Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2022 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

And for me, this year’s biggest festive blessing is one that’s both simple and special – the chance to spend Christmas with those I love. Like many of us, my celebrations last year were spent in lockdown. And while we all adapted and found clever ways to share and spread goodwill, it wasn’t the same. So I’m beyond excited this year to return to the classic joy of gathering together around trees and tables, with hearts as full as our tummies. That’s where this issue comes in. To steer you through a season of alfresco entertaining, our collection of celebration food (page 22) off ers the very best of summer eats. Think light and zesty salads, fresh seafood, summer roasts and bite-sized delights that are as quick to prep as…

1 COUNTRY CHIC If this country charmer of a home appeals, but you live in suburbia, you can still emulate a few of its elements to create a facade that’s just as inviting, if somewhat more contemporary. Paint your front door a gorgeous pastel blue or even pink, let vines or roses clamber up the wall and fill beds or buckets with blooms and blossoms galore!. 2 SEAMLESS CONNECTION 3 TAKE A SEAT All spaces benefit from relaxed seating, but you might want to upgrade from deck chairs to sturdy yet comfy folding chairs that move easily between the home and garden. Summertime and the livin’ is easy… truer words have never been said. And where better to enjoy this sultry season than the outdoors! If you’re hosting a gathering…

Tall, gently waving palm trees tell of sandy beaches and warm weather with a soft, soothing breeze. If you live far from the tropics, where the winters are cold, the dream of tropical freedom may mean saving for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. But the good news is you can still live in an exotic paradise if you plan your outdoors to create and take advantage of microclimates. This garden on the south coast of New South Wales has palm trees jammed in like a tamed jungle and is popped with other tropical and non-tropical plants that give mini blasts of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. It’s lush, it’s exotic and, if you can borrow these ideas for your own garden, you’ll never need to pay for a holiday again. MICROCLIMATES FOR…

While you’re enjoying summer outdoors in your garden, things may not be going quite to plan for your plants. They may need a feed, a real drink, a haircut, a new wardrobe or an annual health check-up. These are all things you can do on your way to fire up the barbie by taking a moment to check your plants are relishing the balmy days as much as you are. FEEDING All plants in your summer garden need a feed because they’re at their most productive – and hungry. But not all fertilisers are the same. The common factor is the essential elements – nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K), but it’s the percentages that are different. Lawns want food high in nitrogen because it promotes leaf growth. Phosphorous…

BY THE SEA! You may not have taken the plunge and booked your overseas – or even domestic – trip by the sea yet, but you can bring the feeling home with the Mykonos range of coordinated accessories from Spotlight. SHOP THE LOOK AT SPOTLIGHTSTORES.COM.AU…

Give your bedroom a touch of retro glam with a velvet headboard in a bright jewel tone. It’s a touch of opulence that works well in a light, contemporary space. The bedhead looks high end but is budget friendly, as it’s made from plywood ‘fingers’ covered with wadding and fabric. You can easily customise it for any size bed by adding or removing ‘fingers’. EASY STEPS TO YOUR VELVET BEDHEAD Gather your supplies • 2400 x 1200 x 15mm plywood • Polyester wadding • Blue velvet • 140 x 19mm x 1.8m pine (5) • 18 x 18mm x 1.2m pine beading (2) You’ll also need Circular saw; carpenter’s pencil; bowl; jigsaw; 120-grit sanding sponge; spray adhesive; scissors; staple gun and staples; clamps; gloves; drill; countersinking drill bit; 30mm timber…

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Instructions on page 142 Maker, artist and miniature boat builder Elise Cameron-Smith shows you how to take nature’s bounty and turn it into exquisitely crafted pieces, using hand tools and your own creativity. Check out elisecameron-smith.com.au for more of her work. TAKE INSPIRATION FROM NATURE TO CREATE A UNIQUE PIECE Keen on wood carving? Elise’s tip is not to overthink it and just have a go! Start with a soft timber that’s easy to work with, such as pine, cedar or the white beech used here. You can source these timbers from specialist suppliers. TOP TOOLS • Carving chisels Full sets of carving tools can be expensive, so start with a few and build your collection from there. • Bench vice This keeps your pieces rock steady while you’re working…

