Focus on design - Basil Bangs

Basil Bangs are an Australian design group specialising in outdoor homewares. They make beach and garden umbrellas, picnic rugs, outdoor cushions and have recently moved intro tablecloths and placemats etc.

They’re best known for their fantastic collaborations with artists such as Lucas Grogan, Leah Bartholomew, Camilla and Cynthia Rowell to name just a few.

The products are top quality and different. We’ve had our beach umbrella for 8 years now and its still going strong and is as bright and colourful as the day we bought it, which is saying something in Australia’s harsh sunlight. And the best thing is the kids can always find us on the beach - they just look for the bright brolly in a sea of blue beach tents.

Picnic rugs are also a fantastic addiution as they fold up and are also teflon treated so super durable and perfect for the general mess that accompanies any outdoor eating.

A great little company started by four friends and kicking goals.

Musings on dining tables and chairs

I firmly believe the signs of being a real grown up are owning fabric dining chairs. We currently have some very beautiful Thonet Stol chairs in black. Strategic as when they get a little mark or a ding we can just use black texta to hide the evidence. Best of all you can wipe them down and they still look new

They're a great choice, stylish and serving their purpose well but as soon as my children can be trusted to keep their food on their plates I'll be straight off to Jardan or Zuster for real leather chairs (swoon). 

But there is much to be considered when choosing a chair and much to consider when choosing a table. Leather is great, it can be easily wiped down and feels lovely. But jeans with rivets can scratch and grease and body oils can leave permanent marks. 

Arms or no arms? high back or low?