Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2024 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

The summer break has not only been a time for fun parties and recharging, it’s also been a period of reflection. After the busy and expensive holiday season, it’s time to reset your budget with a spending detox. But scrimping doesn’t mean putting off all those projects on your 2024 to-do list. See our savvy ideas for getting the coastal look on a budget so you can keep basking in the holiday vibe (page 80). If funds are too tight for a makeover, try your hand at DIY décor (from page 86). And, in the spirit of sustainability, use thrifted finds to fit out your kitchen with bespoke style (page 104). In this issue, we’re also exploring the restorative potential of your garden as a place for peace, play and…

He’s a celebrated and charitable chef with an inherent love of good produce, a popular TV personality, and an acclaimed food author. Irish-born Colin Fassnidge cooks with heart for family and friends (as well as strangers!), so we couldn’t think of anyone with better cooking chops to join BHG as our new TV food presenter. Let’s get to know him. Q At what age did you realise your true north was a career in cooking? A At seven or eight. But I also wanted to be a rock star or a zoo keeper. I play drums, I wanted to be like Larry Mullen of U2. My mum was a great cook and my dad would cook twice a week – but male cooks were frowned upon. It was a bit…

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,…

RESIST THE URGE TO TRIM RAFFIA ENDS EVENLY IMPERFECTIONS GIVE THIS PROJECT ITS AUTHENTIC CHARM. 1 FIBRE ART This easy-make raffia mirror suits both a coastal or boho interior. For this project, you’ll need a 35cm diameter plywood mirror (25cm mirror inset). Use artist’s acrylic paint mixed with sealer (3:1) to paint mirror’s plywood border a colour to match your wall and let dry. Cut natural raffia paper ribbon into 30cm-long strips. Gather seven or eight strips and fold in half. Place the folded end under a 250mm ring to form a 2.5cm loop pointing toward the centre of the ring. Tie a lark’s head knot by passing the loose ends of raffia over the metal ring, then threading them through the loop before pulling the ends taut to secure…

BUDGET FRIENDLY IDEAS 1 TURNING TABLES Rescue a tired or dated coffee table from the scrap heap with feature tiles. If the tiles don’t fit your tabletop exactly, use border tiles to frame and fill out the gap between your feature tiles and the table edge. 2 GRAPHIC PLANTERS Encaustic tiles make striking containers for indoor and outdoor plants. Use a mitre box and saw to cut 18 x 18mm square dressed pine to tile height. Attach dowels to sides of two tiles with clear glue; clamp. Once set, glue and clamp remaining sides. Use a basic tile as a planter base to rest your pot plant on. To ensure water drainage does not become an issue, opt for an easy-to-remove plastic saucer under your pot. 3 BACK IT UP…

Face masks were once considered an occasional treat, not anymore. Today, a DIY mask can play a pivotal role in how good your skin looks and feels, so it’s time to mask up! What’s Your Type? From lush creams to high-tech LED devices, there’s a mask for every skin concern, type preference and budget. You may even find there’s a role for a few different types of masks in your skincare arsenal. WHY USE A MASK? Cleansing, daily sunscreen and moisturising are the most important steps to maintaining healthy skin, so what good are masks? For a start they can deliver an intensive burst of nourishment, help to manage skin concerns, such as dryness and breakouts, and they can give your skin a refreshing pick-me-up. On top of that, if…

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NUTRITIONAL INFO Per serve 486kJ (116Cal), protein 6g, total fat 6g (sat. fat 1g), carbs 7g, fibre 4g, sodium 109mg. • Carb exchanges • GI estimate low • Gluten-free • Lower carb For more deliciously healthy recipes and expert advice, pick up a copy of the Jan/Feb issue of Diabetic Living, $8.99, at your supermarket or newsagent. Photography Ben Dearnley; styling Vanessa Austin; food preparation Sarah Mayoh; recipe Alison Roberts. Prices are approximate and a guide only.…

1,2 MAKE YOUR GARDEN HEAVENLY Angelonia – the summer snapdragon – grows tall and proud as it seeks out the sun. It flowers in pink, crimson, red, lilac and white. It’s a perennial, unless you live in a frost-prone area, in which case treat it as an annual. Planting In spring once the last frost has past. When they’re about 12cm tall, pinch off the tips to encourage fuller growth. Soil Moist, well-draining soil. Aspect Full sun with good air flow. Climate Cool, temperate, subtropical. Water Once a week. Food Fertilise lightly in spring to encourage flowering – too much food will see it produce more foliage than flowers. As summer heats up, you can find respite by moving indoors or into the shade. But the plants in your garden…

