Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

A cameo appearance may be brief but it is dramatic and has an impact that lingers forever. Such is the power of peonies. Their blooms are theatrical, generating awe and adoration. Catch them now with their fulsome shapes, sweet, spicy fragrances and soft elegance. For the next six to eight weeks, they’ll prove that brevity is the soul of the most beauty you can ever have in your late-spring garden. TYPES OF PEONIES HERBACEOUS This is the most common in Australian gardens. A perennial, it is slow-growing, but eventually forms a substantial bush about 90cm high and 50cm wide. The stems retreat in winter. Cut back those that linger and it will bounce back in spring. TREE PEONY More of a shrub than a tree because of its multiple stems,…

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…

Drop sheets usually spark visions of wall painting, but forget the ladders and long-handled rollers. Instead, paint the sheets themselves and turn them into cushions and bags. The idea is to create blue and red stripes for the look of vintage grain sacks. It’s a fun way to evoke French farmhouse style and is budget-friendly as you can get drop sheets at hardware stores. With tightly woven fabric made of 100 per cent cotton fibre, they’re durable, with an unbleached neutral tone for a rustic feel. So grab a sewing machine to make cushions, totes and linens. Voilà! EASY STEPS TO YOUR DROP SHEET CUSHION COVER Here’s how STEP 1 Measure cushion insert, adding 3cm to the width and 13cm to the length (to allow for the 10cm envelope overlap),…

It’s not just the greenery you fill your home with that gives you joy – it’s also how you display it. Plant stands can be on a windowsill, a fireplace mantel or even a corner of your bookshelves – all of which are functional, but hardly standouts. But here, you can make a unique pot plant holder out of a copper pipe and recycled timber that will be as stunning as your plants! STEP BY STEP TO A COPPER CACTUS PLANT STAND For you to know Filling copper pipe with sand before you bend it means it won’t pinch, buckle or fold as it’s bent and will keep its shape. Here’s how STEP 1 Measure and mark pipe at 1.5m intervals with fine-tipped marker. Cut at marks with a pipe…

WHAT TO KNOW Tiles come in different materials, shapes, sizes and colours. Keep these points in mind: HOW THEY’RE SOLD Some come as bags of individual pieces; others come as sheets of identical tiles. Either type works for these projects, but pay attention to thickness. If working with sheets, pull the tiles off the backing or cut into strips and other shapes. MATERIAL TYPES Mosaic tiles come in glass, ceramic, stone or porcelain. You’ll need different adhesives and cutters for each. SOURCES Check local tile shops, craft stores, hardware stores and online mosaic supply shops. PLANTERS Applying tiles one by one directly onto a surface, such as these concrete and ceramic planters, is another traditional method of creating mosaics. SAND SURFACE Rough up the surface with sandpaper. Wipe clean with…

Bedroom art is often a framed print or canvas, usually above the bed. But there are so many more ways to decorate the walls of your sleeping space. The key is to complement your bedhead, so while a traditional artwork goes well with a rectangular style, what about a curvaceous cane or cast iron-style headboard? You need something shapely on the walls to team with the theme. This project shows you how to use bendy cane (or you can use a metal wreath ring) to make a wreath-style deco adorned with native foliage, preserved flowers and natural-fibre ribbon. It’s easy, pretty and budget-friendly to boot. Now that’s clever EASY STEPS TO WALL WREATHS For you to know • Eucalyptus leaves are ideal for a project such as this, as they…

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) TO BUY YOUR RAFFIA TOTE KIT? VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU *Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last.…

1 YOU CAN DEVELOP ALLERGIES AT ANY AGE Just because you never had allergies growing up doesn’t mean that you’re off the hook. Symptoms can crop up in your 20s, 30s, 40s – pretty much at any point. Blame a combination of genes and environmental triggers. You might have had the problem all along, but just didn’t know. For example, you might have a mould allergy but grew up in a dry climate. Or, since one allergy puts you at risk for others, you may have outgrown one sensitivity, only to develop another. Your first step is to figure out exactly what’s triggering your reaction. Seeing an allergist to undergo a round of testing is the best way to do that. Next, talk to the doctor about what medications will…

