Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2014 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

You can’t beat Christmas, can you? That warm and wonderful planning of who you’ll have with you, or who you’ll share it with. What you’ll cook, feasts and festivities, gifts for the people you adore, gifts for the people you don’t adore, and that gorgeous tree and your decos. Really, is there any better time? Here at BH&G it’s about as exciting as it gets as the discussions begin. With the food gals, oh my Lord, starters, mains, desserts, something traditional, something new, and a whole lot of things to take your breath away – that’s the biggie, to take your breath away! Hours and hours of talk, prep, styling and pics – so you, dear readers, will just love it. The craft chicks bring in fabric, ribbons, sequins, felts,…

Now is the time to up the excitement with your Christmas feast! This guide makes planning your festive menu as easy as choosing from drinks, starters, marvellous mains and gorgeous desserts to create your own individual menu. ’Tis the season for something magical! Drinks and starters Before the main event, begin with a range of zingy drinks to sip, accompanied by delicate nibbles full of flavour Cook’s tips Lobster and chervil fried wontons ■ Fresh crab, prawns or scallops could replace the green lobster in this recipe. ■ Any unused wonton skins can be wrapped in plastic wrap, placed in a zip-lock bag and kept in the fridge for up to two weeks or frozen for up to three months. ■ Frozen raw lobster tails can be found in selected…

From a simple water-filled pot or bowl to bubbling fountains sitting atop hidden reservoirs, nothing beats the appeal of a glorious water feature. And having your own doesn’t necessarily mean digging a large hole and laying liners. These days, there are plenty of container options that let you enjoy the many charms of water on a reduced scale. These compact options mean you can find a water feature to fit any garden, including courtyards and balconies. 1. If you’re after a classical look, nestle a traditional pot among foliage, sit a pump inside a reservoir beneath it and position the spout quite high to get this delightful bubbling effect. 2. You don’t need fountains to enjoy the beauty of water. Just fill up a shallow receptacle and let it sit…

project 1 HANG A POT Gather your supplies ■ Potting mix ■ Plastic hanging pot with hook ■ Geranium ■ Galvanised metal hook You’ll also need Trowel; potting mix; drill; controlled-release fertiliser Here’s how STEP 1 Use trowel to spread a shallow layer of potting mix in base of hanging pot. STEP 2 Position geranium in centre of pot, then backfill with more potting mix. Sprinkle a little fertiliser on soil surface and water well. STEP 3 Drill hole to attach metal hook beneath roof eaves. Hang pot. Tip To lower height of pot, use metal S-hooks as connectors. Those unfinished projects outside the house await us all – things like building the kids their dream sandpit, or yourself a vegie garden for a backyard crop. Now’s the time to…

In each issue, we give ideas, tips and planting advice for different climate zones, so it’s important to find the zone number for your area. Naturally, there will be cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask a horticulturist at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. Granny’s delight Never underestimate the appeal of this no-fuss classic, the good old geranium, especially when displayed at eye level on a fence or wall. Tailor-made for display in chic metal pot-holders, geraniums (technically they are zonal pelargoniums) bloom for months on end, year after year, with minimal attention. Simply give them a trim to keep compact, remove dead or ugly foliage, and give them a drink and an occasional dose of liquid fertiliser. If you want to…

Entree Seared calamari with warm tomato and herb salad Kitchen to table in five minutes! This warm seafood and herby tomato salad is ready in a flash. Recipe on page 150 Main Garlic-rubbed pork loin with dukkah and fennel slaw Pan-fried serves of pork are the perfect match to fresh and fruity crunchy slaw. Recipe on page 150 Dessert Chocolate brownie in a mug Ahh, a soothing cup of brownie! Cooked in their serving ‘bowls’, they’re perfect for parties. Recipe below ENTREE Seared calamari with warm tomato and herb salad Preparation time: 2 mins Cooking time: 5 mins Serves 4 ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 2 cups mixed cherry tomatoes 75g haloumi, grated ½ red onion, thinly sliced ½ bunch basil, leaves picked ½…