A paved outdoor area is great for fitting in folks for summer entertaining, but it can look dull when the vibrant personalities of your friends and family are absent. Flowers can give it a lift, and you could always move your plastic pots into designer containers, but they could cost more than the plants. Save money and dig up pavers and grass, then plant blooms for instant floral fabulousness! SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 .EASY STEPS TO YOUR COURTYARD GARDEN Allow your garden to encroach on your courtyard to transform your outdoor space! Here’s how STEP 1 Dig up turf and turn soil with pickaxe. Dig in organic matter. STEP 2Measure and mark out area of paving to be lifted. STEP 3Lift pavers within marked area – you may…

ON SHOW GROWTH SPURT Small space? Go up! Standing 1.5m high, and with 20 planting areas, Mr Stacky’s Smart Farm Hydroponic Tower Garden is ideal for petite spots. In Stone, Terracotta or Black, and it comes with a solar-powered pump, $479, mrstacky.com.au. SHIPSHAPE Smothered in large, glowing mid-pink blooms with a beguiling myrrh perfume, ‘The Ancient Mariner’ English shrub rose from David Austin is set to sail into many gardens. Named for the epic poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, it grows up to 1.7m, is disease-resistant and is a repeat bloomer. Order now for delivery from April, davidaustinrosesaustralia.com. GOOD LOOKS Easy does it Beautiful low-maintenance gardens don’t need to be difficult to achieve. The Easy Gardening Handbook by Stephanie Jackson (New Holland Publishers, $35),…

HAVING TROUBLE SQUEEZING IN SHELVING? OPT FOR A BUILT-IN, PART WALL/ PART DISPLAY UNIT! 1 GO RETRO! Your collectibles will look less like scattered clutter if displayed en masse. Look for a bookcase with different size cubbies to accommodate the various shapes and heights of your pieces. Be brave – paint the backing material in hues of retro teal blue and orange. 2 DISPLAY AT PLAY Seek out unique ways to show-off your indoor plants. This timber slat storage solution will free up valuable floor space while offering a delightful visual display. Easy enough for a DIYer to emulate (even with a rounded shelf for heavier pots), mount it to your wall, then hook your plants to it. 3 DRESS TO IMPRESS Alleviate entrance clutter with a dedicated spot for…

BUDGET FRIENDLY IDEAS COOK'S TIP For an extra crunchy top, mix 2tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs with cheese before sprinkling over pasta prior to baking. Dried and fresh herbs add flavour on a budget for a hearty, filling dinner that will have everyone coming back for seconds... Recreate this market stall special at home! To make a meat-free option, simply omit the lamb mince. Raid the cupboard and the fruit bowl for a teatime treat that’s impossible to stop at just one piece! NO-BAKE CHOC ALMOND WEET-BIX SLICE Elevate arvo tea with a heavenly slice of roasted almonds and a double hit of choc! Photography James Moffatt, John Paul Urizar; styling Olivia Blackmore, Michele Cranston, Janelle Bloom; food preparation Kerrie Worner, Rebecca Lyall…

SEASON SPECIALS Enjoy the colours of summer. 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 (top left), alyssum, cleome, cyclamen, gypsophila, Iceland poppy, lupin, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, primula and verbena. ZONES 1-3 African marigold (bottom left), nasturtium, salvia and sunflower. ZONES 4-6 Cornflower, dianthus, everlasting daisy, hollyhock, statice and stock. VEGETA BLES ALL ZONES Beans (top left), beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, leek, radish, spring onion and zucchini. ZONES 1-3 Artichoke (globe), capsicum, celery, cucumber, eggplant, pumpkin, squash, sweet corn and tomato (bottom left). ZONES 4-6 Brussels sprout, parsnip and spinach. Photography Tony Fawcett, Adobe Stock, Getty Images The flower…

1 CHANNEL CROSSING Give your deck or fence posts some love by tying up a shell wreath with smart nautical ribbon. Fancy making your own? String together white cockle shells (with pre-drilled holes) and attach them to a heart-shaped wire form as you go. Heart-shaped cockle shell wreath, 30 x 30cm, from $28.48, buythesea.co.uk. For white cockle shells with holes and a heart wreath form, search etsy.com/au. 2 LIVING OUTSIDE Make like you’re living in the Med by making over your outdoor-living space with a laid-back scheme of coastalinspired patterns and a mix of blue tones. Decorate your seating area with striped, plain and patterned outdoor cushions, a weatherproof rug and hurricane lanterns. If seeking respite from the afternoon sun, weighted curtains hung from simple rods will provide much-needed shade…

