Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

Ready for 2024? We are now deep in the ‘Era of Home’, which began in 1920. Our homes have become our whole world and, unlike the sometimes chaotic outside one, it’s a world we can change – even in small ways. For your summer soirées, we’re sharing the best-ever cocktails (page 16), and delicious, easy-prep dishes sure to satisfy a crowd (page 22). We’ve also got plenty of inspiration for rooms we know you’d love to live in (see how to turn a humdrum house into a family-friendly haven on page 120). Up the glam and let your creativity shine through with clever crafts and décor updates that add sparkle to your spaces (page 126). Outside, there’s loads of ideas if you fancy reimagining your yard (pages 96, 138 and…

COOK’S TIP The recipe for the Watermelon shrub, Pear puree, BlackberryGinger shrub and Rhubarb syrup makes more than you need for one cocktail, so keep the extra on hand in the fridge to mix up easy, delish cocktails whenever you fancy. FRUIT CHOICES To puree, in a blender or food processor cover and blend or process one fruit of your choice until smooth, adding 1-3 tablespoons of water if needed. 2¼ cups cubed mango 2½ cups cubed peaches 2⅔ cups sliced strawberries 3 cups cubed rockmelon or honeydew 3¾ cups cubed watermelon 4 cups raspberries or blackberries RAISE A GLASS TOAST SUMMER WITH FRESH DRINKS – JUST PICK AFLAVOUR! ELEVATE YOUR GLASSWARE WITH EXTRA SLICES OF FRUIT OR SPRIGS OF FRESH MINT TO SERVE . YOU CAN ALSO FREEZE THE…

1 WELCOME TO YOUR WORLD A street frontage is easily brightened up with a window box. Amid the rush of street life, create a sense of flow and order by repeating your planting arrangement – ivy topiarised into a ball, surrounded by chartreuse coleus, white caladium and a mix of white flowers. 2 FEEL THE DIFFERENCE Texture can make as big an impact as colour in a window box. To get a varied range of textures, mix wispy, waving ornamental grasses with firm foliage plants such as crotons and the trailing, soft-leafed, sweet potato vine. Even though the box is tightly packed, the difference in texture ensures each plant stands out. A window box spilling with colourful flowers and frilly foliage sings of romance and adds a new dimension to…

EASY STEPS TO BUILD ADINING TABLE WITH A GABLE Safety notes • When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear rubber gloves and protective clothing. Here’s how STEP 1 Measure, mark and cut all components (see list below) with tape measure, combination square, pencil and mitre saw. For asmooth finish with slightly curved edges, sand all parts and round the edges with an orbital sander. STEP 2 To create half-lap joints at the gable peaks, measure and draw a square line 90mm from one end of 2 Rafters. Clamp Rafters to workbench, and cut along the marked line of both Rafters with hand saw. Unclamp and flip both Rafters. Mark a line 45mm from edge; clamp and cut with reciprocating…

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Working as a chef can be hard – long hours, physical exertion, complex problems and an absurdly fast pace. Add in television and you have the recipe for an obstacle course game show. It has been wild, but I’ve loved it. Most of my friends insist I have the best job in the world. I usually refuse to be pinned down, but occasionally I stop and realise that they’re right, it’s pretty darned incredible and there have been so many highlights: riding motorbikes across the sand of WA mustering open-range cattle; riding horses through the mountains of New Caledonia to, well, muster cattle again... with Miss Universe New Cal; setting up a one-night pop-up restaurant in the backstreets of Ho Chi Minh City; cooking on the edge of a 100m…

COOK’S TIP Store your granola in a jar for up to three weeks. Before serving, shake the jar, as the salt will have naturally settled at the base. COOK’S TIP Buy za’atar at the supermarket, or make your own by combining 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 3 tsp sumac, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp ground cumin and ¼ tsp sea-salt. Store za’atar in airtight container for up to two months. RAISE YOUR IDEAL GLASS! While the summertime drinks you’re serving is important, the glasses they’re served in is half the charm. Stanley Rogers’ beautiful Barossa Collection features an extensive range of high-quality, lead-free crystal glassware, so you’ll have the perfect glass on hand for every single occasion. Martini, Champagne Flute, Riesling, White Wine, Bordeaux, Rock…

When it comes to adding sweetness to your culinary life, honey really is the bee’s knees. But you haven’t lived until you’ve tried unpasteurised, unfiltered honey – not only does it taste better, it’s much better for you. Made from an alchemy of nature and lots of love, Wild Nectar is creating a buzz around its delicious range of 100% raw, cold-extracted Australian honey. THE TASTE OF PLACE Each honey has its own distinct colour and flavour, influenced by the untouched environment in which it’s made. Wild Nectar honey comes from exclusive hive sites in some of the most pristine national parks, bushland regions and orchards, with most of the hives placed on the beautiful NSW South Coast, in the Western Plains and Murrumbidgee River area, the Snowy Mountains region…

