A few weeks into term and parents’ lunchbox enthusiasm may be waning! Give these delicious and nutritious donuts a try, and your kids will beg for more! This week’s recipe comes from Mavella Superfoods.
Healthy banana & quinoa baked doughnuts
Treat your kids with this fun and wholesome doughnut recipe!
3 ripe bananas
1/2 cup dry quinoa
1 cup of whole wheat flour
1/2 cup organic or brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 eggs
1 tbsp Mavella Superfoods Brain Boost
1/2 cup walnuts, raisins, chocolate chips mix
Rinse the quinoa in water thoroughly. In a pan, or rice cooker, add the quinoa and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then cover with a lid and cook until the water is completely absorbed.
Preheat the oven to 180c and grease the doughnut mould.
In a food processor, blend the oats until powdered.
Mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the eggs, coconut oil and sugar. Mix well.
Add the flour, baking powder and Mavella Superfoods Brain Boost to the mixture.
Fold in the cooked quinoa, chopped nuts, raisins and chocolate chips.
Fill the doughnut mould and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before taking them out to a wire rack, then cool completely before serving.
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Sustainability has shaped recent consumer trends, and house renovation is no exception. An impressive 95% of respondents in a 2023 Houzz study chose to embrace sustainable features when revamping their kitchen, the room which remains the most expensive when renovating. That said, their reasons were more about saving money than saving the earth.
Clearly Renovations
Compared to other areas in the house, homeowners often create major changes to the kitchen, with median spending on renovations increasing steadily since 2019 ($15,000) to $20,000 in 2021.
“Homeowners are gravitating towards sustainable choices during kitchen renovations, and it is interesting to see the intersection of economic solutions and environmental concerns. The most frequent reason behind choosing sustainable options is long-run cost effectiveness, with environmental-friendliness as a secondary consideration,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist.
NOTO Architects
The survey of more than 450 respondents found that popular choices include LED bulbs (71%), energy-efficient appliances (63%), and water-efficient fixtures (49%). More than two in five homeowners also opt for a timeless design as a sustainable choice during renovations (45%).
While the alleged health dangers of engineered stone are well reported in the press at the moment, the study also reveals that engineered quartz is still the most popular benchtop material (36%) followed by laminate and granite.
Chris Snook
Additional insights from the 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends Study:
Contemporary leads the way: Contemporary is the top style choice for renovated kitchens in 2023, followed closely by modern.
Popular pantries: 53% of kitchen updaters are installing pantry cabinets, and 27% making space for a walk-in pantry.
Classic colours: white is the most popular colour for walls, cabinets, benchtops and splashbacks.
Electronic upgrades: Renovating homeowners incorporate technology into their kitchen appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity, smartphone/tablet controls, and colour touchscreen displays.
Kitchen usage is varied: As well as cooking, homeowners also bake, eat, entertain, socialise and work in the kitchen.
Chris Snook
The 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends Study is a report of homeowners who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a kitchen renovation. The online survey was fielded to Houzz Australia users in November-to-December 2022. Spend data is taken from the Houzz & Home Survey, sent to registered users of Houzz Australia and fielded March-to-April 2022.
The classic white-washed Hamptons style has long been Aussies’ go-to when building a dream house. This year, however, creative director and founder of Landart, Matt Leacy, predicts that the soft coastal aesthetic of the Mediterranean style will soon overtake it.
“One design influence that’s here to stay is Mediterranean – I would say it is the new Hamptons. While a Mediterranean influence is not new as such, it does continue to grow in popularity globally – and it’s very well suited to the Australian climate and way of life,” Matt said.
“The key is to draw inspiration from the style and to then ensure this marries well with the interiors of properties as well as existing external architecture. The design aesthetic has to work as a whole.”
What does the Mediterranean influence look like in 2023?
Materials
Matt says to think of natural materials like timber and stone, offset by soft white renders and large sweeping curves around pools and garden beds. Aussies will be keen on a more bespoke, custom-built approach to space with hardwood furniture and linen fabrics. It also incorporates oversized planters, warm mood lighting, multipurpose seating, edible gardens, recycled materials, art pieces/sculptures and cabanas.
“Natural materials like recycled timber, tea tree sticks, overhead shade structures, floorboards and natural stone all layered with a bit of interest and texture like crazy paving, cobbles and random shape walling that is beautifully offset by soft white renders are what we will see more of this year,” said Matt.
Colour
Colour-wise, the trend leans towards natural, earthy colours, the blues and greens – including strong emerald green. A white-based palette will also become a popular choice that works well as a base to layer natural products such as stone and timber.
Rooftop gardens
Rooftop gardens remain very popular in outdoor spaces. Done right, they’re a beautiful design feature in a garden and such a smart use of space that also has practicalities in terms of water capture and insulation for homes.