PAIR YOUR MID-CENTURY SIDEBOARD WITH AN ABSTRACT WORK OF ART. Dust off Nana’s old dresser or sideboard, or bag a bargain doer-upper, because retro is back, baby! With a few tricks of the trade, restore your piece over a long weekend and bring it back to life. Sell it for extra cash, or keep it as your forever piece! And, once restored, your golden oldie will be good for another lifetime. EASY STEPS TO RESTORING A VINTAGE SIDEBOARD Gather your supplies • Krud Kutter spray • Mineral spirits • Paint stripper • Wood filling cement • Danish oil • Alcohol marker pens • Dixie Belle gel stain in American Honey • Wipe-on poly • Soft wax • Felt • Bronze acrylic mirrors (cut to size) • Magnetic LED light You’ll…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 BUDGET FRIENDLY IDEAS Gather your supplies • MDF panel 1200 x 900 x 12mm • Chalk-finish spray paint • Water-based clear varnish • 60mm mediumdensity foam cut to size • Wadding cut to size • Upholstery fabric of your choice • Decorative upholstery nails You’ll also need Small, old timber coffee table; degreaser spray; pen; cloth; 120-grit sandpaper; paintbrush; tape measure; combination square; pencil; circular saw; scissors; staple gun and staples; painter’s tape; ruler; hammer; drill; 40mm screws EASY STEPS TO UPCYCLE YOUR COFFEE TABLE Safety notes • When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. • Spray-paint your table in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside. Here’s how STEP 1 Clean coffee table with degreaser and damp…

1 HANG OUT Get into the swing of things with a hanging planter platform. Using a drill bit, make holes large enough to thread twine through, drill six equally spaced holes through a live-edge wood slice (try etsy.com/au for similar). Determine your hanging height, then double it and add about another 30cm. Cut three pieces of twine to this length. Thread twine through three of the drilled holes, leaving about 10cm below the slice; thread a wood bead onto the short end and knot. Thread other end of twine through opposite hole, add a bead and knot. Repeat with two remaining strands. Hang from an S hook, adjusting for height. Trim ends of twine. 2 CENTRE OF ATTENTION Light up your patio with stylish candleholders. Screw or glue together two…

Genius ways to save on travel From road trips and accommodation to insurance, here’s how to rein in your spending when you’re on holidays CONSIDER ANNUAL TRAVEL INSURANCE Planning on travelling more than once a year? Instead of buying travel insurance each time, consider purchasing annual coverage instead, it may end up cheaper. Generally, travel insurance is a must when you’re going overseas. Per smarttraveller.gov.au, “If you can’t afford insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” TRY ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION We all know about Stayz and Airbnb, but increasingly the prices (not to mention the cleaning up) make them less appealing. Why not consider staying above a pub in a country town, where there’s friendly hospitality, and a great pub meal? Or consider taking a look at the latest in hostels. YHA,…

HEEL PAIN OR PLANTAR FASCIITIS is the inflammation of the tissue in the foot used during walking and movement. It can be caused by the foot structure, types and overuse of walking surfaces and/or the type of shoes you wear. SWOLLEN FEET are common especially if you’ve been standing or walking a lot. However, if the swelling persists it could be an indication of a serious health concern, such as venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, or pregnancy complications. COLD FEET AND TOES is when your feet are at a lower temperature than the rest of your body. It can be a sign of poor circulation. NUMBNESS, TINGLING OR PAIN can be due to nerve damage. If you have diabetes, your chances of this increases, so it’s very important you address…

My Name Is Barbra “I WROTE THE BOOK TO TALK ABOUT THE MYTHS ABOUT ME” Barbra Streisand (Penguin Random House, $75) Barbra Streisand is a living legend, a woman who, in a career spanning six decades, has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winners and has one of the greatest and most recognisable voices in popular music. She has been nominated for a Grammy an astonishing 46 times. In My Name Is Barbra, she tells her life story, from growing up in Brooklyn, to her first appearances in New York nightclubs, to her breakout performance in Funny Girl, to her long string of successes in every medium. Uncle Paul Celia Fremlin (Allen & Unwin, $22.99) In a seaside…

Keeping your home clean and tidy can be a challenge when you’ve got pets running around drooling, shedding and sometimes having a potty accident. This daily cleaning routine will help keep your house sparkling and your furry friends happy! • Tackle pet messes immediately, as spills or accidents can become more difficult to remove over time. Pet-specific products are formulated to help get rid of stains and odours more effectively. • Regular grooming and bathing, especially of long-haired pets, will help remove dirt, loose hair and dander from your furry friend, and in turn keep your rugs and furniture clean. • Sweep or vacuum daily, particularly in high-traffic areas and under furniture. Lint rollers can work like a charm to remove pet hair from upholstery, clothing and furniture too. •…