InPlace Autumn 2011

E FR

inplace

E!

magazine

Make Her Day Must-have gifts for Mother’s Day!

storage solutions for your home!

Secret sanctuary

WIN!

Vouchers, spa breaks and sorting hampers!

Plus:

the best

A kids’ guide to making Mum’s bedroom a relaxing haven!

The Perfect Party Top tips to ensure your dinner parties always run smoothly!

Shanghai explored, delicious sushi, camping advice and more!

Autumn 2011 • Issue 5

contents

GET IN TOUCH!

WE LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! email us at

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Issue 5 Autumn 2011

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inplace@ hsw.com.au

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16

Cover photography: James Geer

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2 inplace magazine

www.hsw.com.au

4 Indulge

18 Pitch Perfect

The latest news, products and promotions from Howards Storage World.

Everything you need to ensure you never arrive at a campsite without your tent pegs again!

6 Inspiration

20 One Hour Makeover

Discover the dozens of ways you could be using eco-friendly bamboo around your home.

We help a customer whose fridge hasn’t been able to meet the demands of a new baby.

8 Different by Design

22 A Feast of Ideas

If space in your apartment is at a premium, be inspired by a Hong Kong architect’s solution.

Make throwing the perfect dinner party a breeze with this guide.

10 Mum in a Million

24 Healthy Living

The heart-warming story of Kaye Worth, a foster mum who always goes the extra mile.

How changing the way you complete simple tasks can help make you healthy...

12 A Gift for Mum

26 Clean Start

Give your Mum a Mother’s Day treat to remember with a bedroom makeover!

Make doing the laundry the easiest task of the week with a system the whole family can use.

14 Get the Look

28 Roll up, Roll up

Project Runway star Nina Garcia gives us a peek inside her designer wardrobe.

There are few foods healthier than sushi, and now rolling your own couldn’t be more simple.

16 Shanghai Surprise

30 Inspirations Membership

We take a food tour of this amazing city. From dumplings to designer hotels, it has it all.

Discover the benefits of joining the Howards Storage World customer rewards program.

inplace is published by Citrus Media Pty Ltd on behalf of Howards Storage World. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. © Howards Storage World 2011.

From the Editor The invigorating nip of autumn is in the air and everything is fresh, crisp and sparkling.

What a perfect time to get organised and get your family’s health on track.

Try some of our tips for a gym workout at home, you’ll be surprised at how sweaty you can get tidying your own living room!

Also in this issue we have taken a trip to Shanghai and unearthed some amazing delicacies. Back in Australia, autumn is a great time to go camping so we’ve put together a selection of must-take items that will make the break even more enjoyable.

With Mother’s Day approaching it’s time to really spoil the one you love and we have plenty of ideas.

Happy reading and here’s to a safe and well-planned Easter holiday!

Gillian Gillian Serisier Editor

inplace magazine 3

news

Indulge

Be Rewarded

The latest Howards news

Become a Howards member when you join our Inspirations Program.

Benefits include a $10 voucher when you enrol, which is valid for use in participating stores Australiawide. Being a Howards Inspirations Member means great deals, fantastic storage solutions and amazing tips. Becoming a member is easy, just visit a store.

What’s New?

Save time slicing bananas with the Chef’n Bananza Banana Slicer. Deliciously easy and simple to use for perfect banana slices every time. CPS33108 $14.95

If you’re looking for a way to hang kitchen items then Mastrad Suction Pods are ideal.

The colours also make them perfect for coding key sets – white for the boat, red for the Ferrari, green for the garden shed! In fact you’ll probably soon find uses for them in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and garage.

Small UVG90340 $6.95, Large UVG90040 $9.95

This Mastrad Stacking Spice tower is as functional as it is beautiful. Why waste time searching through a spice rack when you can have them all in one convenient column? Plus it looks fabulous, a real kitchen talking point! UVG92756 $44.95

The Easy Access Storer with Handle is absolutely brilliant for large loose items like cereal and pasta. It’s great for keeping small packets together too. For a super-quick storage solution, turn one into your baking box – flour, sugar, icing, colourings and cake decorations all in one place, for whenever inspiration strikes! Large PLF005 $19.95, Medium PLF004 $14.95 Great baking begins with precise measurements.

These SleekStor Pinch Pour Prep Bowls from Chef’n are compact, easyto-use and attractive.

CPS53005 $24.95

The spectacular Mira Toothbrush Holder is a stunning design feature in any bathroom. $8.95 available in amber FEX1450, amethyst FEX14501, titanium FEX14502 and zircon FEX14503.

Write in & Win!

Tell us which Howards product has changed your life, in 25 words or less, to win one of five $20 vouchers for Howards Storage World. Simply email inplace@hsw.com.au before May 1, 2011.*

The convenience of a combined Grinder and Spice Tower is pure genius. With six stackable and interchangeable compartments and one grinder, you’ll always have fresh seasoning to hand. UVG28450 $49.95

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Why stack things on the floor when you can have a Conceal Shelf in a few minutes? Small ANA38560 $29.95, Large ANA33560 $39.95

Oxo is a name we all know and trust for sturdy reliable kitchenware. This great-looking wine rack is modular, so it can be customised to fit any space while the clear, polished racks blend with any home décor. WK196384 $64.95

www.hsw.com.au

For kids on the go, a Portable Desk makes school work fun and ready when they are. PLF017 $24.95

Bear Cottage

*The judges’ decision is final. Winners will be notified by post.

This is a game of skill, luck plays no part in the outcome.

There’s been some exciting new arrivals at Howards Storage World.

For under-sink bliss, convert that cloud of plastic bags into an orange or green bundle of convenience with the Mastrad Bag Dispenser. Simply stuff your bags into the dispenser and pull one through the hole whenever needed.

Green UVG93408, Orange UVG93409 $22.95.

A splendid solution to food waste comes in the form of Mastrad’s Vegetable Keepers.

Offered in stunning shades of orange, green and plum.

Simply fill from the top and pull the vegetables from the base to ensure veg is used in the order it was bought. Small UVG93362 $9.95, Medium UVG93363 $14.95, Large UVG93364 $19.95

Thank you for supporting the Christmas Bon Bons for Bear Cottage fundraiser!

Your generosity has meant that Howards will be donating $18,000 to Bear Cottage from this initiative alone.

Bear Cottage is a medically supported home away from home, providing support and respite for children with terminal illnesses.

Don’t forget you can support Bear Cottage any time of the year.

Visit your local Howards Storage World store and pick up a Pocket Pad for $4.95 and all profits will go to Bear Cottage. Each Pocket Pad contains sticky tabs, a note pad, pen, ruler and magnifier.

inplace magazine 14

inspiration

Bamboo Bonanza!

The Japanese influence of this design lends a bathroom a calming feel

Mature bamboo is stronger than mild steel!