For those of you having thoughts of redecorating your home for a fresh new look to make it entertainment ready, there’s no need to press the panic button. Take a look at this one room with seven beautiful looks, and discover anew how different colour schemes and themes can lend your living room a distinctive new style. Take your living room from bland to grand with these uber-stylish looks. The tough part? Picking your favourite! Country chic Love country style for its timeless appeal? Start by building a tonal palette of neutrals in white, ivory and greige. To add super-subtle texture, choose a wallpaper with a modern take on a traditional design – such as this reinvented paisley print. And finally, decorate with comfortable furniture, solid wood pieces and simple…

project 1 GALLERY WALL Is the sight of framed photos and artwork stacked in a pile or leaning against your wall a familiar one? You framed them for a reason, so take the time to show them off in all their glory. Gather your supplies ■ Brown paper ■ Masking tape ■ Self-adhesive picturehanging strips (see Note) ■ Small spirit level Note Ensure your selfadhesive picture-hanging strips are weight rated to suit your chosen frames. Here’s how STEP 1 Gently wash wall in local area where pictures are to be hung using a sugar soap solution or a mixture of mild soap and water. Let dry thoroughly. STEP 2 On floor or table, lay out your frames to be hung. Play around with arrangement and adjust spacing between frames until…

line ’em up Eyeliner gives you a more exciting look with little effort. Application is easier than you think and today’s liners are novice-friendly. For daytime use brown or charcoal if you are blonde, or black if you have dark hair. For night-time use liquid or gel for a fine glam line, or for a smoky effect use eyeliner pencils – they are often chunkier and easily smudged. APPLYING A FINE TOP LASH LINE Here’s how STEP 1 Apply other makeup first as eyeliner should be added after eye shadow, but before mascara. STEP 2 Tilt your head back and, using your non-dominant hand, gently stretch out the skin on the outer edge of your eye. Rest your elbow on the bench if you need support. STEP 3 Using the…

Can you lose weight, stave off a raft of major health woes and boost your general wellbeing by following a low-GI eating plan? Why, yes ma’am, you can. But first, you need to understand what low-GI means. Food for thought You have probably heard about the benefits of eating a low-GI diet but may be a little fuzzy on the what, why and how. Luckily, we are here to help! Far from being just another fly-by-night, health buzz term, there is real science behind the low-GI concept. When used alongside other smart lifestyle habits (yep, sorry, you still have to get up off the couch!) it can be an excellent tool for helping achieve your weight and wellness goals. So, here’s the inside scoop. What is it? ■ The glycemic…

For a young girl who is obsessed with ponies, could a hot-pink, horse-themed bedroom sound any dreamier? Start with a painted bedhead on the wall, then make a stamped quilt cover and pillowcase set, knock together a place to display show-ribbons and get hands-on to revamp a chest of drawers. 1. Sweet dreams of galloping around the country are assured with this wonderful stable of designs. 2. Dreaming of a pony to call your own? Here’s the next best thing! Using fabric paint, make a suitably stamped quilt cover and matching pillowcases to cuddle up at bedtime. Project 1 STAMPED BEDDING Gather your supplies ■ MDF rectangle placemat or similar ■ A4 craft foam sheets (2) ■ Derivan FabricArt water-based paint in pink and black ■ Quilt cover in white,…

Be sun smart! Whatever you do outdoors this summer make sure you do it safely. While our beautiful climate is conducive to minimal clothing, make sure you protect your largest organ - your skin. The Cancer Council recommends all Australians slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. For more on how you can help to keep your family sun-safe visit the sun protection pages at cancer.org.au Watch a movie alfresco There are great options for catching a movie in the warmer months. Check your local guides for outdoor movie nights at schools, or pop-up cinemas under the stars in local parks. Take the family and a picnic for a great night out. Or look around your area for a drive-in.…

The humble budgie is regularly a child’s first pet in Australia. They are easy to tame, great companions and low maintenance, but they need a proper set-up. The most important aspect is the cage. Make sure to get one that is spacious horizontally to encourage flight. Perches should be positioned at different heights, vary in thickness, and be made of natural wood like paperbark or gum. Don’t place food or water sources directly beneath a perch, as they will get contaminated by droppings. Give your birds one bowl for dried food, such as seeds and pellets, and another for wet food like fruit and vegies – but no avocado (can be toxic for birds) or lettuce (diarrhoea). Budgies love to be entertained. Keep them stimulated with toys that encourage natural…

