Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

The end of winter is fast approaching! Here, on the eastern seaboard at least, we’re opening our windows and letting in the milder fresh air after our homes have been closed tight for the past few months. There’s a “busy” energy to this time of year that I love – can you feel it? But waiting for spring to arrive can trigger a little impatience. However, the BHG team has done a terrific job alleviating that restlessness with easy-to-achieve decorating and DIY ideas that can be adapted to your home in time for the warmer weather. As a place to gather, and a zen zone where you focus on the task at hand, your kitchen needs to balance a sense of welcoming warmth with supreme function. Our practical tips will…

There’s a succulent for every occasion – as a groundcover, as a garden bed feature or just a filler, making a pretty, edgy border, or as a statement tree. Or put some succulents in a pot for both indoors and outdoors. Whatever your choice, you’ll have a colourful, floral-looking garden throughout the year, then get a bonus when your flower-like succulents do actually flower. ABOUT THE GARDEN Melbourne’s Attila’s Garden was established progressively by Attila and Michele Kapitany over 20 years on 0.4ha of land, initially with a whole range of different plants. But the well-draining and nutrient-poor soil mean succulents and Australian natives thrive here, and now each type makes up half the garden. The garden consists of a series of terraced garden rooms made up of a wonderful…

The soft sound of mellow, moving water creates a calm that can be hard to find during our hectic lives. A small reflection bowl in your garden can be the go-to place when you need time out, and where you can be mesmerised as the gentle ripples twist and turn the reflection of the shrubbery above. So spellbinding and peaceful! EASY STEPS TO MAKING A REFLECTION BOWL For you to note Put your reflection bowl close to a power supply. Here’s how STEP 1 Paint inside of garden bowl with pond sealer. Allow sealer to dry. STEP 2 Clear out rubble and rubbish where you want to put your reflection bowl. STEP 3 Put paver securely in place and make sure it is level. STEP 4 Run lead of pond…

SEASON SPECIALS These early risers say spring is almost here! JUST RAVISHING Big, bold and beautiful rhododendrons are ready for showtime! PEARL DROPS Pieris produces magnificent clusters of tiny flowers. SMOTHER LOVE You can’t see the leaves for the mass of colourful azalea flowers! 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 Ageratum, bedding begonia, celosia, dahlia, marigold, nasturtium, 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, lobelia, snapdragon and statice. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus, beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, melon (top left), parsley,…

SPANISH ONION SOUP Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 1 hour 55 mins Serves 4 100ml extra virgin olive oil80g butter, melted6 cloves garlic, finely sliced10 thyme sprigs, leaves picked2 star anise6 red onions, cut into 1cm slices6 white onions, cut into 1cm slices2 litres chicken or beef stock80ml dry fino sherrySea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to seasonThickly sliced baguette, grated manchego cheese and crème fraîche, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional). STEP 2 In a large, deep flameproof casserole dish, combine oil, butter, garlic, thyme, star anise and red onion. Bake, covered, for 1 hour. Add white onion and bake, uncovered, for a further 30 minutes until mixture has softened. Remove from oven and put on stovetop. STEP 3 Heat stock in…

THE COMPLETE COLLECTION Whether you prefer a pressure cooker or a slow cooker, either option makes cooking family meals incredibly easy. All you need to do is throw everything in, set the controls and leave the appliance to transform the ingredients (quickly or slowly) into something scrumptious. This volume includes over 200 of our best and most delicious pressure-cooker and slow-cooker recipes. HURRY! OFFER ENDS 30TH AUGUST 2023 3 OTHER WAYS TO ORDER 1 SCAN THE QR CODE TO ORDER 2 ONLINE magshop.com.au/bhg239 3 CALL 136 116 and quote M239BHG SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS 13 ISSUES OF BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS FOR $74.99 VIA AUTOMATIC RENEWAL A BONUS COPY OF PRESSURE COOKER & SLOW COOKER VALUED AT $39.99% SAVE 33% OFF THE RETAIL PRICE FREE DELIVERY OF THE MAGAZINE TO YOUR HOME EACH MONTH…

1 FRESH AND FUNCTIONAL While the French-style patterned tiles on the bench and playful splashback are the show-stoppers in this revamped laundry, there’s a lot more to applaud. A variety of storage in Nantucket-style colours and textures, decorative hooks that ‘float’ and subtle steel accents throughout keep this zone from looking too utilitarian but, at the same time, make it highly functional. And, if you have a picture window, as here, take advantage of the natural light but add style with smartly dressed coordinating sheers. Your laundry, while necessary, isn’t the most glamorous space in your home. Nor does it help when it’s dark and poky, making it all too easy for your laundry to turn into a walk-in wardrobe full of dirty clothes. That was this family’s reality, and…