An ancient solution to modern problems that’s both chic and green.

Fabric made from recycled PET plastic bottles

Wheels make it easy to move the unit around the bathroom

Bamboo products from left: ● Double bamboo hamper PMB02 $69.95 ● 4 tier bamboo stand EIC069 $79.95 ● Bamboo leaning towel ladder EIC01552 $79.95 ● 3 tier bamboo shelf EIC057 $72.95 ● 4 tier bamboo shelf EIC056 $84.95 ● Bamboo bath mat EIC075 $39.95 ● Bamboo trolley 3 drawer EIC1400 $119

Quick tip A themed bathroom creates a sense of luxury, creating an upmarket resort style.

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$8.95, pack of 2) keep your drawers and suitcases free of odours and moisture.

Natural drawer sachets (PUR1305 $8.95, pack of 6 ) are perfect for natural clothing protection in smaller drawers.

As bamboo is a natural deodoriser and dehumidifier it makes the Moso fridge/ freezer deodoriser (PUR1302 $8.95) the perfect choice for a chemical and odourfree fridge. It also absorbs chemicals and electromagnetic waves!

For small spaces where moisture and odours accumulate Moso has come up with mini absorbent sachets (PUR1309 $8.95, pack of 3 ) to solve the problem.

Keep your shoes fresh and gorgeous with the powerful shoe deodoriser (PUR1310 $8.95, pack of 2). The two sachets will give you a whole year of spring fresh feet no matter how sporty you are!

The sportier the better we say... until we get a whiff of the kids’ sports locker, sports bag or collection of gym shoes. Luckily the powerful sport deodoriser (PUK1308 $4.95) has even the most active people in mind with the hard working eliminator.

Finally, increase the life of your leather working, hiking and sports boots with a deodoriser (PUR1311 $8.95, pack of 2) that keeps moisture at bay and saves your winter boots from mildew.

Bamboo – you’ll soon be wondering how you ever lived without it! ■ inplace

B

amboo is one of the world’s most prolific and sustainable materials, able to grow up to one metre in a day. The bathroom pictured above highlights the natural simplicity of bamboo as an eco-friendly, durable solution with a designer touch. Plus, as the furniture is resin coated it's water resistant too!

The Bamboo 3 Drawer Trolley (3 drawer EIC1400 $119, 5 drawer ELC14001 $159) is perfect for all the bits and pieces everyone hides away in bathroom drawers, with the advantage of being able to wheel to where you need it.

Bamboo is also just the right material for a bath mat (EIC075 $39.95), as its strong but light structure means it will stay looking good for years to come, while giving you the lovely warm feeling of timber underfoot. Plus it's easy to roll up when not in use.

There can never be enough shelves in a bathroom. Our 4 Tier Bamboo Shelf (EIC056 $84.95) adds loads of storage space while taking up only the tiniest amount of floor.

Team the 4 tier with a 3 tier (EIC057 $72.95) for a stunning sculptural form that is as practical as it is good looking.

To complete the look, and keep your towels beautifully aired, the Leaning Towel Ladder (EIC01552 $79.95) is an elegant piece of design that really makes a statement.

But there’s much more to bamboo than just furniture. Because of its absorbent properties it’s perfect for getting rid of unwanted smells.

The anti-bacterial and absorptive qualities of bamboo are pretty amazing, just take a look at these new products that really shine a light on this fabulous resource.

The Pure Bamboo range of deodorisers and protectors are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, 100% bamboo, chemical free and 100% natural.

How impressive is that!

The Moso natural wardrobe protector (PUR1301 $10.95) is brilliant at keeping moisture and odour away from your precious clothing.

Natural clothing protectors (PUR1304 www.hsw.com.au

Bamboo solutions for every room...

Bamboo is so versatile that you'll soon find yourself using it all around your home!

These Bamboo Organisers are too smart to be hidden in a cupboard! Leave them on display as a decorative addition to the kitchen.

Caddy EIC060 $32.95, Small Tea Box PHA4014 $29.95, Large Tea Box PHA4015 $39.95 Keep your drawers tidy with expandable cutlery trays designed to take advantage of your drawer's full width. Once every utensil has its own space you'll bring order to messy utensils with ease!

Expandable Bamboo Cutlery Organiser from $49.95 PHA031 For an alternative to stacking your plates, try a Bamboo Plate Stand which holds the plates in an upright position.

As well as looking good, it makes the plates easier to pick up. PHA4017 $19.95

Bamboo offers a solution to all sorts of domestic issues!

These racks stack, so you can increase them as your shoe collection grows!

Shoes will cease to be a tripping hazard with a Bamboo 2 Tier Shoe Rack. The racks can be stacked three-high to create plenty of storage. PMB01 $99 Escape from the humdrum of daily life with a soak. But don't forget the Aquala Bath Bridge which The wheels it is a luxurious way make to easy tobathing move the unit guarantee the $115 bathroom bliss.around ANA90390 inplace inplacemagazine magazine 14 7

different by design

■ Sofa out, perfect for watching TV.

■ Sliding the TV wall creates the kitchen.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

■ Push the TV back to CY make the bedroom.

■ The curtains double as a cinema screen.

CMY

Shifting the Boundaries

K

Hong Kong architect Gary Chang may just be the master of storage, with 24 room configurations crammed into his tiny 32 square metre apartment...

W

ith a land mass of 1104 km2 and a population of seven million people, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Space is the ultimate luxury, desired by all but possessed by few. However, in architect Gary Chang’s super-micro dwelling, walls slide in and out to change the living area to a kitchen, a bedroom, or a cinema! Even the large bath vanishes as the guest bed pulls down from the wall above. It is the perfect “Domestic Transformer” as Chang has aptly named this puzzle box of creative living.

The most brilliant thing about this funky abode is the space. It may be tiny in terms of square metres, but Chang has managed to make the room buzz with a feeling of airy sunshine thanks to an end wall of vertical

8 inplace magazine

windows glazed with cheerful amber glass.

Chang’s genius lies in his creative ingenuity, whereby sliding walls, pull-down tables and the inventiveness of a specially engineered hydraulic Murphy bed, add rooms by the dozen to this magical home: “It’s all about transformation, flexibility and maximising space,” says Chang of the room’s open plan versatility. The wall units are amazing. Suspended from steel tracks in the ceiling and hovering just centimetres above the black granite floor, the units each contain a world unto themselves.

There’s even a slide-out glass-encased shower complete with colour therapy and massage options as if to prove that no luxury has to be omitted due to space constraints.

More than just a place to live, Chang’s apartment is about the philosophy of living

in Hong Kong: “I see my place as an ongoing experiment,” says Chang who has openly documented every change and addition to the apartment’s 30-year evolution.

