Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

Welcome to our firstever Cosy issue. It’s a celebration of warmth, comfort and the little rituals that help us slow down and feel at home. Cosiness means different things to different people. For some, it’s a crackling fire or a steaming mug in hand. For others, it’s connection – with loved ones, neighbours, pets or simply with yourself. In this issue, we explore the idea of comfort in many forms: from sleep health and warming meals to caring for your community and creating a haven at home. For me, cosiness is the peace and cocoon-like warmth of a Sunday morning tucked in bed, when the world pauses long enough for a few extra presses of the snooze button. It’s warm clothes fresh from the dryer, or the first sip of…

NATASHA WEBER Astrologer You may recognise astrologer Natasha Weber from her spots on Seven’s The Morning Show and in Marie Claire Australia. On page 154, she shares some cosmic wisdom about the moon’s mysterious influence on when and how we sleep (or dream)! MELODY LORD Crafter Melody Lord is a book editor, wordsmith, knitting book author and lifelong crafter. She was thrilled to combine her hobbies and professional skills to create a clever dog jumper for this issue (see page 114). Melody is also preserving craft history in her work with the National Library of Australia, reviving vintage knits and crochet using patterns from online archive Trove. “For this issue I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out how to upcycle a snuggly op-shop jumper to make a vest for Arnie.…

Gardens are no longer separate from our homes. They’ve become extensions of our indoor rooms, allowing us to connect more easily with nature. This doesn’t have to stop when the chill sets in. We cook, eat, entertain, relax or meditate outside when the weather’s warm, and with outdoor heating we can maintain these indulgences in winter. Outdoor heating lets you effortlessly blend the comforts of indoors with the freshness of the outdoors. Whether it’s a simple firepit, an elegant chiminea or, in the latest trend, a full-blown fireplace with chimney, fuelled with wood or gas, the quest for fresh air becomes a simple step over the threshold. Safety considerations Follow these tips to safeguard your home and your loved ones when using outdoor heating equipment. Timber-fuelled FIREPITS • Place on…

BRILLIANT BRITTLE Made with salted-butter caramel brittle and roasted peanuts, Whittaker’s latest variety is the new addictive addition to your chocolate; $8.50 from Coles and Woolworths. BLOOD RELATIVES Blood oranges have a short (but delicious) season from early August to October. Smaller than other oranges, they have a subtle raspberry flavour. Choose firm-skinned fruit that feel heavy and smell fragrant. CUP OF CALM Including a hot cuppa in your nighttime routine can help with drifting off. Pukka Night Time tea bags are caffeine-free and contain oat flower, lavender and limeflower for a bedside brew; $8.50 for a 20-pack at Coles and Woolworths. FEEL-GOOD FIZZ Zero-alcohol Kakadu Kitchen x OzHarvest Conscious Drink is crafted from rescued blueberries and wild-harvested native botanicals, ethically sourced from First Nations-owned companies; 750ml, $30, shop.ozharvest.org. ULTIMATE…

Turn to page 150 to learn about plants that help you to sleep. Outdoors, your garden has gone to bed – nothing much to see here. Take a similar turn and head to your own bedroom, but then change the story to establish an indoor garden. Strategically placed architectural statement plants, striking foliage and dreamy drops of trailing stems will make a bedroom your green retreat. Tucked away from the office, the children and the chores, make it a place where you can curl up under a blanket and dream of spring. BE THEY RATTAN, WICKER, BAMBOO OR SEAGRASS, NATURAL FIBRES MAKE GREAT POT COVERS FOR YOUR PLANTS. Quality bedding for your plants Indoor plants thrive in quality potting mix made from ingredients such as bark, peat moss, coir, perlite,…

chic Want the modern take on cosy? Then layer on a mix of toe-tempting textures and snuggly cushions. On-trend earthy tones connect you with nature and bring a grounded warmth to a room. TOP STYLING TIPS 1. Get earthy Colour walls in earthy shades of terracotta, soft mustard or mellow brown to enjoy a calming, cosy space the whole year through. 2. Add warm timber Timbers in finishes from light honey to rich brown add a beautiful glow. Avoid white or almost black tones, as these feel cooler. 3. Pile up comfort Think layers and clusters: layers of throws and cushions, and clusters of books, vases and candles. These immediately give the room a fuller, more homey look. 4. Tip on the texture Choose woven elements to add visual interest…

