Whether you’re putting together a last minute barbeque or planning a family picnic, some entertaining essentials will come in handy. Here’s a few home shopping items available at ACHICA this weekend that will help ensure your event is as laid back and lavish as possible…

1. Choosing the right glassware is as important as choosing the right alfresco summer drinks such as Pimms, wine spritzers or cocktails. Villeroy & Boch’s Bernadotte range (above) is simply beautiful and comes with dimpled detailing that’s bound to turn heads. The range features water and wine goblets, Champagne flutes and tumblers.

2. Equally eye-catching is this range of Baroque styled summery servingware from Baci Milano. Made from acrylic, the colour range is durable and ideal for drinks and dishing up salads, ice cream or fruit punch.

3. If you’ve got your barbeque sorted, the right tools will ensure your cuisine is perfectly handled. Start with skewers, tongs and a basting brush and then add as you go depending on what else is on the menu. You’ll find everything you need from the Best Of BBQ promotion.

4. We’re sure your garden is looking blooming gorgeous, but it never hurts to add a little detail here and there. These beautiful Marrakech lanterns from Abode would sit beautifully on your garden table as a centre piece and come evening, you can light them up as the party carries on into the night.

5. And if, after all your planning you end up with a few extra guests, these fantastic bean bags from Spill the Beans will sort out any seating problem. Filled with polystyrene beads that mould around your body shape they are super comfy and practical. Happy Bank Holiday Weekend!

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It’s not every day you get to cook for Cannes Grand Jury President Steven Spielberg, but for Two-Michelin-star chef Bruno Oger it’s becoming quite a habit and it’s with the ultimate precision that he creates his magical menus. With the Cannes Film Festival in full swing, ACHICA Living went to meet Bruno Oger on the French Riviera this week and looked behind the scenes at the Electrolux Agora Grand Pavilion where the stars have been dining daily. While there, we chatted to Bruno and sampled his Flavour of Film menu at the Chef’s Table where he’s been serving up delicious courses to the stars…

Two-Michelin star holder and one time winner of Best French Chef of the Year Bruno Oger was responsible for co-created the Opening Gala Dinner in Cannes this week, with Three-Michelin-star holder Anne-Sophie Pic, and you can watch the behind the scenes video here. This week, he also served up a special Flavour of Film menu to the Cannes Grand Jury, who are pictured above, including Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux, Christoph Waltz, Cristian Mungiu, Steven Spielberg, Nicole Kidman, Lynne Ramsay, Vidya Balan, Naomi Kawase, Ang Lee and Daniel Auteuil.

Here’s the Flavour of Film menu that ACHICA Living got a chance to sample. It’s inspired by Grand Jury President Steven Spielberg and his most iconic films.The menu references ‘Spielberg’s creativity, sense of adventure and special effects, with the third course inspired by 1981 Oscar winning film, Indiana Jones’. “It’s not good food, it’s great food,” said Spielberg after tasting the menu. He also joked about the unpredictable weather Cannes has been experiencing this week.

Bruno Oger Spielberg Flavour of Film Menu

Fricassee of Frog & Clams with Foam Shell

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Granita Lemon Marmalade Citrus Limoncello

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Bresse chicken breast, leg ravioli with foie gras

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Traou Mad Biscuit Rum Victoria White and Pineapple, Roasted Coconut Ice Cream

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Lollipop Chocolate Rum Meringue

ACHICA Living interview with Electrolux-partner chef Bruno Oger at the Electrolux Agora Pavilion, Cannes: 

What was it like to cook for the Cannes Film Festival 2013 opening Gala Dinner?

It is one of biggest meals in France and so it was an honour – we had 600 people to cook for and everything had to run like clockwork.

Was it hard to decide on the perfect menu?