Ultimately, it is Chang’s hope that his ideas will be adopted into the greater community: “We have to find ways to live together in very small spaces”. ■ inplace ■ The show er do as a phone bo ubles oth!

www.hsw.com.au

ot Sp her’s ec D ial ay

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Mother of the Year

Turn to page 13 to win your mum a trip to a day spa!

Gifts of Love Mother’s Day is the perfect time to say thanks to mum for all she does, so why not splash out on the perfect gift too!

1

Glam Organiser with Lipstick Holder ANA1304 $59.95. Enjoy instant organisational success with this high-quality acrylic drawer insert that will help mum keep all her cosmetics neatly grouped. It’s just the thing to make your mum’s make-up routine faster and easier.

2 ■ Kaye Worth and her granddaughter Amy Pratt.

Mum in a Million Every mum is special, but Kaye Worth is amazing!

A

t this time of year we take a moment to thank our mum for everything she does.

From warm hugs to shared jokes, a good mother is something truly special.

One typically amazing mother is Kaye Worth, winner of the 2010 Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Award. During the course of the last 15 years she has cared for over 50 foster babies.

Kaye tells us how she got started: “I have always been a baby person, even as a child and when our children were young there was a family at my local church that used to do pre-adoptive fostering. It interested me straight away,” says Kaye.

Kaye’s love and nurturing extends far beyond the time she spends with these children: “We do a journal diary with photographs. If you have a baby in care for weeks or months there can be a lot of change, so if they don’t have those memories it’s a big gap in their lives,” says Kaye.

“It’s the little things you would do for your own kids, it’s important to do that for the babies.”

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With babies arriving at her home with sometimes as little as 15 minutes notice, Kaye has learned to be organised and has everything set up and ready to go: “You have to be ready at the drop of a hat, so everything is in boys and girls and sizes for newborns up to 6 and 8 months. With everything labelled and organised I can be ready in a matter of minutes to take on a baby. Being organised is a big part of the deal for me and plastic tubs have been a god-send,” says Kaye.

Kaye’s an inspiration to us all. For more about the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards please visit www. barnardos.org.au ■ inplace

Aladdin Bento Box CAM30676 $44.95.

Time to update your mum’s lunch box?

Whether mum prefers a hot lunch, something chilled – or both! – this insulated, stackable, 100% leak-proof Bento Box is hard to beat. Keep food fresh for longer with this bright idea from Aladdin.

3

Porta Bag Handbag Insert LTW from $19.95.

Does mum have lots of handbags? She needs one of these handbag inserts. Available in black or natural, 3 sizes.

4

M-Cups IDS2993 $21.95.

Add a little fun to the kitchen with these adorable and clever measuring cups that look and stack just like traditional Russian matryoshka dolls. Built from heavy duty, food-safe, long-life engineering plastics, they’re easy to use and cute to boot!

5

Allure Folding Earring Screen PTM8572 $34.95.

With this helpful device, mum will be able to hang her favourite earrings without them becoming tangled. www.hsw.com.au

y Da r’s l he cia o t pe M S

mother’s day Having a few items on display creates a boutique look

Mother’s Day

Checklist...

Ask mum to fill in this list, so you can give her exactly the day she wants!

Mother’s Day! I finally get to sleep in...

Don’t get me up until: ❑ 9am ❑ Noon ❑ I’ll get up on my own ❑ 7am Monday morning! e bring:

Treat mum to a delicious breakfast in bed!

A Gift for Mum If you want to give your mum a treat, why not help make her bedroom a place she can relax in...

4 Quick tip A lack of clutter is essential for a bedroom sanctuary, so try to find a home for everything in the room.

S

unday, 8th May is Mother’s Day in Australia – an annual treat where people around the world take a day to pamper their mums and thank them for all the things they do throughout the year.

There are plenty of traditional ways to look after your mum on Mother’s Day – such as a breakfast in bed or a bunch of flowers – but how about doing something different? How about giving your mum a bedroom makeover?

Every mum will love having their bedroom tidied and turned into a special place they can relax in when they want some time to unwind.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, just be creative and try to make the room a calming space. Then give your mum the second part of the gift – some quiet time so that she can sit back, relax and enjoy it!

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Buy some simple storage baskets.

Group together mum’s things, such as perfumes, make-up, magazines and so on. Each collection of objects can then have its own basket so mum always knows where to find exactly what she needs.

5 6 7 8

Beautiful fresh sheets, whether newly bought or freshly laundered, will make the bed feel luxurious, especially if mum hasn’t had to do the laundering herself!

Maybe place a box of chocolates on the pillow for a loving touch.

Scented candles add a relaxing atmosphere. Aromatherapists believe that certain scents can create a relaxing mood and enhance well-being. Try lavender, sandalwood or chamomile.

Breakfast in bed? How wonderful! Pleas ❑ A bowl of cereal ❑ Toast with jam ❑ Bacon and eggs ❑ Tea/coffee ❑ Yourself and your best hugs!

Go Hollywood with an illuminated mirror for mum!

n Rectangular Illuminated Mirror, EIC008, $59.95

www.hsw.com.au

9 10

it involves: You’re taking me somewhere fun? I hope rite kids favou my with en gard the in et blank A ❑ nice e ❑ A picnic somewher ❑ Lunch in my favourite cafe ❑ A scarf, sunglasses, and a red convertible

A small jewellery tray is the perfect way to bring order to mum’s bracelets, earrings and necklaces. If she can see all her jewels at a glance she’ll always be able to find the perfect piece to go with her outfit.

A gift too? That’s very kind! I’d love: ❑ A box of chocolates ❑ A bunch of flowers ❑ My favourite fragrance ❑ A voucher from Howards Storage World!

A special pillow can really bring a room to life. Try adding a new texture like velvet or silk.

If your mum has lots of handbags, buy her a handbag holder so that the bags take up less space in her wardrobe. Plus, a handbag holder makes the bags easy to get to when mum feels like getting one out.

Pamper mum with a spectacular bed throw in soft merino or luxurious mohair.

A hanging Handbag Holder is a gift mum can use every day.

LTW5218 $35.95

Soft lighting is essential to a harmonious bedroom so treat mum to a beautiful shaded lamp to add that magical touch.

Reward your mum this Mother’s Day!

How to win:

Join our Inspirations program and tell us in 25 words or less why your mum is unique!* *Existing Inspirations members are eligible to enter automatically.

Chrysanthemums are the traditional Mother’s Day flower in Australia so consider putting a bunch in the bedroom for mum.

Treat your mum to a divine set of silk pyjamas or floating nightie, after all who doesn’t love being spoiled with gorgeous sleepwear?

5 Packs to be won*

Prize includes:

Spoil mum with this elegant solution for keeping all her precious jewellery organised and ready to wear.