The Mother Fault Kate Mildenhall, $32.99 Mim’s husband is missing. No one knows where Ben is, but everyone wants to find him. The government has fitted the population with a tracking chip to keep them ‘safe’. Mim is made to surrender her passport and threatened with her two children being taken into care at the notorious BestLife. Cornered, she risks it all to go on the run to find her husband. From the back roads of the Australian outback to a terrifying sea voyage, she needs to save her family, no matter what. Shook me to my core. I could not put it down ALICE ROBINSON The Darkest Evening Ann Cleeves, $32.99 Driving home during a blizzard, Vera Stanhope’s only thought is to get there quickly. But the snow is…

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And so, with the weather warming up, why not turn your attention to creating your very own patch of paradise, one that entices you outside to drink in the green as you reconnect with nature and take a moment to pause and relax. Having had a sneak peek at the ideas in this month’s issue, I’ve unashamedly borrowed a few for my own petite plot. It all started with my damaged pergola being repaired — finally! And, while I won’t bore you with that little saga, you know what it’s like. You start with one thing in mind and then begin to see the other possibilities… With any luck, though, I’ll be finished in time to host small gatherings for summer barbies, with our ever-so-moreish pork belly (page 72), spicy…

There’s romance in imagining your life in a field of flowers, but if your spread is confined to a courtyard, balcony or porch, you can still create a mini meadow by transplanting into a big pot a dazzling array of spring bulbs and small flowering annuals. And don’t stop there – as your daffodils and tulips fade, keep the colour alive with summer and autumn flowering bulbs and complementary flowering plants. SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 CRAMMING FOR SUCCESS Fill your planters with flowering bulbs for instant effect then, as things get too crowded, take out a plant or two and pop them in another pot or your garden 1 HYACINTH HEAVEN Plant gladioli and lilium bulbs for summer, then tall double and single daffodils. Put in hyacinths next…

SEASON SPECIALS Go bold, bright and beautiful. LONG IN THE GRASS The snakeshead fritillary is full of late-spring charm. TURN ON THE SUN Gold spurge (Euphorbia polychroma) is bright, even in partial shade. BONNET TIME Aquilegia (also known as granny’s bonnet columbine) puts a spring in your step. 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 Amaranthus, cosmos, dahlia, marigold, petunia, verbena (top left) and zinnia. ZONES 1-3 Balsam, celosia, salvia and vinca. ZONES 4-6 Ageratum, arctotis, aster, candytuft, cleome, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, godetia (bottom left), impatiens, nasturtium and snapdragon. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus, beans, beetroot, capsicum, carrot, chilli, cucumber, lettuce…

Put on a spread Bookmark these appetisers for whenever you have fresh herbs at hand BAKED GOAT’S CHEESE WITH HERB OIL For a summery take on bubbly baked cheese, you can finish a silky chevre and cream cheese mixture with a drizzle of vibrant herb oil - made by blending blanched fresh herbs with avocado oil. Recipe on page 60 CHEAT’S FOCACCIA WITH HERB OIL This herb-studded focaccia starts with store-bought pizza dough. You simply score the top, brush with herb oil and scatter on chopped olives and fresh herbs before baking. Recipe on page 60 PRAWN SKEWERS WITH AJI VERDE You can make aji verde - a mildly spicy Peruvian sauce - from chillies, parsley and coriander as a tasty accompaniment for grilled prawns. This recipe adds sour cream…

CACIO E PEPE: BUCATINI PASTA WITH CHEESE AND PEPPER The simplest pasta you’ll ever make! With just a handful of ingredients it’s super fast and also really clever, using the starch from the pasta cooking water to create a thick and delicious sauce. Recipe on page 80 CURRIED REDCLAW CRAYFISH WITH GINGER BEER ROTI Redclaws are a truly unique Australian food. For a great way to enjoy them at their very best, partner with my all-time fave home style bread. Recipe on page 80 ED HALMAGYI Join me as I show you how to cook amazing food in your kitchen or on your barbecue on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more food tips and tricks. TWICE-BAKED SWEET…

