An Australian BBQ

The humble BBQ sums up Australian Summers perfectly. It is both a tradition and a lifestyle all at once and the simple smell of a cooking sausage can easily bring back your best childhood memories. The food doesn’t need to be fancy, it is more about the ritual of eating outdoors and sharing conversation and laughs together.

The minute I laid my eyes on Jocelyn Proust’s latest quilting cotton range for Spotlight Stores I immediately knew I wanted to create a BBQ scene of my own, Piccolo Studio style. I have worked with Jocelyn’s fabrics recently here and each time is such a pleasure, the designs are simply beautiful and engaging. It is not hard as a maker to have a million different creative ideas when you lay eyes on them. I see many more of her fabrics in my stash over the coming months especially now they are so accessible and affordable in Spotlight stores both in person and on line.

If you have been following my social media over the past couple of months you will know I developed a sudden and intensive need to create home wares that were as functional as they were beautiful and using only the best quality cottons and linens. It has been a lovely addition to my range and I think it will be a long time before I tire of the idea. So with these thoughts in my head and a beautiful pile of Australian themed fabrics in front of me I set about creating my own lovely outdoor afternoon.

I really am loving cushions right now and these gorgeous fabrics made the process even more enjoyable. I love the idea of things coordinating but not matching and this sweet mix of cushions on a couch make me so happy. Such an easy way to change the look and feel of a room and one afternoon of sewing is really all it takes, which, for impatient makers like me, is perfect!

Setting up my outdoor table was a simple process and I used cushions and coordinating napkins to set the scene. I love cloth napkins for multiple reasons, especially the fact they are reusable. As we become more conscious of our world and finite resources it is a great feeling to create something that doesn’t contribute to landfill. And on top of that there is a nostalgic feel too – cloth napkins being pulled out year after year, a humble part of your daily life that one day will hold a lifetime of family memories. It is possible I am an old romantic at heart but that really makes my heart happy to think about!

Don’t you just want to sit down, pour a cold drink and settle in for a relaxing afternoon?

Our food was kept simple. Bread, fruit, a salad plate and sausages making up the bulk of the table with the addition of Pavlova, lamingtons and cupcakes to calm the afternoon sweet tooth.

The thing that always strikes me about a BBQ is the colours. There is nothing better than a table full of beautiful fresh food waiting to be enjoyed with friends, it is an enviable part of living in the Lucky Country.

The unenviable part of the Australian outdoor lifestyle? Well that would be the flies. I made a weighted table cover to protect the food while the kids were drying off from the pool and, again in true Piccolo Studio style, I made it pretty. The very good news is I have  tutorial for this coming next week – such a simple cheap make that is endlessly useful. And even better, all supplies can easily be purchased from Spotlight too.

As soon as the tutorial is written I will update this post to include links I promise. After all I can’t be the only person sitting at such a pretty table every Summer to come.

After lunch with full and happy tummies how great is it to retire poolside, curl up in a marvelous chair like this and watch the kids play? Again Spotlight and Proust came to the rescue with some stunning cushions from her new homewares range and fabric to create an inviting corner to settle into. The yellow cockatoo cushion was made by me to coordinate with the lovely round ready-made cushions available in store. Such a vibrant and modern collection that are classic enough to be part of your decor for years to come.

And the best thing about an afternoon like this? Happy kids, good food, great conversation and a feeling of connection. It is always a lovely and peaceful drive home.

And, perhaps most important of all, cake! But maybe that part is just me …..

I hope everyone in the Southern Hemisphere is having a wonderful Summer, I know we have.’

Sarah xx

PS a huge thank you to my wonderful friend LeeAnn for lending me her stunning backyard for photos. We had such a wonderful day hanging out while the kids played in her beautiful part of the world.