Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

If you’re looking for more than just a small, do-nothing, flat patch of lawn in your backyard, then create a zen rock garden with a difference. Zen gardens are intended to reflect the essence or spirit of nature, not copy it. The rocks represent objects such as mountains, trees or animals. Gravel or sand stand for movement – a sea, lake or river – and water means purification and cleansing. And toss away any notion zen gardens don’t have plants. Many do, so put your creative spirits into gear. Then, after you’ve given away your lawnmower, relax on the two-tier deck, surrounded by scenery that exudes calmness and serenity. EASY STEPS TO BUILD A FLAGSTONE PATH Rather than just taking you from A-Z, zen garden paths offer a voyage of…

SEPTEMBER 2021 You must plant all ABOVE-ground crops during the moon’s WAXING cycle. You must plant all BELOW-ground crops during the moon’s WANING cycle. 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…

UP THE WALL Ideal for kids’ rooms, this quick wall organisation system starts off with aluminium rails. Glue on pine slats, ensuring everything is aligned and square, then hang the unit up by predrilling and screwing through the slats into the wall. From there, let the kids go wild with hooks and hanging containers to store their stuff. BACK TO SCHOOL An old student desk transforms into a perfect petite bedside table. Making this project is so simple it would take you longer to shop for a similar item online. First, seek out a vintage metal child’s desk on sites such as Gumtree. You should be able to find retro-colour bases such as this one. Measure the width of the desk and use a wooden cutting board to fit as…

GREEN TOOLS For an affordable and high-quality alternative to plastic, the Eco Tools range from Wiltshire features 11 essentials for your kitchen, from a garlic press to can opener, with prices starting at just $8, The 98% bio-based polymer handles are made from a sustainable combo of sugar cane and wood fibre. Visit wiltshire.com.au. GET ON BOARD Made from a natural and sustainable material, the Eco Bamboo Multi Board, $59, from Wiltshire, includes four colour-coded cutting mats and stands upright. GO PLATINUM Kitchen containers go plastic and lid-free with Zip Top cups, dishes and bags. Made from 100% platinum silicone they stand up and stay open for serving or zip up for freezer storage and lunch boxes. Visit ziptop.com.au. ALL WRAPPED UP Make a difference with Munch. This eco-friendly brand…

URBAN FARMING Airgarden is Australia’s first vertical soil-less system that lets you grow 150+ plants with 95% less water for results in 21 days – in just 1 sqm of space! It’s an easy way to eat organic for just 15 minutes work a week. Visit airgarden.com.au. INDOOR JUNGLE Save space and water with the Urban Eden self-watering vertical garden, $258. You water the unit from the top, creating overflow, and each level features an indicator so you know when more hydration is needed. Visit amazon.com.au. SAVE WATER You can have a traditional vegie patch on a balcony or in a courtyard with the Vegepod, a raised garden bed with a self-watering wicking reservoir, mist spray irrigator and permeable mesh cover. Visit vegepod.com.au. BOOKS TO READ Futuresteading by Jade Miles,…

WHAT IS INDIGO? This is a dye that has been collected for centuries from the leaves of the Japanese indigo plant, and is still produced in the same traditional way today. The colour ranges from almost white to dark blue-black. WHAT IS SASHIKO? IT’S AN ANCIENT FORM OF SIMPLE JAPANESE STITCHING – THE NAME MEANS ‘LITTLE STABS’. TRADITIONALLY WORKED WITH WHITE THREAD ON INDIGO CLOTH, THE WORK FEATURES DISTINCTIVE GEOMETRIC PATTERNS WHICH HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN FOR GENERATIONS.…