GROWING BASIL Climate Subtropical and temperate. Doesn’t tolerate frosts. Aspect Full sun. Soil Well-drained. Sowing seeds Sow seeds 3mm deep in seed-raising mix. Water well, then daily, keep mix moist but never too wet. Seeds should germinate in about 5-10 days. Transplant seedlings to the garden bed once they have their first true leaves and are large enough to handle – they’ll be about 5-10cm tall. Space seedlings 25-40cm apart. Food Apply slow-release fertiliser at the recommended rate when transplanting and during growing season. Water Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Harvest After about 60-80 days, when leaves are large enough to eat, harvest as needed. Pests Whitefly – remove with a garden hose or spray with…

ALFRESCO ART Put the focus on a curated display of succulents, as here, with a freestanding timber frame. Galvanised ducting and wire rope form the hanging planter for a sharp and edgy look. JARDIN NOIR Constructed from solid timber and steel square tubes, this sophisticated plant stand and trellis will bring drama and style to your outdoor area, and you can make it with a fuss-free DIY project. Or, accessorise your patio or add an instant garden to your balcony with this planter. It can support climbers, shrubs or seasonal colour. RUSTIC CHIC Repurpose a wire tomato cage for a smart and simple plant stand. Add texture and a homey flavour with sisal rope, then complete the look with a colourful pot full of your best blooms. To repurpose, check…

Nothing says welcome quite like a green carpet of grass (faux or real) and colourful fringes of blooms. Bare patches of turf, however, and dead or dying plants aren’t ideal. This may be due to neglect, or an insect or fungal attack. But most likely, it’s because the area isn’t receiving enough sunlight. If the soil is well-nourished, there are alternatives that can make your garden a showstopper. COTTAGE PLANTS AND NATIVES MAKE FOR A GLORIOUS CONTRASTING FRONT GARDEN. EASY STEPS TO CREATE YOUR KIDNEY WEED LAWN Replace your tatty or artificial turf with a pretty, easyto-grow lawn alternative, like this native groundcover. It requires very little maintenance and no mowing! Notes • Plant a minimum of one 140mm kidney weed plant to cover area of 1 roll of turf.…

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…

ACCESSORISE WITH EARTH -TONED CUSHIONS AND TEXTURE – LINEN, SEAGRASS, WICKER... BACK TO BASICS Invest in essential patio pieces like a sofa, coffee table and market umbrella for shade if needed. Stick to a neutral palette for base pieces so you can make seasonal tweaks to the look on the cheap simply by swapping out cushions. LONGING TO ESCAPE FOR A SPOT OF SOLO TIME WITH YOUR FAVE MAG? A HAMMOCK CHAIR HAS YOUR NAME ON IT! LET’S HANG OUT Almost any deck or verandah can benefit from a playful swing chair or even a hammock to help you breeze through summer. And think of guest comfort by loading up on floor cushions, hats and, for cool nights, wraps. For similar, Gardeon Hammock Hanging Swing Chair Cream, $51.95, myer.com.au. YOUR…

EASY STEPS TO BUILD YOUR GAMES TABLE Safety notes • When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear rubber gloves and protective clothing. Here’s how STEP 1 With selection of timber boards, decide on design. Measure, mark and cut all components (list below) with tape measure, pencil, combination square and circular saw (use clamps and straight edge). Sand sawn edges with sandpaper. STEP 2 To assemble the tabletop, lay 5Top panels side by side on a flat surface. Apply abead of PVA glue between each board. Clamp pieces together with a large clamp or ratchet strap. Wipe away excess glue from the surfaces with adamp cloth and allow the glue to dry. STEP 3 To assemble 2 table base panels,…

Editor Dora Papas Creative director Scott Cassidy Deputy editor Raffaela Pugliese Production editor Joseph Kenworthy Chief sub editor Lucie Clark Design director Monique Larracy Senior designer Carol Tang Decorating editor Dora Papas Garden editor Jenny Dillon Food editor Sarah Murphy DIY editor Tiff Bancroft Beauty editor Annie Millar Stylist Vanessa Tidy Editor’s assistant Sonya Dlugosch Enquiries (02) 9282 8000 REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS In your garden Tony Fawcett Moon guide Milton Black Better pets Caroline Zambrano ADVERTISING Commercial brand manager Jo-Ann Taylor Brand executive Serena Cox Sales director NSW Karen Holmes Qld head of sales Judy Taylor Sales director Vic, SA, WA Jaclyn Clements Marketing manager Jess Taylor Subscriptions campaign manager Nicolette Zorzopis TELEVISION Host Johanna Griggs Presenters: Pets Dr Harry Cooper Gardening Graham Ross, Melissa King DIY Adam Dovile Food Karen…

