Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2023 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

Being creative means different things to different people, be it baking up a storm in the kitchen, getting stuck into a room or garden makeover, mastering a DIY project, or trying out a new and intriguing craft, such as the wire flowers on page 146. Of course, upcycling and clever hacks score high on the creativity scale when you can get designer looks for next to nix (page 138). In case you haven’t guessed by now, I am a passionate devotee of craft. One thing I can say with certainty is that you will find happiness and experience an incredible sense of achievement in making or doing something for yourself, your family and home, perhaps even your pet pooch (check out the DIY doggy door on page 152)! In this issue,…

Grey, green, blue, pink, yellow, even a startling orange – bring the amazing colours, textures and shapes of succulents, snuggle them together in a ball and you have a brilliant new variation on the old practice of topiary. You can even start from scratch by growing your own succulents (page 44)! EASY STEPS TO YOUR SUCCULENT TOPIARY Take your succulent collection to a new level! Gather your supplies • Urn • Pebbles • Succulent potting mix • Sphagnum moss • Chicken wire • Succulent cuttings • Floral wire You’ll also need Bucket; wire cutters; chopstick or pencil For you to note • The pebbles are to keep your urn stable so it doesn’t fall over. • Succulents readily root into sphagnum moss, thrive and grow. Sphagnum moss absorbs water quickly,…

Your backyard may already be defined by its boundary fences and building walls, but don’t stop there! You can go further with a defined area for clothes drying, another area for play or outdoor tasks and a third one where you can take yourself away from the world. Determining these areas need not involve building barriers. Keep your garden open with a stylish arbour that clearly marks out where work, play and rest happen! EASY STEPS TO ZONE YOUR GARDEN A fenced yard is an inviting blank canvas. Fill it with flowing garden beds to zone rooms and find a new spot for your washing. STEP 1 Dig out and remove old features such as a clothesline. STEP 2 Spray marking paint to define new garden boundary curves to suit…

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. How to use the calendar Best days Second-best days On these days, thin out seed boxes, sow all types of seeds and plant seedlings that produce their crop above the ground. These include all varieties of peas, beans, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprout, eggplant, lettuce, celery, silverbeet, spinach, endive, Chinese cabbage, tomato, cucumber, asparagus crowns, artichoke, marrow, pumpkin, capsicum, melon, zucchini, chicory, sprouts, rhubarb, all herbs (except garlic) and…

GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE AND COCONUT CAKE Add the fun back into your gluten-free bakes! The coconut buttercream takes your choccy cake to lush new levels – you won’t be able to stop at just one slice…  Recipe on page 84 KAREN MARTINI  Join me as I show you how to make delicious dishes 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. CHIA WITH MAPLE BLUEBERRY COMPOTE Whiz up your puddings in the blender and make your sweet berry compote in mere minutes, then serve them for brekkie, brunch or even dessert – yum! Recipe on page 84 GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE AND COCONUT CAKE Preparation time 40 mins plus 3 hours cooling Cooking time 1 hour Serves…

PROTECT FELT PLACEMATS AND COASTERS FROM SPILLS WITH A SPRAY-ON WATERPROOF SEALANT…

Thankfully, laundries are no longer dark, dingy spaces relegated to the back deck or under the house. This utilitarian space can look as good as it is practical, proof you don’t have to sacrifice style for function. Take your inspiration from these flatpack beauties with clever custom touches for your home! FOR LAUNDRY CABINETRY, VISIT KABOODLE.COM.AU.…

Warmer wood tones are making a comeback and what better way to fancy up your storage than with this contemporary take on traditional timber pull-apart shelves. Get crafty with a classic weekend woodworking project – no screws or glue in sight, organic all the way! EASY STEPS TO YOUR PULL-APART SHELVES Gather your supplies • 1800 x 250 x 26mm live edge laminated pine (2) • 1200 x 250 x 26mm live edge laminated pine (2) • Fine buffing oil • Hard wax You’ll also need Tape measure; pencil; square; ruler; circular saw; jigsaw; tenon saw; drill; 20mm paddle drill bit; 10mm drill bit; sanding block; 12mm chisel; 25mm chisel; paintbrush; lint-free cloths; 240- and 80-grit sandpaper; hammer; hand saw For you to note Shelf tenons (the protruding part of…

