Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2019 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

I absolutely adore Christmas – everything about it! I’m the gal who adds to her already towering collection of baubles and decos every year. I find them simply irresistible! My Christmas tree is never quite the same – from traditional red and green, to magical white, silver and gold, to jewel-like brights, I’ve done it all and more. I also like to spread the cheer throughout my home – the wreath on the door, garlands on the staircase and mantelpiece, hanging gorgeous paper stars over the dining table, festive vignettes, twinkling fairy lights everywhere… you get the picture. And so I’d like to wish you a warm welcome to this issue of Better Homes and Gardens – jam-packed with inspirational ways to fill your home with festive joy as well…

1 STARLIGHT EXPRESS Celebrate by starlight! Make these lovely large stars using plain cardstock and your gorgeous BHG Christmas paper. They’re quick and easy to construct by creating five 3D star points, then gluing them together. Instructions on page 180 2 MERRY AND BRIGHT Craft a set of simple and stylish paper baubles for your Christmas tree – and anywhere else that needs a little extra seasonal cheer. 3 FAUX AND FABULOUS Sprinkle these glorious handmade paper poinsettias all over your home and create an everlasting display that will impress everyone! 4 GOODIE BOXES Cover a compact MDF drawer kit with our pretty Christmas paper and fill it with special notes and small treats for the lead-up to the big day. Your family will love it. Get started now! 5…

“There’s nothing like carving into a Christmas roast cooked to perfection” “A touch of sweetness elevates classics such as ham and turkey” “It just wouldn’t be a dinkum Aussie Christmas without some seafood on the table”…

ED HALMAGYI Join me as I create amazingly tasty Christmas food ideas this month on BHG TV on Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more food tips and tricks. WARM SALAD OF CHORIZO AND SUMMER GREENS Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 25 mins Serves 8 8 chorizo sausages¼ cup extra virgin olive oil2 red onions, thickly sliced4 sticks celery, finely sliced6 cloves garlic, crushed2 dried bay leaves, crumbled1 tsp fennel seeds2 cups rosé wine1 cup fire-roasted capsicums, sliced400g can chickpeas, drained1 bunch kale leaves, shredded2 medium zucchini, choppedSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper to season½ bunch mint, leaves picked½ bunch dill, sprigs pickedLemon wedges and torn baguette, to serve STEP 1 Use a small sharp knife to score…

Chocolate with mint has been one of my favourite flavour combos since childhood, and it’s perfect for popsicles. Avocado gives a delicious, rich, creamy texture and a little beef bone broth adds gut-healing goodness. Use high-quality edible peppermint oil for wonderful flavour, or you can use fresh mint leaves instead. CHOCOLATE, MINT AND AVOCADO POPSICLES Preparation time 10 mins plus 8 hours freezingCooking time nilMakes 8 ½ avocado4 fresh medjool dates, pitted3 Tbsp cacao powder350ml coconut cream150ml beef bone broth4–6 drops edible peppermint oil, or to taste1 Tbsp honey STEP 1 Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. STEP 2 Pour mixture into popsicle moulds and freeze for 2 hours. Insert a popsicle stick in the middle of each mould, then return to freezer for 4–6…

You can keep your tree in a pot for a couple of years, but take it outside when you take your decorations down. Put it in a place where it gets morning sun but not the hot afternoon sun, as they are European or north American trees that love a cold, snowy winter and the Australian sun can be a bit harsh. Water regularly and, every year or so, pot up to a larger container. That gives you the opportunity to loosen roots that can expand in the bigger space and to add fresh nutrients. Ideally, you’ll eventually plant the tree in your garden. Tip In a garden setting, fallen pine needles can make soil acidic, limiting what you can plant around the tree. Remove dead needles or sweeten the…

SEASON SPECIALS Get festive outdoors with these stunning native plants. BOLD AND BRIGHT Substitute poinsettia with the brilliant Sturt’s desert pea. RING A DING DING Christmas bells (Blandfordia nobilis) poke up from small leafy tufts, just in time. GOLLY, IT’S HOLLY Well, not quite, but Grevillea tripartita can be a living substitute in table decorations. TO DO NOW Let someone else do the cooking and gift wrapping while you go about prettying up your garden for the big day • Float flowers and tea lights in a bowl of water or your bird bath (top left) for after-dark entertaining. • Hang Christmas lights, baubles or tinsel on a prominent garden tree (top right). • Fill glass jars or quirky containers with colourful lollies as festive garden treats. • Create a…

