Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

W hat does ‘ feeling good’ mean to you? Perhaps it centres in four key areas: enjoyment, vitality, connection and calm. Enjoyment – whether in experiences, indulgences, company or creativity, each person has their own loves. Inside this issue you’ll find secrets to styling your space to conjure uplifting moods (p32), how to create an abundant flower garden filled with your faves (p54), and fresh summer recipes packed with seasonal flavour (p22). Vitality, because sometimes it’s the hard work – going to the gym, weeding, organising, cleaning – that has the long term pay-off and can help grow your confidence. Don’t worry, we’ve put in the effort to make it more fun for you. Set up a simple but inspiring home gym (p120) and enjoy tasty healthier meal options with…

THAI GREEN CURRY VEGETABLE AND NOODLE FRITTERS Preparation time 40 mins Cooking time 50 mins Makes 16 60g vermicelli noodles 200g orange sweet potato, grated 1 small zucchini, grated 1 small red capsicum, fifinely chopped 100g broccoli, fifinely chopped 50g baby spinach, chopped 1 cup frozen peas 2 long green onions, fifinely chopped 1 cup self-raising flflour Sea-salt flflakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 2/3 cup (165ml) coconut milk 1/4 cup Thai green curry paste 2 free-range eggs Vegetable oil, for shallow frying Coriander sprigs, to serve DIPPING SAUCE 1/3 cup sweet chilli sauce 2 Tbsp lime juice, plus wedges to serve 2 Tbsp water 1 long red chilli, thinly sliced STEP 1 Place noodles in a small heatproof bowl. Pour over enough boiling water to cover. Set…

1. SHINE A LIGHT Neale Whitaker believes in maximising natural light, but thoughtful lighting choices make all the difference as the day winds down. “I always envisage how even the most light-flooded space will function at night,” says Neale. “My northern hemisphere DNA responds most effectively to mood lighting,” he explains. Consider introducing warm, soft lighting from table or floor lamps in your space to set a more reflective mood. 2. INTEGRATE As for the colour of walls, art or furnishings, it’s about softness and subtlety. “I would use gentle colours… not necessarily neutrals, but I would avoid bold, primary colours,” says Neale. “Take colour cues from the surrounding landscape,” he advises. Neale has seen this work in practice and it can result in a peaceful, welcoming space, he says.…

With his renowned reputation in the hospitality world, chef and restaurateur Matt Moran AM (Member of the Order of Australia), is synonymous with food. But what many people don’t associate with him is his rich farming history, and down-to-earth passion for gardening. I hit the road to meet Matt, heading three hours west of Sydney to a little town past Bathurst called Rockley. Matt owns the local Rockley pub and spends a few days every second week living and working on his nearby farm. Something happens to Matt when he makes the trek out here. “I will always be a chef, love food and own restaurants. But I’ve been drawn back here,” he tells me. “A lot of people say when I come through the gates, I’m a different person.…

Urban farms are cropping up everywhere, as residential land sizes diminish or disappear with the move to apartment living. In the more than 700 community gardens across Australia, about 20,000 participants each week tend these green patches. They’re there to grow fresh produce, as well as to learn, relax and make new friends. SHARING THE BOUNTY The concept of community gardens goes back more than 100 years when allotments were provided in Europe to people whose homes didn’t come with garden areas. Each allotment was tended by one gardener or family. In Australia, the concept has been broadened, with chores and harvests shared among members. And that sharing goes beyond the gardeners. In many community patches, it extends to leaving excess produce at the gate for passers-by to enjoy. In…

Your vibe may be poolside or beachside, but any summer chill zone benefits from having a comfy cushion on hand. Cushions and seat pads are fun and easy to make with endless options to suit your slice of paradise! Towels make the perfect cushion cover for waterside days – absorbent, soft and simple to wash and dry. Pop a post-swim wet towel into the cover for a clever way to cool down, too. HOW TO MAKE QUICK AND SIMPLE BEACH CUSHIONS 1 PLACEMAT SEAT PAD Great for picnic hangs or as a pad for a bistro set, sew together two round placemats with a seat pad filler. Create a tuft with a contrasting button. Sew it by hand with an upholstery needle and yarn. 2 JUTE CHAIR PAD Elevate a…