COOK’S TIP Use small lemons with smooth, shiny skin as they’re juicier with less white pith. COOK’S TIPS • Buy a thick, spreadable caramel sauce or make your own. To make your caramel sauce for this recipe, use the exclusive TM6 Sugar Stages mode. • Find the Caramel peach brioche Guided Cooking recipe on Cookidoo. THERMOMIX EVERYDAY This is an edited extract from Thermomix Everyday, $12.99, available at selected supermarkets, newsagents and themixshop.com.au. Photography John Paul Urizar; styling Olivia Blackmore; food preparation Rebecca Lyall. Prices are approximate and a guide only.…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 WATERING Really hot days cause your garden and lawn to dry out, but if you water in the middle of the day, the water will evaporate before it reaches the roots. Save on your water bill by giving your soil a good soak in the morning or evening when the temperature is cooler, allowing the water to go deep into the soil. MULCH An organic mulch, such as bark chips, wood chips or straw, is like an insulation blanket – it keeps soil warm in winter and cool in summer. It also helps the soil retain moisture, reduces evaporation and helps keep weeds away. It eventually breaks down, providing extra nutrients to your soil. Water well before you first add mulch. WEEDS Weeds take…

EASY STEPS TO BUILD A POND PLANTER Bring serenity with a water feature made from timber. Don’t forget your safety gear Protective glasses; earmuffs; dust mask. Important: Always use appropriate safety gear and clothing when operating power tools, handling chemicals or when exposed to dust or vapours. Hair should be tied back at all times. Here’s how STEP 1 Measure, mark and cut all components (see list below) with tape measure, combination square, pencil and circular saw. STEP 2 For all Legs, apply glue, predrill and screw Leg A to Leg B to form L-shaped corner using 40mm screws. STEP 3 With 2 Long sides and 2 Short sides, assemble a rectangular frame with Short sides within Long sides. Apply glue, predrill and screw 150mm-high frame together with 40mm screws.…

SEASON SPECIALS Go for tall, slim and graceful. DELIGHTFUL DELPHINIUM Stately spikes in blending hues of blue, pink, white and purple. FRIENDLY SNAPDRAGON In almost every colour and always bright and cheerful. ACE ALSTROEMERIA Lily-like in reds, pinks, oranges and bronzes with streaks and speckles. 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 Alyssum, anemone (top left), marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia, verbena and zinnia. ZONES 1-3 Celosia, dianthus, helichrysum, ranunculus and torenia (bottom left). ZONES 4-6 Calendula, cornflower, cyclamen, gaillardia, Iceland poppy, nemesia and wallflower. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chives, cress, leek, lettuce, rhubarb (top left), spring…

1 DINING IN TONIGHT Dining chairs can be exxy, so it makes sense to re-cover vintage or op-shop chairs for one-of-a-kind style. Mismatched are fine as long as they’ve one thing in common – here, the height. Mirror the look of units throughout your home with built-ins (or the look of built-ins) that offer extra seating and discreet storage. 2 ELEVATE YOUR STYLE Renovations can be a messy and trying time. Take advantage of the process to make significant changes in the one go that will enhance your living experience and boost its value simultaneously. Here, the vaulted ceiling, exposed cedar beams and sleek open fire bring a contemporary, comfortable and character-filled vibe to what was once a dated living room. Note the use of the large area rug to…

USE TERRACOTTA POTS – GLAZED OR NOT – OF VARYING HEIGHTS AND PLANT STANDS TO CREATE RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT! IF YOUR STYLE IS EARTHY BOHEMIAN Boho as an aesthetic is synonymous with travellers, creatives and those who seek to buck convention. Brave, eclectic, global and handmade combinations are the order of the day, so decorate with natural materials, layering patterns and textures to create an interesting and unique space. Include plush textiles and comfortable seating to evoke an inviting atmosphere. BATTERY-POWERED LED PILLAR CANDLES WON’T BLOW OUT NOR MELT IN HOT WEATHER MAKING THEM AN EXCELLENT CHOICE OUTSIDE IF YOUR STYLE IS TRADITIONAL Classic patterns such as black and white stripes are a timeless choice. As are square or squarish planters juxtaposed with the rounded shape of a boxwood topiary,…

" Tension, intrigue, observation, humour... and pitch-perfect prose" The Secret Hours Mick Herron (Hachette, $32.99) Two years ago, the PM set up the Monochrome inquiry to investigate the British Secret Service. The mission was to ferret out misconduct, allowing the civil servants, Griselda Fleet and Malcolm Kyle, unfettered access to confidential information in the service archives. But with progress blocked at every turn, Monochrome is circling the drain. Until the OTIS file appears out of nowhere. What classified secrets does OTIS hold that see an ex-spy being chased down the green lanes of Devon at night? And who will win the battle for the soul of the Secret Service? Water John Boyne (Penguin Random House, $29.99) The first thing Vanessa Carvin does when she arrives on the island is change…