HOW DOGS LEAD THE WAY Each year, International Assistance Dog Week (August 3–9, 2025) celebrates extraordinary service dogs and their trainers. Take Kirsch the golden retriever, who earned an honorary counselling degree at John Hopkins University after attending every class with his visually impaired owner, Carlos Mora. Or Orient the German shepherd, who led his human Bill Irwin through a 3000km-plus trek along the United States’ Appalachian Trail in 1990, making Bill the first profoundly blind person to complete an unsupported hike of the track. From guiding their handlers through classrooms to achieving personal goals, assistance dogs bring independence and joy to people’s lives. This August, we pay special tribute to the devoted dogs and trainers of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for turning pups into everyday superheroes. To find out how…

In our fast-paced, always-on world, a good night’s sleep is more precious than ever. While technology and stress often conspire to rob us of rest, nature offers gentle, time-honoured remedies that can help us drift off peacefully. Certain botanicals can transform our bedrooms into restful sanctuaries. Whether it’s the calming scent of lavender or the soothing ritual of a bedtime herbal tea, embracing the power of plants can help you sleep more deeply and wake up refreshed. Hit the lavender snooze button The heavenly scent of lavender is traditionally used in aromatherapy to reduce stress levels and relax your mind into sleep mode. A study published in the journal Chronobiology International found it increases the “percentage of deep or slow-wave sleep” and decreases rapid-eye movement sleep. It concludes that “lavender…

SEASON SPECIALS Cooler weather brings out some very cool flowers. Pretty pop-up The shade-loving native violet looks vibrant in winter. Colour splash Polyanthus gives your winter garden colour and a bit of cheek! Potted power Brighten up your indoors or a balcony with a zygocactus in a pot. 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 Aster, honesty, tuberous begonia, petunia and rudbeckia (top left). ZONES 1–3 Ageratum, arctotis, bedding begonia, Californian poppy, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, gazania, gerbera, African marigold, phlox, portulaca (bottom left), salvia, sunflower and zinnia. ZONES 4–6 Statice and delphinium. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, mustard (top…

SCAN ME Scan the code for smart ways to stay warm. Genius ways to cut your power bill How to keep energy costs down and your cosiness levels up. AVOID PAYING A LOYALTY TAX You’ve probably noticed power providers offer great deals to lure in new customers, but that the price goes up after you’re with them for a while. So, switch! It’s actually easy to change providers and take advantage of a good offer. Of course, check your current plan first to see if any exit fees apply. The government’s Energy Made Easy website can help. It compares offers from different companies so you can choose the best plan for you. Grab a recent bill and try it out. It only takes three minutes. Go to energymadeeasy.gov.au. CHECK YOUR…

9 Supercross This giant crossword is sure to give your vocabulary a thorough workout. ACROSS 1 Marionette (6) 4 Thread, filament (5) 8 Dizzy (5) 11 NYC transit system (6) 13 Picture (5) 14 Labyrinth (4) 16 Driver, House of Gucci star (4) 18 Remain upright (5) 19 Cancel (5)  20 Long-eared hound (6)  21 Fencing sword (4)  22 Greasy (4)  23 Over there (6)  27 Planks (6)  30 Shapely fruit (4)  32 Worry (4)  34 David ---, former vice-captain of the Australian national cricket team (6)  37 Pig’s nose (5)  39 Placid, serene (4)  40 Prisoner’s room (4)  41 Genuflected (5)  42 Muggy (5)  43 Feed on grass, as sheep and cattle do (5)  44 Manual organ (4)  45 Free from danger (4) 46 Shake the shoulders as a…