Trays from $34.95, Lids from $24.95 MMA

1x $400 voucher to a day spa of her choice + a $100 Howards Gift Card

Competition starts Monday 18th April 2011. Closes Sunday 15th May 2011. *1 winner awarded in QLD, NSW/ACT, VIC/TAS, SA/NT, WA Conditions apply. For further details and to enter visit: hsw.com.au

inplace magazine 13

Mother get the look... of the Year

Closet Perfectionist Nina Garcia – Project Runway judge – gives us a peek inside her closet.

We show you how you can get a similar designer look at home.

N

To echo the look and feel of Nina Garcia’s celebrity wardrobe, get everything organised, visible and ready to go.

uped.

■ Nina keeps items gro

“ Take an inventory and decide what to do with each item”

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Celebrity style: get the look..

■ 21 Pair Shoe Rack PC017 $64.95

ina Garcia’s life is a New York fantasy come true. Moving from her role as head designer with Marc Jacobs in the nineties to her current role as Fashion Director at Marie Claire, she’s also a respected judge on TV’s Project Runway. Add to this her string of best sellers, such as Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What To Wear For Every Occasion, and it’s clear this lady knows fashion!

Understandably, her wardrobe is her pride and joy and the area that most perfectly reflects her extraordinary eye for time saving and organisational strategies.

But don’t panic, we have some great ideas to help you get the look, make the most of your wardrobe and save you a bundle of time.

The first step, as always, is planning, so have a look at your wardrobe and think about how to use the space with what you need.

This is the time to take stock of what you have and get rid of anything that doesn’t suit.

“In order to really see what you are working with, you need to take an inventory and decide what to do with each item,” says Nina in her book The Style Strategy. “As you look at each garment, decide whether you want to keep it, get rid of it, alter it, or mend it.

This doesn’t have to be a chore; it’s rather ■ 21 Pair Shoe Rack, $64.95 PC017 exciting to rediscover things you haven’t

get the look...

■ A dream, designer war drobe.

It’s great to be able to see all your shoes when pairing them to an outfit

worn in ten years. Or even two. The trick is, to approach it with humour and a damn good sense of fun.”

Next, sort your clothes and accessories. Nina has sorted by type and colour. This is a great solution. All the skirts are together and range from light to dark, making finding the right shade quick, easy and stress free.

If you long for Nina’s look try the skirts and pants on the lower rungs with blouses and jackets up high. We love her use of uniform hangers; they keep everything perfectly ordered and with either a good timber hanger or a flock option, the width will stop your beautifully pressed clothes from getting creased.

Being organised means clear access to the vital components of your wardrobe. Nina loves having all her shoes on display with built-in shelves. It’s the perfect way for her to view her entire collection at once. To get the look try a fabulous shoe library of clear store boxes for shoes and boots.

It might take some time to rearrange a whole wardrobe, but as Nina says, it’s all about being organised. Put on some music, enjoy rediscovering some old outfits and make a day of it. ■ inplace

Don’t you just love the way Nina can see every shoe she owns at a glance? Try a fabulous shoe library of stackable clear boxes (PAP) to keep your pumps perfect and your slingbacks stunning! There are even boxes to keep your boots as beautiful as the day you bought them, from $22.95.

Alternatively, keep your shoes on racks, like this Extendable/Stackable Shoe Rack which can be lengthened or shortened to snugly fit your space. GLX420 $59.95

Store bulky items with these must-have space creators.

The protective case will ensure quilts, blankets and last season’s clothes are stored from dust and bugs.

Compactor Compressible Trunks, 100L Medium, STE4023 $36.95 Of course there is more to accessorising than jewellery so isn’t it time you got your blingalicious belts, scarves, bags, hats, purses

and baubles organised so you can actually use them? Nina has had shelves specially built to accommodate her accessories, but it is an easy solution to achieve with a custom designed easy-build Accessories Station. From $706.

See the component list at hsw.com.au. DAD00002.

Nina has used simple wooden hangers to give her wardrobe a simplified feel that really reduces clutter. Try the 20 packs of Howards Storage World Natural Hangers for an easy, economic solution. PZN20 $24.95 Nina makes use of her higher shelves with stackable boxes (PBB). It’s a great way to store items that you might not use every day such as gloves or woolly scarves. Get this look with stackable Bigso Storage Boxes.

Assorted sizes, from $13.95. inplace magazine 15

travel

Shanghai

A

s one of the world’s fastest developing cities, Shanghai opens restaurants on a near daily basis.

However, the first stop for visitors has got to be Jereme Leung’s Whampoa Club.

Famed for his modern take on Shanghainese cuisine, expect voluptuously smoked fish to be teamed masterfully with super-sweet lotus roots and incredibly gentle peppermint petals. Tasting plates are the way to go for first time visitors – jump in, try everything and know that you’ll definitely be back for more! Housed in a 1916 colonial building, the Whampoa Club faces the river, making this the perfect spot to soak up the ambience of old-school Shanghai.

Xinguang is considered a must-visit restaurant. Tatty in the extreme, ignore the peeling wallpaper and concentrate on the menu. It’s not a difficult choice: crab or crab?

Yangchen Lake hairy crabs in fact – arguably the best in the world.

Surprise

Shanghai plays host to much more than its famous dumplings. We take a food tour of this vibrant city.

If getting down and street smart with the locals is your idea of foodie heaven, Wujian Road is the place to go, if only for the Jiaozi.

These little bundles of heaven are essentially a bottom fried dumpling piled full of delicious morsels and tempting treats. If you are saving your dumpling fix for the long lines at Nanxiang or Jia Jia Tang Bao, try any one of the fiercely competitive street vendors plying oodles of noodles, succulent Beggars chicken or incredible smokey meatballs.

Ah, and there we are – back at dumplings.

Shanghai is dumpling mad and rightly so. Here, the humble dumpling has been elevated to gourmand paradise with just about every palette craving more from the very first flavourful burst.

The Chinese equivalent to bon appetite translates loosely to eat slowly. So take your time, savour the moment and start booking.

But, be warned, Shanghai is totally addictive for the food obsessed. ■ inplace

GETTING THERE Where to stay: The Peninsula Shanghai is opulence to perfection. Luxurious and sumptuously modern, the rich influence of Chinese aesthetics transforms this beautiful full-spa hotel to giddy heights.

Close to The Bund and Yu Yang Garden, The Peninsula is Shanghai at its finest.

For more: www.peninsula.com/shanghai Where to eat: Xinguang is the place to go for exceptional Yangchen Lake hairy crab, but don’t let the locals fool you into shelling the crab yourself – leave it to the experts. Hongqiao Guest House, 1591 Hongqiao Rd, Shanghai.

How to get there: Qantas has a direct flight to Shanghai each day as well as several with a stopover in Singapore.

■ High style at the Peninsula Shanghai.

■ Shanghai’s famous dumplings.

16 inplace magazine

■ Deliciously prepared crabs.

www.hsw.com.au

inplace magazine 17

camping

Home Comforts

You can’t take everything from home, but these essentials are well worth packing...