PB&J SMOOTHIE Preparation time 10 mins Makes 2 2 cups banana (2 large), sliced and frozen (see Cook’s Tip on p90) ¼ cup natural peanut butter ½ to 1 cup reduced-fat milk or any milk 1 cup low-fat vanilla Greek-style yoghurt 2 to 3 Tbsp strawberry or raspberry jam Fresh grapes, to serve STEP 1 To make the peanut butter mixture, in a blender, combine banana, peanut butter and ½ cup milk. Cover and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides and adding additional milk as needed. STEP 2 In a medium bowl, whisk together yoghurt and jam. Add additional jam, as needed, for flavour. STEP 3 If you like, smear or drizzle additional peanut butter and/or jam on the inside of two glasses. Divide the peanut butter mixture…

The Lunar New Year on January 29 marks the transition from the year of the celestial dragon to the year of the snake. In Chinese tradition, the snake symbolises wisdom, charm, elegance and agility. It’s an auspicious fifigure promising major change and good luck. INVITE HAPPY TIMES There are things you can do in your home to welcome this abundant year. By using feng shui principles, your personal spaces can become beacons for positive energy. DESIGN FOR FLOW “Feng shui is the art of designing spaces to create the optimal flow of energy,” says Jane Langof, a multiaward-winning feng shui master and designer, the founder of Feng Shui Concepts and author of Feng Shui: A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance. By combining feng shui principles with modern design concepts, she creates…

SCAN ME Scan the code to shop these great reads. TOP READ THE CICADA HOUSE Ella Ward (HarperCollins, $32.99) When an Englishwoman falls into a huge chunk of money and her marriage ends, there’s nothing left but to set sail on her own adventure. Travelling to Australia, Caitlin embarks on a romantic journey, finding love for herself and a couple of others along the way. Although her beach rental has an outdoor dunny, and the loud beat of cicadas at all times of the day, she soon settles in for a summer holiday. This debut novel by Melbourne writer Ella Ward has a little bit of something for every kind of reader – adventuring to a new world, heartfelt conversations and a tiny amount of ghostliness. It was one of…

SEASON SPECIALS When the heat’s turned on, natives are happiest! Feathered friend From the desert, mulla mulla (Ptilotus spp) now grows in coastal gardens. Tiny but mighty Sun-loving fan flowers (Scaevola spp) bloom non-stop in summer. Seaside charmer Coastal rosemary (Westringia spp) is fast-growing and hardy. 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, alyssum, cleome (top left), cyclamen, Iceland poppy, lobelia, nigella and polyanthus. ZONES 1–3 African marigold, celosia, coleus, gerbera, nasturtium, salvia and sunflower. ZONES 4–6 Dianthus, everlasting daisy, hollyhock (bottom left), stock and sweetpea. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, spring onion and zucchini.…

HONEY SOY GARLIC CHICKEN NOODLE SALAD Recipe on page 142 CREAMY CAESAR-INSPIRED BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD Recipe on page 142 ONE-PAN GREEK CHICKEN AND RICE Recipe on page 145 EVERYDAY EATS by Jasmin Weston, published by Plum, RRP $39.99, photography by Ben Dearnley. You may recognise Jasmin Weston from her incredibly successful TikTok and Instagram pages. Her cookbook, Everyday Eats, published by Plum, is the book Jasmin “wished existed” when she was learning how to elevate her cooking at home. One of Jasmin’s key themes is the importance of mise en place when cooking. A culinary term that essentially means “putting in place”, Jasmin explains that prepping ingredients before cooking is integral to success when learning to cook. “By preparing all of your ingredients and utensils prior to cooking you’re going…

