Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2020 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

Sprucing up our spaces will be at the top of the agenda. Outdoors, we’ll be readying them for the upcoming seasons of entertaining. Personally, I have a regular date with my window cleaner (also known as my high-pressure cleaner). For some unknown reason, if my windows are clean, I feel all is OK with the world. All you keen gardeners may want to head to the nursery for your spring fix. There are exciting new varieties of polyanthus, better suited to our Australian climate. In your garden, these colourful dainty delights will steal your heart (page 50). That is, if you're not already swooning over the sweet scent of jasmine clambering up a trellis, your pergola or fence (page 42). Then again, if you fancy a spectacular ' tree-hugger or…

Pretty polyanthus are the harbingers of spring, filling your garden bed with a riot of vibrant colours during the late winter months, then fading away as blossoms and flowering bulbs emerge triumphant over the darker days. But breeders are now producing polyanthus better suited to Australian conditions so they will last longer than a winter and change their status from annual to perennial. As well, new varieties bring more cheer, as a kaleidoscope of candy colours are set to explode in your garden. You can go Hawaiian with bold mixes of yellow and red, make clashing a fashion with yellow and deep purple, go neon in flashing blue, or dazzle in white with yellow sunburst centres. Dainty or dramatic, the polyanthus is poised to put more delight in your garden…

Garden Editor PLANT NOW In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. FLOWERS ALL ZONES Alyssum, amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, dahlia, marigold, nasturtium (top left), portulaca, verbena and zinnia. ZONES 1-3 Balsam, celosia, dianthus, gaillardia, petunia, phlox, sunflower and torenia. ZONES 4-6: Aster, Californian poppy, candytuft (bottom left), carnation, lobelia and snapdragon. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Artichoke, asparagus, beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, lettuce, potato, pumpkin, radish, shallot, squash, sweet potato, sweetcorn and tomato. ZONES 1-3: Okra (top left), taro and water chestnut. ZONES 4-6: Cucumber, garlic, onion, pak choy (bottom left), parsnip and turnip. SEASON SPECIALS Celebrate the extra sunshine with yellow flowers. BLAZE OF GOLD Make…

KAREN MARTINI Join me as I show you how to make amazing meals and sweets 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. WHOLEMEAL HOTCAKE STACKS AND CARAMELISED APPLES Preparation time 10 mins plus 15 mins resting Cooking time 30 mins Serves 4 350g wholemeal flour2 Tbsp baking powder50g caster sugar2 large free-range eggs200ml milk350g whole milk natural yoghurt, plus extra, to serve1 pinch cream of tartar¼ tsp saltCooking oil sprayMaple syrup, to serve CARAMELISED APPLES 80g butter4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored, cut into 1cm slices100g caster sugar100g brown sugar1 tsp sea-salt flakes½ tsp ginger powder½ tsp nutmeg1 tsp ground cinnamon250ml dry apple cider STEP 1 For hotcake batter, sift flour…

MEET YOUR NEW MUST-MAKE VEGILICIOUS SIDES OR MEAT FREE MEALS HONEY AND SESAME HALOUMI SALAD Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 1 hour Serves 4 1 cup (200g) freekeh1½ water½ tsp sea-salt flakes, plus extra, to season1 red onion, finely chopped250g cherry tomatoes, quartered2 Tbsp olive oil, plus extra for fryingJuice of 1 lemonFreshly ground black pepper, to season2 x 250g blocks haloumi, sliced2 Tbsp sesame seeds2 Tbsp honey1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, stalks finely chopped, leaves chopped1 bunch coriander, stalks finely chopped, leaves chopped50g pomegranate seeds JALAPEÑO YOGHURT 300g Greek-style yoghurt50g pickled jalapeños from a jarJuice of ½ a lemon1-2 Tbsp water STEP 1 Put freekeh, water and salt in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer, loosely covered, for 45 minutes, or…

the bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms in your house to renovate, however, there are ways you can give your space a fresh new lease on life for a fraction of the cost of a full upgrade. The first rule of thumb is to leave the tiles and the plumbing layout alone and just replace the fittings you have. Follow up with a coat of paint and a bit of DIY magic to help brighten up the room and increase storage. Then finish off the makeover with a few well-chosen accessories to highlight the accents of your new scheme. BACK IN BLACK Black is so hot right now in bathroom design! A LIGHT TOUCH Cluster pendant lights to create a glam sculptural look. MIX AND MATCH Slimline tapware…

