Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

You might be wondering why we chose vintage as the theme for this issue. The answer is layered, much like the meaning of the word ‘vintage’. With the festive season on the horizon, it felt like the perfect time to lean into nostalgia by celebrating heritage, heirlooms, and the traditions that connect us across generations. We delved into what classifies as vintage style, meanings behind iconic family recipes, or trends in plants, decor and more. This issue isn’t about being stuck in the past, or repeating the same old worn record. It’s more about recognising and marking our connection to the past, and shaping what our future looks like with all the wisdom and sentiment that’s come before. Better Homes and Gardens as a brand has a long history. It…

Editor Megan Osborne Creative director Scott Cassidy Managing editor Sophie Al-Bassam 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 Creative projects editor Geneva Vanderzeil Senior content producers Jade Coull, Rachel Iorfino Editorial & production assistant Jada Susas Enquiries (02) 9282 8000 REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS In your garden Tony Fawcett Moon guide Milton Black Better pets Caroline Zambrano Better finance Andrea Black Better books & experiences Rachel Iorfino Chock-full of spice and everything nice! Bake up this feast of traditional Christmas treats with recipes from page 18. ADVERTISING Head of commercial, home & lifestyle Rhyl Heavener Advertising enquiries (02) 9282 8000, advertising@aremedia.com.au Head of sales NSW Jimmy Kerr…

Lush and abundant, tousled and carefree, and full of old-world charm with meandering paths that take you on a journey of enchantment. Cottage gardens have evolved from utilitarian kitchen plots to become places of whimsy, colour, sweet scents and an overload of flowers. Think romantic roses, lovely lavender and dancing daisies. Be surprised when a spill of self-seeding annuals pops up in foreign parts. And be sure to include new-world plants that have been millennia in the making – flannel flowers, kangaroo paws and everlasting daisies. No. 1 MAKE A STORYBOOK ENTRANCE Defying the straight line, billows of ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peonies (opposite) cascade over a path, encouraging green alchemilla and purple columbines to do the same. A small box hedge plays host to a row of standard roses. One of…

EASY STEPS TO MAKE A FABRIC PICTURE FRAME STEP 1 Iron out any creases in the fabric if needed. Attach mounting board to the back of your fabric with double-sided tape or adhesive. Trim fabric. STEP 2 Cut from the centre of the fabric to each inner corner of the mounting board. STEP 3 Fold fabric to a quarter triangle shape on the back of the mounting board and cut off excess fabric. Cut off the corner of the fabric on the outer edge of the mounting board. This allows for easy folding of the outer fabric. STEP 4 Fold in the fabric on the outer edge of the mounting board and cut off excess fabric. STEP 5 Put the mounting board back into the frame and add your preferred…

Each pet’s name is a reflection of the bond we share and the memories we make with our furry friends. And just like music, fashion and hairstyles, pet names follow trends and tell the story of the times we lived through, like a little time capsule. The post war era of the 1950s and ’60s was a period of social, cultural and economic change, when Aussie pets were essential workers. Dogs with names such as Rover, Spot and Duke often guarded the backyard or helped out on the farm, while cats kept the mice away. By the 1970s and ’80s, TV and music had taken over Australian lounge rooms, and pet names began to follow the stars of the day – think Rocky, Elvis or Scooby. In the 1990s, giving…

PRAWNS IN TOMATO CUPS December 1978 Preparation time 25 mins Serves 6 6 large tomatoes 500g cooked prawns 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon chopped chives STEP 1 Cut tops from tomatoes. Scoop out pulp and discard. STEP 2 Peel and devein half the prawns. Finely chop and combine with the mayonnaise. Spoon the mixture into the hollowed tomatoes. Sprinkle with chives. STEP 3 Peel and devein the remaining prawns, leaving the tails intact. Arrange on top of the filled tomatoes to garnish. JELLIED ASPARAGUS MOULDS January 1982 Preparation time 25 mins plus chilling Serves 6 1 sachet plain gelatine 1 ½ cups canned vegetable juice or seasoned tomato juice 2 teaspoons chicken stock powder ½ teaspoon dried tarragon ½ cup cold water 1 hard-boiled free-range egg, sliced 8–10 fresh asparagus…

PECAN COCONUT CRACK Preparation time 20 mins plus 30 mins cooling and 2 hours chilling Cooking time 15 mins Makes 24 pieces 6 Arnott’s Salada biscuits 125g butter, chopped ⅓ cup firmly packed brown sugar ¼ teaspoon sea-salt flakes, crushed 2 x 200g packets milk choc bits ½ cup pecans, toasted, chopped ¼ cup toasted shredded coconut STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease a 20cm x 30cm (base measurement) lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper over edges. Cover the base with biscuits, breaking to fit or slightly overlapping as needed. STEP 2 Put butter and sugar in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until butter melts. Simmer, without stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir…