keep on top of It Use baskets to organise hats, water bottles and pet gear. Excess shoes, outerwear and accessories can build up easily, so store out-of-season items away in bedrooms. FIRST THINGS FIRST The hallway is a hub of activity as everyone goes in and out. Here’s how to enter your home on a high. TIPS FOR TIDYING UP YOUR ENTRYWAY • Play hide and seek. Mix open shelves and mesh baskets – for things you need to see and grab quickly – with solid boxes and baskets for anything you prefer to keep out of sight. • Divide and conquer clutter – add smaller containers or dividers cut from MDF panels to crates and baskets so it’s easier to find smaller items. • Mount hooks on the wall…

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Win your rent or mortgage paid for a year! Turn to page 137 to go in the draw to win an amazing prize worth $46,000! SCAN ME Scan this QR code to shop these items. 1 Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil, $125 for 250ml, from Myer. When it comes to decompressing, nothing makes my muscles switch off better than a hot bath. Add to that bath the intoxicating scent of fresh garden roses, replicated almost criminally well by Jo Malone, and you have yourself a date with relaxation. 2 Heritage Luxury Feather and Down Topper, from $249.95 , from Myer. I’m not exaggerating when I say this mattress topper changed my life. It’s insanely comfortable, like hopping onto a cloud. Think of the most luxurious, cosy, warm-hug-like hotel bed…

STICKY SALMON SALAD BOWLS WITH CUCUMBER MINT SALSA Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 15 mins Serves 4 1 red onion, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp red-wine vinegar Sea-salt flflakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season ¼ cup honey 1 Tbsp lime juice 1 long red chilli, seeded and roughly chopped 1 clove garlic 2 tsp smoked paprika 4 x 150g skinless salmon fifillets 250g punnet baby cucumbers, quartered lengthways ½ cup mint leaves, chopped, plus extra to serve 1 cup coriander leaves, chopped, plus extra to serve 2 Tbsp lime juice, extra 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 baby gem lettuce, leaves separated and torn 450g packet microwave brown rice ⅓ cup roasted unsalted cashews STEP 1 Thinly slice onion into rounds. Place in a small bowl with…

1. SOFT & SPACIOUS “To me, a calm design is carefully considered,” says designer Kate Nixon. “It feels spacious, no matter the size, combining a new spirit and old soul through art and furniture selections. It’s softened through fabrics and soft furnishings.” 2. PERSONALITY Neale Whitaker agrees. “We tend to think of calm rooms as neutral, sparse and light-filled, but to be honest, any space without personality makes me anxious! I find my personal calm in rooms full of life and visual interest.” 3. A NOD TO NOSTALGIA  Calmness can come from being in familiar surroundings. Consider filling your space with a scent or scents that remind you of safe and happy places, people and times. Display personal items or nostalgic references. The key to a successful calm interior is…

If you want to know the real me, you have to meet me in my garden,” says Hala Kurdi Cozadd. And it’s easy to understand why: her plot is a living scrapbook of her life, filled with flowers and other plants reflecting the people and places that mean the most to her. The daughter of diplomats, Hala was born in Jordan. During her younger years, the family moved across nations to Germany, Saudi Arabia, Washington, D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area, where she now lives with her husband, Bruce, and their blended family. Hala remembers that as a child she was given basil seeds, which she planted. When the plants flourished, her identity as a gardener took root. As she and her family moved countries, she started a new…

Kevin Heinze (1928-2008) was one of Australia’s pioneering gardening presenters. He appeared on TV from the 1960s through to the late 1980s, hosting ABC program Sow What, and was on ABC Radio in Melbourne until 2004. His gardening and work with the community made Kevin famous, and the Kevin Heinze GROW organisation continues his legacy. We spoke with Patrick Wain, its therapeutic horticulturecoordinator, to find out about the benefits therapeutic horticulture programs bring. Patrick used to be a mechanical engineer working in building services consulting. But wanting more fulfilment, he went on to study horticulture and disability support. “I also have a disability myself,” he adds. “I felt this personal connection to it.” During his work, Kevin Heinze had encountered therapeutic gardens in the UK, but he saw that they…