Watering will also be back on the agenda in 2023 after what was a very wet year. La Nina is set to end around the end of February – and Australia is already experiencing a drier start to the year. “All the hand watering habits need to start re-emerging – as we’re finding gardens are drying out very quickly even at the moment when we are still getting some good rainfall. Alternatively, Aussies may opt for some amazing new technology to help keep gardens hydrated when the skies will no longer do it for them. The technology looks at the forecast and automatically irrigates the garden when it is predicted as a non-rainy day. The system can be controlled from a phone – making garden care a much simpler experience.”
Pools
Pools also remain popular, with recent reports revealing they add significant value to properties*. “Pools and outdoor kitchens are quintessentially Australian and two key elements of outdoor spaces that are not so much trend-driven but a prerequisite for most of our design briefs,” said Matt.
The popularity of the plunge pool will be one of the biggest trends in pools in 2023. Along with curves. “We’ll still be seeing more traditional rectangular shapes, and they will always have a place in our landscapes as the shape of the pool is driven by the look and feel that suits the property and the client.”
When looking at trends for inspiration, homeowners can be influenced, but should not be entirely led by, fashion. “No design style or colour choice should be adopted just because it’s on-trend. It’s important to consider how the look of the moment works within a space and not just blindly follow trends.
“Trends inevitably date. If you can, bringing in a landscape designer to help maximise space, place all the important elements and work on a design style and plants that will thrive in your environment, is a fantastic investment,” Matt says.
With autumn around the corner, Linen House’s new Winter Sun collection is all about hibernation staples and getting cosy in style.
“This season’s collection embodies a winter utopia with gorgeous earthy tones, made to use not only for the colder months but all year round. A celebration of the desire to hibernate in staples that not only keep you warm but look and feel good is key!” said Emily Treganowan, head of design.
“Colours that are bold yet soft, materials that are warm but textured, and designs that stand out really do create both a homey but fashionable mood for your home this autumn and winter season.”
Retaining the brand’s iconic designs and fabrics from previous seasons, the collection boasts stunning palettes across numerous fabrics: lustrous and fluffy, knitted and ribbed, or quilted in velvet. Choose from cotton corduroy and cotton chenilles, as well as their best-selling pure linen.
Meanwhile, yarn-dyed cotton, textured cotton slubs, and cotton sateens are still omnipresent, all adorned by stripes and classic or abstract patterns with florals and geometric patterns.
Television personality and design aficionado Neale Whitaker, has had a hotel room named after him as part of a styling collaboration. The project came about “by accident” after several years of being allocated to the same room at Melbourne’s Laneways by Ovolo, leading to it being known unofficially as his personal suite.
“It became a bit of a standing joke,” Neale says of his connection to the room, formerly known as 303.
Even this artwork, by Flynn Cowan, features Neale’s face!
“The reason I love this room is because of its corner position, which has amazing windows looking to the most gorgeous tree and old stuccoed wall outside, leading through to views of the rooftops and towers of the CBD,” Neale said.
Working alongside Australian interior design studio Luchetti Krelle, Neale incorporated some of his favourite pieces into the 80s Memphis-inspired Neale Whitaker Suite. “I sourced a whole load of styling items and a few knick-knacks to put into the room, artwork as well, fitting with Luchetti Krelle’s design narrative.”
Sculptural lamp by Sarah Nedovic Gaunt
Guests who reserve the suite can expect to stay amongst a collection of original art, limited edition objects and soft furnishings – each hand selected by Neale – as well as a 100-song Spotify playlist of his favourite tracks. “These are all the things that are incredibly important to me,” Neale says, adding that he wanted to showcase a cross section of Australian artists when curating the room. “There are three big ticket items: a large painting by artist Nunzio Miano, a Sarah Nedovic Gaunt lamp and a portrait by Flynn Cowan.”
Nunzio Miano painting
Nunzio Miano is a Melbourne-based artist whose flamboyant and generous use of colour brings high-octane energy to the scheme. The lamp by Sarah Nedovic Gaunt was the last of the highly sought-after ‘Lady’ collection, similar to a piece which Neale has in his own home. The artwork featuring an illustration of Neale himself, created by former Ovolo staffer Flynn Cowan, leans into Warhol-like themes, using repetition and colour-blocking to bring the room to life.
Summer means most homeowners will be using their backyards more at the moment. To add more value to your home, you may want to create an outdoor paved area, and you may be surprised how DIY-friendly a project it is!
Four-time Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) gold medallist and TV personality Jason Hodges, explains the many options in laying patterns and shares his top tips for creating the ultimate paved outdoor area for your home.
Jason suggests to first look at your backyard and make an assessment of the lay of the land. An important consideration when creating a backyard is the addition of colour and texture, as it sets the scene for the entire area. “Consider which paving colour will best compliment your existing space by matching them with roof tiles, guttering, bricks or render,” he advises.
Many homeowners choose pavers as they’re easy to install and make great DIY projects. Pavers allow you to get creative with different patterns producing unique focus points for your backyard without breaking the bank. “For variety, style and impact for your home, the flexibility that pavers provide is hard to beat. With any one paver, you can create four to six different paving pattern styles allowing you to find the right match for your home,” explains Jason.