TOP READ ANNETTE KELLERMAN AUSTRALIAN MERMAID by Grantlee Kieza, ABC Books, $35.99 Before picking up this book, I had no idea who the real Annette Kellerman was – all I knew was that the Marrickville public pool is named after her. Now she has become my favourite Australian celebrity. Not only was she a film idol, she was a champion swimmer and high diver who defied expectations of women in the 1900s. Kieza’s biography follows Annette Kellerman’s colourful life, from a childhood stricken with rickets, to her attempt to swim the English Channel, her Hollywood fame (nude scenes included) and all the way to her quieter life in old age, still promoting good health. I have never been more impressed with a biography. With so much detail about each facet…

A WORD OF ADVICE These financial pearls of wisdom still ring true. SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY The Aesop’s fable of the ant and the grasshopper teaches us there is always value in saving because you never know what’s around the corner. The hungry grasshopper begged for food in winter but the ant knew that if you put a little aside when you can there will be a safeguard. When it comes to money matters, that is very sound advice. THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD Ever bought a car that kept breaking down and needing repairs? Then you’ll know this phrase which alludes to continually spending money on a dud in hopes it can be fixed. If you’ve invested time and money, you want to make it work. But sometimes…

Tim Pilgrim’s tips on how to rewild your garden are inspirational (page 120). He allows nature to take its course so it nourishes the earth and all who live on it. JENNY DILLON Garden editor I’m going to try making Matt Moran’s fish pie recipe (page 40). Those prawns and fish sitting in my freezer will taste seriously good! (And the pastry’s frozen, too.) JO MCKINNONChief sub-editor I loved seeing archive recipes from BHG come to life this issue in “Nostalgia on a Plate” (page 142). It shows you how much food trends change over the decades. SOPHIE AL-BASSAM Managing editor…

CHRISTMAS TWISTS Preparation time 20 mins plus 3 hours chilling Cooking time 20 mins Makes 48 225g unsalted butter, softened 2/3 cup caster sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon sea-salt flakes, crushed 2 free-range eggs 3 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups plain flour Red and green gel food colouring 3 teaspoons water Red and green decorating or sanding sugar STEP 1 Using a stand mixer, beat butter in a large bowl on high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl’s sides as needed. Beat in one of the eggs and the vanilla. Add half the flour and beat on low speed until combined. Repeat with remaining flour. STEP 2 Divide dough into thirds. Tint one portion…

SCAN ME Scan this QR code to shop these items. SO GOOD LOOKING Add old-school glamour to your hallway with this faux antique. Willow & Silk Art Deco mirror in distressed gold, $323, from Myer. Floor candy With its wool shag pile texture and bold floral pattern, this rug is a soft colour bomb just waiting to grace your floors. Featuring rich terracotta browns and pastel blues and pinks, it’s a modern twist on the traditional Persian rug. Moroccan Nights felted wool rug, 180 x 275cm, $1400, from Kip & Co. Bench with BENEFITS Harvey Norman’s Wisley outdoor bench is a timeless addition to any garden. Crafted from acacia timber with a natural finish, this slatted bench will withstand years of wear and tear. Wisley outdoor bench, $299, from Harvey…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 GRAHAM ROss Join me as I show you how gardening can bring so much joy to your life on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. For more garden tips, go to bhg.com.au Gardening is a way to create lasting memories. It’s something that engages all your senses. You see seedlings turn into beautiful blooms, smell their fragrances, feel the texture of different types of foliage, listen to the sound of rustling leaves and taste sweet strawberries, juicy apples or fresh-as-you-please peas straight from the pod to your mouth. Repeating those experiences years down the line can trigger those memories. You may think of a past summer holiday when you take in lavender’s perfume, or a time you tasted stonefruit fresh from the…

Stay among the vineyards What Grand Georgian home Prospect House was commissioned in 1830, with 21 convicts living in the basement and helping to build the house and work the land. Winemaking family the Pooleys, whose Butcher’s Hill vineyard lies adjacent to the estate, bought Prospect House in 2017 and turned the historic building into an 11-room luxury hotel. Where Coal River Valley in Richmond, Tasmania, just a 20-minute drive from Hobart. Try Visit the on-site Buscombe’s Restaurant, particularly for the monthly dinners that celebrate produce from the local surrounds. Dishes are matched with wines from across Tasmania, including from Pooley Wines. SCAN ME Visit the Pooley Wines cellar door, conveniently located in Prospect House’s renovated coach house. Music to your ears What Successful merchant James Butchart built magnificent Beleura…

