Carrying a tiffin box for a picnic, a camping trip or to use as a lunch box adds style to a functional item. The British Indian equivalent of the Japanese bento boxes enables you to carry the food neatly. Plus, the compartments act as serving bowls. Each tiffin is made up of four compartments and includes four metal plates.

This metal collection is hand painted by artisans from Kashmir who works from their own homes. I kind of prefer the look of Lolita for the tiffin boxes but both are beautiful. But I would select the Eva bowls and cups. The Lolita and Eva collections also include jars and trays.

Unfortunately the tiffins are out of stock at Nkuku until May 10th, 2010. If you are interested, the distributor Nkuku runs an online store that ships internationally. Nkuku is located in UK. These products are also available at selected retailers but I can’t find a list. I spot them at Not on a High Street.

SOURCING:
+ Eva Hand-painted Tiffin by Nkuku £64.95
+ Lolita and Eva bowl £5.95
+ Eva hand-painted cup £5.95
+ Lolita Trays £22.95
+ via Poppytalk

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I have been a fan of the Reisenthel Carrybags since their launch. I own a nice carrot basket. These basket bags are not just great for shopping. You can use also them for picnics. And since I first introduced then in early 2007, the price has gone down.

Now that I have seen the cheerful patterns that feel so much like spring and summer, I wish for a new one. I am torn between the “Color Dots” and “I Like Shopping”. The “I Like Shopping” fits better with the orange carrybag and the green bottle bag I already have. But I love the elegance of the “Color Dots”.  What do you think?

SOURCING:
+ For Americans: Color Dots or I Like Shopping Reisenthel Collapsible Bag or Market Basket at Amazon.com $39.99 USD
+ For Canadians: Color Dot Reisenthel Carrybags at GoneShopping.ca $49.99 CAD
+ For Canadians: I Like Shopping Reisenthel Carrybags $49.99 CAD

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For when you wish to bring food that need to be kept cold or hot, Bento & Co added to their catalogue two cool products.

Bento Boxes for Kids

First, the Poka Poka Miffy set. Miffy is a popular female rabbit character from a picture kid book drawn by Dutch artist and illustrator Dick Bruna. This Bento set was designed to keep rice warm. For a breakfast on the park, you could carry warm oat meal or beans. A stainless steel Thermos box painted with Miffy, two small boxes and an insulated bag form this adorable set.

Bento Boxes for Guys

The sportive guys in your home will appreciate the Thermos Nidan set. The bento boxes are large. There is plenty of room to feed a large appetite and to leave some for his friends. Both sets are produced by Thermos.

SOURCING:
+ Poka Poka Miffy set 34.80 EUR
+ Thermos Nidan set 25.80 EUR

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There is something about bento boxes that made them desirable. We often see the same ones. So I dig to see if I could find something different. Bento & Co carries products that are normally unavailable in the North American market. In fact, I was in awe with so many products that I will do two posts.

Bento Boxes for Him

Men do not wish to bring at work the cheerful bento boxes that we typically see here. As more people are getting concern with eating healthy food, I feel there is a market for bringing lunch at work. If you do not wish to cook your own lunch, why not plan with a local caterer a week of lunch meals? Bring your Bento boxes and ask them to set up your meal by day. One the morning, you just need to grab a bag.

Bento & Co proposes stylish masculine boxes. Select from the professional-grade stainless steel Zen boxes or the classic black boxes. The elegant fake-wood boxes go inside the microwave and are dishwasher safe.

Cool Way to Carry your Bento Boxes

Bento & Co also sells kits with one or two bento boxes, a chopsticks carrier and an assorted bag. A belt is used to secure the boxes and chopsticks carrier. It is really elegant.

Another way is the furoshiki wrapping technique. Here they have done the basic wrap.  The 100% cotton tea pot furoshiki looks great.

About Bento & Co

Founded by a Frenchman and his wife who lives in Kyoto, Japan, Bento & Co ships in many European countries, in Canada and in the United States. The only thing is that their site is only in French as far as I know. But there are lots of pictures for you to understand each product. They support Paypal.

