Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2021 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

There’s just something about a tree, both living or faux, that makes the festive season real, from tinsel-draped branches to delicate fairy lights. And there’s so much you can do with them. Think living trees that get a second life in your garden (page 86), mini wonderlands inside lanterns (page 106), a palette resplendent in precious metal (page 25) and our decorating 101 (page 118). So much shine and sparkle. It’s bliss! But that’s just the start, with myriad ways to embrace Christmas creativity. Like the delish gingerbread homestead on the cover – our Aussie take on the traditional. See how to make and bake it (page 64), then spend your days trying to keep your family’s fingers off it! Of course, one way to distract them is with taste…

Recipe on page 66 Recipe on page 66 EASY STEPS TO MAKE A GINGERBREAD AUSSIE HOMESTEAD This recipe uses the silicone mould which comes with the Christmas issue if bought from a newsagent. Instead of the mould you can also use the diagrams (see page 176) as a guide, or buy a set of two moulds from BHG Shop (see opposite page). Preparation time 20 mins plus 2 hours setting and 20 mins cooling Cooking time 50 mins Makes 1 homestead 100g unsalted butter, chopped⅓ cup Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener Golden raw sugar substitute or brown sugar1½ cups plain flour2 tsp ground ginger1 tsp mixed spice½ tsp bicarb soda1½ Tbsp Lakanto Golden Malt Flavoured Syrup or golden syrup1 free-range egg yolk ROYAL ICING 1⅓ cups Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener Icing Powder or…

NEW SLEEK GRAPHITE Your favourite cooking companions have had a makeover. The stainless steel strips and handles in graphite are as delightful to look at as they are to the touch, and perfect for any contemporary kitchen. HN.COM.AU/NEFF ONLINE | MOBILE | IN STORE…

POWER OF FLEXIBILITY The NEFF vented cooktop allows you to design your kitchen your way. Move your pots and pans anywhere within the FlexInduction zone and their size and shape will be automatically detected so that heat is applied to their exact location. DOWNDRAFT EXTRACTOR At the centre of the cooktop is a ventilation duct that gets rid of steam and smells before they can spread around the kitchen. This sensorcontrolled system automatically adjusts the ventilation power level based on what you’re up to in the kitchen. TWIST PAD FIRE® Take control of your cooktop and ventilation settings with this removable magnetic dial. Place it in the centre of the control area, tilt it towards the zone you’re activating and twist to select your power level.…

KEEP IN SHAPE Some varieties of topiary can go for months between trimmings. When odd branches start to grow out of form, do a quick clip with a pair of sharp pruning shears, rather than lefting the shape get out of control. The more complex the design of your topiary, the more frequently it will need to be trimmed to maintain its shape. When pruning, try these Cyclone shears with a 360° blade mechanism. They’re ideal for precise trimming of lawns, borders and hedges and the short blades get into hard-to-reach places. Cyclone Grass Shears 360°, $29.98, are available at Bunnings, Mitre 10 and Home Hardware, cyclone.com.au.…

HOW TO REMOVE PUPS You can remove bromeliad pups when they are one third to one half the size of the mother plant. First, remove soil around the pups you want. Then, using a sharp, clean knife, cut as close to the mother as possible, pull the pups away and mount them elsewhere. Replace soil around the mother so it can keep producing pups. CARE FOR BROMELIADS Most bromeliads are epiphytes, or air plants, so they don’t draw nutrients or water from the soil. Instead, this job has been taken on by the leaves, with the roots only as anchorage or a support mechanism. Put plants under, or in, trees so they can collect leaf litter and get gentle morning sun. Ensure the air around them is humid for moisture…

For bespoke festive decos that don’t cost a fortune, look to your garden and your own crafty skills. You can use foliage and flowers to create lush advent arrangements to set up indoors or out. You’ll have most of what you need around the house or can pick up materials from craft or hardware stores. And every year you can recreate the magic with new plant cuttings. Instructions on page 109 Instructions on page 109 EASY STEPS TO YOUR FESTIVE TRAY Gather your supplies • Timber tray • Acrylic paint in bluegreen and white • Pillar candles • Succulents • Eucalyptus sprigs • Foliage cuttings • Berry clusters • Pinecones • Timber snowflake decorations • Wide ribbon You’ll also need Paintbrush; fine-grit sandpaper; Scotch Magic Tape; stencil brush; small snowflake…