WINE RACK Take advantage of the wasted space above a wall cabinet and install a custom-made wine holder. Built using benchtop timber and dowels, it’s a cut, drill, glue and screw job. HANGING SHELVES Create above-island storage without adding bulk or blocking sightlines with open timber-and-dowel shelves. The white top panel disappears into the ceiling. SCANDI KITCHEN PROJECT SHEET To get your free project sheet with all the step-by-step instructions for this wine rack and hanging shelves, head to bhg.com.au/scandi-kitchen and download it. It’s super simple and you’ll have it instantly! GET 6 MONTHS FREE FOR A FRIEND AND A $50 MARKS & SPENCER VOUCHER when you subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens SEE PAGE 198 Better Homes and Gardens FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE IN ASSOCIATION WITH BOSCH UPGRADE…

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For her… For him……

“Bring the Christmas cheer to your table with fab fruity desserts” GET 6 MONTHS FREE FOR A FRIEND AND A $50 MARKS & SPENCER VOUCHER when you subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens SEE PAGE 198…

KAREN MARTINI Join me for food you can serve on your festive table or for any occasion on BHG TV on Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more food tips and tricks. COCONUT SAGO PUDDINGS WITH MINT, LIME AND NUTMEG Preparation time 5 mins Cooking time 15 minsServes 6-8 300g sago1L water900ml coconut cream, plus extra 100ml125g grated palm sugar, plus extra 100g, to serve100g caster sugar Pinch of ground cinnamon ¾ whole nutmeg, finely grated, plus extra, to serveFinely grated zest of 2 limes Juice of 1 lime10 fresh mint leaves STEP 1 Put sago and water in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until boiling. As it thickens, add coconut cream, sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg. Reduce…

tinsel has sparkle but living things have spark. You can make a Christmas wreath from plants that are in season now and it will survive for months after the festivities have finished. Then you can remake it with autumn plants and flowers, and plants of every season after that. That way, the circle of life keeps turning. EASY STEPS TO MAKING A LIVING WREATH Your mini garden will keep hanging around! Here’s how STEP 1 Soak moss in water, then drain until damp and pliable. Line frame with moss and overlap top of frame by about 10cm. STEP 2 Fill the centre to about three-quarters deep with potting mix. STEP 3 Arrange plants on top of mix, then plant. STEP 4 Poke holes in moss around side of frame and…

Watch the sunniest of smiles light up the faces of children who receive a fairy garden kit. As they set it up in the garden or in pots and even in their rooms, their imaginations will fly and the storytelling will begin… FRIENDS PLACE DELUXE KIT Kit includes 1 each of Fairy Garden Welcome Arch, Fairy Ginny, River Elf and Squirrel Birdbath. Only $67 DAPPLED WOODS DELUXE KIT Kit includes 1 each of Woodland Lantern, Woodland Ladder, Fairy Ian Sign Language, Woodland Table and Stool set, and Morlock Manor. Only $95.80 WOODLAND FAIRY BUNDLE Kit includes 1 each of Fairy Athena, Fairy Viola, Fairy Kalea, Fairy Blossom and River Elf. Only $46.35 SHOP FOR THESE AND MORE VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU…

1 STRIP THE ROOM Remove old appliances such as the microwave, stovetop, rangehood and oven, and pull out the sink. Keep utilities in the same spots to save reno dollars. 2 REMOVE CABINETRY Remove doors and carcasses of wall cabinets using a drill-driver. Then take out benchtops and handles on base cabinets. 3 DEMOLISH THE SPLASHBACK Use a hammer and bolster to prise tiles off wall. Patch wall in preparation for new tiles, here laid in a herringbone pattern. 4 CREATE YOUR MOODBOARD Decide on your colour palette, then gather paint swatches, tile samples, pictures and accessories to create it. 5 INSTALL NEW BENCHTOPS Measure, cut and lay new benches. Think Solid offers seamless joins and is scratch and stain resistant, visit thinkbenchtops.com.au. 6 REPLACE THE SINK Made of a…

WHETHER IT’S THE BEST AUTOMATIC DETERGENT SYSTEM, CERTIFIED CLEANLINESS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR THE OPTIMUM RESULTS FOR THOSE GARMENTS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE, MIELE HAS BEEN MAKING LIVES EXTRAORDINARY SINCE 1899. THE SPECIALIST Australia’s only 10-star energy-rated 8kg heat-pump dryer not only saves you money, it allows you to dry even the most delicate of items. Garments are always gently and precisely dried with PerfectDry, with fewer creases and easier, quicker ironing. FragranceDos gives your laundry a beautiful scent while drying, and the scent lasts for up to 4 weeks, while EcoDry keeps energy consumption low and drying times short, showing Miele’s commitment to a better planet. MIELE 8KG HEAT PUMP TUMBLE DRYER, $2199 (TCE630) There are so many clever ideas from Miele that will change the way you launder.…

have you been a good girl this year? Are you on Santa’s nice list? If you’d prefer not to say on the grounds it might incriminate you, that’s ok – our lips are sealed! Either way, as far as we’re concerned, you deserve some serious spoiling this Christmas. Now, we know how this often plays out – when you’re busy creating Christmas magic for everyone else, your own heart’s desires can linger way down the list. Enough of that nonsense! Permission to put yourself first is hereby granted. GIFTS OF BOUNDARIES 1 Time is, perhaps, the most precious gift of all. You can’t buy more of it, so using it wisely is paramount. Make time to do what you love with the people you love. Think of what puts a…