SOURCING:
+ Dragon Black box 18.80 EUR, set 31.80 EUR
+ Zen 02 41.80 EUR
+ Bento Ajira fake wood 19.80 EUR
+ Furoshiki Tea Pot wrapping fabric 5.50 EUR
+ Kimono Pink Long box 17.80 EUR, set 29.80 EUR

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You know that I am a fan of this UK store. The bright sun shining all day is the perfect setting for a picnic for two. Hopefully for us, the Blyton Picnic set is available in the States at Picnic Fun. But the styled picture of Graham and Green makes the picnicware so more desirable.

I told you about this red tin picnic set  last year for Father’s Day. A removable willow tray sits inside the red tin to double the storage when needed. It is a picnic set for 2 that comes with a selection of hand crafted accessories. You get an enamel painted flask, two ceramic plates, two ceramic mugs, 3-piece metal flatware, a salt and pepper shaker set and two cute embroidered napkins.

The acrylic outdoor dinnerware is available in clear, green and lavender. You can be stylish even when you eat outdoor. Bring fresh fruit skewers and macarons at a picnic.

SOURCING:
+ Blyton Picnic Set £85
+ Blyton Vintage Picnic Basket for 2 $160 USD
+ Picnic Blanket £65
+ Acrylic Filigree Plates £6.95 each
+ Acrylic Filigree Bowls £6.95 each
+ Retro style Plastic Cutlery £22 – also available in pink

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Whenever possible, I reuse and recycle tableware and decorations for designing my parties. By interchanging some table accessories and the menu, your party will look and feel different. Here changing the table cloth plus a few decorative allows you to create a look for Father’s Day and another for the Fourth of July.

This theme plays with red and blue. You could bring the star at the fourth of July through food presentation. Serve slices of carambola as a side dessert for example.

I selected picnic accessories from Crate and Barrel to illustrate the principles of this concept.

+ Preserve Flatware $5.95 USD for 8 place settings, 24-piece set
+ Bamboo Picks $2.95 USD
+ Alethia Stripe Napkin on sale $1.95 USD, reg. $3.95
+ Star Candleholders on sale $1.50 each, reg. $2.95 in red and blue
+ Carnavale Picnic Blanket $39.95 USD

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Having a small table when you go for a picnic adds comfort. You can use it for the food, your radio or a lantern. These two models are easy to transport.

The Adirondack folding side table is a cute option if you travel by car. Target sells in an impressive 14 colors. Prices vary with the colors. I am showing you the moss, the middle range price at $39.99.

I bought a modern version at IKEA a few years ago. I put it next to my terrace door to deposit bags and plates. I tinted with outdoor wood stain. It does not seem to be available anymore.

The Nacho Portable Folding Table is super easy to transport. It is ideal for camping and hunting trip. Available in several in several cloth colors, the only downside is that it lacks panache. Check the Folding Camping Picnic Tables department for more models and colors.

More sources of inspirations and accessories for a picnic:

• The best looking and most practical picnic bags
• Colorful Picnic Tableware for Moms Get Together
• Casual summer entertaining settings
• Charming picnic, delicious chocolate and Porto tasting at Romaneira

>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Moss Adirondack folding side table at Target – price: $39.99 USD
Buy online: TravelChair Nacho Portable Folding Camping Table Red at ComfortChannel – price:$35.99 USD

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Picnic Drinkware

The red and aqua outdoor tumblers, hi-ball glasses, wine glasses and jugs by John Lewis remind me of the hip nautical palette I showed you two weeks ago. I enjoy these gender-neutral festive hues for summer.

Picnic Blankets / Rugs

For lunches on the grass or free summer concerts in the park, a picnic rug comes handy.

I have never seen picnic blankets as fashionable as the John Lewis Ascot Picnic Rug. Very British style!

But dads may prefer the more masculine brown or navy John Lewis Picnic Rug in a Bag. The look is also more casual.

Food Cooking and Carrying

If your dad likes going to the games, here is something to impress his pals. He will be thrilled to receive a Tailgater Grill and Cooler. You can join an optional trolley.