Instructions on page 130 Instructions on page 130 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND SUPPLIES • Aluminium embossing foil is sold by the roll or sheet at art supply stores and scrapbooking suppliers. You can also use aluminium food containers and pie plates, but not kitchen foil, as it’s too thin, pierces too easily and won’t hold its shape. • You can buy embossing tools at craft stores, or improvise with an empty (ink-free) ballpoint pen. If using a retractable pen, you can make little circles when the ballpoint is retracted. A dressmaker’s tracing wheel will make a dotted line. • Lay a cutting mat or thick felt pad under foil when embossing. You need a surface with a bit of give so the embossing tool can push a pattern into the foil.…

EASY STEPS TO MAKE A STORAGE TOWER Gather your supplies • 2400 x 1200 x 19mm plywood (1) You’ll also need Circular saw; scrap plywood for saw guide; sander; combination square; pencil; drill; 3mm drill bit; countersinking drill bit; PVA glue; 50mm screws; rag; pine-coloured wood putty; putty knife; clear varnish; painting equipment Components Back 1145 x 300 x 19mm plywood (1) Divider 1145 x 260 x 19mm plywood (1) Base 560 x 330 x 19mm plywood (1) Shelves 311 x 271 x 19mm plywood (10) Box bottom and top 560 x 330 x 19mm plywood (2) Box sides 311 x 162 x 19mm plywood (2) Box back 560 x 162 x 19mm plywood (1) Here’s how STEP 1 Cut components to size with circular saw. A saw guide made…

SMOKED SALMON FLATBREADS Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 6-8 1 tsp Lakanto Baking Blend or caster sugar1 Tbsp red wine vinegar½ small red onion, thinly sliced into ringsSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season200ml tub crème fraîche2 Tbsp finely chopped dill1 Tbsp finely chopped baby capers250g smoked salmon slicesThinly sliced cucumber, watercress sprigs and lemon wedges, to serve FLATBREAD 1⅔ cups plain flour1 cup Greek yoghurt1 tsp sea-salt flakes2 Tbsp olive oil STEP 1 To make flatbread, put plain flour, yoghurt and salt in a large bowl and stir until combined. Transfer to a lightly floured bench and knead until a smooth dough forms. Stand on a tray, covered with a clean tea towel, for 20 minutes. STEP 2 Divide dough into 3 equal…

Alpha-H alpha-h.com Amart Furniture amartfurniture.com.au Arithmos arithmosskin.com.au Ash Block Printing ashblockprinting.com.au BaBylissPRO i-glamour.com Bastide mecca.com.au Bead Shack beadshack.com.au Besser Block Centre besserblockcentre.com.au Biologi nourishedlife.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Carolina Herrera davidjones.com.au Clarins Men clarins.com.au Coco & Eve cocoandeve.com Compagnie De Provence Gel Corps petersofkensington.com.au Compagnie De Provence EDT libertineparfumerie.com.au Country Road countryroad.com.au Craft Online craftonline.com.au Dior dior.com.au Eckersley’s Art & Craft eckersleys.com.au Ella Baché ellabache.com.au Endota Spa endotaspa.com.au Epic Kiss sephora.com.au ESK eskcare.com.au Fairy Meadow Miniatures fairymeadowminiatures.com.au FOREO currentbody.com.au Freedom freedom.com.au GHD ghdhair.com/au Goldfield & Banks goldfieldandbanks.com Gucci sephora.com.au IKEA ikea.com.au Inartisan inartisan.com Inika inikaorganic.com JOVS Venus Pro currentbody.com.au Jurlique jurlique.com.au Koch & Co koch.com.au KORA Organics nourishedlife.com.au LoveSeen mecca.com.au Lux Brows and Lashes luxbrowsandlashes.com.au Maison Balzac maisonbalzac.com Mavala mavala.com.au Minenssey minenssey.com Natio natio.com.au Norsu Interiors norsu.com.au NuFace currentbody.com.au P.Frapin & Cie…

BRING TOUCHES OF SUMMER TO YOUR INDOOR RETREAT WITH bright cushions IN A RANGE OF TEXTURES AND PRINTS Create a beautiful home where calm and relaxation are top of mind. These oversized Australian made lounges upholstered in complementary fabrics are the perfect place to unwind. Live-edged timber brings a natural vibe to any dining space. The Java dining table has a beautiful feature oak veneer table top making it the perfect addition to any entertaining experience. Black metal cross legs give it a bold, solid finish. WARM DAYS AND NIGHTS ARE THE perfect time TO LINGER OVER MEALS AND ENJOY THE COMPANY OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT HOME Create a space that carries through all seasons with these timeless leather sofas featuring button detailing in two and three-seater options. THROW…