Stylish people often seem to have an innate flair for fashion. But they also follow a few key guidelines. Here’s how to follow suit and up your own game this festive season. 1 HAIR TO IMPRESS Your hair is your crowning glory, so make an effort to keep it looking great. If yours is dry or dull, use conditioning treatments. Or, it could even be time for that long overdue trim or restyle. Whether it’s straight or curly, grey or coloured, well-maintained and conditioned hair is always a winning formula. TIP If you need help, use styling products to add volume, movement, shine and/or texture. 2 WEAR A COMBO When it comes to style, look to blend affordable basics with one item of good quality. It could be accessories like…

“An uplifting and eye-opening tribute to the way birds enrich our lives”ALAN TITCHMARSH Bird: Exploring the Winged World Phaidon Editors (Phaidon Press, $79.95) Let your imagination take flight to celebrate the beauty and diversity of birds across art, science, history and culture. Bird: Exploring the Winged World is a visually stunning survey of birds, chronicling their scientific and popular appeal through the ages and around the world. With contributions from more than 90 artists, 50 photographers, 10 fashion designers and 15 illustrators, the book’s spectacular 300-plus images – from richly painted medieval manuscripts to incredible high-speed photography – reveal the birds’ likeness, character and symbolism. The Lost Apothecary Sarah Penner (Affirm Press, $39.99) In 18th century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women whisper…

Pergola pick me up!, P76 Project supplies Bunnings 70 x 35mm treated pine, $4.60/m. 2440 x 1220 x 18mm marine plywood, $191.50. 90 x 22mm x 6m treated pine decking, $23.70. Dulux Weathershield exterior paint, $88.50/4L. Home Leisure rectangular planter, $37.98. 100mm galvanised batten screws, $23.50/pk100. 60mm galvanised wood screws, $6.46/pk50. 50mm galvanised wood screws, $5.40/pk50. 30mm galvanised wood screws, $7.66/pk100. Construction adhesive, $2.55/320g. Poly exterior timber filler, $16.30/450g. Spruce up for summer, P86 Shopping details Adairs Palma natural sun placemat, $16.99. Country Road Vivi jug, $49.95. Vivi coupe set of 2, $39.95. Nolan soft gold 16-piece cutlery set, $179. David Jones Dinosaur Designs small rock bowl in Chalk Swirl, $75. Dinosaur Designs Pebble plate in Chalk Swirl, $160. Ecology Homewares Ottowa calico dinner plate, $16.95. Maison Balzac Volute platter…

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Recipe on page 32 Recipe on page 32 “CREATE A FEAST FOR THE EYES WITH MOUTHWATERING MORSELS PRETTILY PRESENTED FOR YOUR GUESTS’ PLEASURE” VEGIE STARTER Recipe on page 32 EASY-COOK CUT Recipe on page 32 Recipe on page 34 Recipe on page 34 Recipe on page 36 MEAT-FREE MAIN Recipe on page 37 Recipe on page 36 COCONUT KINGFISH CEVICHE Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time nil Serves 6 1½ Tbsp olive oil, plus extra, to drizzle⅔ cup coconut milkFinely grated zest and juice of 3 small limes1 Tbsp fish sauceSea-salt flakes, to season600g thinly sliced kingfish sashimiBaby cos lettuce leaves4 baby cucumbers, thinly sliced1 pink grapefruit, segmented, cut into 1cm dice1 avocado, cut into 1cm dice2 long red chillies, deseeded, dicedMicro herbs, toasted coconut chips, to serve STEP 1…

A deck, a balcony, a bare wall, any paved area… these blank canvases give you the chance to exercise your creativity and imagination – and have fun. Not having a traditional garden with lawns, beds and borders doesn’t mean you can’t fuss over the greenery and flowers you long for. It just means thinking beyond the cliched hanging basket of petunias, geraniums in a window box, or a potted palm. You can make your little space a big, flourishing statement that says fabulous. Wow! HOLE LOTTA LOVIN’ • Your unconventional containers need drainage holes so water drains freely through the potting mix and there is enough air so the roots don’t rot. • Drill or punch 5-10mm dia. holes – the bigger the container the more holes you need. •…

JANUARY 2022 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 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…

SHOP NOW BUY YOURS AND SEE THE ENTIRE COLLECTION ATBHGSHOP.COM.AU OR SCAN HERE TO SHOP NOW! Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last. Couchmate promotion is for a limited time only. Promotion ends on 30/12/21.…