For a vintage look, go for the red tin picnic basket. Discover inside a removable willow tray filled with a painted flask, 2 ceramic plates, 2 mugs, cutlery for 2 including 2 embroidered napkins. It is a no-brainer picnic kit for dad. And mom too! We know that with their busy schedule, parents appreciate things that simplify their life. A picnic basket for 2 will give your parents a chance for a romantic get together.

SOURCING:
+ John Lewis Aqua Acrylic Picnicware – price: 1.50 – £10
+ John Lewis Red Acrylic Jug – price: £10
+ Blyton Vintage Picnic Basket for 2 at Picnic Fun – price: $160 USD
+ Vulcan Tailgater Grill and Cooler – price: $145 USD
+ John Lewis Ascot Picnic Rug – price: £50
+ John Lewis Picnic Rug in a Bag – price: £35

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Living in a 4 season climate enhances the joy that we feel when the warm weather comes back.

It is the best time to introduce the summer 2008 collection from a brand that symbolizes Design, Happiness, Life and Values. I am talking about Koziol, the German company that was founded in 1912 by Bernhard Koziol.

Design, Happiness, Life and Values was the 4 world themes that they presented at the Ambiente Fair in Frankfurt last February. The summer 2008 Koziol collection hit the shelf mid-March 2008. I am showing my favorites.

Outdoor Entertaining

A must outdoor entertaining is the new PURE series with carafe, cups, bottle cooler and tray. A specially engineered lid keeps out dust and insects. Cool! The same lid keeps in ice cubes and lemon slices while pouring.

An ingenious combination of porcelain and plastic surrounds the AROMA series. The stylish companion for your breakfast, you can choose between a cup, an espresso cup, a cappuccino cup, a latte cup and a bowl called AROMA BIG. The AROMA series is available in orange, raspberry and tuerkis (aqua).

PIC UP is a fun Party Fork Set. Use this handy tool to serve tapas, olives, antipasti and cheese chunks. For a family barbecue party, you cannot go wrong with PIC UP.

The OXYGEN partition recalls pebbles or the bubbles in carbonated drinks. I may install an OXYGEN partition wall like in front of my urban terrace. I wish for more privacy that carries an airy lightness. The vibrant green and turquoise of OXYGEN partition elements create the perfect backdrop for my pool. It was designed by the Spanish team Harry & Camila.

Picnicware

Old products are also hot this summer. Designed in 1995 by Rainer Lehn, the FROSCHKÖNIG bottle opener wears new colors. The OLLI Lunchbox keeps food fresh and mobile since F. Person and J. Hansen designed it in 1996. What I like about this lunchbox is its form. It must be easy to carry it around.

Hanging on the tree like fruits are the cute BOSKOP Lunchboxes. You will get no problem fitting double-layer and triple-layer sandwiches inside the BOSKOP. And your fresh fruit will still be intact on destination. The cute leaves work as the snap closure. This brand new design BOSKOP emerged from the brain of Luisa Finke.

Kitchen Cleaning and Storage

TIM & TWEETIE brushes wear the cool colors of summer 2008. The are so lovable.

HEIDI is a floral tie fastener. For party favors at Mother’s Day, a Sunday brunch or a bridal shower, HEIDI will enhance your packaging. And your guests can reuse this cute band. Adorned with its pretty flower, the band dependably seals bags and pouches. HEIDI opens at will, as often as you wish.

Where to Buy

The German retailer Design 3000 carries the entire Koziol catalogue. Design 3000 is a heavenly shop for me with tons of wonderful brands. They got all the colors, even in hues that I did not talk about. Koziol seems harder to find in the United States since the distributor has closed down. Design 3000 ships to the United States and internationally.

In Canada, specialized retailers across the country carry the Koziol. As usual, Canadian retailers are shy when it comes to publish their inventory online, so I cannot provide you with specific links. So shop around, you can find the Koziol products in Canada.