In the spirit of giving, when you subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens this month, you'll also get a FREE subscription to give to a friend! So not only will you receive 13 issues of Better Homes and Gardens, but your friend will receive six issues as well - or you could be extra kind and give 13 issues to your friend and take six issues for yourself. It's up to you! Either way, it will make their Christmas special. SUBSCRIBE & ENJOY FREE Six-month subscription for a friend when you purchase 12 months for yourself OR treat a friend to 12 months and send the FREE six months to yourself FREE delivery direct to the door, anywhere in Australia TREAT yourself and a friend NEVER miss an issue of…

Enjoy every minute of the exciting lead-up! Choose your top picks, then make and bake until the magazine pages open next to you are speckled with equal measures of batter and glitter. Triumphantly tick off your list – your most special Christmas ever is sorted! Get ready for the good stuff! Meet our cover stars, plus a host of other beautiful ideas inspired by natural materials, all sorted into three easy-to-re-create themes sew krafty This Christmas, keep your shopping list small and sweet – just sheets of card and a little thread. Using only simple hand stitches, these pretty-in-pink cuties will be adored. Of course, kraft brown and cream happily team with almost any accent colour, so mixing and matching these lovelies with ideas from either of the next two…

Arguably the world’s most recognisable Australian wildflower, waratah blooms are a symphony of curved florets, cupped by a skirt of petallike bracts. If you think of waratahs, deep blood-red is the common image, but over the years the colour choice has expanded and today you can enjoy varieties in pure white, pink and soft golden-yellow. All are gorgeous, and well worthy of a space in your garden. Bush beauty Mainly spring flowering, waratahs are evergreen shrubs, occasionally reaching small tree size in the wild. They belong to a very small genus of plants – just five species – and are endemic to New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. The NSW waratah (Telopea speciosissima) is a the best-known species – it is the floral emblem of the state and is grown…

When item around the home have served their purpose or no longer look fit for use, our first instinct is to just throw them out. But instead of adding to landfill, why not repurpose them to become useful items for the garden? Transform an old outdoor umbrella into a trellis, a letterbox into a toolbox, and wooden pallets into a handy potting bench. It’s easy! A door-able 1. A weathered timber door is an ideal accessory to complement a cottage-style garden – even if it leads to nowhere. Secure to a wall, frame it and pave a path in front. Please Mr Postman! 2. Turn an old-style letterbox into a storage container. (See instructions on page 100.) Walk this way 3. Recycled bricks have a certain old world charm about…

Nobody likes cracks or discolouration – especially when they are glaring at you from your courtyard walls – as they can deceptively dull and age the appearance of your home. Thankfully, there is a solution! It’s an easy do-it-yourself cosmetic treatment that doesn’t cost a fortune and can be applied in a day. Read on to find out just how easy it really is! 1. Applied just like regular paint, this DIY treatment is specially designed to be painted over rendered walls, bricks, masonry or concrete. 2. First impressions count, so make it a good one! See how a fresh look can work wonders on a dull wall – and a newly planted garden bed helps, too. 3. Take a weekend to do something about your unsightly cracked wall. This…

HOW TO USE YOUR GUIDE this December Best days Second-best days On these days, thin out seed boxes, sow all types of seeds and plant seedlings that produce their crop ABOVE the ground. These include all varieties of peas, beans, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, eggplant, lettuce, celery, silverbeet, spinach, endive, Chinese cabbage, tomato, cucumber, asparagus crowns, artichoke, marrow, pumpkin, capsicum, melon, zucchini, chicory, sprouts, rhubarb, all herbs (except garlic) and all agricultural crops such as sunflower, grains, cereals, canola, cotton and peas. During these days, you can also plant flowering shrubs, annuals, flowers (not bulbs), cactus, flax, tree ferns, passionfruit vines and kiwi fruit. Plant all fruit trees and those trees that produce edible nuts, such as almonds, pecans, macadamias, chestnuts and walnuts. Grapes and bananas can also…

Pork and beef meatloaf with haloumi Double the meats and added nuts, this meatloaf goes great with the spring salad on page 154. Recipe on page 154 Get creative with the classics! Karen Martini shows how easy it is to give meatloaf, ocean trout, salad and even roast chicken fantastic new twists of full-on flavour Ocean trout with salsa verde This delish fish dish is accompanied by a creamy potato salad, herbed topping and grated boiled-egg garnish. Recipe on page 156 Spring salad with mustard cream and maple bacon Who says every salad has to be completely healthy? Enjoy sweet ’n’ salty bacon layered with a creamy dressing. Recipe on page 156 Picnic roasted chicken Packed with a stuffing of ham, mascarpone and parmesan, this bird is also beautifully brined.…