RAISE THE BAR An entertainer’s delight! Waterfall 7-piece Rectangular Bar Setting with cushioned stools 200 x 85cm, available in White or Gunmetal (aluminium frame powder-coated finish), $2299, harveynorman.com.au. DIAMOND MATTERS Style-led lightweight planters, made of fibre-glass and clay, are the ideal addition to your urban landscape. Diamond Tripod in Grey, $68-S, $95-M, $110-L, northcotepottery.com.au Cook on the rim This three-in-one barbecue is exactly what the chef ordered! Yes, you can cook on its rim, store firewood below and create the ambience of an open fire. For models and info, visit ofyr.com.au. DRINKS ON TAP Put together a bar cart loaded with top tipples and mixers, ready to wheel out as the party crowd descends. Hampton blue and white bar trolley, $699.95, madraslinkonline.com.au. Shade maker From tiny terraces to large outdoor…

SURFACE ADHESIVE To adhere tiles to your chosen surface, you need to check the label of the adhesive to make sure it will work with both the tiles and the surface. GROUT TYPES Sanded grout is the best choice for mosaic projects because of its durability and ability to fill the large gaps mosaics often have. It comes premixed or as a dry powder (to mix with water) in a range of colours. Premixed works well for small projects; powder is more economical for large projects. INDOOR OR OUTDOOR These projects are for indoor use (or for protected outdoor areas) only. With any outdoor projects, you need a weather-resistant surface, thin-set mortar and a top coat of sealant. WHAT ELSE CAN I USE? Be creative with pieces of broken dishes…

Gone are the days when every home had a linen closet in the hallway near the family bathroom. But you don’t have to commandeer precious space in bedroom wardrobes to keep your sheets and towels sorted, as you can turn a timber cabinet into a stunning storage solution with an easy makeover project. EASY STEPS TO YOUR LINEN PRESS Here’s how STEP 1 Remove cabinet doors and take off hinges and hardware. Extract shelves. STEP 2 Apply painter’s tape to glass door panels in an X shape. Use scrap timber and a hammer to tap out beading holding glass in place. Reserve beading. STEP 3 Wearing work gloves, carefully li. out glass and dispose of safely. STEP 4 Put rattan in a bucket of water, weighted by a rock. Soak…

Rather than luck, wealth, status, IQ or even good genes, it’s finding joy in simple pleasures, connectedness to community and great relationships that are the better predictors of a long, happy life. Passion, purpose and the ability to bounce back from adversity all matter, too. In fact, emotional wellness has amazing follow-on benefits for physical and mental health and also offers protection against a range of ills. So get happy to get healthy and live a kick-ass long life! Let’s break it down. DO THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR HEART SING Happy, healthy people make time for activities that bring them a mix of joy, peace and satisfaction. What that looks like for everyone is different and it need not be earth shattering. TIP Find joy in moments big and small.…

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A pathway takes you somewhere, so create highlights on your journey to ‘there’ by extending your garden beyond its borders into the vacant lots between your flagstones or stepping stones. This makes your stones a natural part of the garden, especially if you choose stones that are indigenous to your area. Here’s how to make the walk through your garden even more enchanting! GREENING YOUR STONES When you’re putting plants along pathways, they need to be tough enough to spring back when occasionally stepped on. Try a few of these! BABY TEARS (SOLEIROLIA SOLEIROLII) Trails of tiny leaves form a dense mat from which tiny white flowers emerge in summer. It likes bright, filtered light and lots of water. PINK CREEPING THYME (THYMUS SP) Pretty and super scented, it’s smothered…

EASY CHEESEBURGERS Big and juicy, these barbecue burgers take only a few minutes on the grill, putting the flavour into fast food. You’ll make them again and again. Recipe on page 68 POTATO SALAD WITH PICKLED ONIONS This creamy classic uses baby red potatoes and a sour cream, mayo and mustard dressing. Serve it up alongside your fave grilled meats. Recipe on page 68 HOT AND SPICY WINGS WITH MAPLE-CHIPOTLE HOT SAUCE Make your own spice rub and hot sauce for roasted, grilled and finger-licking chicken wings. Yum! Recipe on page 68 PORK RIBS WITH CHILLI MUSTARD BASTE For falling-off-the-bone ribs that are sticky, spicy and sweet, the trick is to rub and roast, then baste and barbecue. So more-ish! Recipe on page 68 BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES You can…