Pitch Perfect

■ Aerobed Active Extra Long Double. AER55112 $159

With Howards, missing tent pegs don’t have to be part of the camping experience!

Quick tip

1

A good night’s sleep is essential for happy families…

#

2

#

Pack at least three Tub Trugs in varying sizes...

“One of the most versatile items to take camping is the tub trug,” says Cathy. Made from food-safe plastic they can be used for all sorts of purposes.

When packing, they make it easier to carry heavy items like gas bottles. But when camping, use them for: wet washing, dirty dishes, recycling, shoes, yabbies, washing up, ice buckets for cooling drinks, baskets, holding sports equipment and even storing wet towels in the car after a great day at the beach.

3

#

Use good watertight containers for your food…

Keeping food cold in an Esky or small fridge requires careful management if you want to avoid a soggy, waterlogged mess. New OXO Top containers are ideal because they have leakproof seals, are a space-efficient square 18 inplace magazine

■ Hang clothes with ease with a Portable 20 peg Clothes Dryer.

DNE44281 $9.95

Wow – an instant clothes line!

T

...as a bad night’s sleep can be a ‘gamebreaker’. Ensure the whole family is sleeping on Aerobeds, they are fast to inflate, super comfortable and almost as good as your bed at home. Deflating them is so simple the kids can do it. These are a must!

The Portable 20 peg Clothes Dryer. This fabulous little helper is perfect for drying all those personal items you would rather not sacrifice to the heat of a commercial laundry. Absolutely brilliant for swimwear too.

DNE44281 $9.95

Frozen juice keeps your esky cool without taking up additional space!

he Easter holidays are the perfect time to go camping with the family. Cathy Player, Howards Storage World’s organisational expert and a great fan of camping holidays, has some hot tips to make your campsite more enjoyable for all.

■ Pop-up laundry hamper.

EIC8042 $12.95

managing the laundry is much simpler with a couple of pop-up hampers according to Cathy. The whole family will ■ Tub Trugs ar e happily throw dirty clothes into ideal for stora ge the hamper, which beats a pile design, can be frozen and of clothes in the corner. The microwaved and they are available in lots Howards Hamper even has a of handy sizes. You’ll want a complete set once side pocket for your pegs and laundry detergent. you’ve tried them!

4

5

Pack at least two Pop-up Laundry Hampers…

#

Camping chaos is so easily avoided with the humble plastic tub. They’re easy to pack, keep items grouped, watertight and even double as a drinks table. “If you take a trailer camping, they make loading and unpacking much faster. Buy the same size for ultimate stacking and space efficiency,” is Cathy’s tip.

#

If you like to run a ‘clean campsite’ then

Easi Store Tubs. Cathy has a set of tubs dedicated to camping with labels listing everything she will need. A quick check against the list ensures everything’s packed and the tubs roll straight into the trailer, “much like loading a plane,” says Cathy. PJ015 from $10.95 Tub Trugs are as practical as they are fun. Pack them full of goodies on the way to your picnic spot then use them as an ice bucket (totally food safe), storage for freshly caught yabbies or even to lug the gas bottle from the car to the barbie!

CRS from $13.95

ing a ■ Cathy’s kids fill bies Tub Trug with yab

Sort everything into tubs and label them…

Few things beat a great cup of tea by the banks of a river, but nothing beats the Bullet Bottle for keeping your tea hot or your milk fresh. CAM50000 500ml $19.95

#

6

Make it easy with a not-so-humble airer.

Not all airers are created equal and Cathy recommends that you have a good look at the full Howards range. “They have tiny ones, big ones, space efficient ones, and ones that will last you the rest of your camping career!” she says.

Handy for drying bathers and towels, as well as your washing, a good airer puts you in control of your washing as you can position it for best available sun.

rs for storage ■ Oxo Top Containe from $8.95 I WK ks. lea ut ho wit

■ Pack space-efficie ntly with Travel Space Bag s.

4pk TRA68331 $24.95

■ Get instant storage with a collapsible box. PLF006 $19.95

Pop-up laundry hamper. Another great space-saving solution to help everyone stay organised on site. EIC8042 $12.95 The Leifheit Pegasus Airer makes a brilliant addition to your camping kit, for everything from drying cossies to airing out blankets. TRA81530 $199

■ Easi Store Tubs are perfect for camping. PJ015 from $10.95

Put simply, being organised just makes sense.

After all, it’s your holiday too! ■ inplace www.hsw.com.au

inplace magazine 19

fridge makeover

After

No-spill jugs free up door space

Chill Factor

Like a lime with your beer?

Have them ready to use, for a bar-style feel!

Group items like cooking spices together for ease

We take the stress away for a new mum who’s struggling to store all the food her growing family needs...

By chopping the vegetables we saved space and cooking time!

Cool for School As a new mum, Jo needs to take baby snacks everywhere she goes. She was thrilled when we showed her the Fridge to Go. Despite being small and light enough for school children to use as a daily lunch box, it chills food like a fridge for up to eight hours.

Obviously, the Fridge to Go is totally child friendly, BPA & PBA free, PVC and lead safe as well as reusable and durable. Just unzip the water-filled panel and pop it in the freezer overnight whenever the bag is needed.

This ice and electric-free cooler is so good it recently won a prestigious New Product Of The Year award.

“This is perfect for hot days,” says Jo. “It’s so compact that I can take it anywhere!” And, as if that wasn’t enough, the Fridge to Go also comes in great colours that kids love.

Fridge to Go, in blue, FTG30605 $29.95.

Lunch, bottle and baby not included!

“H

elp, I can’t find anything in my fridge!”

When young mum Jo (and 10-monthold baby Lucas) came to Howards Storage World with their fridge problem, we knew just what to do. It was Operation Fridge Rescue! We went to their home and in under an hour we transformed the chaotic fridge…

Using the simple but effective ‘stop, sort and solve’ philosophy, the first thing we did was talk to Jo about what she uses and when. Jo is a health-conscious cook who likes to have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables on hand. Lucky Lucas has all his meals prepared by Jo daily

Jo and Lucas before the makeover!

Before

and enjoys plenty of yoghurt, as does Jo. When we stopped and analysed what was frustrating Jo, we realised that she simply couldn’t get to key ingredients quickly and easily. To make life easier for Jo we made a plan to activate her fridge space and bring the key ingredients within easy reach.

Next we sorted everything into groups: baby food, condiments, jams etc. In the process we found some out-of-date jars and a few with just a scrape of jam or Vegemite remaining. As there was already a replacement in the fridge we decided to give these the boot. There were also a few unopened jars, which we moved to a cupboard to save space.

Storage was easy once we knew what we

The Oxo Good Grips range is a perfect collection of multi-use food storage containers.