1 Beeswax Candle Making Workshop 11–12 JULY | WOOLGOOLGA, NSW TICKETS FROM $101 Learn the art of candle making at the Woopi Bee Shed in Woolgoolga. You’ll go from hive to final creation in one three-hour morning session. At day’s end, you’ll have a suite of candles to burn when the sun sets early. 2 Winter Mug Making Class with Mulled Wine JULY–AUGUST, SATURDAYS | SOUTH FREMANTLE, WA | TICKETS FROM $119 Turn nature’s shapes into your own art with a winter mug-making class. Collect your favourite leaves and flowers and create imprints in your very own mug. You’ll get a glass of mulled wine and extra nibbles to keep the creative juices flowing! (Mugs are fired and ready to collect in four weeks.) 3 Festival of Voices JUNE 27–JULY…

Swissmar Biel Fondue 11-piece set in Copper, from Kitchen Warehouse, $289. Throw back to retro with this classic table centrepiece, perfect for winter weather. Be it cheese or chocolate, I think fondue is set to have a comeback. Nora bedroom chair, from Harvey Norman, $599. The textured boucle fabric on this cushioned armchair makes it the ideal reading spot. Pom Pom sherpa-lined crew socks, from Target, $12. A cosy Sunday with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book never looked so good, especially when you’ve slipped into these super-soft socks. Complete the picture with a heated throw (find the perfect fit on page 46). Ugg Classic Mini Boots (water resistant), from The Iconic, $145. When the mercury drops, you need to cover your extremities. A slide-on slipper just…

Letter of the month I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading about Sarah Murphy’s journey to creating what my father has officially dubbed “the best cake ever”, in the June issue. The recipe was multilayered but explained so well. It turned out just like the cover! I made the Easy ‘Iced VoVo’ Pie for my daughter Rose’s 8th birthday. We brought it with us to our local RSL for dinner with cousins, aunties and uncles. Because there were 13 of us, I made double and it still turned out perfectly. I was pretty chuffed to see that the RSL staff put the cakes on display in the dessert cake cabinet. They looked very professional alongside their fancy cheesecakes and mud cakes. We were worried we would come…

You’re in the depths of winter, you only want to stay indoors, snuggled under a blanket in front of a heater. All the while your garden is calling you: “Help! Winter weeds are taking over.” You may be more enticed to go out into the cold if you put in plants that produce brilliant red and hot pink flowers. These blooms visually emanate warmth, energy and excitement. Red is a ‘hot’ colour, while hot pink, because its red intensity is diluted, is ‘warm’. Both colours invoke passion, so make your blood boil this winter – in the best way possible! Cyclamen You don’t get butterflies in winter – unless you plant cyclamens. Rising above thick, marbled leaves, these fragrant blooms flutter in glowing reds, hot pinks and sultry purples. Cyclamens…

SMOKY BEETROOT AND POTATO SOUP Start with all the things you love about a tasty potato soup, then add beetroot and chipotle for a gorgeous colour and an earthy flavour. Top with a swirl of sour cream, chives and crispy bacon to make this soup a real masterpiece. Recipe on page 72 COCONUT-CURRY PUMPKIN SOUP This curried pumpkin soup brings together Thai-inspired flavours with nourishing whole ingredients. Red lentils and coconut milk provide the velvety texture and lime juice adds a bright finish. Creamy, spicy and deeply comforting, it’s a soul-soothing bowl of goodness. Recipe on page 72 “FLAVOUR-PACKED TOPPERS TASTE AND LOOK GREAT. THEY REALLY ELEVATE A SOUP.” CREAMY ROASTED CAPSICUM AND TOMATO SOUP Finished with a pan-fried capsicum garnish and a sprinkle of fresh basil, this rich tomato…