1 PLAN, PLAN, PLAN To live through a remodel successfully, you need to be prepared for it. Lists, spreadsheets and apps can all help you keep track of budgets and plans. 2 ORDER AHEAD OF TIME If you’re renovating a utility room, select your fixtures beforehand. That way, you won’t be left with rooms out of use for longer than they need to be. off, lean on your gym membership and make use of its shower facilities. 4 MAKE PEACE WITH DUST Close doors, use layers of drop sheets to screen off different parts of the house and tape up AC vents. Once your contractors have gone home, use a water-filled spray bottle to wet surfaces before sweeping or dusting to prevent dust from becoming airborne. parties agree the job…

Herbs can take meals from middle-of-the-road to marvellous. Many can also help support your body and healthy lifestyle. Just as your parents urged you as a child to “eat your greens” because they contain the vitamins and minerals essential for good health, herbal concoctions can help ease your mind, support healing of superficial injuries and foster glowing skin! AGELESS AND TIMELESS Herbal remedies have been around for millennia and, according to the World Health Organisation, about 40 per cent of modern drugs are derived from traditionally used plant materials. For example, the basis for aspirin, the most commonly used drug in the world, is willow tree bark. This was used by the Egyptians more than 3000 years ago to relieve pain and as an antiinflammatory; 1000 years later, the ancient…

Milton’s tips for Pisces season (February 20 to March 20) Neptune (imagination-intuitive) rules Pisces, therefore its intangible qualities in relationship to colour in the garden are varied and not always positive or clear cut. Pisces gardens can f low and connect with colours of lilac, mauve, lavender and that ethereal shade of jacaranda. Spruce up your garden with a combination of hydrangeas, leadwort for ground cover, dianthus, and clematis. By next spring, it’s guaranteed your garden will put on a wonderful show. Pisces enjoy salads, so for greater enjoyment mix a separate bowl of finely sliced red onion, cucumber and fresh garden tomatoes mixed with red wine vinegar. It makes a great combination side dish. ZODIAC SIGNS The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into four groups – fire,…

SALMON POKE BOWL Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 10 mins Serves 1 ¼ cup frozen edamame, thawed, peeled 2 tsp soy sauce 2 tsp rice wine vinegar 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil ½ tsp honey 1 small garlic clove, crushed ½ tsp sesame oil Freshly ground black pepper, to season 125g salmon fillet, cut into cubes ½ sheet nori seaweed 1 cup shredded wombok ¼ avocado, sliced ¼ mango, seeded, thinly sliced Toasted sesame seeds, coriander sprigs, Japanese mayonnaise, pickled pink ginger, to serve STEP 1 Place edamame in a small saucepan. Cover with water and bring to the boil on high heat. Cook for 2 minutes or until heated through. Refresh under cold water. Drain. STEP 2 In a medium jug, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, olive…

GET YOUR BUCKS IN A ROW How to develop a healthy relationship with money. START SOME GOOD HABITS It’s still early in the year, so it’s a good time to take your first steps to healthier money habits. Begin by setting a budget and plan to regularly monitor your income and expenses. Start small and don’t be too hard on yourself. If you’ve had a splurge, just try to taper back. Remember, little steps can make a huge impact in the long run. TAKING CARE Money can affect every aspect of our lives, including and especially our mental health, says Aja Evans, a certified therapist and author of Feel-Good Finance (BenBella Books, $40). One of her top tips is to make a date to examine your finances. “Taking care of…

IT’S CURTAINS! • Close curtains and blinds, especially on north-facing windows. Block-out curtains work wonders, keeping the sun’s rays out and the temperature manageable. • Cool a room with wet curtains! As air blows through the wet fabric, the water evaporates, cooling the air that comes into the room. The Better Renting group says “It’s an old-school method that’s surprisingly effective.” JUST ADD WATER • Dampen and chill towels in the fridge. They’re ready to apply to your neck, forehead and pressure points when the temperature is high! • A fine mist can provide instant relief on your patio to keep you and your pets comfortable (and tropical plants happy in the humidity). You could try out Hoselink’s Total Misting Package, $103.50. EASY BREEZY • DIY aircon is (sort of)…