Take the journey of a lifetime with a 15-day tour of India, staying in five-star luxury in Bombay, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi. You’ll visit opulent palaces and towering forts, inhale vibrant spices, walk through buzzing bazaars and absorb the beauty of the world’s greatest Mughal gardens on an exciting adventure. India will cast a spell on you! SUNRISE AT THE TAJ MAHAL Sunrise at the Taj is unforgettable. Sunset is just as rewarding, so you’ll see both! In between, visit the Agra Fort built circa 1565, where you’ll be invited into private family gardens. You’ll see the gardens of the presidential palace. Stop for roadside weddings and dance in the streets. Meet the locals under mango trees and hear them sing their national anthem. India is a land of contrasts…

CHEESE SCONES WITH RARE ROAST BEEF Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 30 mins Makes 20 scones 2 tsp olive oil400g piece fillet steak Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season Butter, to grease, plus extra 60g1½ cups self-raising flour, plus extra, to knead1 cup grated Gruyère¼ cup finely grated pecorino cheese2 Tbsp finely chopped chives2 Tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley¾ cup milk½ cup sour cream1 Tbsp horseradish creamMicro herbs, to garnish STEP 1 Preheat oven to 200°C fan-forced (220°C conventional). Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Season steak on all sides. Add steak to pan and cook for 10 minutes or until browned on all sides. Transfer to a baking dish. Roast steak for 15-20 minutes for rare or until cooked to your liking.…

Order a Santa Sack for your little one – and even the whole family. With two fun designs to choose from – Rudolph Express and Reindeer Express – each Santa Sack is made from premium calico and measures a whopping 80 x 50cm – big enough to hold lots of pressies. They’ll last for years and can be personalised. TWO FUN DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM • Rudolph Express• Reindeer Express SHOP.ORDER YOURS TODAY VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU…

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“Dainty nibbles and a fruity fizz make a cracker of a Christmas do”…

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This year marks 10 years since Australian artist Katherine Castle’s first collaboration with Maxwell & Williams, yet she still gets a kick out of seeing her work featured on a plate, mug, tea towel or placemat. “I’ve seen these products everywhere – even in outback Australia,” says Katherine. “The feeling doesn’t change, even after such a long time.” AN ENDURING PARTNERSHIP Katherine’s beautifully painted birds, animals and plants have resonated with consumers, with many of her pieces becoming family treasures. As Maxwell & Williams’ most enduring collaboration, Katherine’s work has featured in 10 collections, with 76 paintings and more than one million products sold. “I feel very lucky to have been collaborating with this wonderful brand for such a long time,” says Katherine. “It’s great to see big Australian brands…

BARRAMUNDI ARROZ A BANDA Preparation time 10 minsplus 20 mins standingCooking time 1 hour Serves 6 500g barramundi fillets1.5L chicken stock4 bay leaves2 tsp black peppercorns2 tsp fennel seeds2 pinches saffron threads1 brown onion, finely diced1 red capsicum, finely diced12 cloves garlic, minced½ cup extra virgin olive oil4 ripe tomatoes, diced1 bunch parsley, choppedSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper1½ cups short-grain rice½ cup dry vermouth1 cup aioliLemon cheeks, to serve STEP 1 Use a sharp knife to remove skin from barramundi fillets. Combine skin with stock, bay leaves, peppercorns and fennel seeds in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. Combine saffron threads with ¼ cup warm stock and set aside for 20 minutes. Cut barramundi into chunks. STEP 2 Meanwhile,…

EUROPEAN SPRUCE (PICEA ABIES) is drought tolerant but also loves lots of moisture and grows in sun or shade. Give it room to grow as it can reach as tall as 30m. WHITE SPRUCE (PICEA GLAUCA) is very hardy in cold climates and where it snows. It wants full sun and a slightly acidic, rich and moist soil. Water regularly and fertilise in spring and autumn. It can grow as tall as 20m. BLUE SPRUCE (PICEA PUNGENS) is drought resistant, wind and frost hardy and prefers a cool-temperate to cold climate. Plant it in well-drained soil but keep it moist and fertilise in spring and autumn. It grows to about 20m. MONTEREY PINE (PINUS RADIATA) has a perfect conical shape when it’s small. As it grows, the branches become irregular.…

we’ve been celebrating Christmas in the wild long before Prince Albert introduced the German tradition of decorated conifer trees to the British royal family and then the world in the 1840s. While we’ve been adorning our exotic trees with baubles and beads since Victorian times, across Australia, nature has been putting on a spectacular seasonal show for thousands of years, with exquisite displays showing the diversity and vigour of our native flora. Here they are, state by state, for you to grow. 1, 2 NSW CHRISTMAS BUSH (CERATOPETALUM GUMMIFERUM) Explosions of showy red stars over the soft, shiny green foliage is a sign Christmas is just about here. A stunning feature in any garden, the tall, long-lived, evergreen bush (to 5m) bursts out in spring with tiny white or cream…