J.P. Pomare is unashamedly good at keeping secrets – at least from his readers. The celebrated author, whose works include Call Me Evie, is known for sharply plotted novels that twist, turn and never end up where readers expect. His latest book, Home Before Night, continues the trend. Set in a pandemic that’s been heightened with creative licence, the story focuses on Lou, who lives in Melbourne with her son Samuel. When a snap lockdown is called, she expects him home by nightfall. But when he doesn’t show up, doesn’t message and doesn’t answer his phone, she knows something is wrong. The problem is, she can’t convince his dad to worry. But a lifetime of keeping secrets has honed her nose for trouble. And when you can’t involve the police, all…

They’re a small part of your body, even though they do mighty work, but let’s face it, hands get neglected. If you’re like most people, every so often you might think, “I really should take better care of my hands”, but then move onto other things. Why not make today the day you start looking after your hard-working hands? Here’s how. ACTION STATIONS It’s easy to fall into bad habits, especially when you’re time-poor, but it’s also worth picking up new, good habits. Consider this a wake up call on behalf of your hands to take the matter of hand-care, seriously. INSTANT REVIVER Hand and body scrubs are simple to use and have big benefits. They remove the old dead skin which can make your hands feel rough and look…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Adairs adairs.com.au ANL anlscape.com.au Bamboo Haus bamboo-haus.com Bunnings bunnings.com.au Burt’s Bees adorebeauty.com.au Byredo mecca.com.au By The Be bythebe.com.au Country Road countryroad.com.au David Jones davidjones.com Dr. LeWinn’s drlewinns.com.au DU’IT chemistwarehouse.com.au Etsy etsy.com/au/ Freedom freedom.com.au Harry Hartog harryhartog.com.au IKEA ikea.com/au Inartisan inartisan.com Jo Malone London mecca.com.au Jurlique jurlique.com.au Kennards Hire kennards.com.au Kmart kmart.com.au Koch & Co koch.com.au Mavala mavala.com.au MOR morboutique.com Natio natio.com.au NS plunketts.com.au Pillow Talk pillowtalk.com.au QV chemistwarehouse.com.au Revitanail chemistwarehouse.com.au Spotlight spotlightstores.com Target target.com.au The Body Shop thebodyshop.com.au Weleda adorebeauty.com.au MAKE MOSAIC MAGIC WITH SUCCULENTS, PAGE 42 Project supplies Bunnings Jack 60 x 5cm x 1mm 20m roll chicken netting wire, $32.27. Scotts Osmocote 25L cacti and succulent premium potting mix, $12.98. Brunnings 500g sphagnum moss propagation block, $37.70. Everhang 10m Black hobby wire, $5.25. Northcote Pottery 31cm LA bullet…

Building your garden to survive our country’s often harsh environments has become challenging in the face of more frequent extreme weather events – devastating floods, debilitating droughts and contrary and sudden shifts in temperature. If you’re crying out for plants that can tolerate these extremes, help is here. Breeders are exploiting the strengths of both native and exotic plants that will survive and thrive in our unique environments. PLANNING YOUR GARDEN • Plant in layers with delicate groundcover-style plants at the front of your beds as others gradually increase in size towards the back. Include scattered pops of interest such as garden art or a long-lasting daisy. • Use mass planting of smaller plants as a filler to create a full, yet soft, look. • Use colour wisely. Dark shades,…

SEASON SPECIALS Bring your garden indoors. COLOUR CHEER Polyanthus will brighten your rooms, but it needs to be kept moist. GIVE THIS A NOD Cyclamen flourishes in the cool but loves a sunny window sill. ALL AFLUTTER A moth orchid flowers in good light and can bloom several times a year. 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 Carnation, marigold and nemesia. ZONES 1-3 Ageratum, alyssum, aster, Canterbury bell, celosia, cosmos, gerbera, lupin, nasturtium, petunia, salvia and verbena (top left). ZONES 4-6 Delphinium, dianthus, gypsophila (bottom left) and tuberous begonia. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus crowns, beetroot, broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke, carrot, garlic,…

ROSES ONLY $28.95 EACH! ORDERING DETAILS ♦ Freight per order $30. ♦ Extra WA and Tasmania quarantine surcharge per order, $25 including GST. ♦ Offer closes 31 August, except for WA and Tasmania where orders close 31 July, to allow for quarantine time. ♦ Orders dispatched between mid-July and late-August. SHOP. ORDER YOUR FRAGRANT ROSES ONLINE AT BHGSHOP.COM.AU…