Anne-Sophie Pic is my friend and so we work well together and it was easy to decide on what would work. We chose King crab with shrimps, Pea and caviar with white foam of onion, and Seabass filet with rhubarb and celery, light bouillon with green apple, cinnamon, green aniseed. [Chef Anne-Sophie Pic not only holds Three Michelin Stars but was named the Best Female Chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2011- Ed]

What did Steven Spielberg think of the food?

He loved it and everyone was particularly impressed with the Chocolate and Caribbean cream dessert. We had to think about the region and the local produce we could find including seabass, garden pea, asparagus and basil – people expect to have these foods when they come to the South of France.

What’s the most exciting dish you’ve ever created? 

Fricassee of Frog & Clams with Foam Shell that’s in the Flavour of Film menu.

When you cook for yourself at home what do you like to eat? 

I don’t cook at home! But I love a barbecue with all the family.

What three ingredients could you not live without in your kitchen and what is your top cookery tip? 

I really love mushrooms, asparagus and good olive oil. Keep it simple.

What’s your favourite product in your kitchen?

I have two Electrolux Grand Cuisine ovens in my kitchen. I love my steam oven and fridge!  Sous vide cooking is very interesting as you can cook at 70 degrees to incredible results and it really respects the food.

What’s your favourite thing about the Cannes Festival?

The ambience and the people you meet at Cannes are all fabulous.

Have you had a chance to see a film?

No unfortunately not. The last time film I saw was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, directed by Spielberg, with my children…

[Incidentally, ACHICA Living can highly recommend hanging out in a Michelin-starred chef's kitchen. Just take a look at the stunning cakes we were surrounded by below. Possibly time to hit the gym now...]

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The long weekend is once again upon us, hurrah! So in between the lie in and indulging in a little extra TV, why not tackle some of those cleaning tasks that keep getting put onto the end of the to-do list. We know time is precious, so here are a few quick and easy cleaning tips to enhance the sparkle in your home…

1. Make your cutlery sparkle

This is a handy little tip to try before a dinner party. Soak your cutlery in hot water and then add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to help remove any stubborn stains. After ten minutes rinse and buff with a tea towel for a gleaming shine.

2. Descale the kettle, then sit back and enjoy a coffee

A simple thing that will make a big difference is cleaning and descaling your kettle. For best results, fill your kettle with half water and a few teaspoons of white vinegar and bring to the boil. Leave the solution inside for a few hours or for best results leave overnight. When cooled simply pour the solution away, boil the kettle with clean water a few times and give it a good rinse. You can also try wiping the outside of the kettle with the flesh of a lemon and then wipe clean with a cloth dipped in warm water for extra sparkle.

3. Clean and air your mattress for the soundest of sleeps 

A mattress protector is great because you can pop it in the washing machine as and when you like, but now and then it’s good to go in deeper and give the mattress a clean. Start by vacuuming the mattress to get rid of any dust, then with a very mild solution of warm water and laundry detergent, wipe the mattress with a gentle motion. Leave it to dry and then do the same on the other side. Once the mattress is completely dry replace the mattress protector with a clean one and you’re ready to snooze. Always refer to the care instructions first however.

[Opening image credit: Villeroy & Boch]

*Please note, these cleaning tips are general suggestions. Please refer to the relevant care instructions on your product if it requires specific care.

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With a whole raft of medals to his name, garden designer Jamie Dunstan’s become a familiar face at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. And this centenary year, he picked up a coveted Silver Gilt medal for his ‘As Nature Intended’ show garden, sponsored by Stockton Drillings. We went to meet him to ask about his inspiration for this beautiful contemporary design, and find out how he knows so many A-list celebs…

Jamie, how did you come up with the idea for your garden?

“I wanted to make a garden which included only plants and materials that have a use, and that reflect the area in South Yorkshire where I’m from. I live in a little village surrounded by fields of winter barley, which inspired me to use this lovely crop as an ornamental feature in the garden. We’ve also underplanted it with clover, which releases nitrogen, a main plant nutrient, into the soil to create a natural balance.”