Take French provincial style and inject it with a chic modern twist for revamped furniture that can serve double duty in a spare room that is also used as a study. You can upgrade your filing cabinet, create a bespoke desk and turn an unwanted picture into a charming chalkboard. All you need is paint, and while grey is part of the traditional palette for the style, it also gives it a cool contemporary cast. EASY STEPS TO YOUR DESK Convert an old dressing table into a stylish desk for your spare room. It makes a great workspace for you and your laptop, while your overnight guests can use it with their tablet to check emails. Gather your supplies • Dressing table • Stain-blocking spray primer • Chalk-finish ultra matt…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Aceology adorebeauty.com.au Adairs adairs.com.au ANL anlscape.com.au April & Oak aprilandoak.com.au Arithmos arithmosskin.com.au Ash Block Printing ashblockprinting.com.au Bev Cosmetics bevcosmetics.com.au Big W bigw.com.au Biologi biologi.com.au Bonnie and Neil bonnieandneil.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Burt’s Bees burtsbees.com Capra Designs capradesigns.com Christian Jenkins Landscape Design christianjenkins.com.au Cobalt & Kin cobaltandkin.com Cultiver cultiver.com.au Edible Beauty ediblebeautyaustralia.com Eucalypt Gifts eucalyptgifts.com Few & Far fewandfar.com.au Freedom freedom.com.au Haven & Space havenandspace.com.au Hume Doors and Timber humedoors.com.au IKEA ikea.com.au Imperial Gardens Hidden Orient imperialgardens.com.au Jane Iredale janeiredale.com.au Kiehl’s mecca.com.au Minenssey minenssey.com Mister Ply & Wood misterplywood.com.au Mobel Design mobeldesign.com.au Natio natio.com.au Nude by Nature nudebynature.com.au Raww Cosmetics rawwcosmetics.com Target target.com.au tbh Skincare tbhskincare.com Temple & Webster templeandwebster.com.au TileCloud tilecloud.com.au Too Faced mecca.com.au Wallbeds Australia wallbedsaustralia.com.au Walter G walter-g.com.au KEEP THEM HANGING, P30 Project supplies Big W…

SEASON SPECIALS Spring’s early birds are now out and about! PLANT NOW In each issue we give you 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 Ageratum, alyssum, bedding begonia, celosia, dahlia, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca (top left), salvia, torenia, verbena and zinnia. ZONES 1-3 Aster, Californian poppy, coleus and phlox. ZONES 4-6 Carnation, chrysanthemum, cleome (bottom left), cosmos, dianthus and snapdragon. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus, beans, beetroot, carrot, lettuce, melon, parsley, parsnip, potato, radish, sweetcorn, tomato, turnip and zucchini. ZONES 1-3 Capsicum, cucumber, pumpkin, shallot and sweet potato (top left). ZONES 4-6 Broccoli, cauliflower, endive, leek, onion, peas and rhubarb (bottom left). “Every spring is the…

MANGIA MEANS ‘EAT UP’ IN ITALIAN AND YOU WON’T HAVE TO SAY IT TWICE WITH THESE DELIZIOSA DISHES! CHILLI AND GARLIC PRAWN LINGUINE Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 15 mins Serves 4 375g linguine¼ cup extra virgin olive oil1kg green king prawns, peeled, deveined, tails intact4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced4 long red chillies, thinly sliced1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, leaves pickedFinely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon1 cup vegetable stockSea-salt flakes and freshly groundblack pepper, to seasonLemon wedges, to serve STEP 1 Cook linguine in a saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, then drain. STEP 2 Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan on high heat. Cook king prawns, turning, for 2 minutes, or until just cooked through. Transfer prawns to a…

WITH THEIR TERRIFIC TEXTURE AND TASTE, YOU CAN’T TELL THESE GOODIES ARE GLUTEN-FREE! BANANA BREAD STACKS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING Preparation time 15 mins plus cooling and freezing Cooking time 30 mins Makes 8 1½ cups gluten-free self-raising flour2 tsp gluten-free baking powder1 tsp cinnamon1½ cups almond meal1 cup quinoa flakes1 cup dark brown sugar¾ cup milk2 free-range eggs100g unsalted butter, melted, cooled1 tsp vanilla extract2 ripe bananas, mashedFinely chopped pistachios, to serveFresh raspberries, to serve CREAM CHEESE FROSTING 250g cream cheese, softened50g unsalted butter, softened1 tsp vanilla extract1½ cups pure icing sugar, sitted,plus extra, to dust STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160_C fan-forced (180°C conventional). Grease and line a 20 x 30cm lamington pan with baking paper. STEP 2 Sift flour, baking powder and cinnamon together into a large…

The entrance to your home is often either a bland space you can’t wait to get through or a cluttered mess where everyone just drops their stuff without batting an eye. But you can up the style stakes and cut the clutter, with simple solutions to make the space so much more. Humble hooks are the secret – but it’s not about how many you have, but how you use them. Make them the centrepiece of a coordinated storage solution you’ll be happy to come home to. “TREAT YOURSELF TO A SORTED ENTRY. GOOD. FIRST IMPRESSIONS AREN’T JUST FOR GUESTS!” ENTER THE DROP ZONE • A small set of hooks is perfect for keys. You’ll never lose them again! • Keep shoes neat and tidy with a set of baskets…