ROAST CHICKEN WITH WINTER VEG AND LEMON BUTTER Give your regular Sunday night ritual of chook and vegies a buttery, citrus twist. The lemon butter is easy to whip up and is a melt-in-your-mouth hit of flavour on your roast chicken and root veg. Recipe on page 92 SMOKY BACON AND EGG ROLLS Turn your great Aussie brekkie classic into a total taste smokeshow with the addition of liquid smoke! But if you can’t find it, simply omit for an equally incredible burger. Recipe on page 92 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. FENNEL…

FANCY FOR AGE Collect wild and fascinating seedpods from around your garden or local park trees in late autumn and early winter and arrange on a tray with your yet-to-be-devoured pumpkins. The pods from magnolias, ocra, liquidambars, poppy and pea family plants all have excitingly different textures and forms. GILDED GREETING Look out for the stunning pods – or cones – that fall from Bull Bay magnolias. Spray with gold and copper paint to give them a soft, flocked look, then insert them in a wreath frame so they create an impressive arch. Add gold and copper painted spiky pods at their base and tie it all together with a couple of cream mini pumpkins. MOODY MANTEL A dripping of Spanish moss lays the foundation for superb gumnuts to reign…

Laundries need to be multitasking spaces – so tick off these essentials to ensure you maximise function, storage and style. And the bonus… it will make facing the weekly (or daily) wash a whole lot easier! 1 OUTSIDE IN Laundry windows come with benefits, including letting natural light stream in. Ensure your window is operable as laundries can become steamy especially if you don’t have an exhaust fan. If privacy is an issue, hang a blind or install opaque window film. 2 OPEN SHELVES Install inexpensive floating shelves and a small laundry will feel spacious and airy – and not hemmed in by upper units. Cleaning products will be within your reach but beyond the reach of toddlers. Decant laundry liquids and the like into pretty containers or stash them…

EASY STEPS TO YOUR WIRE FLOWERS Create a contemporary bouquet of single-stem wire poppies using flexible wire, a rolling pin and a few basic tools. So simple! Gather your supplies • 1.6mm black PVC coated wire • Rolling pin • Wooden spoon • Wire cutters • Jewellery pliers Here’s how STEP 1 Wrap wire around a rolling pin, roughly five and a half times. Leaving a 30cm tail, snip wire with wire cutters. This creates a spring-like coiled wire with a straight length attached. STEP 2 Slide the wire spring off the rolling pin.  STEP 3 Hold the wire spring tightly so it doesn’t spring free and unwind. STEP 4 Using the first 3cm of the wire spring, bend (using the jewellery pliers if necessary) and wrap it tightly around…

Your precious pooch most likely loves a good sniff around your yard, but being their on-demand gatekeeper can drive you both barking mad. A dog door is the paw-fect solution for you and your doggo’s wellbeing, and you can get it done in a day. EASY STEPS TO YOUR DOG DOOR Gather your supplies • Ultra Clear pet door • 1220 x 610 x 9mm marine grade plywood • Tasmanian oak beading 2.4m • 25 x 1.25mm galvanised bullet head nails • Exterior gap filler • White semi gloss water-based enamel paint You’ll also need Safety glasses; cut-resistant safety gloves; drill with screwdriver bits; packing tape; scraper; pliers; 120-grit sandpaper; filler; tape measure; metal ruler; square; pencil; circular saw with guide rail or track saw; scissors; drill; 10mm and 1.25mm…

Best tropical island cruises Enjoy these spectacular island sailings CRUISE FRENCH POLYNESIA Forget the south of France, it’s the south of French Polynesia that’s heating up! Aranui is the only cruise line offering dedicated cruises in 2023 and 2024 to the southernmost archipelago of French Polynesia. A 12-day cruise to the Austral Islands from Papeete takes you to the island group that is home to Raivavae – likened to beautiful Bora Bora, minus tourists and overwater bungalows. Plus, humpback whales flock to Rurutu in spring, offering wonderful whale watching opportunities. For more info, aranui.com/en/. SAIL THE SOUTH PACIFIC Ready to head on a South Pacific cruise? Flight Centre offers deals on Carnival South Pacific itineraries which sail regularly. Sail from Sydney on Carnival Splendor or from Brisbane on Carnival Luminosa…