The light in bedrooms tends to be lower than the living areas of your home, although a window is often an avenue for light. A dim corner can also be perfect for a shade-loving plant! Find out what aspect you’re working with, then choose from these fabulous plants. FULL SUN (NORTH ASPECT) Fiddle-leaf fig, bird of paradise MORNING SUN (EAST ASPECT) Mosaic plant, croton, fatsia, striped dracaena BRIGHT INDIRECT LIGHT (NEAR A WINDOW BUT NOT IN FRONT OF IT) Split-leaf philodendron, parlour palm, snake plant, elephant ear LOW LIGHT English ivy, heart-leaf philodendron, pothos, golden pothos, peace lily, peperomia, Dracaena fragrans ‘Limelight’, pilea, Swiss cheese plant FULL SHADE (SOUTH ASPECT) Maidenhair fern (although it also copes with low or indirect light) CREATE CHARACTER USING A TIN TUB AS A COVER…

MOCHA CROISSANT PUDDING Preparation time 15 mins Total time 1 hour 15 mins Serves 10 Thermomix models TM7/TM6/TM5/TM31 20g butter, plus extra to grease 80g sultanas 60g coffee or liqueur of choice 180g dark chocolate, broken into pieces 100g hazelnut chocolate spread 8 croissants (about 380g) 75g caster sugar 4 eggs 240g milk 240g pouring (whipping) cream 2 tsp vanilla bean extract 2 tsp icing sugar, sifted, to dust KITCHEN EXTRAS Round ceramic baking dish (22cm x 8.5cm deep) STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C (fanforced). Grease a 22cm round, 8.5cm deep ceramic baking dish and set aside. STEP 2 Place a bowl onto the mixing bowl lid and weigh sultanas and coffee or liqueur of choice into it. Set aside for 10 minutes for sultanas to soak. STEP 3…

Is the moon stealing your slumber? You’re snuggled up in bed with the doona pulled to your chin and your phone on silent, sipping a warm cup of chamomile tea. It’s the perfect set-up for a good night’s sleep, but instead of drifting off into dreamland, you find yourself tossing and turning, and your mind racing. Or maybe you manage to doze off, only to wake in the middle of the night, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall back to that blissful slumber. Stress? Hormones? Too much screen time? Possibly. But another factor might be at play: the moon, glowing luminously outside your window, especially noticeable on those restless nights. If you’ve ever suspected that the lunar phases seem to meddle with your sleep patterns, you’re not alone. Many…

Editor Megan Osborne Creative director Scott Cassidy Chief sub-editor Jo McKinnon Digital editor Tahni Mesann Design director Monique Larracy Senior designer Carol Tang Garden editor Jenny Dillon Senior food editor Sarah Murphy DIY editor Tiff Bancroft Stylist Nonci Nyoni Senior content producers Jade Coull, Rachel Iorfino Editorial & production assistant Jada Susas Enquiries (02) 9282 8000 REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Beauty editor Annie Millar In your garden Tony Fawcett Moon guide Milton Black Better pets Caroline Zambrano  Better finance Andrea Black  Better books & experiences Rachel Iorfino ADVERTISING  Head of commercial, home & lifestyle Rhyl Heavener  Advertising enquiries (02) 9282 8000, advertising@aremedia.com.au TELEVISION  Host Johanna Griggs  Presenters: Pets Dr Harry Cooper  Gardening Graham Ross, Melissa King  DIY Adam Dovile  Food Colin Fassnidge, Clarissa Feildel  Landscaping Charlie Albone  Decorating Juliet Love  Executive producer…