Clever. We also hear that a local brewery have created a beer for the garden. Is this true?

“Well, barley is the main ingredient in beer, and yes, we have a pale ale here that’s named after the garden…fancy a bottle?”

The willow structures are beautiful. Did you make them yourself?

“I designed them, but Emma Stothard, a fantastic sculptor who also lives in Yorkshire, has woven them into these stone-like structures. The willow building frames a sculptural piece of stone, which represents how stone first looks when it’s quarried. And I chose willow because it’s been used for centuries to make all kinds of things, from baskets to cricket bats.”

Funny you should mention cricket bats, because we’ve seen a certain famous cricketer-turned-ballroom dancer perusing your garden. What’s the link?

“I have known Michael Vaughan and his wife for a few years now – we actually met on a skiing holiday. He’s been really supportive, and he knows loads of celebrities, like Jerry Hall, who have also come to the garden, which is great”

We also love the planting at the back of the garden. Tell us a bit about the plants you’ve chosen.

“In this shady woodland area, we’ve kept to the theme of useful plants. So, there are coppiced hazels and yew hedging makes up part of the willow building – an ingredient in the yew is used in some cancer drugs. I’ve also included hornbeam, used to make tool handles and the gear pegs in traditional windmills, and wild flowers, like garlic and foxgloves, to tie in with the natural design.”

Rumour has it that you are a real nature boy, and grow lots of the plants you use in your client’s gardens.

‘Yes, I love plants, and feel that growing them myself is the best way to really understand the conditions they like and how easy they are to maintain, which helps me provide the right plants for my clients.’

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Suffering from a surfeit of stuff? We know the feeling. Try these easy storage ideas to keep the clutter under control and the style looking slick…

1. If your coffee table tends towards the teetering pile of magazines rather than the odd beautiful interiors book, try swapping if for something with a bit of capacity. An antique style trunk or the real deal (as above) has the capacity to conceal what you need to keep but don’t want to show off, and perfectly complements a living room scheme with hotel-style elegance. The fabrics and upholstery in this room, pictured above, are from the Impasto collection from Harlequin.

2. Hiding in plain sight is a great strategy for household stuff. Mix up the plain things you need to store with beautiful decorative objects in one collection, and the latter is what you’ll see. Never forget, though, that ugly packaging is your enemy, so be ruthless with plastic or manufacturer’s labels that’ll stop you pulling off your magic trick.

3.  You could, of course, channel Martha Stewart with a meticulously planned approach to household necessities. It’s a great solution for a space like a utility room, allowing you to conjure up an attractive feature from the most unpromising of starts – which is a result if you ask us. The image above is from the ASA Selection.

4. Even the smallest of rooms needn’t be compromised by the things that gather there – you just need a cunning plan. We’re big fans of shelving that runs from wall to wall (as below). It doesn’t need to be very deep to hold a library full of books, so it won’t intrude into your room’s usable space. Try choosing a bed with storage space underneath, too. You can put the things that don’t look good on display there. Walls painted in Calamine, Farrow & Ball.

5. Bedside cabinet inclined to bulge at the seams? If so, why not get yourself a secondary chest of drawers to sit in the hall or beside the bed and you’ll have plenty of hideaway space, plus room on top for a lamp and decorative accessories. The chest of drawers shown here is by Frank Hudson.

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The May Design Series took place this week. It’s a new design show bringing together the best in design covering the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, decorative lighting and more. Chairs were in particular making a big statement at the show in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. With so much to see and ground to cover, we couldn’t help but sit down and admire the seating designs. Here’s a few that caught our eye…

The CU! Wire chair, pictured above, is designed by Avinash Shende for Wilde+Spieth is brilliant for both outdoor and indoor use. It has been created as one piece that means there are no screws used for assembling, which makes it practical and functional at the same time.