“I AM DEVASTATED TO HAVE FINISHED IT ”NIGELLA LAWSON Lessons in Chemistry Bonnie Garmus (Penguin Random House, $32.99) Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman and would point out that there isn’t an ‘average’ woman. However, it’s the 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes an unscientific view of equality. Except for one: the lonely, brilliant, Nobel Prize-nominated Calvin Evans, who falls in love with her mind. Cut to a few years later when Elizabeth finds herself a single mother and the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show, Supper at Six. It turns out, Elizabeth isn’t just teaching women to cook, she’s daring them to change the status quo. THE DAUGHTERS OF MADURAI Rajasree Variyar (Hachette, $32.99) Madurai, 1992. Janani is told she is…

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Back in 2013, The Australian Garden designed by Phillip Johnson won Best in Show at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and one of 10 gold medals at the event. Johnson promised to bring the garden back to Australia, and now he’s just done that. The Chelsea Australian Garden opens in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden at Olinda in June 2023, and is a spectacular showcase of Australian creative and sustainable landscape design, using our unique Australian flora. At more than 7000 sqm, it’s 20 times the size of the original garden and features a stone gorge with waterfalls cascading down the rock faces into a billabong – a sustainable and beautiful means of floodwater management. Other responsible features include the use of recycled materials, solar power and bushfire suppression systems.…

You want your indoor plants to thrive, so the first step is to choose those that are natural survivors – especially if you’re prone to neglecting them. The next step is positioning them around your home in the ideal setting – where it’s hot, where it’s not, where it’s light, or where it’s dim. Then, when you forget to water and feed them and they flop, a quick, reviving tonic brings them back to life. Here are proven winners – and where to put them!…

CARROT TARTE TATIN WITH WALNUT SALAD Named for Stéphanie Tatin, who invented it at the hotel she ran with her sister in France, this is a savoury spin on the traditional upside-down tart. The caramelised onion gives it incredible flavour and uses up leftover onions – so clever! Recipe on page 76 SEAFOOD CHOWDER PIE Storebought frozen marinara mix gets a snazzy makeover in this creamy pie that’s generous and fancy enough to feed your fam, or a crowd when guests drop by. Tuck in! Recipe on page 76 BUDGET-FRIENDLY SAUSAGE, APPLE AND CIDER PIES Your homemade sour cream pastry is a breeze to whiz up in the food processor and is the ideal crispy pairing for the hearty sausage and mustard filling – comforting and cost-friendly!  Recipe on page…

FRUIT BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING Preparation time 15 mins plus 15 mins standing Cooking time 1 hour 10 mins  Serves 6 2 cups thickened cream1¼ cups milk2 tsp vanilla bean paste4 free-range eggs¼ cup honey, plus extra, to serve80g butter, softened Finely grated zest of 1 lemon600g loaf extra thick sliced fruit bread, halved diagonally1 cup frozen raspberries Vanilla ice-cream, icing sugar, blueberries and raspberries, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional). Lightly grease a 4 litre ovenproof casserole dish. STEP 2 Combine cream, milk and vanilla in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes. STEP 3 In a bowl, whisk eggs and honey together. Gradually whisk in warm cream mixture until combined.…

EASY STEPS TO YOUR FAUX BOIS POTS Gather your supplies • Pencil • Unglazed terracotta pots, assorted sizes • Hot glue gun and glue sticks • Plaster of Paris • 5cm paintbrushes • Chalk-finish paint in charcoal, grey and white Here’s how STEP 1 Sketch a woodgrain pattern on your pot using the pencil. STEP 2 Go over the pencil lines with hot glue. Work slowly so the glue forms a domed line. Let glue set. STEP 3 Combine 2 parts dry plaster of Paris and 1 part water. The consistency should resemble peanut butter. Paint a thick, rough layer of plaster all over the pot to mimic tree bark. Let dry overnight. STEP 4 Cover exterior of the pot with an even layer of charcoal chalk-finish paint; let dry.…