You don’t need a king’s ransom to update your little princess’s bedroom into the gorgeous space of her imagination. Clever paintwork and some simple, playful accessories provide just the right amount of romance and fantasy for the sweetest dreams. 1 IN THE PINK Think outside the bedroom box! A clever and modern scalloped tide line in Dulux UltraAir Mary Rose (see page 148) adds colour and curves to a room without overwhelming the space. 2 SHEER DELIGHT Every little girl wants a romantic canopy over her bed befitting a fairytale princess, but this hack comes without the fairytale price tag! Thread two inexpensive, sheer, tab-topped curtains alternately onto a firmly fixed spray-painted pipe shelf bracket and keep the folds in place with a large bow. To finish, edge your new…

TOP CITY STAYS Enjoy a well-deserved city break at one of these hotels OVOLO LANEWAYS, MELBOURNE The newly revamped Laneways By Ovolo in Melbourne is the perfect base to take in all the Melbourne CBD offers. After shopping, coffee and culture, settle back in your well-designed suite, which features pops of colour combined with black-and-white graphic patterns. Then take a seat at the all-new drinking and dining venue Amphlett House, spearheaded by celebrated chef and restaurateur, Ian Curley. To book a stay, ovolohotels.com. NOVOTEL, MURRAY STREET PERTH The Perth CBD has never been more alive with bars, cafes and restaurants. Time to go check them out and stay at the new 4.5 star Novotel Murray Street right in the centre. There’s an outdoor pool, plus an excellent Asian grill restaurant…

BUY NOW SHOP TO BUY, VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offers available while stocks last. Prices are subject to change at any time.…

How to invest with $100 or less Starting small can reap long-term benefits MICRO-INVESTING Trading apps such as Sharesies, Raiz and Superhero make micro investing simple for beginners. With Sharesies, you can start with as little as 1c and the user-friendly platform takes just minutes to set up. Brooke Roberts, Sharesies co-founder and director, says the company was “…founded on the purpose of creating a financially empowered generation by giving someone with $5 the same investment opportunities as someone with $5 million.” Sharesies also offers educational resources. But, be ready to play the long game. GO LOW-RISK There are no shortcuts to investing success. According to Australian Government website moneysmart.gov.au, the combination of high returns and low-risk doesn’t exist. Per Moneysmart, for short-term goals, lower risk investment options are better,…

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Raw meat-based diets have become popular among pet parents looking for a nutritious diet for their doggos. If you’ve decided to feed your pooch a raw diet (and checked with your vet if a raw food diet is right for your hound), these tips will help you choose food that is safe, closer to nature and contains high-quality ingredients without unnecessary inclusions. 1 Ensure your dog eats a complete and balanced diet, which includes all the necessary nutrients in the correct ratios based on your dog’s life stage. 2 Your dog will need water for hydration, and protein (meat) to build and repair body tissue. 3 Look for essential ingredients containing vitamin A and amino acids to give your dog energy, health and strength. 4 Fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and…

Spring is just so pretty you can forget that all those blossoms serve a serious purpose – to grow into sweet, delicious fruit at summer’s end. And spring means the end of a lean winter for bees – the blossoms’ sweet perfume attracts bees that transfer pollen from flower to flower and end up as fruit! Bees are rewarded with nectar. You, however, can have barrels – or bowls – of fresh apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums or cherries at your fingertips if you have a fruit tree in your garden. 1 SPRING ROSES Apples are in the rose family and the five simple, fan-like petals of their blossoms show you just how far the development of voluminous rose blooms have come. 2 SMALL WITH A PUNCH! Your crabapples are…

1 PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS For an outdoor living room that sings, try bold colour combos. The primer used here is tintable to thousands of Dulux paints, so you can experiment with the kind of vibrant, playful hues you might shy away from indoors. Pick shades that both enliven and comfort you. 2 LIVE OUTSIDE THE BOX An old metal trunk doubles as storage for tableware and linen, cushions, mags, and more. Bringing a little soul to your style and practicality to your patio, it’s the epitome of upcycling. Prepare the trunk as per the Stools (see Steps 1-5 overleaf), then apply a coat of black spray paint inside and out to tie in with the exterior of the house. Leave to dry. Apply a second coat. Using a roller, apply…

SMOKED SALMON AND DILL FLATBREADS Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 5 mins Serves 4 4 large garlic naan bread60g baby rocket1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil¾ cup spreadable cream cheese300g hot-smoked salmon, skin removed, flaked2 Tbsp chopped dillFreshly ground black pepper, to season STEP 1 Preheat a chargrill on high. Cook naan bread for 1 minute on each side or until warmed through. Set aside, loosely covered with foil. STEP 2 Combine rocket and oil in a bowl. Spread each naan bread with ¼ of the cream cheese. Top with salmon, dill and rocket. Season with pepper. SUPER GREEN PESTO TAGLIATELLE Preparation time 5 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 4 400g vine ripened cherry tomatoes2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil400g tagliatelle250g baby spinach½ cup fresh ricotta, plus extra, to…