All aboard to get your kids reading by building a cute bus bookstand. They’ll love the new home for their favourite books and, hopefully, they’ll pull one out to actually read it! EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR BUS BOOKSTAND Gather your supplies • 140 x 19mm x 1.2m dressed pine • Undercoat tinted grey • Red enamel paint You’ll also need Combination square; tenon saw; drill; 20mm spade bit; jigsaw; PVA glue; 30mm nails; hammer; 54mm hole saw; sanding block; sandpaper; clamps; painting equipment; dowel or wire; black spray paint; 18mm x 14g pan head screws Components Here’s how STEP 1 Use combination square to mark timber for components, then cut out with a tenon saw. STEP 2 On front and back, mark out windows – 20mm in from the…

1 CURATED NATURE You’ll love this easy wreath! The leaves and blooms are made with delicate crepe paper and attached to an embroidery hoop, with a gauzy layer of tulle fabric in the centre for a soft, dreamy effect. 2 BLOOM LOOMS Use picture frames, upholstery tacks and coon thread to create your own looms, then weave floating yarn blooms. The weaving techniques used in this project are basic, but the finished pieces are anything but. They look so impressive! All instructions on page 157 GOOD TO KNOW USE AN ARRAY OF FABRICS WITH THESE PROJECTS-THE MORE COLOUR THE BETTER! 3 YO-YO CUSHION There’s no such thing as too many cushions, especially when they’re this cute! You just piece, attach and quilt the yo-yos by hand. Cheering up your couch…

Consistent, restful sleep is one of the most effective tools we have to maintain good health, reduce stress, and boost memory and productivity. They don’t call it ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing either! Skin certainly loves being pampered overnight. When you're rested, you look bright-eyed and feel ready to face the world. The bottom line is the quality of sleep is more important than the quantity, so doing all you can to maximise the benefits of your time between the sheets is worth the effort. “We’re a nation of not-so-great sleepers, 4 out of 10 Aussies are chronically sleep deprived!” HOW ARE YOUR zzzs? Take our quick quiz to find out, then read on for tips and tools 1. IF I’M BEING HONEST, MY MOOD CAN OFTEN BE DESCRIBED AS… A…

Do you need more bedroom storage? Then this is the project for you. It takes kitchen base cabinets and transforms them into a double chest of drawers, perfect for the master bedroom. All you need is timber, paint and a bit of elbow grease to create this high-end piece on a DIY budget. Plus, you can adapt the concept to suit your needs. Think dining room, hallway or anywhere else you need an elegant storage solution. EASY STEPS TO YOUR REVAMPED DRAWERS Gather your supplies Kaboodle 900mm base cabinets (2) 19mm dressed pine 26mm laminated timber panel Kaboodle 900mm raw board drawer panels (6) Mosaic tile sheet 3mm MDF panel Velour fabric You’ll also need Tape measure; saw; painting gear; stain and varnish; hand sander; sandpaper; cloth; primer; acrylic paint;…