Pulling an all-nighter at your desk has never been fun – we’ve all been there! But you can brighten your book-staring and treat yourself to some eye candy with a timeless desk makeover you’ll love. 1. Create a vintage-looking storage box for your writing desk or craft area using a store-bought set of drawers. It’s the ideal place to store all those little bits and bobs you can never find when you need them the most. 2. Shed light on your subject with a handy desk lamp. Set it by a potted indoor plant, it’s the perfect study companion with a friendly face that agrees with your line of questioning every time. 3. Pot your pens! Paint an inexpensive terracotta pot and saucer in complementing colours to make an instant…

1. Fancy an air conditioner to keep you comfortable indoors during the long, hot summer? A smart device that detects movement in the room for optimum efficiency and temperature control? A quiet device that generates less operating noise and which features a seven-day timer and a wireless remote? Check out this model, ASTG09KMCA reverse-cycle air conditioner, $1459, Fujitsu. 2. Looking for a ceiling fan that looks stylish, performs well and is the ultimate in energy efficiency? Check out this model you can use indoors and outdoors (including coastal areas) as long as it’s fully undercover! Hunter Pacific Woody 132cm ceiling fan in white with ash blades, $779, Beacon Lighting. 3. Loaded with energy-saving functions, this air conditioner features a handy new app for your smartphone. Set the unit to your…

Note This project is made by hand so no sewing machine is required Let a gorgeous piece of fabric help you make a big impression. This fabulous top is surprisingly easy to make - all you need to do is neaten the edges and neckline, and it's insta-glam! GLAM TOP Finished length approx. 80cm Gather your supplies 1.8m x 1 30cm-wide sequin stretch fabric; matching thread; general sewing supplies Here's how STEP 1 Fold fabric in half lengthways, then fold again widthways to find centre point. Mark this point with a pin. STEP 2 Open out rectangle, From the centre point and following the fabric grain (lengthways), cut a straight line 1 9cm in both directions to create neck opening. STEP 3 Turn under 2mm twice and pin, then hand…

Whether you’ve partied a little too hard or just feel under the weather, look to your kitchen for all manner of get-well-quick cures in plain sight. Best of all, when consumed regularly, these staples also act as powerful preventive medicine. Give them a go and experience the results yourself ! PINEAPPLE Good for bloated tummies Fresh pineapple contains powerful digestive enzymes that can help ease a painful bloated stomach. Snack on about a cup each day to keep that pregnant-belly look at bay. BLUEBERRIES Good for bladder health At the first hint of a UTI, grab a bowl of blueberries. Whether fresh or frozen, they’re loaded with plant compounds that target trouble-making bacteria. RAW HONEY Good for cold sores, mouth ulcers Dabbing raw, unpasteurised honey onto cold sores or mouth…

Halloween isn’t just about scaring up sweets from the neighbours. Use the occasion to deck out your haunt with decorations that’ll spook the kids. Lights Using lights for this event is much like Christmas lighting, except less festive, more frightening! Don’t have them too bright – a simple solar-powered kit is a good option. If you are using plug-in lights, make sure they are rated for exterior use, don’t overload a circuit, and use a power centre that has its own safety switch. Skeleton If you are going to make a skeleton or other creepy characters, make them life-size for maximum impact. As they may be out on howling nights, they need to be well made, so use 15mm plywood. This full-height skeleton is enough to give anyone a scare.…

They say the best things in life are free, but can you really take a vacation without spending any money? The following five free holiday ideas offer canny ways to visit top destinations this Christmas for very little dosh. Swap ’til you drop Your home is your castle, but if you’re willing to let another tribe take over the place for a while, you can certainly treat theirs as your castle too. There are a number of websites to register for house swapping, such as lovehomeswap.com which lists more than 58,000 homes in 160 countries. Chances are you’ll find somewhere to stay in your destination of choice, or maybe even somewhere you never thought you’d visit. It’s all part of the house swapping adventure! Sign up for the 14-day trial…