Microwave-safe, air and water tight, stackable and BPA-free. WKI from $8.95

20 inplace magazine

■ Lucas enjoys a cool lunch in the park , but Fridge to Go is also perfect for school kids.

were dealing with. As food for Lucas was the most important it was placed at centre in a rollout basket that allows Jo to see what she has at a glance without reaching to the back of the shelf. The larger basket with a handle was perfect for keeping the large mangoes within sight and eaten before they get too ripe. Oxo top containers (WKI from $8.95) were a great solution for all Jo’s fruit and vegetables. Now she can actually see what she has got. One simple space saver Jo loved was chopping the celery into storable lengths. Not only does this save space, but it gives Jo an instant snack.

The Linus Turntable (ANA54030 $34.95) was perfect for the condiments as Jo and her husband Richard tend to only use a few

The Wine Wedge is so simple and effective you will wonder: “why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?” It’s like a bookend for wine. Brilliant!

MMD120 $14.95

at a time. Now they can swivel the selection into view without having to reach to the back of the fridge. The Avo Saver (EVR222 $7.95) was a big hit with Jo, as it keeps half-used avocados fresh. She also loved the BPA-free No Spill Jug (PIW1292 $19.95) that got rid of the not-so-beautiful store packaging, and could be stored on its side as a real space saver.

“It’s like a new fridge” said Jo afterwards.

“I wish you’d come round years ago!” ■ inplace

Marie Storage Baskets with handles are an inexpensive way to tidy your fridge and make it simple to access items you use every day. Small PLF028 $4.95, Large PLF029 $6.95

www.hsw.com.au

The Linus Turntable is the ultimate solution for back-of-the-fridge blues.

Now everything is within reach and easy to see – so no more out-of-date favourites. Remember, if you can see it, you will use it! ANA54030 $34.95

The Avo Saver is perfect for keeping avocado halves fresh and ready to eat with no waste.

EVR222 $7.95. Check out the excellent Tomato and Onion savers as well, DNE $9.95 each.

inplace magazine 21

entertaining

entertaining

Tips for Success

A Feast of Ideas

01

Soup makes a fabulous entrée as it can be made the day before and any leftovers can be easily frozen for a later date.

The perfect dinner party starts with good organisation and ends with great friends. This guide should give you all the tricks you need...

02

Plan your menu and try any recipe before committing it to the big night.

E

03

When trialling a recipe keep a track of timing and mark it in your recipe book – this simple tip has been the make or break of many a dinner party.

ntertaining good friends is one of the great joys of life. Whether it’s a lavish feast or simple dinner for four, being well organised is the key to success.

As with most things, the trick is to plan ahead, make a menu and pre-prepare anything that doesn’t need to be made on the day. In fact, it is always a good idea to include a dish that can be made the day before.

Hearty slow-cooked meals like Beef Bourguignon are perfect as they gain flavour overnight and are always a culinary sensation.

Mind you, a simple carrot soup will also benefit from a night in the fridge, so it’s not all about being a master chef!

If you are just starting to entertain, having the entertaining essentials at hand is another great strategy for being prepared and stressfree. Remember, you should be having as much fun as your guests!

To get yourself organised, think about what you need and make sure you have it before you start cooking. For example, a good chopping board is a must – the Joseph and Joseph Index Boards (IDS2019 $99) make staying food-safe a breeze. They also look great and store easily!

A good supply of kitchen paper towel is another essential and the Leifheit Parat Royal Roll Holder is just the thing for keeping it on

hand and out of the way (TRA25660 $69.95).

Another essential is a liquid measuring cup and we love this design by Cuisipro (ZBD747101 $19.95). Their ice-cream scoop is another essential for any entertainer that loves dessert, and who doesn’t? (ZBD747113 $19.95).

Second drawer essentials are a must-have and Oxo has an excellent range to choose from, such as a peeler (WKI20081 $12.95), garlic press (WKI28181 $32.95), ginger peeler (WKI89583 $16.95) and corn holders (WKI28381 $16.95). Cuisipro also has an amazing Deluxe Fat Separator (ZBD119 $29.95) that makes easy work of a usually messy task.

Quick Tip Friends aren’t there to judge you! Stay stress free and enjoy the evening!

04 05 06

www.hsw.com.au

■ Cuisipro Ice Cream ZBD747113 $19.95

Serves ice cream in a stack!

■ Cuisipro Liquid Measuring Cup ZBD747101 $19.95

Keep it simple. Two good courses with nibbles on arrival or a cheese plate at the end is preferable to a host bobbing up and down from the table all night.

Designate your partner or a friend to looking after drinks. After all, you can’t do everything!

Save yourself the embarrassment of dishing up steak to a vegetarian by asking about allergies and diet when you make the invitation.

10

07

Being well-organised means being prepared for life’s little surprises, including surprise guests, so always slightly over cater. Or as we like to put it, always make enough for tomorrow’s lunch!

08

Pre-cutting vegetables can be a real time saver in the kitchen. Just pop them into airtight containers and refrigerate until you need them.

09

To avoid the doldrums of a soggy salad, invest in a good quality salad and herb spinner. As a sneaky tip, wash and spin your salad early in the day and store the whole spinner in the fridge until you need it!

■ Mortar and Pestle EIC1038 $29.95 ■ “Stirr” Hands Fre e Stirrer DNE3960 $29.95

22 inplace magazine

■ Cuisipro Deluxe Fat Separator ZBD119 $29.95

11 12

A luscious dessert is always appreciated, so take your time with this important course. Plan ahead, trial the recipe, premake any components you can and remember a scoop of ice cream will rescue just about any mishap as long as the ingredients are good.

■ Wall-Mounted Roll Holder TRA25660 $69.95

■ Fusionbrand s Poach Pods ZBD8004 $19.9 5

Wear an apron. This may seem like an old-fashioned idea, but when you sit down with your guests a trace of cocoa powder and raspberry coulis on your shirt-front is not going to whet their appetites.

Keep the table setting simple.

Low flowers or candles will add atmosphere without interfering with conversation.

When the summer returns, outdoor entertaining can be fabulous, so make sure you have plenty of ice and some easy serving solutions. The Ice Orb is a great way to keep your wine chilled or add ice to drinks (ZBD125 $29.95).

Think outside the square when it comes to home entertaining by inviting friends to brunch. A great way to make this a success is to create one large dish such as slow cooked tomatoes with parsley, caramelised onion and bacon, which can be prepared ahead of time and served with fresh poached eggs. Poach Pods (ZBD8004 set of 2 $19.95) make it easy to impress your friends

Ice bucket or bottle chiller!

■ Fusionbrands Ice Orb ZBD125 $29.95

with eggs that are right every time.

Today’s dinner party is tomorrow’s lunch, if you are prepared with good storage solutions.