Benjamin Hubert has carefully blended two aesthetics of a chair, below, by using a net structured hammock and a conventional upholstered seat for his Cradle Lounge Chair. The frame of the hammock supports a textile mesh and stretches around your shape making it a super comfortable experience.

Always drawn to colour, we love the African chair, below, by London-based Sandra Calvo Ruiz, a design student at CASS. Transforming a chair found in a flee market in Barcelona, every piece of upholstery has been hand sewn onto a metal frame. We love the retro twist the fabric gives.

nobody&co has created the gold Bibliochaise based on its original armchair library. This limited-edition gold leaf chair looks more like a throne fit for a king but with room for so many books it would suit even the average book worm.

Spanish design house Coleccion Alexandra’s elegantly designed Rosita armchair is based on the idea of a woman. Flirty and feminine the soft curved back features a corset-style detail and features plush fabrics.

Bringing together art and upholstery, the Deborah Azzopardi high-backed wing chair from Killymoon Living stopped us in our tracks. The fun, lively sketch has a strong Art Deco feel but with a modern twist.

The Cowrie Rocker by Brodie Neill has been designed for new London-based design brand Made in Ratio. Taking shape from a single piece of curved plywood the chair looks like a contemporary take on a rocking chair and is as impressive as it is (surprisingly) comfortable. And we should know having tried it at the end of the day.

The post Oh sit down! Statement chair designs at May Design Series appeared first on ACHICA Living | Ideas & inspiration for your home, garden & lifestyle.

Let’s cut to the chase with our edited selection of top 5 beautiful buys we’ve spotted on promotion at ACHICA today, and ideas that you can adapt for your own home…

Decorate with calming colours 

Choose this season’s cool blues and powerful indigo hues to furnish your bedroom. You’ll be relaxed and sound asleep in no time. And why not do away with a traditional divan and look for a low-slung bed option. It’s simple and serene and means you can roll out of bed easily in the morning!

[Bed linen pictured above from the Broste Copenhagen promotion at ACHICA, on until 24 May 2013]

Inject colour with vibrant seating 

Swap the subdued leather for bright seating to make an interesting feature of your dining area. The trick works well in contemporary settings but can be equally charming in more traditional rooms.

[From the Wilkinson Furniture  promotion at ACHICA, on until 23 May 2013]

Bag yourself a new motto

Start each morning with a new line. We love this positive You Are As Pretty As A Picture print by Ros Shiers, which can be used to brighten up an empty wall, and your day.

[From Ros Shiers promotion at ACHICA, on until 25 May 2013]

Be adventurous when it comes to crockery 

Get inspired by Danish designs and add a subtle pop of colour to your dining experience. Go for bold designs that will add a little more fun when you’re feasting with friends.

[From the Aida promotion at ACHICA, on until 24 May 2013]

Choose cool white furniture and a statement rug 

Art needn’t be limited to walls. The latest rug designs are flamboyant and stylish and truly make a statement. To make the design really stand out, opt for cool white fixtures and fittings if possible, which act as a refreshing gallery backdrop.

[From The Ultimate Rug Co promotion at ACHICA, on until 23 May 2013]

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Clerkenwell Design Week 2013 is a celebration of all things interiors, where designers get together to celebrate the latest in innovation and creativity. From large established brands to new start-up companies, there’s something that will appeal to everyone. Beautiful lights, sofas, chairs and storage spaces were in abundance, but in an effort to narrow down what stood out we thought it would be good to pull out the truly unique and eye-catching, and the pieces that made us turn our heads in awe.

Boskke create products for greener living, and we just love its Sky Planter that defies gravity – an upside-down plant holder that can be hung in your kitchen, bedroom, workspace – anywhere that could do with an injection of nature.  Plants are proven to positively affect people’s health and stress levels, so hang one, or dozens, in your space to create an indoor garden.  These ones (above) have been paired with Plumen’s energy saving light bulbs for a super stylish look.