In the lead-up to Christmas, my grandmother’s oven runs pretty much non-stop. Friends and neighbours drop in to request her traditional fruitcakes, puddings and other festive treats, but I’m lucky to be on her list of family members who receive a cake each year. I love how rich it is, and that it just gets better the longer you let the flavours develop. This year, I’m attempting to make one myself. There’s joy in my grandmother’s voice as she shares her boiled fruitcake recipe with me over the phone. She pauses after each step to explain the importance of the specific instructions. I hope you’ll cook it with me – may it remind you to master your own family recipes, to be shared and enjoyed for generations. Tahni Mesann, digital…

1 Iced latte, drip coffee or refreshing rapid cold brew, here you come, with the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine, $999.99. It has 15 drink presets so you don’t need to be a barista to get a great cup. 2 Decorate your table with the Havana lantern, from $39.95, from Pillow Talk, made from hemp and bamboo. 3 The Hisense 483L PureFlat Slim French Door Fridge in white, $1699, from Harvey Norman is an entertainer’s dream. With an XXL door balcony and a big box compartment, you’ll be able to store that Christmas ham and keep all the drinks cold. 4 Dining outside? Protect your food with the Wheel & Barrow mesh food cover in rattan, $99.95. 5 The Optimum Thermocook Pro M 3.0, $1400,is a finalist in the…

Milton’s tips for Sagittarius season (Nov 23 to Dec 21) Sagittarians are independent people who need plenty of space and freedom to express their outgoing nature. Their ruling planet, Jupiter, corresponds to the colour purple, and their gardens are usually full of a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers – the more the better. Sagittarians flood their gardens with verbenas, dianthus, zinnias, hydrangeas, wisteria, rhododendrons and Japanese maples. Fresh vegetables out of the home garden are a must, as are fruit trees. Sagittarians love sport and being outside, exploring and adventuring. As natural extroverts, they can be great hosts and especially like an outdoor party. ZODIAC SIGNS The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into four groups – fire, air, earth and water. Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are…

SHOPPING DIRECTORY Bunnings bunnings.com.au Kmart kmart.com.au Porter’s Paints porterspaints.com Spotlight spotlightstores.com Tramin Building Supplies tramin.com.au Unsplash unsplash.com TOP SHELF, PAGE 66 Project supplies Bunnings 140 x 19mm DAR pine 3-metre length, $29.20 (you’ll need three). Zenith 10G x 35mm Type 17 wafer head timber screws, 50 pack, $15.86. Feast Watson Oak Prooftint Interior Stain, 50ml, $12.90. Tramin Building Supplies 30 x 30mm pine DAR H3, 5.4-metre length, $18.93 (you’ll need three). PICTURE PERFECT, PAGE 70 Shopping details Kmart Picture frames, from $6. Porter’s Paints Assam Tea eggshell paint, $159.90/4L. Unsplash A Bouquet by Henriëtte Geertruida Knip from Europaena. Butterfly and caterpillar images from the British Library. Venice photo by Adrian Nogura. Project supplies Spotlight Fiskars Premier 9’’ Dressmaker Shears, $55. Gorilla Glue clear spray adhesive, 396g, $33. GROWING MEMORIES WITH…

Aussie chef Matt Moran has learnt a few tricks in his time on the cooking scene. His latest endeavour is all about helping everyday Aussies get their home cooking closer to chef level – with minimal effort, of course! To celebrate his new stock range, My Perfect Stock, Matt is serving up delicious seasonal recipes for BHG readers. Add a pack of his vegetable, chicken or beef stock to your shopping list for an easy and affordable way to elevate your everyday cooking. For our vintage issue, we spoke to Matt about his favourite throwback recipes, and what nostalgia in the kitchen means to him. BHG: Is there a recipe from your childhood that inspires you today? MM: Yes, it would have to be my Nan’s lamb roast, sitting around…

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS ON PAGE 188. EASY STEPS TO A WALL-MOUNTED GLASSWARE STORAGE RACK If you’re as addicted to vintage and quirky glassware and crockery as I am, then chances are you’ll need somewhere to store it. But instead of burying your collection in the cupboard, make a bespoke shelf that turns your glassware into art. Here’s how STEP 1 Sand all cut edges smooth to remove splinters and give a neat finish. STEP 2 On each of the short 30 x 30mm pieces, drill pilot holes through the ends. This prevents the wood from splitting when screws are inserted. STEP 3 Position the short 30 x 30mm pieces onto the long uprights, spacing them evenly at 242mm. Fix in place with wood screws through the pilot holes,…