As well as saving you from needing to cook the day after the party, having somewhere to put things at the end of the night also makes the post-party clean up a thousand times faster. Decor and Oxo each have a range of containers that will suit everything from a cup of mascarpone to half a tureen of soup.

Last but not least, relax. If you have planned well, everything is going to run smoothly and when the hiccups occur – as they inevitably do – you will be calm, in control and able to find the perfect solution. Bon appétit! ■ inplace

inplace magazine 23

healthy living

healthy living

Make the Switch Simply switch from a sedentary to an active life and you’ll be healthier, fitter and happier.

T

ake the stairs instead of the lift, walk instead of drive, do some housework… there are hundreds of ways to get up and get active, it just takes a bit of effort.

It’s an effort worth making though. According to the 2008 report, Australia’s Future ‘Fat Bomb’,

by Melbourne’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australia has now overtaken the US in having the highest rate of obesity in the world! Its figures show that four million of us are now obese, which is 26 percent of the entire adult population!

“We have more gyms and personal trainers than ever but we’re also fatter and more unfit than ever before,” says weight loss expert, Geoff Jowett. So how has our approach to activity (and our body shape) gone so pear-shaped?

Jowett says the answer is simple: we forget the power of everyday movement such as walking to do the groceries and washing the car.

Just by being more active you can: improve your general fitness; manage your weight; prevent lifestyle diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart disease; burn extra kilojoules; maintain flexibility and range of motion in your joints; and promote your general well-being.

In fact, recent research rated this type of ‘incidental activity’ (the type you accidentally get through the tasks, chores and activities of everyday living) as more important than making it to the gym three times a week.

Here are some simple ways to be more active:

■ Playing with the kids is good for body and soul!

5

Did you know?

A good belly laugh can offer the same benefits as an exercise session! 100 hearty laughs can burn as many kilojoules as 10 minutes of rowing!

1

For hot or cold drinks

Stay hydrated with a water bottle ■ Aladdin Tumbler and Aladdin Water Bottle, both CAM $15.95

Salads stay delicious with a Big Lunch cooler bag

■ Realseal Big Lunch Starter Kit DCR195500 $34.95

Switch this: Hired help For this: DIY

Switch this: The car For this: Walking

Switch this: Labour-saving devices For this: The old-fashioned method

Getting stuck into the housework and cleaning around the yard is just as good as going for a walk. And some of the elbow-grease tasks – such as digging and scrubbing – can burn as many kilojoules as a light jog.

You’ll be amazed the difference you can make to your general fitness and weight if you walk to your destination instead of drive: take the furthest-away car spot and walk; walk to the DVD store to drop off last night’s rental; walk to work and back (wear joggers and change into your shoes at the office), it all helps!

Wash and dry the dishes instead of using the dishwasher; carry loads of washing and hang it on the line instead of using the dryer; sweep instead of vacuum; and hide the TV remote so you have to get up to change the channel.

Switch this: Taking the lift For this: Taking the stairs

Catch up with friends for a walk instead of at the cafe – you can always get your coffee takeaway or finish off the morning walk with a healthy brunch afterwards. Or why not meet friends in the park for a game of cricket or soccer?

Switch this: Lying around For this: Active living Instead of retreating to the couch every night, it’s a good idea to get out and get active. Take a bushwalk with friends, grab a basket and walk to your local shops, play a game of social golf or tennis, or go out for a dance.

24 inplace magazine

Bypass the lift or escalator when you’re in the office or out shopping and you’ll burn around 41kJ for every 10 minutes you use the stairs.

Switch this: Catching up for coffee For this: A walk-and-talk

www.hsw.com.au

reasons to get fit now!

Procrastinate no longer. With more convincing reasons to exercise than ever you’ve just got to take up the activity habit.

Fitness matters much more than fatness

There’s mounting evidence to suggest that fitness is more important than fatness in determining the risk of chronic lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Several large studies show that even if you’re in the ‘overweight’ category, as determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale (a standard method of measurement to indicate levels of weight categories), but you’re still fit, you’re better off than if you fell into the ‘healthy weight’ category but were unfit.

Recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) stated that fitness – irrespective of how much you weigh – is a better predictor of mortality risk than weight.

Of course, the ideal combination is to be a healthy weight and regularly active, but the next time you’re obsessing over that kilogram or two you can’t shift, perhaps what you should really be obsessing over is how many times you went for a walk that week?

2

Reduced risk of heart disease

If your heart could smile it would be beaming every time you exercise.

According to the Heart Foundation, cardiovascular disease kills one Australian nearly every 10 minutes and physical activity is one of the major modifiable risk factors (ones that you can change) for developing heart disease.

To reduce your risk of heart disease the Heart Foundation recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on all or most days of the week – this can also be accumulated in shorter bouts, such as three 10-minute walks over the span of a day.

High cholesterol is also a strong risk factor for heart disease as it builds plaque in the arteries – regular exercise boosts ‘good’ cholesterol, known as highdensity lipoprotein (HDL), and lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol, known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

3

Boxercise is a great workout and a massive stress reliever!

triples the odds of developing heart failure and puts you at risk of other kinds of heart disease, as well as stroke and kidney disease or failure. Exercise is highly effective in lowering and preventing high blood pressure.

4

Disease prevention

■ Walking is a great

The World opportunity to talk.

Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to one-third of cancers of the colon, kidney and digestive tract are caused by being overweight and inactive. Regular physical activity helps protect against a host of lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

5

Stress release

Unleashing on a pair of boxing pads does more than just provide an outlet to vent frustration over that argument you had with your partner or colleague that day; it actually helps reduce the level of stress hormones that circulate in your body, primarily cortisol. It is also worth noting that exercise increases the types of hormones that make you feel calm and emotionally stable, primarily endorphins.

about 41kJ in .

■ You can burn lking up stairs wa of s te inu 10 m

Quick tip

It’s always worth chatting to your doctor before changing your routine – just to be on the safe side!

Studies have shown that fitness is more important than weight

Lower blood pressure

According to Harvard Medical School’s Healthbeat newsletter, long-term high blood pressure (hypertension) doubles or

inplace magazine 25

Laundry laundry

Clean Start Dry

laundry

For drying, the Leifheit Sensitive Airer is great quality and specially designed to dry delicates

Competition

Fold

10 sets to be won

Iron Win one of 10 fabulous sets of sorting hampers for your laundry!

Distribute ■ 3 Tier Chrome Slim Basket Trolley GLX715 $69.95

Wash

Pre-sort

Trolleys come in all shapes and sizes but the 3 Tier Chrome Slim Basket Trolley (GLX715 $69.95) is brilliant for small spaces, while a Divided Laundry Cart (GLX660 $149), featured as the pre-sort area in the main image, is the perfect solution for pre-sorting the family’s washing.

Ecoballs 0 $34.95 66 E4 DN

■ EcoZone

The laundry need not be the bane of your life.