Meanwhile. TILT is a design and architecture practice that creates design solutions to transform the way people interact with each other.  Launching at the show, the Suitcase Desk has been made with co-working in mind.  Fully equipped with light, power, data points and a pinboard, the desk even closes and locks – hence the name.

Also by TILT is Quiet, a perfect pentagonal shaped cubby hole. It’s just the thing to sit in to escape from the world preferably with a good book. We wouldn’t mind a few of these in our office.

Duffy London had people swaying with joy in its playful Swing Table. A great design sure to encourage creative conversation in meetings and at dinner.

Karim Rashid has collaborated with Spanish company Sancal to create a new multi-functional, and fully customisable, sofa. Float, shown below, incorporates a wall, seating area, headboard rests and coat hooks all in one furniture piece. The sofa is a playful work of art that almost accidentally provides a place to lounge.

Clerkenwell Design Week is on until Thursday 23^rd May 2013

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Movie stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Steven Spielberg have been lighting up the glamorous French Riviera this week at the Cannes Film Festival 2013. The Great Gatsby, Behind the Candelabra and Only God Forgives are just some of the films premiering in Cannes this year. When the stars aren’t taking to the famous Red Carpet, they’re enjoying exquisite food prepared by top chefs including Three-Michelin-star holder Anne-Sophie Pic and Two-Michelin-star holder Bruno Oger, who are Electrolux partners. ACHICA Living takes a look behind the scenes at this year’s Cannes Gala Dinner and discovers the specially prepared menu enjoyed by the stars…

Stars walk the Red Carpet for the Cannes Film Festival 2013, come rain or shine. Above: Steven Spielberg and Nicole Kidman. Below: Cara Delevingne, Leonardo DiCaprio and Isla Fisher.

[Below: The stars dined at the Electrolux Agora Pavilion at the Cannes Gala Dinner 2013]

Michelin-starred chefs Anne-Sophie Pic and Bruno Oger created the Gala Dinner:

Menu for the Opening Gala Dinner

Amuse Bouche (Bruno OGER)

King crab with shrimps 

Entrée  (Anne-Sophie Pic)

Pea and caviar with white foam of onion

Main Course (Anne-Sophie Pic)

Sea bass filet with rhubarb and celery, light bouillon with green apple, cinnamon, green aniseed

Dessert (Bruno Oger)

Chocolate and Caribbean cream 

Petit Fours

Electrolux is the chosen supplier for 50% of Michelin Starred restaurants in Europe and has taken its partner chefs to the Cannes Film Festival 2013 to create delicious menus for all gala events and dining occasions.

For star style, check out The Great Gatsby promotion at ACHICA today

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We all love surrounding ourselves with beautiful things and find comfort in life’s little luxuries. We want to make our homes sanctuaries, places that nurture and inspire us and who better to lead the way than the senior buyers at ACHICA who have collated the most exquisite collection of aesthetic treats to dress your space and indulge your senses.

Launching today on ACHICA is a carefully edited selection of the most desirable product in couture homeware that we are calling ‘Lovers Of Luxury’. Each room in the home has been considered and product has been chosen by our talented team for their heavenly design, taste and appeal, from the most established definers of luxury in Villeroy & Boch to the hottest interior objects from some of today’s most innovative brands  – as you know by now, we are passionate about product and dedicated to bringing together the latest and very best in one exceptional place.

Exceptional thread count linens, exquisite tableware, fine crystal and decadent treats are what this dedicated event is all about. We want to celebrate exemplary design but we want to do it with panache and style, it’s our ethos here at ACHICA, it’s in our DNA and we simply can’t help ourselves!

Life is for living and your interior spaces are the places that you spend most time, so make those rooms special.  It’s all about gilding this season and it’s like introducing a little bit of sunshine into your home, so be ready to embrace the finer things in life, laid back luxury is where it’s at, chic, bronzed, refined.

So explore, be inspired, indulge and enjoy in your own time – the ultimate luxury. View the full Lovers of Luxury range here at ACHICA

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