TAGGING IT, SNOWFLAKE BAUBLES, SAY IT WITH A CARD Gather your supplies Card in kraft, pink, cream and grey; embroidery thread in pink or cream; awl or paper piercer; mouse mat or push pad; glue; alphabet stamps; brown inkpad; hole punch; foam mounting tape (optional) Here’s how STEP 1 Using a photocopier, enlarge desired Diagrams (see page 245). Cut out template. Using awl and mouse mat, make holes for stitching guides in template. STEP 2 Lay template over card and trace, transfer stitching markings using a pencil. Position card on mouse mat. Poke holes into card. STEP 3 Using embroidery thread and picture as a guide (see pages 24 and 26), stitch design as pictured, securing ends at back. When stitched, cut out design from card. STEP 4 For both…

The spirit of giving is one of the marvellous feelings Christmas brings about. And it’s easy to share this joy by baking up a storm and gifting your makes in special containers. Add personal touches to every gift with matching ribbons, tags and delicate paper, or for a real hoot you can craft a few of our festive friends from the previous pages to perch on top. Enjoy! Walnut fudge From just a few basic ingredients and a super-simple method you’ll have creamy fudge with hints of vanilla, ready to pack in store-bought boxes as gifts. Recipe on page 47 Surprise your loved ones with delicious homemade dainties, all perfectly packaged in gorgeous gift tins or beautiful boxes wrapped in oh-so ravishing ribbons Rosewater biscuits You can use a variety…

Whether your garden is oriental, tropical, modernist or simply in need of fascinating greenery, there is one group of plants that fits the bill perfectly – bamboos. These magnificent, fast-growing species have been around for centuries and serve many wonderful uses in the garden, such as privacy screens, hedges or feature plants. But they are also one of the most misunderstood plants in the world, with many novice gardeners shuddering at the thought of growing them. That's because there are two distinct types of bamboo – clumping and running, and the running species can become quite invasive if they aren’t well contained. But if you choose the right type and species of bamboo, you will see there is a lot to love about these amazing plants. 1. A feature plant…

Most gardens start life bound by borders, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay within the square! By superimposing a set of curves onto your garden plan, you can create something full of unexpected views and hidden corners. Just take a look at this glorious garden in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Filled with gorgeous cottage-style plants, it’s a celebration of curvaceousness, with winding pathways, curving garden beds and walls, and scalloped lawn edges – straight lines are out! The result is a fabulous mood of country charm that draws you on to explore every bend. Come for an armchair wander and be tempted to round things off in your own landscape. Enjoy a guided stroll around this beautiful NSW garden, a space that offers the perfect refuge from…

Bushfires are an inherent part of Australia’s environment. Our landscape, native plants and ecosystems have long been shaped by these events, and have learnt to evolve with them. But fires can have devastating effects on our homes and lives if they move into populated areas. It could happen to any of us; even if the fire isn’t at your doorstep, embers can travel many kilometres ahead of the front and threaten your home. However, you can prepare your property well before a blaze arrives, make it less of a risk and easier for firefighters to defend. Here’s how… With the hot weather fast approaching, now is the time to prepare 1 TIP Clean gutters Leaf litter and twigs in gutters, downpipes and along the roof of your home and garage…

Give your wok a workout with bowls of these colourful and fresh ingredients Beef and noodle stir-fry Flavours of ginger and lime complement the chilli and soy perfectly in this quick Asian dish. Recipe on page 142 Fast Ed gets every meal sorted with a range of healthy dishes and delightful desserts. Plus, see how you can create a delicious three-course meal in 20 minutes! Strawberry and white chocolate mousse Desserts don’t come much smoother than this sweet mix of white chocolate, cream and a delicate seedless strawberry puree. Recipe on page 142 Simple and healthy wholemeal pizza Take away, go away! Keep things fresh with a pizza that’s full of good stuff from the wholemeal base up to the vegies on top. Recipe on page 142 Turkey bolognese This…

Drink your apples The old phrase ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ tells us this fruit is widely, and rightly, regarded as a good part of our diet. Does this explain why the demand for cider in this country has been going gangbusters for five years, and is still going strong? Are we trying to keep ourselves healthy, or are we just enjoying a drink? Real cider has a tradition as long and as pure as wine, and should be made simply from crushed and fermented fresh apples (if you use crushed and fermented pears, it is called ‘perry’). Unfortunately not all bottles so labelled are the real thing – a few of the biggest brands from the biggest companies are just imported concentrate with sugar and water.…