HERB-RUBBED PRIME RIB Preparation time 20 mins plus overnight chilling Cooking time 2 hours 50 mins plus 30 mins standing Serves 8 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 1 teaspoon sea-salt flakes, crushed 2.5–3kg boneless beef rib eye roast 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced GRAVY 1 cup beef stock, plus 1 cup extra 2 tablespoons plain flour 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce HORSERADISH CREAM 300g sour cream ¼ cup mayonnaise 3 teaspoons horseradish cream 2 teaspoons dijon mustard STEP 1 In a small bowl, combine oil, pepper, thyme, rosemary and salt. Cut shallow slits all over the beef and insert sliced garlic into the slits. Spread oil mixture over the beef. Cover roast loosely. Chill…

SWEET & SOUR PORK Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 10 mins Serves 1 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 150g pork scotch fillet, cubed ½ red capsicum, seeded, thickly sliced 2 green onions, cut into 4cm lengths, green tips shredded, to garnish 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger ½ teaspoon five-spice powder 70g sugar snap peas, trimmed 2 rings pineapple, roughly chopped ½ carrot, cut into julienne strips Steamed rice, to serve SAUCE 2 teaspoons Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing) 2 teaspoons sweet chilli sauce 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce 2 teaspoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons malt or rice vinegar STEP 1 For the sauce, combine all ingredients in a small jug. STEP 2 Heat oil in a frying pan on high heat. Stir-fry pork 3–4 minutes, until golden and…

Garden designer Tim Pilgrim explores the wilder side of gardening in his first book, Wild By Design, from Murdoch Books. Tim has a naturalistic approach and a deep understanding of how plantings work in real life. He looks at a site’s climate, its landscape, strengths and weaknesses, then composes a garden that will flourish there. In this edited extract from his book, he shares his tips for naturalistic plantings in gardens of any size. large GARDENS Large gardens: 1000 sq metres and up Country gardens, acreage farms 1 Divide your garden into rooms. ‘Rooms’ are a traditional way of thinking about gardens, and in large spaces they can make a lot of sense. Divide your spaces with hedgerows, hedges or trees that double as windbreaks and shelter. Dividing spaces like…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 ADAM DOVILE Join me as I show you how to create great spaces on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. For more DIY tips, go to bhg.com.au EASY STEPS TO A JAPANESE TOOLBOX SCAN ME Scan this QR code to watch Adam build this project. Safety note When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. Here’s how STEP 1 Pull apart the pallet using a claw hammer, removing any fasteners. Plane the edges of the pallet boards straight, ready to glue together. STEP 2 Position boards edge to edge to make four panels for the ends, sides, base and top (see the list of components, at left). Apply wood glue and clamp flat to…

Patti Chimkire runs Mali Bakes, a cake studio in Melbourne whose creations are inspired by vintage cake decorating books from the 1970s. Her Mali Bakes book (Smith Street Books, $59.99) showcases her signature retro decorating style and reveals the secrets to making some of her unique cake creations, including Retro Love (opposite). It’s one of the most beloved designs at Mali Bakes, says Patti. “It has all the flair you could want: the shells, the ruffles, and those elegant strings! When I think of retro-style cakes, this is exactly what comes to mind.” And don’t be scared of the piping! Patti assures us it’s a great skill to learn and practise. “This project is the perfect opportunity to master the drop string technique. Admittedly, it’s the skill that took me…

SEASON SPECIALS Warmer weather brings out some cool 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 (top left), amaranthus, cosmos, dahlia, marigold, petunia and zinnia. ZONES 1–3 Balsam, celosia and vinca. ZONES 4–6 Aster, candytuft, cleome, cornflower, dianthus, godetia (bottom left), impatiens, nasturtium, snapdragon and verbena. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus, beans, beetroot, capsicum, carrot, chilli, cucumber, lettuce, pumpkin, squash, sweetcorn, tomato and zucchini. ZONES 1–3 Cabbage, garlic, globe artichoke (top left), radish and sweet potato. ZONES 4–6 Broccoli, brussels sprouts (bottom left), leek, potato and turnip. Photography Tony Fawcett, Adobe Stock…

SCAN ME [ NEWS, PRODUCTS AND TRENDS. ] Scan this QR code to shop these items. ON THE WING TWEETY TRIO Add some Kiwi appeal to your garden’s native bird population with these New Zealand-made stakes. Sold in a set of three – including a fantail, tui and kererū – they are made of powder coated, UV-resistant aluminium, stand 45cm tall and are about $135 a set (NZ$149) from LisaSarah; lisasarah.com. HAIL THE KING First there was Aussie-bred Lavandula ‘The Queen’ lavender. Now she’s joined by the equally striking Lavandula ‘The King’ with large purple bracts. Part of the Lavinnova range, it’s low maintenance and boasts a neat dome habit. Getting to 80cm wide, it’s frost and dry tolerant, right for pots or open garden, and even performs well in…