How to pick your paving pattern
The most important element for those looking to DIY their own paving project is that some areas and paving patterns require half pavers to fill gaps, and this involves cutting. “Some paving patterns will require cuts via the use of a brick saw which can be hired from a local hire shop. While the hiring is easy, the operation of the saw requires caution and all of the required safety gear, so take your time or better still, engage the help of a tradesman,” says Jason.
Hot tip: If you are using pavers that will need to be cut, Jason suggests running a border around all of the pavers so that you don’t end up with little pavers on the edge.
1.Stretcher bond
Stretcher bond is the most common paving pattern as it’s super DIY friendly, requires minimal cutting, and leaves little wastage. A traditional pattern that replicates the classic look of brickwork, stretcher bond can also easily hide imperfections in the laying pattern.
2.Stack bond
Stack bond is an excellent choice when paving feature sections such as entertaining areas and patios, where the finished product sets the atmosphere of the space. Stack bond is a great paving pattern choice for large format pavers and can make smaller layouts appear bigger – a great design hack. This pattern is simple to install; however, it can become fiddly as you must lay each paver down by one corner, making sure that all four corners align for a straight stack look.
3.Herringbone
The herringbone pattern is a savvy design choice and is on the rise of making a stylish comeback. To achieve this look, take a smaller-sized paver and interlock the pavers on a 90-degree or 45-degree angle. Herringbone is an eye-catching pattern that will make a great first impression on any space.
4. Basket weave
The basket weave pattern is a design that adds character and dimension while complementing the existing brick surfaces of your home. When picking a paver to style a basket weave, take a close look at the aggregates (exposed coloured stones in your current brickwork), and choose a paver that is complimentary to the aggregate colours. To create a basket weave pattern, simply lay two rectangular pavers the same way each time, swapping in the direction of every “set” of two pavers, and repeat.
5.Mixing colours
Mixing paver colours is a hot new trend. Pavers of different colours and sizes create a modern paved look and also have the bonus ability to hide stains as the colour varies throughout the pattern, making it a fantastic choice for families.
Watch Jason show you how it’s done!
Jason Hodges is an ambassador for Adbri, one of Australia’s pioneering construction materials and industrial mineral manufacturing companies.
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Fact: there’s a fine line between the point where your swanky bachelor pad becomes a full-blown man cave. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and nailing stylish interiors takes time too. The key is not rushing into it, keeping an eye out for cool pieces, observing how rooms look throughout the seasons (and thus different levels of light), and above all, not being afraid to move furniture around and try different arrangements until you land on a configuration and design that works for your specific needs.
According to Shaye Ford, interior designer at Miss Amara, when it comes to striking a balance between a masculine home that combines great style with a smart and snazzy space, these are the design elements every guy should know about to elevate his domicile.
The colour palette
If you’re looking to go all-out with this modern bachelor pad, then you might want to veer away from the bright side of the spectrum. A dark colour palette often characterises a more masculine space. Black, grey and white are obvious neutral options, but you could also go for rich, bold colours for a dramatic effect. Navy blue, deep violet, and even chocolate brown are safe choices. For accent colours, try warm metallics like copper and bronze. Whether you’re opting for one colour and combining it with lighter and darker tonal shades or using saturated colours with accents of white for high contrast, it’s worth keeping a singular palette in mind for the subsequent accessorising and furniture.
Clean lines
Modern spaces typically incorporate geometric elements, and the best way to do this is to stick to clean lines to maintain a sophisticated aesthetic. If you want to step into something more exciting though, opt for interesting geometric patterns for your furniture, rugs, and wallpaper.
Play with texture
Although keeping it sleek is the best way to approach a bachelor pad, don’t be afraid to add exciting touches via different textures within the same colour palette of your choice. Just remember that less is more, so be careful not to over-design. Bear in mind that very masculine designs can sometimes feel stark and clinical, so balance this by introducing warmth with plenty of texture, wood and layered lighting to add interest.
Understanding symmetry
Symmetry in interior design is a vital component in a masculine space. Use this approach to create balance and a feeling of tranquillity – perfect for enhancing space in a small living room. The best way to use symmetry in a room is by having an architectural feature as a starting – or centre – point, whether a pair of identical windows or even a living room sofa. However, you can create symmetry in a non-symmetrical space with a pattern, an area rug or simply a living room accent wall.
Define the floor plan
Another handy approach to designing a room is to first consider the floor plan. With the bird’s eye view of the room in mind, it’s easier to consider the importance of statement pieces and how they will fit together. A common mistake in many homes is overcrowding. We’re not necessarily saying all interior plans should be based around minimalism, but if you’ve got a few key pieces of furniture waiting for a room, it’s worth planning the space so that items can be moved around whenever a refresh is required whilst leaving enough room for potential new additions once you’ve had the opportunity to live in the space.
Statement pieces
An area where you’ve got to be careful but is also a crucial part of expressing yourself, investing in a few statement pieces will bring your space to life. Whether it’s a mirror, an ornate table, a home bar trolley, a chair or a dramatic rug, just ensure it doesn’t jar against the room’s colour palette and fits the space.