ROASTED PUMPKIN FAMILY QUICHE Preparation time 30 mins plus resting Cooking time 1 hour 45 mins Serves 6–8 550g Kent pumpkin, cut into 3cm pieces 1 red onion, cut into wedges ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 60g baby spinach leaves, chopped 300g tub marinated feta, drained and coarsely crumbled 8 free-range eggs, lightly whisked ¾ cup thickened cream ½ cup milk ¼ cup finely grated parmesan Mixed salad leaves and basil, to serve SHORTCRUST PASTRY 2 cups plain flour 225g chilled unsalted butter, chopped 1 free-range egg 1 egg yolk (from free-range egg) 1–1½ Tbsp iced water STEP 1 To make shortcrust pastry, put flour and butter in a food processor and process until mixture resembles…

Get to know cinnamon CEYLON This Sri Lankan soft stick type, often called true cinnamon, comes from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree, a smaller plant with thinner, more papery bark than other cinnamon trees. It has a milder flavour than cassia and is better for savoury dishes as it doesn’t overpower the flavour. CASSIA Most of the commercially available cinnamon comes from several other Cinnamomum trees classified as cassia. In its bark form, cassia has a rough texture, a dark brown and red colour, and it’s rolled into thicker sticks compared to those of Ceylon cinnamon. Its flavour is also more intense and almost bitter, which leads to a hot aftertaste when it’s used to excess. STUFFED SNICKER DOODLES Preparation time 30 mins plus 40 mins chilling…

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI CURRY Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 15 mins Serves 1 2 tsp (10g) butter 150g chicken thigh fillets, cut into 4cm pieces 1/2 small brown onion, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed  2 Tbsp korma curry paste 100ml coconut milk 1/4 cup chicken stock  1 tomato, diced 1/2 head broccoli, broken into florets  Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper to season  Toasted flaked almonds, steamed rice, pappadums, to serve STEP 1 In a large saucepan, melt butter on medium heat. Cook chicken for 4–5 minutes, until browned. Remove. STEP 2 In the same pan, cook onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes, until tender. Add curry paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, until fragrant. STEP 3 Stir in coconut milk, stock and tomato. Return chicken…

SCAN ME Scan this QR code to shop these items. PALATE CLEANSER Refresh your cabinet with this gorgeous 12-piece Starter stacking set in Spice. The handcrafted ceramic plates and bowls are finished with a satin exterior and handpainted rim; $255, from Our Place. Retro glam Get the warm glow you want in your living room or bedroom. This lamp combines a retro dome shade and pebbled texture to make an understated silhouette. What a way to elevate your space! Dome Pebble table lamp, $179.99, from Mocka. REST EASY Comfort is essential for a quality sleep. Using Climatex quilting and Dreamfoam cushioning, the SleepMaker Smart Rest mattress is designed to provide responsive support while you snooze. Starting from $599, it’s available exclusively at Harvey Norman. Finding comfort in TRADITION Sheet Society…

Depending on where you live, mornings can get pretty frosty at this time of year. While many dogs don’t need a jumper to keep them warm outside (they have their own cosy coats!), a breathable knit can still be a welcome extra layer. With this easy sewing project you can ‘pupcycle’ an op-shop jumper for your pooch in just one afternoon. EASY STEPS TO UPCYCLE A DOG JUMPER Here’s how STEP 1 Measure your dog around the widest part of its chest, behind the front legs. Measure the length from the back of the neck to the dog’s hips (the length you want the finished jumper to be on the dog’s back). We used the full length of the jumper, but if your dog’s body is shorter, cut off the…

ANNOUNCING THE AUSSIE HEROES Better Homes and Gardens is celebrating the Tradie of the Year Awards to recognise the incredible talent, dedication and community spirit of tradies across Australia. From sparkies and chippies to plumbers and tilers, the nominations we received were heartfelt, inspiring and also humbling. From hundreds of entries, four exceptional category winners were selected across innovation, craftsmanship, being new to their trade, and a standout apprentice. It was eye opening to see the scale of contribution, talent and aspiration in our Australian trade landscape, and wonderful to see and hear the appreciation within communities. We saw nominations from business owners, clients, friends, colleagues and, of course, mums. Each category winner has been selected based on the merit of their technical excellence, impact to community, and quality and…