1 DO THE SET OUT Run stringlines along the area of your beds. Make them parallel to the nearest prominent feature, such as the house or fence. 2 DIG OUT AND REMOVE GRASS Use a spade to cut grass along stringlines and then remove it all to make way for your new beds. Make sure you get all the roots out to prevent the grass from resprouting. 3 INSTALL GARDEN BED EDGING Dig along front of beds to create a flat surface for the Link Edge aluminium garden edging that will prevent grass runners invading your garden. Lay it in the beds. 4 PEG THE EDGING IN PLACE Secure the edging to the ground using the matching spikes. Space the spikes every 700mm. 5 JOIN THE EDGING TOGETHER To join…

DETOX THE AIR Eliminate odours and airborne toxins with the Sensori+ Toowoomba Carnival Candle, $65, responsibly sourced from Aussie soybean farms and with recyclable glass and packaging. Visit amazon.com.au. SHEETS TO DYE FOR Get bespoke bedding with tie-dyed linen from The Sheet Society. It’s free from heavy metals, toxins and mordants. Visit thesheetsociety.com.au. KEEP IN THE HEAT Lower your energy bill with Luxaflex Duette Architella Shades, engineered with honeycomb-shaped air pockets to reduce heat loss through windows. Visitluxaflex.com.au. COTTON ON Sheridan has donated 600kg of fabric to a cotton farm trialling a solution to textile waste. So take your pre-loved sheets into a store for recycling! Visit sheridan.com.au. OUTSIDE THE BOX Samsung goes sustainable with its Neo QLED TV range with solar cell remote and eco-packaging designed for smart upcycling.…

TIPSY-FREE TIPPLE If you want a delicious drop with zero alcohol, try Funky Monkey, $15, from liquor stores. It’s made by Fourth Wave Wine, a family owned business that supports Aussie wine growers, and sustainably produced wines. For tips on ecofriendly wines, visit theconsciousdrop.com.au and fourth wavewine.com.au. THE LAST STRAW Ditch single-use straws for metal. These long-lasting stainless-steel straws, $16.95 for a 4 pack, are rust and scratch proof and have a protective cotton carry bag, perfect for your smoothie or juice on the go – or cocktail at home. They’re dishwasher safe and come with a handy bristle brush for a thorough clean. Visit klevarange.com.au. WINE SAVER Reducing food waste means wine, too! The Pivot, $184.95, keeps your leftover drop fresh for up to four weeks. Great for the…

INDIGO ILLUSION QUILT Measurements Finished size 57½ x 75½in (146 x 192cm) Finished block size 9in (23cm) square Gather your supplies • 2.75m solid off-white (blocks) • 1.85m total assorted dark blue prints (blocks) • 4 fat quarters assorted light blue prints (blocks) • 4 fat eighths assorted medium blue prints (blocks) • 0.5m indigo print No.1 (border) • 0.6m indigo print No.2 (binding) • 170 x 215cm batting • 3.5m backing fabric • General quilting supplies • Pencil For you to note Before beginning, read Quilting basics (page 174). Here’s how Cutting fabrics For patterns, see opposite page. To make templates of patterns, see Making and using templates, page 174. Cut pieces in below order From solid off-white, cut • 24 – 2 x 21in strips • 48 –…

“SHE WAS CYNICAL IRONIC COLD ARDENT BUT NEVER GENTLE”JOYCE MORGAN The Countess from Kirribilli Joyce Morgan (Allen & Unwin, $32.99) Elizabeth von Armin was born in Sydney, but it was in Victorian London that she discovered society and society discovered her. Making her court debut before Queen Victoria, she was pursued by a Prussian count and married into European aristocracy. It was her novels about that life that made her a literary sensation. Marriage to the count produced five children but little happiness. And Elizabeth’s second marriage was a disaster. But by then she’d captivated the literary and intellectual circles of London and Europe. Palace of the Drowned Christine Mangan (Hachette, $32.99) Venice, 1966. Frances is working on a new novel and a selfimposed exile from London after an incident…

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MAKE YOUR OWN CRUNCHY CRISPS IN MINUTES – JUST SLICE POTATOES AND FRY IN OIL. EASY! KNUCKLE SANDWICH Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 3½ hours Serves 8 1.6kg trimmed beef knuckleSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil2 brown onions, sliced8 cloves garlic, crushed4 dried bay leaves4 anchovy fillets (optional)2 cups dry white wine2L chicken stock2 medium potatoes, finely sliced1 medium sweet potato, finely slicedVegetable oil, for deep-fryingSoft white rolls, aioli, mustard pickle, cos lettuce, sliced radishes and sprouts, to serve STEP 1 Set a large heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Season beef, then fry in oil for 20 minutes, turning regularly, until well browned. Set aside. STEP 2 Add onion, garlic, bay leaves and anchovies, cook for 2-3 minutes, then return beef.…