Tail-wagging training tricks The power of positive reinforcement. Teaching your dog good manners is fun when you use positive reinforcement training. You reward desirable behaviour with treats, toys, praise or affection, encouraging your pet to repeat them. When your dog sits on command, for example, you reward them with a treat. Over time, they associate sitting with something good happening – and voila! You’ve created a behaviour you can rely on. Using positive reinforcement can also boost pets’ confidence. It creates a safe learning environment where they feel encouraged, not punished. It’s particularly useful for shy or anxious dogs, and can help them grow into a happy, well-balanced hound. NOT ONLY FOR DOGGIES Rewards-based training taps into a dog’s natural desire to please. The wag in their tail, along with…

1. MORE IS MORE “For me, it’s instinctive – art and beauty have always been a source of happiness and joy,” says pattern and product designer Silvana Azzi Heras. “I surround myself with art, and photographs on the walls, ceramics, textured patterns on wallpaper, cushions and rugs. I find that my environment deeply influences my mood and creativity.” 2. PRETTY PATTERNS “Whether it’s a large-scale pattern that allows the design to breathe, or a smaller repeat that creates a subtle, symmetrical blur, the size and placement of the pattern can really impact how it’s perceived,” Silvana explains. “I love how a pattern can transform a space and elicit a reaction.” Bringing oversized daring patterns into rugs and carpets can deliver an element of surprise with joyful results. If you’re nervous…

1. DYNAMISM For interior designer Nic Kaiko, some key sources of inspiration include selecting interesting artwork. “It doesn’t need to be expensive, just stimulating.” He also advises on making thoughtful lighting choices. A mix of ambient and practical lighting can create visual depth. 2. CONNECTION “It’s also about fostering meaningful interactions,” Nic says. “Whether it’s creating a quiet nook, such as a cosy lounge, or designing areas for connection, like a hightop table or a banquette in the kitchen.” 3. CURATE CURIOSITY Decorating spaces that inspire us often involves introducing an element of curiosity into the design, especially when it comes to kids’ rooms. “Children’s rooms should be magical, full of joy and whimsy. We love to use colour and pattern through fabrics and wallpaper,” explains Kate Nixon. Creating an…

California-based landscape designer Leslie Bennett excels at creating beautiful cutting gardens and mixed beds of ornamentals and edibles. “Since a cutting flower bed is intended for productive use, it can end up looking haphazard,” she says. “But with some planning, you can ensure that it looks good most of the year.” Her book Wonderland Garden (Ten Speed Press, $55) is filled with images of lush landscapes, but it also comes with tried-and-true guidance and practical advice. Here are four of her tips to try. 1 Create a framework Use evergreen plants as bed edgers or borders. Great choices for in-ground beds include dwarf box, germanders, hellebores and heuchera. Along the inside edge of raised beds, try dusty miller, pinks, strawberries, low-growing pincushion flowers or scented geraniums. 2 Choose a colour…

Hammocks are the summer fave as a perfect spot to lounge, read and just enjoy the outdoors. Some gentle swaying in a hammock could be the me-time you need during the hot and sometimes hectic summer months. You can rig one up between trees or hang it across the poles in your pergola. Pop a cushion behind your head and enjoy an hour of bliss. EASY STEPS TO MAKING A HAMMOCK Here’s how STEP 1 Use a tape measure, fabric marker and scissors to measure, mark and cut the medium-weight fusible interfacing to the same size as your quilt cover (about 210 x 140cm). STEP 2 Insert interfacing into the quilt cover so the adhesive side is flat and faces the back of the patterned side. Set iron to hot…