Recipe on page 52 FAST ED’S FESTIVE FOOD! Recipe on page 52 FAST ED’S FESTIVE FOOD! ED HALMAGYI Join me as I show you how to give your meals and desserts a seasonal makeover 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. Recipe on page 52 FAST ED’S FESTIVE FOOD! Recipe on page 54 Recipe on page 54 Recipe on page 56 Recipe on page 56 Recipe on page 56 TRIPLE CHERRY WAFFLE CONES Preparation time 40 mins Cooking time nil Serves 4 500g cherries, plus extra, to garnish⅓ cup caster sugar½ cup shredded coconut, toasted200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa)4 waffle cones½ cup toasted hazelnuts, finely chopped500g cottage cheese½ cup pure icing sugar2 tsp…

This set of two Silicone Aussie Homestead Moulds is the perfect way to make yourself a showstopping Christmas centrepiece. Made with gingerbread or chocolate, simply fill your moulds, then bake or set for your very own homestead. Decorate it bright, bold and fun with lollies and sweets or go for classic charm with piped icing. It looks and tastes spectacular and is so much fun! ABOUT THE MOULDS • Each set includes two moulds• Moulds measure 19 x 25cm• Non-stick finish for easy release and clean up• Oven-, microwave-, freezerand dishwasher-safe• Made of high-quality food-grade silicone• BPA and BPS free GINGERBREAD OR CHOCOLATE, THIS CLASSIC AUSSIE COTTAGE IS A DELICIOUS CHRISSIE DECO COOKIE DECORATION KITS Keen to learn how to decorate cookies like a pro? All you need is a…

DOOR OPEN ASSIST It's no secret our hands can get sticky while whipping up kitchen treats, so Door Open Assist is here to let you access your dishwasher's interior without having to fiddle with a handle. Light pressure is enough to open the door so you can stack the dishes. INTENSE CLEAN The ideal feature to make life easier after a long night spent cooking and entertaining. The Chef70° program is specially designed to take care of heavily soiled and crusted plates, pots and dishes, so you don't have to. FLEXIBLE THIRD BASKET The extra drawer here provides a third level for mugs, bowls, cutlery, and especially those awkward items you just can't seem to find a place for. There's also a removable inlay to keep your knives safe. VARIOSPEED…

PROJECT 1 POTTER ABOUT INDOORS • Give your collection of indoor plants an annual pick me up – a 'rise and shine', so to speak. • Every year you should replace the potting mix, because your plants will have taken up all the mix's nutrients and it can become compacted, meaning air can’t move around and the mix may resist absorbing water. • Ideally, when you do this, it’s best to take your plants outside to repot, as it can be a bit messy. You may also consider replacing any old plastic pots with something a bit more decorative. • When you’re finished, give the leaves a good clean and polish by wiping them with a moist cloth or sponge, using lukewarm water. Support the leaves with one hand to…

Jenny Dillon Garden Editor BE CREATIVE Work with flowers and greenery to make a Christmas wreath for your front door. Wood or metal wreath frames are available from craft stores, and foliage from a bay tree is ideal. Or, go artificial with a creation such as this charmer, $149.95, thedoorsoferry.com.au. BE IMAGINATIVE • Challenge your children to make a colourful Christmas scarecrow. • Paint the top of old black gumboots white to imitate fur or snow and leave them by the front door to suggest Santa Claus has paid a visit. • Plant up terracotta pots with scented herbs, festoon them with brightly coloured ribbon and offer them as gifts to guests. • Replace coils with romantic, insect-repelling candles in outdoor eating areas to keep bugs at bay. BE PRACTICAL…

“If you don’t have a tree skirt, a pair of throws can do the job – and provide ample room for stacks of gifts” TRIMMING TIPS 1 Add frosty sparkle or a golden glow to pinecones simply by painting the tips with a few sweeps of a paintbrush loaded with silver or gold paint. 2 Forget tinsel this year. Instead, opt for a lush garland of eucalyptus – unbeatable for scent! Just trim fresh stems into 30cm long bunches then, using florist’s wire, work in sections to lash overlapping bunches to sisal rope. 3 Cover your tree in twinkling lights, varying the style and size of your fairy lights to create contrast and delightful visual interest. Ditto for a pre-lit artificial tree – simply choose extra strands of lights to…