CHILLI MUSSELS WITH RISONI Preparation time 15 mins Total time 35 mins Serves 4 Thermomix models TM6, TM5, TM31 1000g black mussels, scrubbed, debearded1 onion (150g), quartered2 cloves garlic1 long red chilli (see Cook’s tips)2 anchovy fillets20g olive oil400g can chopped tomatoes100g dry white wine1 Tbsp vegetable stock paste (recipe on cookidoo.com.au)100g dried risoni pasta4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, leaves only, roughly chopped STEP 1 Place Varoma dish onto mixing bowl lid and weigh mussels into it, then set Varoma dish aside. STEP 2 Place onion, garlic, chilli and anchovies in mixing bowl, then chop 5 sec/speed 7. Scrape down sides of mixing bowl with spatula. STEP 3 Add oil and sauté 5 min/120°C/speed 1 (TM31: 5 min/100°C/speed 1). STEP 4 Add tomatoes, wine, 250g water and stock paste, then cook…

SMART AND ROUNDED SILHOUETTE FAB38 retro-style fridge 510L in Black, $3999, smeg.com.au.…

Transform your junk-filled spare room into a multipurpose zone with a place for everything and everything in its place! The centrepiece is a wall bed for guests you can lift out of the way when not needed to leave room for a workout. Shelving and a small desk suit a home office set-up and you can make the room feel more roomy by flowing it outdoors with bifold doors. EASY STEPS TO A FOLD-OUT BED, SHELVING AND DESK Increase the functionality of your spare room by installing a bed that’s only there when you need it. Gather your supplies • Flat-pack double wall bed unit • 18mm plywood • Recycled fence palings • 42 x 19mm pine • 2250 x 600 x 30mm plywood You’ll also need Sander; Feast Watson…

WORKOUT WONDERS The range of Sustainable Activewear by Wolf & Whistle features staples for going to the gym or working out at home in sizes 6-26, and the breathable, thick fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles. Visit aus.playfulpromises.com. SAVVY SUNNIES Sydneysiders Nik Robinson and son Harry, 10, make chic modular sunglasses frames from recycled single-use plastic bottles! From $99 for non-polarised. Visit goodcitizens.com.au. MAKE UP MARVEL The Perfecting Blender Duo makeup sponges, $19.99, by Ecotools, are made with 70% plant-based materials using Ecofoam tech. Visit ecotools.com.au. RAISE THE BAR Want personal care with a purpose? Thankyou natural hair and body bars are packaged in recycled cardboard, and every product contributes to ending global poverty. Visit thankyou.co. SHOW YOUR SMILE Colgate Smile For Good is a new toothpaste featuring a…

FIRST THINGS FIRST Read all instructions to make sure you understand the pattern and have everything you need. In keeping with tradition, these quilts have been designed using imperial measurements. To maintain accuracy, instructions are given in inches. Fabric quantities are in metric. You can buy imperial quilter’s rulers, or ones with both imperial and metric measurements. All fabrics should be 100% cotton. Pre-washing fabric is recommended but quilters often differ on whether this is necessary. Quantities and cutting instructions for this project are based on 107cm of usable fabric width. Check all measurements carefully. Included is a 1/4in (6mm) seam allowance, unless otherwise stated. Always cut fabrics in the order given. The arrow on a pattern piece indicates which direction the grain should run. The lengthwise grain, parallel to…

NEXT GENERATION SKYLIGHT The innovative Solatube Daylight Control System includes a remote-controlled, solar-powered baffle that opens and closes at the touch of a button, so you can get more natural light in your home. You can adjust the light levels in your space, turning night into day, going from dark to bright and everything in between. Visit solatube.com.au/solar-powered-daylight-control-system A COMPLETE GIFTING EXPERIENCE Create your gift from start to finish with Paper Republic. Discover thoughtfully curated gifts such as luxury stationery, premium candles and more. Complete the experience by choosing a beautiful greeting card and premium wrap – a one-stop shop for all your gifting needs! Visit paperrepublic.com.au ADD AMAZING ART TO YOUR HOME Add character and creative flair to your space by displaying 100% handpainted art, museum-quality famous art reproductions,…