PORK WONTONS IN BROTH This is simply the quickest way to make a mouth-watering Asian-style soup. Recipe on page 86 COFFEE AND PEPPER SPICED CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE AND MINT SALAD Give your grilled chicken an earthy flavour by marinating it in a coffee and pepper spice blend. The lively, fruity salad adds a fresh zing. Recipe on page 86 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. PORKWONTONS IN BROTH Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 4 WONTON FILLING 400g (about 5) Italian pork sausages, casings removed and meat crumbled40g Gochujang paste (Korean chilli paste, from major…

“Tile tabletops using your favourite colours and shapes. How gorgeous!” TABLETOPS A mosaic is simply a pattern made up of small pieces of tile, glass or other material, usually finished with grout. And adhesive fibreglass mesh makes creating designs simple. It’s sticky enough to hold tiles in place but not so sticky you can’t rearrange them. Plus, the finished design transfers in one manageable piece. CUT MESH Use scissors to cut adhesive fibreglass mesh slightly larger than the tabletop. ARRANGE TILES Set out tiles on mesh, leaving gaps between for grout. SAND SURFACE Rough up tabletop with sandpaper. Wipe clean. APPLY ADHESIVE Use a notched spreader to apply an even layer of adhesive to tabletop about half the thickness of a tile. TRANSFER DESIGN Lay tiled mesh on prepared surface;…

YOU CAN HOOK ON THE GO! For this project you crochet individual pieces in five designs. That means you can knock it off hexagon by hexagon wherever you are – on the bus, in front of the telly or at the park. Then, when you’re ready, you stitch the motifs together into this oversize cheerful throw! Instructions on page 160 GARDEN PATH crochet throw STITCH DIAGRAMS Work 6tr in next st, lengthen lp on hook and remove hook from work, insert hook in first tr, replace lp on hook and draw through, reducing lp size to normal. For a hidden seam, with wrong side facing, work under both loops. GARDEN PATH CROCHET THROW Intermediate crochet Measurements Width (approx) 170cm; length (approx) 200cm Gather your supplies Patons Co. on Blend 8…

Editor The time has come to rethink pink. Once the domain of young girls’ rooms, the versatile hue can look thoroughly modern, charmingly country and utterly grown up. LESSON NOTES Embrace tea rose and blossom pinks! THIS GOES WITH THAT Pair pale petal pinks with soft greys for laid-back appeal. Or, if your preference is for a dustier hue, combine it with a darker tone of fig for a cosier, sumptuous feel. Try taupe to give pinks a classic edge. MIX PINK WITH METALLICS Combine a dusky pink with burnished metallics if a glam, sophisticated scene appeals. INTERESTING ACCENT Not keen on all-over pink? Pick out an interesting room feature to highlight, such as a chimney breast.…

Beauty Editor Staying out of the sun is smart but there’s no need to spend your spring and summer looking pale and pasty. Turning up your glow factor is easy, whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s or 60+. HERE’S HOW Where to get started? Well, even though you’re not going for the super tanned look, you’ll still need to start with self-tanner. But we’re not talking about the old-school versions. Gradual tanners have less DHA (the ingredient which reacts with your skin to turn it brown) and more hydration to boost your skin tone, rather than deepen it. They give just enough colour to soften stretch marks, unevenness and cellulite. Another bonus is they won’t leave obvious streaks if you do miss a spot. GET THE LOOK Follow these…

1 HAUNTED HOUSE Pull out that gingerbread house kit that’s been in the pantry since last Christmas and put it to use to create a chilling chocolate cottage. To decorate, you’ll need lashings of frosting, writing icing, lollies and liquorice pieces. And the windows? Melted caramels! 2 MONSTER MASH Make chocolate cupcakes from scratch or a packet mix, then dip pretzel sticks into microwaveable candy melts (try Wilton from Spotlight and Big W), attach candy eyeballs, and tuck into green-tinted spikes of buttercream. Fun! 4 HAIRY HANDOUTS Give your party favours the monster treatment. Wrap in coloured card, attach hair-raising raffia, draw a texta mouth and stick on joggle eyes. It’s a great idea for small jars of take-home slime. 3 CANDY CORN CAKE Turn simple vanilla cupcakes into a…