CURATED NATURE Gather your supplies Extra fine crepe paper (Lia Griffith Fine Coral, Blush) Crepe paper in Peach, Pink, Cream, Yellow and Green Scissors 30 lengths of 24-gauge floral wire Tacky glue Wooden skewer 20 Orange wooden beads, 0.5cm diameter 15cm embroidery hoop 20 x 40cm tulle fabric in Pale Pink or Nude Here’s how STEP 1 To make sweetpeas, cut 18, 2 x 2cm squares in a combination of Coral, Blush, Peach, Pink, Cream and Yellow paper. Cut into heart shapes with deep central grooves. STEP 2 Cut 18, 3 x 3cm squares in a combination of Coral, Blush, Peach, Pink, Cream and Yellow paper. Cut into heart shapes with shallow central grooves. STEP 3 Cut 9 floral wires in half. Place a tiny dot of glue on the…

SPRING INTO THESE SOLUTIONS, P72 Project supplies Bunnings Osmocote cacti and succulent potting mix, $7.26/10L bag. Neutrog Sudden Impact for roses, $14.95/15kg bucket. Neutrog 3.5kg Gyganic vegetable, fruit and citrus fertiliser, $16.85/3.5kg bag. Neutrog Sudden Impact lawn fertiliser, $47.98/20kg bag. Raised garden beds, from $19.90. Ki-Carma 10-20mm drainage gravel, $7.98/20kg bag. Brunnings red volcano scoria landscape stone, $9.98/20kg bag. Everhard white drain matting geotextile fabric 2 x 6m, $44.90. Osmocote Plus Organics vegetable and herb mix, $9.98/25L bag. Rapid Mesh wire panel 600 x 900mm 50 x 50mm, $16.99. Whites stainless steel 304 grade tie wire 1.60mm x 15m, $18.99. Oreco organic pea straw mulch 10sqm, $16.38. A side of style, p108 Project supplies Birdsall Leathercraft Belt length natural 20mm, $7.60. Bunnings Pinnacle 4 x 50mm yellow zinc hi tensile…

pure and simple Branches without showy flowers can have a quiet beauty all their own. Placing an oak branch, left, in a vase draws attention to the delicate drama of its uncurling leaves. For contrast, pair it with dangling catkins — elongated flower clusters — from a birch or hazelnut for a soft, draping effect. grand gesture Create a gorgeous tribute to spring with magnolias, crabapple, tulips, hellebores, woodsy birch catkins and cherry blossom branches in a large open bowl. Rather than distributing the various flower varieties throughout, arrange them in clusters. Although similar in colour, there's enough contrast to ensure that no flower or branch goes overlooked. Better tip: arrange the tulips when the petals are tight. As they open, they'll swan dive forward to reveal their centres. the…

Editor If you haven’t got a case of the blues yet, you soon will when you see how easily they can lighten your mood. By dialling back the intensity of blue with only one or two variations, you’ll find contrast colours unnecessary. LESSON NOTES The goal of a muted blue palette is serenity. Avoid contrast, otherwise you’ll defeat the purpose A DASH OF GREEN Selecting pale blues from paint chips can be difficult. If you’re seeking a duck-egg blue shade, it’s best to choose a soft blue hue that neighbours green. THIS GOES WITH THAT It’s hard to beat sandy hues, natural rattan and lighter wood – in fact any mid-neutral – as a companion to pastel blue. ALL BLUE NOT BLAND Include shades of vivid sky blue, as they…

If you want to go troppo and celebrate the colourful and quirky characteristics of tropical plants, then bromeliads exceed on both counts. First are the spectacular flowers that emerge from the central rosette of the luxuriant leaves. Then you can grow them on trees! In their native South America, they grow on rocks and escarpments or in tree canopies. As lithophytes or epiphytes, the roots’ role is just to grip whatever they’re sitting on and they get nutrients and water from organic matter and rain that falls on their leaves. Recreate this rich extravagance in your own backyard, then watch their amazing blooms emerge for an exotic, tropical and vibrant garden feature. PUT LOW ON THE GROUND Catch everyone’s eye with bromeliads in pots on balconies, in courtyards or your…