Keep your entry clear of clutter and make a bold design statement with a versatile pegboard storage unit. You can scale the size to make it as big as your space allows, or even hang the piece vertically for a different perspective. Moveable pegs allow for customisation while you can add a few handy shelves for your keys, sunnies and water bottle and set the scene with your favourite objets d’art or indoor plants. EASY STEPS TO A PEG BOARD Need some practice with drilling holes? This project will give you plenty! You can make things easier by both using a drilling template to set out the holes needed and investing in a new spade bit. Have a crack at it! Gather your supplies • 600 x 2200 x 25mm…

2 Pack! Nordic Straw 39-piece Decoration Set BUNDLE WAS $49.90 NOW $35 4 Pack! Christmas Craft & Deco Kit Pack WAS $104.95 NOW $89.95 • Nordic Santa Felt Ornament Kit • Crystal Card Kit Labrador Pup • Christmas Robin Crystal Art Motif • Merry & Joy Baubles Cross Stitch Kit 2 Pack! Santa Sack BUNDLE WAS $49.90 NOW $35 1 Pack! Crystal Card Kit Winter Bunnies $13.75 4 Pack! Santa’s Friends Craft & Deco Kit Pack WAS $94.95 NOW $79.95 • Santa Felt Stocking Kit • Reindeer & Owl Baubles Cross Stitch Kit • Gingerbread Latte Crystal Art Motif Kit • Craft Buddy Crystal Card Kit Carol Singers 2 Pack! Christmas Bauble Make & Bake Moulds $19.95 Better Homes and Gardens SHOP BUY YOUR CHRISTMAS CRAFTS MAKES AND BAKES AT…

This issue of Better Homes and Gardens is published by Are Media Pty Limited (Are). Are may use and disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to provide you with your requested products or services and to keep you informed of other Are publications, products, services and events. Our Privacy Policy is at www.aremedia.com.au/privacy/. It also sets out how you can access or correct your personal information and lodge a complaint. We disclose your personal information offshore to our joint venture partners, service providers and agents. It is not practicable to specify all countries to which we may disclose your personal information. The countries your personal information will be disclosed to include New Zealand, the USA and the Philippines. In addition, this issue may contain Reader Offers,…

1 CROWNING GLORY Can Christmas be effortless? We say yes! Stick with white and it’s a breeze. For a welcome glow, simply fill glass domes with white baubles and micro seed lights and arrange with other interesting curios on a console or windowsill. For a similar lion, visit fruugoaustralia.com. 2 FESTIVE FESTOON Highlight your mantel display with a simple swathe of foliage. Loosely symmetrical, this arrangement of lanterns, votives and candlesticks in shimmering silver and glass is anchored at each end by the tallest elements for a balanced effect. For reflected glory, hang a wreath over an impressive mirror to double its effect! 3 GLAD TIDINGS Spread joy – and a jovial air – with miniature magical moments around your home. Here, a bar cart plays host to a tiny…

Recipe on page 60 KAREN’S FESTIVE FOOD! Recipe on page 60 KAREN’S FESTIVE FOOD! KAREN MARTINI Join me as I show you how to make delicious dishes 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. SUMMER SMOKED CHICKEN AND GRAPE SALAD Preparation time 30 mins Cooking time nil Serves 2 2 tsp sea-salt flakes, plus extra, to season1 cup water2 green zucchinis, finely sliced into ribbons2 cups baby spinach leaves, roughly torn¾ cup finely grated parmesanFresh ground black pepper, to season1 large smoked chicken breast, finely sliced4-5 small sprigs mint or tarragon1 small bunch grapes, sliced in half3 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted10 small edible flowers, to serve BUTTERMILK DRESSING 1 shallot, finely diced½…

SLIDE & HIDE® OVEN DOOR Fully retractable, this safe, stylish and unique feature ensures easy access to your food. The Slide&Hide® door lets you monitor your cooking, allows convenient lifting and provides more room to move around smaller kitchens. The revolutionary handle is easy on the wrist, so you can use it year after year, without strain. FULL STEAM AND VARIO STEAM FullSteam combines all the heating modes of a full-featured oven with those of a steam cooker, providing a quick and clean option for vegetables, fish, risottos, dumplings and puddings. VarioSteam, on the other hand, adds bursts of steam to the normal hot-air cooking process, for food that needs to be moist inside and crispy outside – think bread and meat. MULTI POINT MEAT PROBE Overcooked and undercooked meals…

