Friday, July 29, 2011

OUR WEEK THAT WAS....NEW ARRIVALS...WHAT TO CALL OUR LIONS??....OUR VERY OWN PERSONAL BODYGUARDS...THAI CHICKEN MEATBALLS....WARREN HANEY....MESMERIZING LINDA VARIO....CHERRY TIPPLE AND MORE!! HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL...

THE WEEK THAT WAS.....


Anyone who walked into the showroom this week would have been witness to our great vanishing act....one day we are full of stock and the next...half of its gone.  We joked this morning about the echoing in the place!  Its been a great high energy week with the girls busy with design jobs, and it seems our customers want that perfect piece now, now, now!  And of course that's what the girls do best.  And so, Cath and Colette have been busy with filling up the empty spaces with more beautiful pieces.  We love it when we get new stock into the showroom.  Its just like Christmas!



This week, we introduce some more incredible artworks by Warren Haney and Linda Vario.  

Warren never ceases to amaze us with his artwork that seems to have life and movement.  This particular piece entitled Forever is an example of Warrens meticulous attention to detail.  I have the fortune of being able to look at this piece all day...its completely mesmerising.



Modern Artist Linda Vario creates intricate, visually stimulating works of resonating emotion and extravagant colour. She has mastered a rhythmical balance of harmonious and spontaneous expression,
resulting in works of provocative form and emotive energy.

Orchestrating a combination of mediums, layered to create high relief, tactile finishes with three dimensional impact. Linda's work is unique and highly sought after.


This particular Asian inspired piece entitled 'Currency' has intricate detailing to it.  I particularly love the combination of vibrant colours with beautiful imagery.  This is one piece in the showroom that simply will not last, and already has proven to be quite a conversation piece amongst our clients.


And then there's the arrival of our magnificently majestic Bronze Lions....



These lions certainly create an impact, and also drew a crowd down this end of Doggett Street on Wednesday of this week.  We thank the guys who transported them and then unloaded with care...they walked away with a bottle of scotch on us...boy did they deserve it.



And now to name them....stay tuned for our next competition details.

To keep our lone Stone Warrior company we now have two kneeling warriors by his side.  These warriors are solid stone, hand carved and the new protectors of the showroom.




And finally our gorgeous Australian and Custom Made French Style Cabinet.  Crafted in Queensland from Rosewood timbers.  This is a quality piece that will stand the test of time...and the rest.




LOOKS WE LOVE!

We may have mentioned a few times about the Television show Offspring and how many enquiries there have been about Ninas Apartment Wallpaper.  The question is always "Where can I get the look?"  And the answer is of course, here!...at Charcoal Interiors.  Not only do we supply the pressed metal look that has become so popular in Ninas Apartment on Offspring, but did you know it also comes in Charcoal Black, Silver and Gold!


. This week, we have some more super luxe wallpaper to inspire.  Spring is just around the corner and what a great way to freshen up your space, plus gain maximum impact than with a luxuriously glamorous wallpaper...here's a sneak peek at just some of the looks we love!



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If you've had a week anything like ours, you will be looking for an easy recipe this week.  This weeks 'Foodie' contribution is just that...easy and delicious.
I mean what could be easier than squeezing the contents from the chicken sausage, rolling it into balls with the sesame seeds and then making up the super quick and easy sauce....Voila!  Instant kitchen legend.
These work well on a platter with sliced fruit, make up a little couscous dish with chopped herbs, tomato and pine nuts drizzled with lime and olive oil and perhaps some flat bread ripped up.  An easy dinner that the family can all get stuck into...I love finger food and the idea of a shared plate.  We feed 6 of us at home like this at least twice a week.  Message me if you would like my couscous recipe in more detail, but its basically as above, just follow the couscous cooking instructions on the packet.

THAI CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH CHILLI LIME SAUCE


Photo credit with thanks to jakeprzespo via flickr

Makes

Makes 32

Ingredients

  • 2 x 375g packets chicken sausages with lime and spices
  • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh coriander leaves
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup sweet chilli sauce
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • Chopped fresh coriander leaves, to serve

Method

  1. Squeeze meat from sausage casings into a bowl. Roll level tablespoons meat into 32 balls. Place sesame seeds in a shallow bowl. Roll balls in sesame seeds to coat. Thai chicken meatballs with chilli lime dipping sauce Place on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, if time permits.
  2. Combine coriander, lime juice and sweet chilli sauce in a bowl.
  3. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs, in batches, turning, for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Serve with sweet chilli sauce mixture, coriander and toothpicks
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THE CHERRY COCKTAIL


I am a big fan of the Masterchef show, and this week they had a cooking challenge using these really weird ingredients...one vegetable looked like a piece of twisted coral, then there was a sea urchin to make something delicious out of and other assorted strange and what looked like unpalatable oddities that ended up tasting great.  This made me recall a Cocktail recipe that I tried a while ago, simply for the fact that it looked on paper like a taste bud challenge...an egg in a cocktail?....(shivers).  Surprisingly, it tasted great, so I thought I would share it with you today.  Enjoy!


Image credit with thanks to freek dech via flickr

What you need
Cherry Brandy 1 ½ oz
Confectioners’ sugar 1 tsp
Light cream 2 tsp
Egg 1
Nutmeg garnish

Preparation:
Except for the nutmeg, pour all the ingredients into an ice-filled mixing glass. Shake well and strain into a sours glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve.

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The vibe in the showroom has been so wonderful and this is due to the clients, no doubt about it.  We have had some really lovely people coming through this week and thank everyone for their support of Australian small business and quality Australian Made products.


"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."....Ralph Emerson...


Until next week....
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au

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