Fill your garden or indoors with a quirky collection of cute little succulents without having to pay for them. With clever propagation tricks, you’ll soon have your favourites creating little pups from just one plant – enough to pop into cavities in stone walls, between patio pavers, under steps or in rock gardens. Line them up in a row of little pots on a sunny windowsill or fill a wide, shallow bowl planter with your favourite leftovers to create a succulent table centrepiece. GROWING IN POTS Use a special succulent mix for growing in pots. Succulents don’t need to draw as much water from the soil as other plants because they store moisture in their leaves, so the roots can focus on drawing up nutrients from the soil rather than…

BRING AUTHENTIC ASIAN FLAVOUR WITH A TWIST TO YOUR TABLE WITH THIS FANTASTIC AND FUN FUSION DISH. YUM! ROASTED SWEET POTATO SALAD Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 1½hours Serves 6 1kg small sweet potatoes4 slices olive bread2 egg yolksFinely grated zest and juice of 3 limes2 cloves garlic, crushed1 tsp horseradish cream1 cup vegetable oilSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season2 little gem lettuces, quartered1 red onion, finely sliced½ cup smoked almonds, chopped100 g goat’s cheese, crumbled¼ cup dill sprigs STEP 1 Preheat a hooded barbecue to moderate. Put sweet potatoes on a rack over a roasting tray and cook with lid down for 1½ hours. Or, bake them at 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional). Set aside to cool. Grill bread until toasted and cut into strips. STEP…

1 CREAMY PANCETTA AND BASIL GNOCCHI Preparation time 5 mins Cooking time 15 mins Serves 2 Cook 300g store-bought gnocchi following packet instructions, then drain. Meanwhile, fry 100g diced pance­a until crisp. Add 1 crushed clove garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 150ml thickened cream. Season, then toss through cooked gnocchi with ¼ cup chopped basil and ¼ cup finely grated parmesan. Serve with extra grated cheese. 2 BLUE CHEESE, SPINACH AND WALNUT GNOCCHI Preparation time 5 mins Cooking time 10 mins Serves 2 Cook 300g store-bought gnocchi following packet instructions, then drain. Meanwhile, melt 50g butter in a pan and wilt 100g chopped spinach. Stir in ¼ cup crème fraîche and cooked gnocchi. Add 50g chopped creamy mild blue cheese and toss. Serve with chopped toasted walnuts.…

ADAM DOVILE I love a small project! You can start and finish this in a single day. See more on BHG TV on Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more DIY tips and tricks. EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR BATH MAT Gather your supplies • Slats 42 x 19mm x 3m Tasmanian oak (2) • Cleats 30 x 12mm x 1.2m Tasmanian oak (1) • 29mm rubber feet (4) You’ll also need Mitre saw; masking tape; measuring tape; trimmer fitted with a rounding over bit, or a sander; sandpaper; combination square; countersinking drill bit; builder’s square; square; 3mm drill bit; 25mm stainless-steel screws; clear varnish; paintbrush try out your skills and add a spa-like touch to your bathroom with a…

Turn a block of clay into custom homewares with no firing needed! You simply roll, shape and decorate air-dry clay, and paint it once it’s hardened. Little muss and no fuss. Use this technique to make cute bowls and also a flower frog – a disc with holes used for floral arrangements. It’s an easy, therapeutic craft for all ages, and you can use whatever you like to imprint the clay – think buttons, shells, foliage and stamps. So fun! EASY STEPS TO YOUR BOWLS Gather your supplies • Jovi Air Dry Clay in White • Decorative buttons • Plastic lace • Jo Sonja’s Satin Varnish • Artist’s acrylic paints in various colours You’ll also need Knife; baking paper; rolling pin; various small glass bowls; scissors; glass jar or vase;…

