be an understatement.  If the design team arent vigilant enough I will be finding a cunning way to get it back to my place!  Would be perfect on a deck, verandah, out in the garden or perfect in any living area or bedroom indoors.  We just L.O.V.E it.  Its for sale, but be quick and contact us.  We deliver anywhere in Australia and Worldwide!

BELL URN

There is something about the Pattina of this urn that really gets us going.  Its a stunning pot that you could have on a deck or in the garden.  Great feature urn for indoors too.  Pop a plant in it, or leave as is.  These pieces fly out the door, so be sure to contact us for all the details.

THIRTY MINUTE LOW FAT LASAGNE IN A PAN

With Spring just around the corner I've had to pay some serious attention to getting the old bod back into some kind of acceptable shape. I am ok with being on a diet, as long as I dont feel deprived in any way.  Last week I road tested this 30 minute Lasagne that you make in the frying pan.  It says to use the Weight Watchers brand in the recipe, but I just use low fat versions that are available and a bit cheaper. I also added some chopped low fat sundried tomatoes which are available at the deli section of the supermarket.  Also, I added some chopped basil from the garden.  Serve it up with a little green salad.  Lovely...and the kids will eat it too.  Freeze what you dont eat, or double the recipe so you have another full family meal available for the nights when you get home and would rather eat your own hair than cook a meal :-)

Equipment

You'll need a frying pan with a lid and flameproof handle.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 medium red capsicum, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 410g can crushed tomatoes
• 3 fresh lasagne sheets, cut into thirds
• 1/2 x 250g tub Weight Watchers cream cheese
• 100g Weight Watchers shaved leg ham
• 3/4 cup Weight Watchers grated tasty cheese
• Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, to serve

Method

1. Heat half the oil in an 18cm (base), heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and capsicum. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add oregano and tomato. Season with salt. Cook for 2 minutes or until heated through. Transfer to a bowl. Wipe pan clean.
2. Spread 1 side of each piece of lasagne with cream cheese. Drizzle remaining oil over base of pan. Arrange 2 pieces of lasagne, cream cheese side-up, over base of pan. Top with one-third of the ham, then one-quarter tomato mixture. Repeat layers, finishing with 3 pieces of lasagne then 1 layer tomato mixture. Sprinkle with tasty cheese. Preheat grill on high.
3. Return pan to medium-low heat. Cook, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until lasagne sheets are tender. Remove lid. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden. Season with pepper. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve.
   
   
   
   
   THE 'GUILT-FREE' LONG ISLAND ICED TEA
   
   
   
   I must admit that I have on occasion woken up with more than just a hangover after a big night out on the Chockie Martinis, and also found myself a bit tubbier too after a few weeks of having just soooo much fun on nights out without a care in the world and a cocktail or 3 or more in hand.
   Whilst its not a Chocolate Martini, this Low Calorie replacement to the iconic Long Island Iced Tea hits the spot for a refreshing Alcoholic bevvie without all the calories.
   The Long Island Iced Tea was first served in the mid-70's by a bartender in yes...you guess it, Long Island, Nyoooo Yawwk...
   
   
   
   

   Long Island Iced Tea

4. 1/3 oz vodka
5. 1/3 oz rum
6. 1/3 oz gin
7. 1/3 oz tequila
8. 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
9. 2 packets artificial sweetner
10. 2 Tbsp water
11. diet cola
12. fresh slice lemon
13. tall glass of ice

Dissolve sweetener in water. Add mixture to cocktail shaker, along with all liquors and lemon juice. Shake well. Pour into tall cocktail glass filled with ice, add diet cola until filled. Garnish with fresh slice of lemon.

Important Note: Dressing like Carrie Bradshaw whilst sipping the Long Island Iced Tea is highly recommended, to get right into that New York groove.  Pop on the Manolo Blahniks and Designer Dress to really get into the New York style 'feel'.....or...the other option that I personally gravitate to, is Track-suit pants, loose knit jumper and ugg boots, whilst nibbling on some of those 'low-fat' fries dipped in even lower in fat aioli.....its the New York grunge look which is really big these days I hear ;-)

'We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us'....Winston Churchill


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And so, to the end of another brilliant week.  Any day above ground is brilliant as far as we are concerned.  As I type this we have a group of 4 clients milling around the showroom laughing and chatting....one of our dearest suppliers has just turned up for a hi and a hug...Brian is snoozing on his cushion next to my desk and there is a little bit of a hint of Spring in the air.  I feel that the possibilities for next week are simply endless....wishing you all a very Happy Friday..until next week....

www.charcoalinteriors.com.au