MIXED BERRY AND APPLE CRUMBLE SLICE Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 50 mins Serves 8 3 cups plain flour1 cup caster sugar250g butter, chilled, chopped1 tsp baking powder1 free-range egg1 tsp vanilla extract½ tsp ground cinnamonIcing sugar, to serve FILLING 400g can apple pie filling300g packet mixed frozen berries2 Tbsp caster sugarFinely grated zest of 1 lemon2 Tbsp lemon juice2 Tbsp cornflour STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional). Lightly grease and line a deep 20 x 30cm lamington pan with baking paper. STEP 2 In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, butter and baking powder. Process until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add egg and vanilla. Pulse until a crumbly dough forms. STEP 3 Press half of the dough evenly over base of pan. Bake for 10 minutes.…

For many, the Hills Hoist rotary clothesline is as Australian as a barbecue – it was even given a starring role in the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony during Vanessa Amorosi’s indelible performance of Absolutely Everybody. With its reliably sunny days and warm breezes, Australia proved to be the hoist clothesline’s natural home. A STAR IS BORN Up until the 19th century, laundry was draped on bushes or pegged to a line hung between posts or across the street, making washday Monday one to dread. Legend has it, this came to an end in 1945 when returning soldier Lancelot Leonard Hill found his wife struggling to hang the washing between trees in their Adelaide backyard. With a nous for innovation and business, Hill gave birth to a world-famous Aussie icon. Endless…

Safety note Before 1970, lead-based paints were used in many Australian homes. To stay safe, follow the Lead Alert guidelines at dcceew.gov.au. Here’s how STEP 1 Cut paint in groove between stop bead and surrounding frame with utility knife. Prise stop bead away from frame with scraper or chisel. STEP 2 Bend bead in middle to remove it from mitred cut at top and bottom. Use pincers to remove old nails from sash and back of stop bead. Identical beading is available to buy from your timber supplier. STEP 3 Remove stop bead from other side. Remove lower sash window. If cord is still attached, cut cord while you support the weight. STEP 4 Score paint around pocket covers and parting bead with utility knife. Use scraper and chisel to…

YOUR QUILTING BASICS Here’s what you need to know to get started on this cute quilt project. FIRST THINGS FIRST • Read all instructions to make sure you understand the pattern and have everything you need. • The standard measure in patchwork is imperial. To maintain accuracy for our instructions, we have listed fabric supplies in metric and all cutting/stitching instructions in imperial. You can buy imperial quilter’s rules, or those that give both imperial and metric measurements. • All fabrics should be 100% cotton. Quantities and cutting instructions for these projects are based on 107cm of usable fabric width. • Check all measurements carefully. We have included a ¼in (6mm) seam allowance, unless stated otherwise. • Sew with right sides together, unless otherwise stated. • Press seams in directions…

Sophie Green may not have been a bushcare aficionado when she started writing her new book, Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society, but she’s a passionate advocate now. The Aussie author looked to the magic of Noosa and surrounds as the setting of her latest story, centred on a community garden club. It serves both as a showcase of a paradise she’s visited since childhood and a tribute to a community with a legacy of environmentalism. “I wanted to set this garden story on the Sunshine Coast because I couldn’t actually find novels set there,” Green says. “And I thought: ‘why not Noosa?’ There’s a lot of great flora and so much lovely landscape. “It’s always about the ensemble of women, because that’s really interesting to me” Then I started…

WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK Experience the awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes and rich wildlife of Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales. Immerse yourself in thrilling activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing and photography, all while discovering significant Aboriginal heritage sites. Warrumbungle Shire Council nationalparks.nsw.gov.au CORTEN RUSTED EDGING AND FIREPITS Innovative Australian manufactured garden edging and firepits that assemble quickly. Ideal for your DIY project, our Tool-Less system is delivered to your door. Our ethos is quintessentially Australian, made to last. coreearthdesigns.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 covers in several sizes, single and reversible padded. Our…

Different strokes DOGS AND CATS AREN’T THE ONLY PETS THAT BRING JOY Are you thinking of welcoming home a new animal companion – something other than the usual four legged variety? Here, PetStock shares a list of alternative pets that can bring immense joy to the whole family. Fishy companions After cats and dogs, fish are the next most popular pet in Australia, with about one in ten households proudly embracing aquatic life*. From goldfish to guppies, pet fish are affordable and low maintenance but seek advice with aquarium setup. Feathered friends Birds make ideal companions, particularly if your home is small, or if you’re without a backyard. From budgies to cockatoos, they thrive in size appropriate enclosures and spending time each day outside their home to stretch their wings,…