Sourcing:
Buy online: PIC UP Party Fork Set by Koziol at The Well Tempered Kitchen – price: $14.50 USD
Buy online: Lunchbox Boskop solid green at design 3000 – price: 9,95 EUR
Buy online: AROMA Latte Cup strawberry at Design 3000 – price: 12,55 EUR
Buy online: Carafe Pure transparent by Koziol – price: 14,95 EUR
Buy online: Oxygen Partition transparent turquoise – price: 4,95 EUR
Buy online: HEIDI grass – price: 1,95 EUR
Learn more: Koziol brand Web site

RELATED POST:
+ Follow-up story | My search for retailers of Koziol

Tags: fun, colorful, picnic, kitchenware, kitchen, entertaining with kids, european, modern, outdoor entertaining

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If you have followed me for a while, you probably know that I adore the UK store Habitat. For summer 2008, Habitat stylists did not fail to impress me.

Once again, Habitat stimulates our imagination for casual entertaining. Looking at Habitat setting teaches how to create a unique experience. I enjoy especially their kid theme outdoor rooms.

Kid Party Theme

The camping trip in the backyard is an archetypal kid party theme. You With outstanding decorations, your outdoor party will stand apart. Use great props to create the theatrical illusion. Plan several activities to keep the kids occupied all night long.

The GERONIMO tents are simply adorable. I cannot imagine one kid that would not be thrilled to have a sleep over in these cute tents. Another must have for a kid party is OLI, a fresh olive green pigment lacquered eucalyptus kid picnic table.

The second picture showcases the MAUI deckchairs and the MINI WORLD rugs. Cushions play a huge role in a kid rooms. Here, you see the BELLA toy, the MAP cushion and the BIG MOUTH cushion.

MAUI is available in adult and kid sizes in saffron, orange, ginger, nut, aqua, charcoal, multi-color lined, multi-color urban pattern.

Outdoor dining and picnicware

The delicately neutral floral patterns of UTOPIA melamine picnicware collection goes with solid color dinnerware. Make your own assortment of round tray, plates, bowl, drinking cups, salad bowl and servers.

For an eclectic look at your next outdoor party, mix porcelain plates with earthenware bowls with melamine serving ware. You can even mix the LANDSCAPE porcelain dinner plates with COULEUR pieces and use the round UTOPIA tray. Punch your table by selecting an accent color from COULEUR – which is the French word for color.

I hope these three pictures will inspire you to host an amazing outdoor party in the coming weeks.

Sourcing:
+ OLI kid picnic table at Habitat – price: £149
+ MAUI deckchair in saffron – price: £6
+ UTOPIA round tray – price: £8
+ LANDSCAPE dinner plate – price: £6
+ COULEUR earthenware dinnerware set in red – price: £35 for 16 pieces

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What I am talking about today is how the presence of others colors can modify the perception of a color? It is an important element when you are designing a room or creating a tablescape.

I select kitchen and dining pictures from the latest catalogue of Habitat. They illustrate current trends in decorations.

You could easily spot how the same yellow accessories create a different mood whether they are placed in a crisp white room, next to vibrant colors and with black wood furniture.

The Peake is the latest picnicware collection by Habitat. Nigel Peake designed a collection with distinctive urban-inspired illustrations and bold colors. I love it!

Coordinating Principles

How the overall room or tabletop look depends on several elements. The first thing to remember is that any color is influenced by their immediate neighbors. The impact can be up to a point that a color can take a totally different hue depending on the colors that sit next to it or the lighting. So before making a final decision, I recommend you:

• analyze the relative proportions of each color in your design
• analyze how the colors looks next to each other – try several ways to dispose colors next to each other
• try to insert a neutral (white, grey, brown or black) between two colors and see how if it enhances or not the results

How to live with the Spring 2008 yellows?

The lemon yellow, canary yellow, mustard yellow, curry, marigold are the hot yellow colors of Spring 2008. Some tones evoke bright and lively while the ones with reds feel warmer.

I cannot be happier that the warm and cheerful yellows are hot again since I opted for bright sunny yellow walls on the entire second floor of my house. I love colors in home decor. My house is mainly decorated in darker and richer colors with a few bright colors for punch in specific rooms. I cannot live in a crisp pure white house, even for a day.

Living in a bright yellow room makes me happy. I like to use colors but I wish nonetheless to create a sophisticated atmosphere. So I toned down my sunny yellow in several ways.