YOUR GUT HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL TO YOUR OVERALL WELLBEING, SO THE BETTER YOU NURTURE AND MAINTAIN YOUR GUT, THE BETTER YOU’LL FEEL ALL ROUND. If you asked someone what’s keeping them healthy, it’s unlikely they’d say “my guts”. But you’d be amazed how important your digestive system – and the roughly 100 trillion microbes that live there – is for your everyday wellbeing. Those trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms, known as your gut microbiome, break down many of the proteins, fats and carbohydrates you eat into nutrients that your body can absorb. They produce B group vitamins, vitamin K and antiinflammatory compounds. They also communicate with cells throughout your body, producing chemicals that influence your body’s immune system and even your mental wellbeing. “Your gut is the cornerstone of…

Fancy a personalised gym right outside your back door? You’ve got it! There’s much anecdotal chatter that gardening makes you fit and happy. Now that optimism is backed with scientific proof. SUPER SOIL Kids do it, puppies do it, but as adults we avoid getting soil on our skin and pull on our gardening gloves. Now scientists at Bristol University and University College London in the UK have found it’s good to get down and dirty. Researchers discovered that beneficial soil bacteria trigger the release of serotonin in the brain, which has a positive impact on your mood. Earlier findings linked childhood exposure to this bacteria as improving children’s protection against allergies and asthma. So those kids and pups may be wiser than you thought! However, wear gloves if you…

SHOP NOW OFF THE SHELF GET WICKING Avoid the fuss of making your own wicking bed with this readyto-assemble Foodcube planter. At 115cm square and 50cm high, with a 110-litre water reservoir and 330-litre soil capacity, it’s $475. A coupling and install kit is $10. Scan the code to shop now. HOT IN PINK Dianthus takes on a vibrant lustre with ‘Pink Eclipse’. Flowering from summer to autumn with large, fragrant blooms, this beauty transforms from deep pink to lighter pink. Needing little more than a cutback after flowering, it’s perfect in large pots, getting to 25-30cm wide and 25cm high. It’s released through Plants Management Australia. Go to pma.com.au for stockists. INSIDE INFO Plant perfection This is one of the best plant reference books in years! Former Melbourne nursery…

PREMIUM BLEND Create dips, fab smoothies and more in the Vitamix Ascent A3500i Gold Label High Performance Blender, $1699, kitchenwarehouse. com.au NICY POLES! Load up the freezer with your own fruity icy poles. Fill icy-pole moulds two-thirds full with sliced seasonal fruit (such as blueberries, strawberries and mango) and mint leaves, then top with apple juice. Insert the icy-pole sticks and freeze for eight hours or overnight. Tang and chic Add a vibrant pop of colour to your kitchen with a Bespoke Letterpress x Eliza Koch pure linen tea towel in Citrus print. Functional and stylish, this tea towel is highly absorbent, quick drying, and $32.95 from bespokepress.com.au SCAN ME Scan this QR code to shop these items. SUPER STRAP Grab an easy snack that’s good for you, too! Made…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Adairs adairs.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Country Road countryroad.com.au IKEA ikea.com/au Kmart kmart.com.au Pillow Talk pillowtalk.com.au Rebel Sport rebelsport.com.au Seed Heritage seedheritage.com Spotlight spotlightstores.com SWAY MY WAY, (page 76) Project supplies Bunnings Taskmaster 6mmx40mm 316 stainless steel round rings, $5.97 (four pack). Crafted 6mmx50 metres macrame cord in natural, $12.50. GRUNT 6mmx20 metres cotton sash cord, $10.75. Kmart Maya reversible quilt cover set – single bed, $16. Spotlight Shape To Create non-woven iron-on interfacing (90cm wide), $5 per metre. Tribeca deep pleat curtain heading tape in white (90mm deep), $5.50 per metre. Gütermann Extra Strong Thread 169, 100 metres, $13. Shopping details Adairs Jute beach bag in natural and cream, $69.99. Country Road Vivi tumbler in faded amber, $34.95 for set of two. Kmart Crochet bucket hat, $10. Metal…