EASY STEPS TO YOUR HANGING LADDER RACK An old ladder that is past its use-by date is the perfect scaffold to add greenery to the centre of your room. Gather your supplies • Recycled timber ladder • Pigtail screw hooks • Chain • S hooks • Hanging plants You’ll also need Stud finder; measuring tape; angle grinder fitted with metal cutting blade; circular saw; sander; clear varnish; paintbrush; drill; 8mm drill bit; screwdriver; hex head screws Here’s how STEP 1 Use stud finder to locate ceiling joists where hanging points need to be. This will determine size and position of hanging ladder. STEP 2 Measure and cut ladder to length as needed. Here, use angle grinder to cut metal parts embedded in sides of ladder and circular saw to cut…

BUILD YOUR FRAMES • Have 7mm plywood cut into nine 600 x 600mm squares for the backing boards. • Cut 30 x 30mm L trim to size for the frames with 45° angles on the ends. Sand any rough edges to smooth. • Apply a primer and 2 coats white paint to both sides of backing boards, sanding lightly between coats and leaving to dry after each. • Prime frame pieces, then apply 2 coats of spray paint in satin black and leave to dry. • Assemble each frame and tape together 3 corners. • Run a bead of PVA glue around inside of each frame, position backing boards in frames, then tape up open corners. Leave glue to set. TIP Painting both sides of ply prevents it warping. EASY…

PERCEPTION Optimists choose to focus only on the bright side of life REALITY Optimists don’t think life is great all the time. And they don’t force themselves to always be positive. What they do do, however, is embrace, rather than fight, negative emotions, in order to understand what they are signalling. Our more uncomfortable emotions are often signposts to things we care about, so optimists examine them and think about how they could change the relevant circumstances. For example, if you’re feeling negatively about a political issue, you could get involved in a group advocating for change. PERCEPTION Optimists don’t know what it’s like to have bad luck REALITY Contrary to perception, optimists do face adversity – they just choose to see the silver lining. Instead of catastrophising a situation,…

Jenny Dillon Garden Editor SEASON SPECIALS Put some fireworks in your garden! PLANT NOW In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for cooler, warmer, wether and drier areas in each zone, so ask at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. FLOWERS ALL ZONES Alyssum, anemone, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia and zinnia. ZONES 1-3 Celosia, dianthus, helichrysum, ranunculus (top left) and torenia. ZONES 4-6 Calendula, cornflower, cyclamen (bottom left), gaillardia, Iceland poppy, nemesia, sweetpea and wallflower. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower (top left), cress, leek, left uce, radish, rhubarb and sweet corn. ZONES 1-3 Basil, capsicum, chilli, chives and potato. ZONES 4-6 Brussels sprout, carrot, cucumber, kohlrabi, parsley, parsnip, pumpkin (bottom left) and turnip. “Flowers are restful to look at. They have…

The beach is calling! Even if you don’t live in a cottage by the ocean, you can still transport yourself to a seaside locale and enjoy the undeniably laidback vibe of a beach house. It could be as easy as painting your walls and windows with soothing watery tones, using tongue-and-groove panelling, opting for casual yet comfy furniture made from natural materials and decorating with a few special coastal-inspired elements. Happy holidays! Rugs are as essential to a beach house as any other to define open-plan zones. Try a patterned rug to add interest to a mono scheme. Elements OF COASTAL STYLE • Sandy woods and white, blue and aqua hues. • Shiplap or tongue-and-groove panelling for walls and even for the ceiling. • Exposed beams or a high ceiling…

Slipping on a lovely outfit is one way to embrace the festive mood, but add a little makeup and you’re well and truly ready to party. Here are a few great ideas and tips to get you inspired. ALL EYES ON YOU Smokey eyes are perfect for any dress-up do and these steps make it easy to add a little or a lot of smoulder. The secret is layering a dark liner under a neutral shadow. Here’s how 1 Sketch the outer corners of your eyes with a kohl or cream eyeliner pencil (that’s not waterproof) in a deep plum or navy. Starting with a dark base gives extra depth and intensity to any shadow you apply on top. TRY 1 Crayon Khol Soft, available in 6 shades, $14.95, Mavala.…