Get the family involved with a system everyone can use.

G

iven a choice of which rooms to improve around the home, people always elect to spruce up the kitchen, lounge or bedroom. One space that is continually overlooked is the laundry – and yet, in terms of daily household tasks, it is one of the busiest rooms in the household.

The secret to an organised laundry is using all the available space to create an efficient workflow. Your laundry can be used for more than just washing. How about adding a space for pre-sorting, washing, dry/drip-drying, folding, ironing, distributing and mending?

With a little planning it’s possible to put a system in place that will not only save you and your family time, but also give you a sense of satisfaction every time you throw on a load!

Naturally, every laundry is different, so a great starting point for a new and improved system is the easy-build Custom Laundry Unit, pictured above. Made of triplecoated chrome and available from Howards 26 inplace magazine

Storage World for $764.50 (DAD00003) it is a component system that can be designed to suit your space.

Alternatively, the elfa® system is a brilliant way to create a laundry system and maximise your space, no matter how large or small your laundry is. This convenient custombuild system with its ventilated shelves will revolutionise the way you do the laundry.

Smaller spaces are never a problem, they just need a solution! For instant shelves Howards Storage World has some brilliant tiered trolleys suitable for any space no matter how narrow. Another great space-saving solution are stackable, wheeled baskets – with one for each family member, distribution is a breeze!

AN IDEAL WORKFLOW It all starts with the pre-sort. A divided laundry cart makes it simple enough for the whole family to be involved. Simply encourage your

family to “sort as they go”. The laundry cart’s three sections make it effortless to put all the whites, colours and dark items together for machine-ready laundering.

As it’s all about efficiency, an ironing and folding station should be as near to the dryer as possible for convenient time-saving effort.

The best place is right between the dryer and distribution area.

For finished, folded clothes, choose baskets that coordinate with your laundry for a neat and methodical system of dispersal. You can even label each basket with a family member’s name for super-efficient delivery.

No matter how small your laundry, try to include a hanging rail to keep your freshlyironed clothing crease free.

For a busy family with active kids, why not create a mending station as part of your system to save you time and money.

Add finishing touches with smart laundry tins for your detergents and cleaning products. www.hsw.com.au

■ Wheeled Stacking Basket STE1280 $37.95

Simply tell us in 25 words or less why your family enjoys being organised: ■ Leifheit Sensitive S.5 Airer TRA81150 $149

Our family loves being organised because...

To enter, email your answer, along with your name, address and phone number to inplace@hsw.com.au.

Mesh drying trapeze for woollens

EcoZone Ecoballs (DNE4662 $34.95) eliminate the need for washing powder by doing the work the eco-friendly way. Plus, replacing washing powder with Ecoballs saves money since they are reusable!

Another essential, the Cli-Mate Sun Sack (OMG150 $11.95) keeps mould and mildew at bay by reducing dampness in drawers without any messy chemicals.

For the ultimate in luxury ironing you simply can’t go past the Brabantia Ironing Board (BRB9618 $299). This quality ironing board has an extra wide stable top for faster ironing. Naturally, it folds neatly for easy storage too.

The Cli-mate Coat Hanger (OMG001 $29.95) uses clever dehumidifying technology to clear away musty smells in winter coats. Perfect for storing leather jackets and expensive suits. ■ inplace Check out the videos at hsw.com.au for more splendid ideas!

Entries must be received by May 1, 2011. The judges’ decision is final.

Winners will be notified by post.

This is a game of skill, luck plays no part in the outcome.

■ Cli-mate Sun Sack OMG150 $11.95

The ultimate ironing board with extra-wide deck

■ Cli-mate coat hanger OMG001 $29.95

inplace magazine 27

health

Ingredients

1 cup short-grain rice 1 tbs caster sugar 1 tsp salt 2 tbs rice vinegar 100g fresh fish fillet (such as salmon, tuna, ocean trout or kingfish) 1 small Lebanese cucumber, peeled 1/2 avocado 4 nori sheets Wasabi, to taste Pickled ginger, to serve Japanese soy, to serve

Method:

Roll up, Roll up Embrace your inner sushi chef to add super-health to your daily routine.

H

ealth experts agree that an essential starting point for healthy living is fresh and nutritious food. Key to this is plenty of fresh vegetables and fish. Avocado, for example, is highly regarded as an excellent source of Vitamin K, folate and vitamin B6, while salmon is an excellent source of Omega 3 and is essential to well-being.

Getting enough high vitamin content can be tricky, especially when you’re on the go, and many of us have joined the craze for sushi rolls to keep our lunches healthy. These convenient rolls are undeniably delicious and now making them yourself is as easy as placing an order.

The Leifheit Perfect Roll is incredibly easy to use with simple-to-follow instructions that give you perfect rolls every time. In fact, the results are so impressive that in next to no time you will be wowing friends with a sensational platter of market fresh sushi.

We loved avocado and salmon rolled in sesame seeds, but were equally impressed with a simple vegetable and ginger combo. It’s also a great way to get kids to eat super fresh food and easy enough to let them join in and experiment!

For a delicious fresh roll try slithers of

28 inplace magazine

1. Rinse rice under cold water and drain well, before boiling.

2. Place cooked rice in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt, and pour over rice. Stir to combine. Cover a flat tray with aluminium foil and spread rice on it to cool. The rice should be completely cool before using.

3. Choose from a variety of fillings, such as fresh salmon and tuna, cucumber and avocado. Prepare the fish and vegetables by slicing into batons about 5cm long.

Set aside.

4. Place 1 nori sheet, shiny-side down in a Leifheit Perfec t Roll. Use wet hands to prevent sticking and spread a quarter of the rice over bottom two-thirds of nori, leaving a small border around the edge.

5. Spread a thin line of wasabi along the middle of the rice and arrange a little of the fish and vegetables alongside the wasabi.

Gently move the handle across the Leifheit Perfect Roll to enclose the ingredients and finish your roll.

6. Use a sharp knife to slice the rolls at 2cm intervals. Serve with pickled ginger, soy sauce and extra wasabi.

cucumber with raw asparagus. Lay two spears of asparagus across the rice bed and place enough slivers of cucumber beside the asparagus to equal one width of asparagus. When you roll the rice up you will have a beautiful triangular arrangement of green. Perfect!

As the weather cools, try adding cooked meat or fish for a hearty roll. Beef cooked in a little soy and ginger will give your roll an It really is as simple authentic Asian flair. Grated carrot with lightly as fill and roll! toasted sesame seeds is a delicious and nutritious low-cal option! Experiment with layering rice and carrot for some amazing results. Nothing could be easier than making sushi with a Leifheit Perfect Roll. $21.95 TRA23044 ■ inplace

■ Leifheit Perfect Roll TRA23044 $21.95

www.hsw.com.au