Between work, family and home, lots of energy is needed, and the good news is that with a few strategic changes, it’s possible to keep your batteries fully charged. Follow our expert tips and you’ll never do the bobblehead nod through a meeting, social gathering or dinner date again. QUICKIE ENERGISERS Four easy ways to put more spring in your step, based on how much time you have, from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. 30 SECONDS Chew mint or citrus sugarless gum. It will make you more alert, and these scents stimulate the area of the brain responsible for focus. 1 MINUTE Sit or stand up straight and stretch. When you hunch, your breathing is shallower. Good posture opens the lungs, so you can breathe more deeply and more oxygen…

FAB KITS TO BUY INCLUDED IN YOUR KIT Colour-printed fabric Faceted beads, pre-sorted by shade Stylus Wax caddy Craft tray SHOP KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON DOTTING… BUY KITS AT BHGSHOP.COM.AU Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last.…

TRIM WITH INTENT Use the opportunity to improve the shape and structure of your plants by removing crossing or weak branches. Always cut where two branches connect. If you’d like to minimise the number of branches you remove from the tree, clip one long branch and snip it into smaller sections. KEEP CLIPPERS CLEAN Prevent the potential spread of diseases by dipping bypass pruners (which won’t crush stems) into a bucket of isopropyl alcohol (available from chemists or the hardware store) between plants. Alternatively, use a 10 per cent solution of bleach. BE BUTTERFLY AND BEE FRIENDLY Many types of flowers provide important nectar for early-season pollinators, so leave some behind for the bees and butterflies. This is especially true for pussy willows. MIND YOUR MANNERS If you covet your…

It's that time of the year for repair and renewal. Here are four easy tips and tricks that will make your succulents a success, revitalise the dead patches in your lawn, reinvigorate your citrus trees and make your roses blooming beautiful. Also, you can install a raised garden bed to help you get closer to your herbs and vegies. PROJECT 1 GROWING IN POTS Despite having plenty of garden area to plant out your favourites, sometimes putting them in pots is a better alternative. It may be that the plant you long for will be exposed to too much sun or shrouded in shade, or the perfect position is under a tree that will hog all the water and nutrients. But one of the main reasons is that the soil…

Times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time, AEST. This applies to NSW, the ACT, Qld, Vic and Tas. For SA and NT, deduct half an hour. For WA, deduct two hours. During Daylight Saving Time, add 1 hour. ZODIAC SIGNS The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into four groups – fire, air, earth and water. Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are in harmony with all fruit. Leo is in harmony with nuts and all seed-producing crops. Earth signs Capricorn and Taurus are in harmony with all root vegetables that produce crops below the ground, including garlic. Virgo is in harmony with all herbs. Air signs Libra, Aquarius and Gemini are in harmony with plants that produce flowers and perfumes. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are in harmony…

Preparation time 20 mins plus 4 hours 20 mins chilling Cooking time 1 hour Serves 8 1 cup plain flour½ cup pure icing sugar, sifted½ tsp fine salt125g unsalted butter, melted, plus extra 30g, chopped¾ cup honey3 Tbsp food-grade dried lavender buds1 tsp powdered gelatine4 large free-range eggs¾ cup caster sugar2 tsp lemon zest and ¾ cup juiceWhipped cream and Candied lemons (recipe below right), to serve STEP 1 Combine flour, icing sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in melted butter until dough comes together. Press dough evenly into base and up sides of a 35.5cm rectangular or 23cm round tart tin with removable base. Chill dough for 20 minutes, or until firm. STEP 2 Preheat oven to l60 °C fan-forced (l80 °C conventional). Prick dough bottom all…

EASY STEPS TO YOUR REVAMPED SIDEBOARD The entry sets the tone for the rest of your home, so it’s worth putting in the effort to make it welcoming, attractive and clutter-free. But, you don’t have to spend big bucks when you can transform budget-friendly furniture and decorations with little more than paint. Give an old sideboard and a motley crew of vases a makeover, then use cardboard to create a unique piece of wall art. The result? Monochromatic magic! Gather your supplies • Sideboard • All in one primer, sealer and undercoat • Belt leather • Chalk paint • Drawer liners • 40 x 19mm timber You’ll also need 240-grit sanding block; paint gear; combination square; scrap timber; utility knife; drill; nuts; bolts; scissors; solid nail rivets; double-sided mounting tape;…