Milton’s tips for Leo season (July 23 to August 22) The Leo sign is ruled by the Sun, which is associated with splendour, magnificence and a vibrant life. In addition, Leos are connected with gold, orange, yellow and sunny colours and warm tones. Leos should always plant for colour, such as the native hibiscus (H. heterophyllus), yellow buttons, climbing guinea flower, banksia, wattle, heart-leaf flame pea, roses and straw flowers. Leos also like shade trees, to spend time relaxing under during hot seasons. This can be a Japanese maple, magnolia or forest pansy. Talking food, Leos love to experiment with food, especially Asian and Mediterranean dishes and seafoods. And being lions, those carnivorous Leos like nothing better than a nice juicy steak or lamb fillet! ZODIAC SIGNS The 12 signs…

SCAN ME Scan this QR code to shop these items. Blushing beauty From spring right through to the first frosts of winter, Rosa Showpiece™ ‘Blush’ is guaranteed to enchant with its large soft pink blooms, glorious old-world look and perfume. Disease resistant and low maintenance once established, it grows up to one metre. It performs best with regular fertilising and an annual clip back by a third in winter. Released by Anthony Tesselaar Plants (tesselaar.com) under various labels. IN THE BAG A FLASH FISH Give your outdoors an aquatic slant with this large, hand-painted metal lantern. Hang it up or sit it on the ground or a table, then place a candle or light inside. It’s sure to turn heads; $395, from Aussie Heatwave Fireplaces, aussieheatwave.com.au/decor. ECO WISE Simple permaculture…

A restful night’s sleep plays a key role in your health and wellbeing. It can impact everything from how you think and perform to your emotional resilience. Check out the following tips and products, and hopefully you’ll be slipping into dreamland faster, deeper and better than ever. PLAN FOR SLEEP Sleeping well is as important as eating well, and it all starts with forming good habits. Here are six ways you can prep your mind and body for bedtime. 1 Stick to a regular sleep schedule and aim for 7-9 hours per night. 2 DO 30 MINUTES of moderate to intense physical exercise each day. 3 Avoid screen time for at least 1 hour before bed. 4 Create a restful and relaxing environment in your bedroom. 5 Don’t go to…

SCAN ME Scan the code to shop these releases. TOP READ LESSONS IN LOVE AT THE SEASIDE SALON by Sophie Green, Hachette Australia, $34.99 The annual winter chill has really set in (at least it has where I am). It’s the season I crave spending an afternoon wrapped in a cosy, comforting read, and Lessons in Love is definitely one of those books. If you need a novel with a bit of heart and lots of romantic toil, you’ll thoroughly enjoy Sophie Green’s latest release. It follows four women whose stories intertwine at a hairdressing salon in Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast in the 1980s. While Green includes the rom-com basics, with happy endings all around, there are deeper elements that can’t be written off as easy reading. You’ll…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Bauwerk Colour bauwerkcolour.com Bunnings bunnings.com.au Lifely lifely.com.au Porter’s Paints shop.porterspaints.com Target target.com.au P114 P120 SWEATER WEATHER, PAGE 114 Shopping details Bauwerk Colour Medlar limewash paint (used on wall), 1L, $49.50. Lifely Mellow rug, $149. Target Mabel faux fur throw in Natural, $50. Westley braided throw in Neutral, $50. Anko Riley wave floor lamp, $52. Sofa and cushions, stylist’s own. A NOVEL TWIST WITH ADAM, PAGE 120 Shopping details Bauwerk Colour Medlar limewash paint (used on wall), 1L, $49.50. Lifely Mellow rug, $149. Porter’s Paints Stone Paint Fine in Irish Linen (used on skirting board), 4L, $159.90. Target Mabel faux fur throw in Natural, $50. Sofa, cushions, books and accessories, stylist’s own. Project supplies Bunnings Ecoply 2400 x 1200mm 19mm plywood pine structural CD Grade, $105. Porta 12.5…

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