1 THE WINTER ROSE Hellebores are celebrated for their petal’s superb colours and patterns, ranging from spotted, speckled or picoteed – where the petal margins are a contrasting colour. 2 HAVE A WHIMSICAL SPRING! Hellebore flowers are very long lasting, brightening up the garden from mid-winter through to spring, when they are joined by early spring bloomers such as snowdrops and emerging crocuses. 3 PETAL POWER Traditional hellebores are distinguished by their five-petal, bowl-shaped flowers. Newer varieties have multiple layers of petals. Fancy a float? Hellebores look lovely when cut for vases indoors, but the flower heads start to droop after a day or so. A better option is to cut off the stems and let the flowers float in a bowl of water. They may seem shy from the way…

Your garden could be our Garden of the Year and featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. For more information and to enter, visit bhg.com.au/GOTY CATEGORIES GARDEN OF THE YEAR Open to all residential and community gardens BEST RESIDENTIAL GARDEN Open to gardens 50sqm and over BEST SMALL SPACE GARDEN Open to small, courtyard, balcony or patio gardens up to 50sqm Young Gardener of The Year Open to ages 5–18 Tuscan Path makes aspirational landscape style affordable, with designer landscaping supplies at warehouse prices. Get the look with Tuscan Path. Sold exclusively at Bunnings. Head in-store to Bunnings or visit bunnings.com.au. tuscanpath.com.au @tuscanpath THE JUDGES DORA PAPAS Editor Better Homes and Gardens JENNY DILLON Garden editor Better Homes and Gardens MELISSA KING Garden expert Better Homes and Gardens TV presenter…

For all your efforts hiding your rubbish, garbage bins are still unsightly, so why not hide these too? It can be done easily with this clever bin enclosure that turns trash into treasure. Then top it off with an elevated garden of sweet little succulents. For you to note Before starting, check your local council regulations. For location of enclosure, consider access around bin and ensure the ground is level. Allow 150mm clearance so you can open bin lid within the bin enclosure. Here’s how STEP 1 Mark enclosure plan on ground with chalk. With Components list (above) and Assembly diagrams (page 62), measure, mark and cut Side frame and Gate components with tape measure, pencil, square and mitre saw. Sand edges with sandpaper and block. Apply 2 coats of…

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 signs Libra,…

CANNOLI Preparation time 10 mins plus 1 hour chilling Cooking time 25 mins Makes approx. 30 400g baker’s flour½ cup caster sugar¼ tsp fine salt75g cold unsalted butter, grated2 free-range eggs1 free-range egg yolk150ml dry white wine1 cup milk1 Tbsp cornflour1 tsp vanilla pasteFinely grated zest of 1 orange1 cup ricotta¼ cup dark chocolate, finely choppedVegetable oil, for deep-fryingChopped slivered pistachios and icing sugar, to serve STEP 1 Mix flour, half of the sugar and the salt in a large bowl, then add butter and rub with fingertips until combined. Combine 1 egg with the yolk and wine, add to flour mixture and mix until a smooth dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate for 1 hour. STEP 2 Pour milk into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer…

1 ORGANISE YOUR NECKLACES Create a pretty display – and prevent tangles – by hanging jewellery from an upturned spice rack. Finish the look with decorative accessories arranged on the shelf. AND NOW FOR A TWIST Paint a block colour on the wall directly behind the bed to create a focal point and allow the jewellery display to stand out. 2 BATHROOM TIDY Make a spot for your beauty essentials with a staggered arrangement of spice racks. Hang one rack upside down and – ta-dah – the bar becomes a handy towel rail! Go Scandi and paint the racks white or a smart matt black, but if you prefer the racks to blend into your décor, paint them the same or a similar shade to your wall colour. AND NOW…

This is the story of a woman fighting for her rightsTHE AUSTRALIAN The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson Karen Brooks (Harper Collins, $32.99) It’s 1679. The fierce and opinionated Tribulation Johnson is cast out from her family and warmly welcomed by her cousin, the former spy and infamous playwright, Aphra Behn. Tribulation cannot believe her good fortune as she is thrust into city life and the heady world of the Restoration Theatre where she’s encouraged to think and speak for herself. But, when a figure from Aphra’s chequered past appears, the women’s loyalties to the king, country and each other are tested. Can their relationship survive and who can they trust? The Air Raid Book Club Annie Lyons (Hachette, $32.99) London, 1938. Bookseller Gertie Bingham has just lost her beloved husband,…

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