ABOUT THE GARDEN Ornamental gardens can draw on this brilliant example! Rippon Lea is one of the largest surviving 19th century grand suburban estates in Australia. The house was completed in 1868 and the 6ha of gardens have been evolving ever since in the fashion of the time – formal flowerbeds that are neat, symmetrical and precise rather than a flowing flower garden or the cottage garden look. At the time, the world was opening up and there was intense interest in exotic plants such as palms, ferns and orchids. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List on 11 August, 2006. SEE IT! WHERE 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick, Melbourne. WHEN Daily, September to April, 10am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm); May to August, 10am–4pm (last entry 3.30pm); closed Christmas Day…

COCKATOO GARDEN ART $69 FAIRY GARDEN KIT IN A BOX – GARDENING GNOME $60 MILANO OUTDOOR 3M HANGING AND FOLDING UMBRELLA WAS $399 NOW $159 SHOP N OW ARCADIA FURNITURE ZERO GRAVITY ROCKING CHAIR WAS $399 NOW $120 3-PIECE GARDENING SET – COMES IN 2 COLOUR OPTIONS WAS $19.95 NOW $12.99 QUOKKA AND BABY GARDEN ART $89 BUY YOURS AND SEE THE ENTIRE COLLECTION AT BHGSHOP.COM.AU OR SCAN HERE TO SHOP NOW! Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last.…

Embroidery instructions on page 124 Gather your supplies Tissue paper in metallic gold and beige • Ruler and scissors • Stapler Here’s how STEP 1 Cut 5 sheets of gold tissue paper, each 20 x 28cm, for the flower petals. Cut 3 sheets of beige tissue paper, each 9 x 28cm, for the stamens. STEP 2 Lay all sheets on top of each other, starting with the larger gold sheets, then centring the smaller beige sheets on top. Pleat all the layers of tissue paper together, accordion-style, keeping even intervals. STEP 3 Gently unfold again and separate the petal pieces from the stamen pieces. Cut the petals into half-rounds at both ends and fringe the stamens on both ends. STEP 4 Layer all the sheets together again and re-fold the…

Eat, drink and be merry with three small-scale DIY projects to help you do just that! A pair of tongs that are genius in their simplicity, a timber trivet to rest hot dishes on and a bottle opener to toast your success in making the other two. They’ll give your table that personal touch and, with lots of materials left over, you can make more than one of each and give as gifts. EASY STEPS TO A BOTTLE OPENER No more tossing an opener into a drawer, only for it to disappear. When it looks this terrific, you’ll want to keep it on show on the bar! Gather your supplies • 42 x 19 x 150mm Tasmanian oak • 18mm x 10g pan head screws (2) You’ll also need Pencil;…

“An exciting journey to the alternate past”ANDY WEIR The Apollo Murders Chris Hadfield (Hachette, $32.99) 1973: a final, top-secret mission to the Moon. Three astronauts in a tiny module, a quarter of a million miles from home. As Russian and American crews sprint for a secret bounty hidden away on the lunar surface, old rivalries blossom and the political stakes are stretched to breaking point back on Earth. Houston flight controller Kazimieras ‘Kaz’ Zemeckis must do all he can to keep the NASA crew together, while staying one step ahead of his Soviet rivals. But not everyone on board Apollo 18 is quite who they appear to be. Experience the dark majesty of space, and the fierce G-forces of the launch. Strap in and count down for the ride of…

Get the drift with baby broms, P100 Project supplies Bunnings Parfix 320g Maxi Nails Construction Adhesive, $2.55. UNi-PRO Skeleton Caulking Gun, $4.35. Grunt fishing line 0.8mm x 250m, $8. Garden Wire, $2.98/3pk. Living decos, P106 Project supplies Bunnings Brunnings 150g sphagnum moss block, $12.03. Koch & Co Preserved dried large petal hydrangea stems in several colours, $19.75 each. Spotlight Jolly & Joy DIY laser cut filigree snowflakes, $6/pk6. Metal wire wreath in Green 14in, $9. Vivaldi Blossoms florist wire in Green, $7.50. Emporium LED 2m bud lights in Copper 2m, $8. Arbee folley bells in Silver 10mm, $9/pk100. Reliance floral foam wet brick small in Green, $4. Crafters Choice artificial moss in Bag Green 20cm, $9. Go for gold, P120 Project supplies Bead Shack Gilders paste wax in Rich Gold,…