Meet the challenge of lack of space and a tight budget head on! Considered décor design decisions and a flatpack wardrobe or two ensures you can master hybrid harmony in a space where bedroom and home office cohabitate. Aim for a calming neutral scheme enlivened with rich reds, rusty oranges, warm olive tones, even powdery blues. EASY STEPS TO YOUR PAPER COLLAGE Be inspired by artist Henri Matisse to create abstract art for your bedroom/office from painted pieces of paper using organic shapes and colours arranged in an interesting composition. Gather your supplies • Sheets of watercolour or copier paper • Watercolour or acrylic gouache paints in beige, pale blue, navy, deep red and brown • Backing card • Picture frame You’ll also need Paintbrushes; pencil; sharp paper scissors; glue…

Do you have some tired old stuff that just doesn’t make the cut? Don’t toss it! Think outside the square – or circle – to give dated homewares a new shot at the designer life. With a little ingenuity, strong glue, paint and – of all things – a few ping pong balls, you can create the latest look in sculptural décor for a fraction of the cost of the real thing. So clever! HECK OF A HACK FOR SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE EASY STEPS TO YOUR BOBBLE MIRROR Gather your supplies • Round wood-framed mirror • Medium- and coarse-grit sandpaper • Thin sheet of cardboard • Ping pong balls • Selleys Liquid Nails Ezi Press • Dulux Duramax Undercoat spray paint in Black (optional)…

BUY NOW ONLY $21.45 EACH From knitted matinee jackets or cardies with matching hats to scarf-and-beanie sets and the prettiest textured blankets, you’ll adore these baby and toddler kits, each beautifully presented in a paper bag with a cute ribbon detail. EACH KIT INCLUDES • 3 balls of Classique acrylic 8ply 100g yarn • Instructions SHOP. TO BUY THESE YARN KITS, VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU OR SCAN TO SHOP NOW! Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last.…

Identify doggy dementia Our four-legged friends become prone to health issues as they get older and require more support and care SPOT THE SIGNS With ageing pets, there can often be decreased levels of brain function, loss of spatial awareness and memory deficits. These may be signs of a neurodegenerative disease called canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) or dementia, with canines 52% more likely to develop dementia every year after their 10th birthday, according to a 2022 Dog Ageing Project study*. CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR It’s important to take your senior dog for regular vet check-ups and keep an eye out for any unusual behaviours – disrupted sleep, increased confusion and a sudden surge of ‘accidents’. Your senior doggo may also start appearing lost or confused in familiar surroundings, become anxious or…

No matter your age, there’s something new to learn or to get you thinking. This selection of fantastic books provides plenty of inspiration and food for thought from childbirth right through to the end of life. GOOD FOR THE BRAIN Did you know that ‘baby brain’ could be one of the best things to happen to a woman? Contrary to its reputation for inducing forgetfulness and brain fog, baby brain involves beneficial changes to mums’ brains. In her fascinating book, Baby Brain, neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay explores the science to show how becoming a mum primes your brain to learn quickly, bond with baby and be empathetic, motivated and socially savvy, all while remembering what’s truly important. MOVE IT OR LOSE IT After decades spent working with pro athletes and…

DREAMY BEDDING Beddie offers sustainably sourced, premium long-staple cotton bedding, designed for ultimate comfort, in beautiful prints and plains. The bedding is Oeko-Tex certified in both cotton and print dyes, ensuring no harmful chemicals. Beddie has received 100% five-star reviews and offers free shipping in Australia, and wonderful customer care. beddie.com.au GARDEN ART Metalbirds are Australian made native birds for your garden that surprise and delight. Crafted from Corten steel, they have a rust-coloured patina that develops over time and that keeps on giving with every season. metalbird.com.au IRON IN STYLE Over 40 years ago as I was recovering from a car accident, I designed the reversible padded ironing board cover and ironing mat that became Suzie Hope Designs. Our designs are now well known for quality and custom made…

This financial information is general in nature and does not take into consideration your personal circumstances. If you need advice, please seek out a licensed financial adviser. TIME TO GO ELECTRIC? Weigh up the reasons why you should make the switch! IT’S BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Transport is one of the biggest greenhouse gas-emitting sectors in Australia, with cars contributing the largest portion of pollution. And while it’s true that most of the electricity for charging EVs comes from fossil fuel generation, with no local C02 emissions from the tailpipe, an electric vehicle creates a lower carbon footprint over the course of its lifetime. Plus, they are quieter, so less noise pollution. NO MORE PAYING FOR PETROL With the price of petrol these days, imagine not having to fill your…