Give your next get-together a bit of industrial style with this pipe-handled serving tray. Made from recycled pallets, it won’t cost you the earth, and it uses a clever painting technique to give you an antique look you can use to add character to any other project. EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR INDUSTRIAL SERVING TRAY Gather your supplies • Recycled pallet material • 20mm galvanised pipe flanges (4) • 20mm female elbows (4) • 200 x 20mm galvanised pipes (2) You’ll also need Square; pencil; handsaw; drill; 30mm screws; black paint; painting equipment; sander; cloth; Cabot’s Stain and Varnish in Rich Walnut Here’s how STEP 1 Measure and mark pallet material for tray slats and cleats. Slats are 700mm long, and cleats are 20mm less than the combined width of…

Travel-friendly and foldable, you can hook this on-trend, unlined raffia tote with a 3.5mm crochet hook. It's great as an accessory to a smart outfit, for groceries or to hold books, towels and all your essentials for a day at the beach! LARGE RAFFIA TOTE KIT ONLY $94* SMALL RAFFIA TOTE KIT ONLY $61* Each kit includes: • Natural raffia 100g spools x 3 (large tote) or x 2 (small tote) • Crochet pattern Finished bag sizes Large 53H x 44W x 7cmD (13.5cm handle width) Small 37H x 39W x 7cmD (12.5cm handle width) SHOP TO BUY YOUR RAFFIA TOTE KIT, VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU *Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last.…

Permanent hair colour is fantastic. If you want a new look, or to cover greys, it’s easily achieved. But once the dye job is done, how do you maintain your gorgeous new locks? Here are the best ways to deal with regrowth and fading. 1 ALWAYS USE CONDITIONER After shampoo, hair cuticles need to be resealed to help them hold colour. A conditioner will not only seal the deal, it will also boost hydration and improve softness. Also, it’s a good idea to use a leave-in conditioner and hydrating mask weekly. TRY Make hair strong, Miracle Shine Conditioning Mask, $21.95, A’Kin. Add softness, 1000 Roses Complex Colour Care Leave-In Conditioner, $15.99, Andalou. 2 SHAMPOO LESS OFTEN Use an SLS-free shampoo, because detergent-based products, which lather a lot, are more likely to cause…

PECAN AND DATE SLICE Preparation time 10 mins plus cooling Cooking time 45 mins Makes 16 pieces 1 cup self-raising flour, sifted6 scoops vanilla Ensure nutrition powder, plus extra 1 scoop100g butter, chopped½ cup pecans, finely chopped, plus extra 2 cups pecans2 Tbsp desiccated coconut2 free-range eggs, lightly whisked⅔ cup fresh dates, finely chopped¼ cup date syrup STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional). Grease a 20cm square cake pan and line base and sides with baking paper. STEP 2 Put self-raising flour and Ensure nutrition powder in a large bowl and rub in butter with your fingertips. Add pecans, 1 tablespoon coconut, the eggs and half of the dates and stir to combine. Press mixture firmly into base of prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes, or until…

Was she ‘Lady Killmore’ or was she really Lucrezia Borgia of Cap Ferrat?DOMINICK DUNNE Enid by Robert Wainwright, $32.99 Enid was the dazzling eldest daughter of the well-to-do Lindeman family, from the Hunter Valley wine fortune. She was married off in January 1913, after just turning 21, to a wealthy American, Roderick Cameron, who was twice her age and a scion to a shipping company. Enid’s colourful, unimaginable life would go on to include being married and widowed four times, spending two fortunes, and entertaining European and Hollywood royalty. She would earn nicknames such as the Stucco Venus, in reference to her ethereal beauty that seemed to enhance with age. Enid proves to be not only a socialite, but someone who cares about those around her. A fabulous read. The…