TARA DENNIS Join me for fantastic ways to revamp your front porch on BHG TV on Friday, November 22 at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more DIY tips and tricks. Plain old front porch getting you down? Transform it! You can set the scene by calling in the pros to resurface the concrete, then follow up with DIY touches. Make mobile timber planters, and use battens to cover an ugly ceiling and install a privacy screen. Then it’s down to an oversized mirror to create the illusion of more space and a bit of styling. Done! PROJECT 1 MAKE Adding a mirror is an age-old space enhancer, and if you mount it in a decorative frame it’s a work of art…

PROJECT 1 MINI BOAT Enter the extraordinary world of boat building – in miniature! Indulge your love of all things nautical with a specially crafted sailboat. Be inspired by the work of Elise Cameron-Smith and create a bespoke boat. You can buy one of her whimsical wooden treasures or have a go at making your own. All you need is timber, glue and a couple of power tools. TV FAVOURITES PROJECT SHEET To get your free project sheet with all the step-by-step instructions and pictures, head to bhg.com.au/tv-favourites and download it. It’s super simple and you’ll have it instantly! PROJECT 2 DUCK TOY Ditch the plastic fantastic and go old school with a handcrafted timber push toy. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to turn a piece of…

BAGS OF STYLE This chic black leather tote is from a new range of high-quality bags, all priced under $300. Even better, 10 per cent of the proceeds help to support women’s mental health. They’re handmade in Italy from the finest Italian leather, so why not gift yourself a beautiful bag for Christmas or buy one for a deserving friend. To see the full range, and to purchase, go to shopvestirsi.com. Pure, clean air Rather than masking nasty smells, Sensori+ mists neutralise and eliminate airborne toxins using the green technology ChlorosPURE. Choose the unscented option or opt for one of four naturally inspired blends. Your house will be free of nasties and lingering pet or cooking odours. Sensori+ Air Detoxifying Aromatic Mist, $29, is available from Myer or visit sensoriplus.com.au.…

THE CRICUT MACHINE This machine quickly and accurately cuts more than 300 materials, from the most delicate paper and fabric to the tough stuff, such as matt board, leather and balsa wood. You can find all the Christmas paper projects at cricut.com/bhg-paperchristmas. The following projects can all be made using a Cricut machine and cutting mat. The Cricut lets you quickly and accurately cut designs from various materials. If you don’t have a Cricut, you can use the diagrams on these pages and a craft knife to create the less intricate projects. CRICUT BASICS Gather your supplies • Cricut machine • Cricut cutting mat Here’s how STEP 1 Using a mobile, tablet or computer, connect via wi-fi and log into the Cricut design space. Choose your desired project and click…

BAKE IT, BREW IT, COOK IT, MAKE IT! From home brewing to home butchery, My Slice of Life is Australia’s premier retailer of food and beverage making supplies. They also specialise in lifestyle products for inside and outside your home. An outdoor fireplace/pizza oven? Yes please! Visit mysliceoflife.com.au THE RUSTY GARDEN Made in Australia from high-quality steel, the Rusty Garden’s beautiful designs will dress up your garden with unique art creations. Add a focal point with a stunning pergola or make pot plants playful with sweet animal silhouettes. Visit therustygarden.com.au UP YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN SKILLS Kickstart a new career or hobby in 2020 with The Interior Design Academy. Learn everything you need to know to nail the art of interior design. With a fully flexible 12 module online course, you…

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PROJECT 1 SPIRAL CHRISTMAS TREE Put a twist on your Christmas by making a spiral tree. Looks complicated but setting out the spiral is actually the easiest part. A bit of jigsawing, painting and setting up later and it’s time to decorate. When the festive season is over for another year, storing your tree couldn’t be easier. It folds up flat so you can stash it under the bed. Perfect for apartment dwellers! PROJECT 2 BALANCE BOARD Show your kids that you don’t need high-tech electronics or wi-fi connection to have fun. Go old school by making a balance-board. Challenge them to navigate the marble through the maze without falling off – then to see if they can do it faster. A half-sheet of plywood is plenty to make a…