We always thought the Loft towel holder was a great idea. Designer stainless steel with no drilling required - you just have to be careful to place it carefully first time because the self-adhesive backing is very strong! We just received this impromptu message from a customer:

Just a quick email to say that the Zack Loft towel holders are brilliant. They are stylish, easy to fix and very practical. No more towels on the floor! I have bought them before, will buy them again and recommend them to others without hestiation!
Best wishes and thank you for your excellent service.

So, no more excuses, get organised in the kitchen or bathroom! The Loft Towel Holder is available from Proleno for £6.95.

With barbecue season upon us, it’s time to brace yourself for those uncooked sausages with crunchy black skins! But it doesn’t have to be like that - there’s a Danish company that produces the Hot Wok outdoor cooking system. With a 7kW gas burner and wok pan you could be enjoying delicious stir-fried meals al fresco in no time at all. Even if Asian cuisine is not your thing, there are a range of accessories including a grill and paella pan. The manufacturer also provides some cooking tips. So why not try a new take on barbecue this summer?
You can buy the Hot Wok at Proleno for £74.95.

Despite the recent miserable weather, I’m still hopeful that we will have some summer sun before too long. The prospect of balmy evenings in the garden with a glass of chilled wine (carefully counting the units of course!) is particularly pleasing. So let’s take a look at that essential accessory - the wine cooler.
The new innovation on the block is the Egg-O, conceived and developed in Vienna. The unique feature of the Egg-O is the lid, which has flexible fins on the inner side. This allows the lid to adapt to different bottle shapes. With the handle incorporated into the cooler, there’s no need to remove the bottle for pouring - the wine keeps chilled for longer and you don’t drip condensation everywhere. The robust construction also makes this great for picnics. The Egg-O is available in four colours - blue, red, green and cream. You can buy the Egg-O at Proleno for £26.95.

If you want something stylish, with functionality, take a look at the Bachus wine cooler by Zack of Germany. In brushed 18/10 stainless steel and incorporating three cooling elements, the Bachus will grace any table indoors or out. The inner cooling pack liner can be frozen before use to provide additional chilling. The Bachus is available at Proleno for £38.95.

Zack have a number of stainless steel wine coolers in their range. The Oletto, shown right, is the only one that has a mirror-polished finish - this will really catch the sun if it ever comes out!!
You can buy the Oletto wine cooler for £41.95.

New from Wesco, the Classic Line range brings retro style and colour to the kitchen. Constructed from powder-coated stainless steel, these designer products are chic and durable. Kettles, storage canisters, cookie boxes and bread bins are available now at Proleno. Other items in the range will be coming soon.

1. American Bagel Slicer.

Having appeared in ‘The OC’ (see video) this useful gadget has become a must have for the safety-conscious bagel lover.

2. Set of 6 Zack Cult Magnets.

These popular magnets are great when matched with a sleek Zack magnetic board such as the Percetto in position 4 - or pinning the children’s art on the fridge!

3. Wall-Mounted Zack Foccio Soap Dispenser

The mirror-polished finish is a clear favourite for chic bathrooms. Of course you can use it for more than soap - shower gel, hand cream or body lotion can all be used (though perhaps not at the same time!)

4. Zack Percetto Magnetic Board (Large)

Durable stainless steel replaces the traditional cork and pins - notice-boards that you’ll want to look at.

5. Zack Duplo Circular Towel Hook

OK - we all need hooks, but they don’t always look as good as this. What’s more, you don’t need to wield a drill - it’s self-adhesive.

6. Bialetti Moka Easy (6-cup)

Who doesn’t love a cup of freshly made espresso? Bialetti is the master when it comes to espresso makers and this electric version of the classic stove-top makes it even easier.

7. Zack Straw Spoon

It doesn’t have to be Christmas to enjoy a cocktail, just make it complete with this combined stirrer and straw.

8. Zack Allessa Cookbook Stand

Clearly all of those cookery programmes on TV are inspiring creativity in the kitchen. The Allessa cookbook stand will keep your recipe conveniently in view then, when you’ve finished creating that wonderful meal, it folds flat for storage.

9. Zack Cius Boston Shaker

For those who prefer shaken to stirred, the Cius cocktail shaker is the quality accessory at party time!

10. Set of 6 Alessi Heart Spoons

Designed by Miriam Mirri, this gift-boxed set of heart spoons is a popular gift for that special person in your life. Enjoy them with ice-cream in front of the fire.

Redman (nicknamed the ‘hold-up’ for his submissive stance) is a product of the team at Conka Design that has captured the imagination of many people. With consideration for sustainability, the packaging of the Redman is made from recyclable cardboard - and includes a nifty cutout beermat! This sturdy chap can even open two bottles simultaneously (see the youtube video).
Conka Design was founded by Chris Facey, Daniel Ashman, Dave Poole and Mark Hodge, following the completion of their product design course at the University of Glamorgan. They undertake product design commissions from around the world as well as producing their own products. The team have further plans for the Redman, so you may see him undertaking household tasks other than bottle opening!

Thanks to LH from the United Kingdom for the following review:

I have just received the ‘Astello kitchen roll holder’ (short version) and have to say that the product is nothing short of SUPERB!. Extremely well packaged and made to an even higher standard. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!! To potential other customers, this product is very sleek and elegant and will fit in tremendously well to any kitchen, whether tradiitonal or modern in design.

Product arrived within just two days via Royal Mail first class post (recorded delivery). I cannot emphasise enough how well-made this wall mounted kitchen roll holder is. Although more expensive than many similar products, it delivers in quality alone - TWICE ITS ASKING PRICE. In summary, this is a very worthwhile investment. The product is made of high grade stainless steel which is very apparent as soon as the box is opened. There is an immediate detection of HIGH QUALITY - FIRST AND FOREMOST.

In addition, all necessary accessories are supplied with this product (screws, etc.) and individually packaged within the box.

TREMENDOUS!!!!!!!!

Originally due for release in November, production of Zack’s Combo multi-roll holder has sadly been delayed. Judging by advance interest, these are likely to disappear as soon as they arrive on the shelves. It’s not surprising - the usual sleek styling from Zack in brushed stainless steel, coupled with neat functionality makes the Combo a great addition to any kitchen. Delivery is now expected during January - we’ll post here once they are available.

A relative newcomer to the UK market, Gastroguss cookware is something a bit special. The manufacturer, AMT Gastroguss, is outfitter and sponsor of the German National Culinary Team (imagine a row of chefs on starting blocks). You don’t need to be a competitive cook, however, to appreciate the quality of their products. Each piece is individually cast in aluminium, then coated by blasting with titanium particles at supersonic speeds using a patented process. The result is a non-stick surface, without the use of Teflon, that is hard-wearing and durable.

I first encountered Gastroguss about 2 years ago when I bought the square griddle pan. At the time, the shop assistant told me that I would be back for more - and she was right! Two weeks later I was back for a set of saucepans and frying pans. Confirming their hard-wearing properties, they have withstood my assaults with metal forks, spoons and spatulas. I have managed to mark them, it’s true, but they retain their non-stick properties. It is recommended that you don’t put these in a dishwasher (which I haven’t) but cleaning with some soapy water is so easy that it isn’t a chore.

If you are looking for quality cookware you should check out the Gastroguss range (they also have models suitable for induction hobs). Be warned, though, these pans may be made of aluminium but they are not light!