First, you need to consider the level of natural light that you normally get. My row house does not provide a lot of natural light. Second, several lamps, wall sconces and ceiling fixtures allow me to modify the level of light intensity at will. I can go from a subdued mood up to the brighter task lighting level. From an architectural point of view, my space features a long, antique reddish bricks wall and an extensive use of warm medium brown wood. Both bring a rich feeling to the open spaced room.

Going back to the pictures from the Habitat Spring 2008 catalogue, you see three hot color trends for Spring 2008:

1. The crisp white room with yellow used as the accent color
2. The colorful, fun almost child-like yellow, orange, pink, and red scheme – you can also do the acid citrus
3. The black theme with yellow accents, done here as casual chic for the patio

Accessorize

You can read on the PANTONE Fashion Color Report of Spring 2008 – download the pdf at the bottom of the page:

Warm, cheerful Freesia, like an uplifting ray of sunshine, is a friendly, inviting color to which people are instinctively drawn. It is also a color that allows for diverse accessorizing opportunities.

Since not everybody is ready to commit to these lively hues, my next post will be about how a small amount of a punch color can go a long way?

Sourcing:
+ PEAKE city illustration dinner plate in melamine – price: £2.50
+ PEAKE picnicware collection at Habitat – starting at £2
+ SADIE champagne glass at Habitat – price: £3
+ SADIE tumbler at Habitat – price: £3
+ SADIE wine glass at Habitat – price: £3

RELATED POSTS:
+ Purple, Khaki Green, Yellow Green of 2008
+ Home Color Trends for 2008

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French people treat cooking as an art. But it is not just food that is the subject of their studies. Take for example Caroline Gomez; she surrounds her art around the ways and customs of eating.

Rethink the tableware via the Wood Collection

Light meals and healthy large snacks are popular meals but you find only a small amount of dishes specifically made for them. Caroline Gomez designed her Wood collection to fill that gap. When you are eating a light meal or a large snack, chances are that you do not set a formal table. You are often on the move. You probably share the food casually with your mates in the living room or the terrace.

The Wood collection has 4 handmade products: a glass, a plate, a bowl and a tray. Caroline Gomez found a way to recycle peeler shavings and other wood rejects. But the collection is all white. Beautifully hand craft with imprints of real wood pieces, the Wood product range is made of white Limoges porcelain with a glazed interior and a satin exterior finish.

Throwing an happening

She often devises happenings and culinary shows in France where you can experience new dimensions of eating. But you can do your own version of a culinary happening.

When you entertain at home, think outside the box when you are planning your dinner or cocktail party. Challenge the established eating habits. Set up a food photo gallery, gather vintage dinnerware, schedule a book reading where eating plays an important role. You see, it is not hard to create your own culinary happenings.

Host a Japanese or Spanish/Portuguese Picnic for a change of scenery

For one of her culinary expositions, Caroline devised a 24 hour picnic with four scenarios: the brunch picnic, the bento snack, the tapas and a chic picnic. These are great ideas to steal for your own themed picnic.

Wikipedia says about bento the following:

Bento is a single-portion takeout meal common in Japanese cuisine. Bento can be very elaborate, aesthetically pleasing cuisine arrangements. Often the food is arranged in such a way as to resemble other objects: dolls, flowers, leaves, and so forth.

You do not have that elaborate for your own bento picnic but you can stimulate the effects by adding none cosmetic accessories. Or you can order stuffs from a sushi shop or a Japanese restaurant. Tell them that you want an assortment of decorated food pieces for a bento style picnic.

For the tapas picnic, serve in glasses a refreshing gazpacho soup, sardines, ceviche, corn chips and salads. Drink sangrias. You can mix cultures and cuisine from Latin countries. Plan colorful tableware and have fun under the sun.

I discovered Caroline by reading siagrafica, a blog by a 28 year old girl from Amsterdam. Sia presents us fun and beautiful things. She likes to talk about music. She is the one that introduced me to Room Eleven. Have a look at her blog.

Sourcing:
Porcelain: Wood Collection on Caroline Gomez Web site
Via: Caroline Gomez – Olivia Ruiz published on siagrafica blog

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