The kitchen is the hub of the home. It’s the place where conversations start, meals are prepared, problems are discussed, and homework done. It’s no longer out of sight, out of mind; a kitchen has a gravitational pull on anyone that drops by. In some homes, the kitchen can be many years old – 30, 40 or more! They might be solid and still serviceable, but the day of the kitchen with pine cabinets, benchtops, walls and ceilings has passed. Over time these finishes will yellow and the pine will darken. Add a cork floor to the mix and everything gets a golden hue. But it’s easy to bring your kitchen to life with a new look, and even easier to do it yourself. Prepare to renovate Professional or DIY?…

Know the arguments about ageing gracefully, yes! But if you’ve ever wondered whether cosmetic treatments might be for you, take a look at this handy run-through. Something for everyone If you’re thinking of getting yourself a little something special this Christmas, how about a gift that sends a few years packing? We’re not talking about major cosmetic surgery here – for a small-ish investment (under $500), the latest ‘injectable correctable’ tweaks and techniques can help you look as though you’ve just returned from a month at the spa – refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to rock the festive season. Latest enhancements Muscle-relaxant treatments like Botox, fillers and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) lasers have come a long way. Today, the emphasis is on gently plumping the features and softening fine lines. Small…

Here is a Christmas gift you can give yourself that’s 100 per cent free, but worth more than you can imagine; one confidence makeover coming right up! Moments of weakness Have you ever had one of those ‘less than’ days? Even people who seem to have it all together have moments (months, years!) where they feel decidedly ‘less than’. There are those who are better at masking it than others, but self-doubt and low self-worth can creep in and overshadow all that is fabulous about you. Other people have problems when it comes to self-esteem. Maybe we secretly feel we aren’t good enough at our jobs and are just waiting to be found out, or perhaps we worry we are lacking as parents, partners or friends. Maybe there are areas…

ENERGY BOOST Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential nutrient in the body’s production of cellular energy. Our ability to produce it naturally diminishes over time, but the reduced form of CoQ10, Ubiquinol, is more easily absorbed, helping the body to soak up oxidative stress and free radicals, maintain a healthy heart and vascular system, and keep those LDL cholesterol levels in check. Available in pharmacies and health food stores. For more information visit kanekaqh.info Health on track Priceline Pharmacy is celebrating the beauty of health by launching an innovative ‘Health Tracker’. This online survey analyses vital health statistics as well as lifestyle, emotional and social behaviours, then generates a personalised health score. Participants will then be able to sign up to a 12-week program with the aim of improving their…

Halloween monster biscuits Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: nil Makes 12 biscuits 175g unsalted butter, chopped, softened 3 cups icing sugar mixture 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 Tbsp milk Green, red and purple gel food colouring 24 medium-size chocolate-chip cookies Chocolate chips, to decorate Large marshmallows, to decorate Coloured chocolate buttons, to decorate Licorice straps, to decorate 1 Put butter and ½ of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium, using paddle attachment, for 5 minutes or until very light. Add remaining sugar and vanilla, then increase speed to high and beat for a further 3 minutes. Pour in milk and beat for 2 minutes. Divide mixture among 3 bowls. 2 Tint each portion with a gel colour. Sandwich pairs of cookies together…

Home ownership is often described as the great Australian dream. At least two-thirds of us choose to borrow to buy property rather than spend our lives renting someone else’s place. You often hear it said that paying rent is dead money and, for many Aussies, investing in their own home and getting that all-important foot on the property ladder has become something of an obsession. But we’re not alone: studies show that there are similar levels of property ownership in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand. By contrast, in other OECD countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, rates of home ownership are surprisingly low at around 50 per cent, although numbers are rising as more people catch on to the appeal of owning a home. Here in Australia,…

Follow us on Instagram! Be inspired to get outdoors and spend more time in your garden with our beautiful pictures, like these gorgeous daisies. For more gardening pics, as well as behind-the-scenes photos, finger-licking food shots and fabulous DIY projects, follow us @bhgaus ONLINE From brunch to dinner, there are thousands of recipes from our magazine and TV show. Visit bhg.com.au/recipes for scrumptious savoury meals, no-bake sweet treats, and the best vegetarian, gluten-free and specialty food recipes all in one place! Pinterest Fall head over heels for our fun and creative craft ideas, like this pompom throw. With an endless variety of styles, colours and patterns, our craft Pinterest board will have you feeling crafty in no time! Visit pinterest.com/bhgaus now to start pinning your favourites! Get your favourite magazine…