Better Homes and Gardens Australia

The end of winter is fast approaching! Here, on the eastern seaboard at least, we’re opening our windows and letting in the milder fresh air after our homes have been closed tight for the past few months. There’s a “busy” energy to this time of year

There’s a succulent for every occasion – as a groundcover, as a garden bed feature or just a filler, making a pretty, edgy border, or as a statement tree. Or put some succulents in a pot for both indoors and outdoors. Whatever your choice, you’ll hav

Spring is just so pretty you can forget that all those blossoms serve a serious purpose – to grow into sweet, delicious fruit at summer’s end. And spring means the end of a lean winter for bees – the blossoms’ sweet perfume attracts bees that transfe

Jutting out on a ledge in the Strathbogie Ranges – a low set of mountains within the Victorian Great Dividing Range – looms an impressive home in the earthy tones of ochre and grey against a big blue sky. While the home reflects the textures and colo

Hellebores are celebrated for their petal’s superb colours and patterns, ranging from spotted, speckled or picoteed – where the petal margins are a contrasting colour. Hellebore flowers are very long lasting, brightening up the garden from mid-winter

You can exploit the straight lines of your boundary and home walls with a clean, sleek, sharp garden that has enough flushed-out and rounded qualities to make it a delight to be in. That’s the skill of garden design. If you’ve succeeded in getting th

There’s only one sad, sorry thing about the end of winter and the coming of spring – and that’s your lawn. The cold weather – especially frosts – damage the turf, causing it to turn brown and look bare. But your lawn is just ugly, not dead, and it wi

The soft sound of mellow, moving water creates a calm that can be hard to find during our hectic lives. A small reflection bowl in your garden can be the go-to place when you need time out, and where you can be mesmerised as the gentle ripples twist

For an outdoor living room that sings, try bold colour combos. The primer used here is tintable to thousands of Dulux paints, so you can experiment with the kind of vibrant, playful hues you might shy away from indoors. Pick shades that both enliven

These early risers say spring is almost here! Big, bold and beautiful rhododendrons are ready for showtime! Pieris produces magnificent clusters of tiny flowers. You can’t see the leaves for the mass of colourful azalea flowers! In each issue, we giv

For all your efforts hiding your rubbish, garbage bins are still unsightly, so why not hide these too? It can be done easily with this clever bin enclosure that turns trash into treasure. Then top it off with an elevated garden of sweet little succul

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 an

Electrify your garden from autumn to spring with the blazing colour of Grevillea ‘Flaming Red’. South Australian-bred, this spidery Aussie beauty is a showstopper alone or as a striking repeat-flowering hedge. A magnet for native birds, it needs mini

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 4 250g truss cherry tomatoes2 Tbsp peanut oil800g chicken thighs, thickly sliced1 medium onion, cut into wedges1 red capsicum, coarsely chopped⅓ cup tikka curry paste1 long green chilli, thinly sli

Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 5 mins Serves 4 4 large garlic naan bread60g baby rocket1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil¾ cup spreadable cream cheese300g hot-smoked salmon, skin removed, flaked2 Tbsp chopped dillFreshly ground black pepper, to sea

Preparation time 10 mins plus 1 hour chilling Cooking time 25 mins Makes approx. 30 400g baker’s flour½ cup caster sugar¼ tsp fine salt75g cold unsalted butter, grated2 free-range eggs1 free-range egg yolk150ml dry white wine1 cup milk1 Tbsp cornflou

Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 1 hour 55 mins Serves 4 100ml extra virgin olive oil80g butter, melted6 cloves garlic, finely sliced10 thyme sprigs, leaves picked2 star anise6 red onions, cut into 1cm slices6 white onions, cut into 1cm slices2

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 50 mins Serves 8 3 cups plain flour1 cup caster sugar250g butter, chilled, chopped1 tsp baking powder1 free-range egg1 tsp vanilla extract½ tsp ground cinnamonIcing sugar, to serve 400g can apple pie filling300g

Blood oranges have a short season from late winter to early spring, so enjoy them while they’re around! The pulp is salmon coloured and the juice has slight strawberry and raspberry overtones. Stock up and freeze the juice for use in cooking when the

Trends may come and go, but enduring design is always in style. By all means, keep the trends in mind as you plan your dream kitchen, but also focus on how you actually use the space. To blend style and function for a look you’ll never tire of, read

Create a pretty display – and prevent tangles – by hanging jewellery from an upturned spice rack. Finish the look with decorative accessories arranged on the shelf. Paint a block colour on the wall directly behind the bed to create a focal point and

There’s no need to splash out on expensive new furniture – repurpose something you’ve already got or look for a secondhand bargain, such as this gorgeous old leather sofa, and dress it up with snuggly throws and cushions. Once you’ve chosen a basic p

Create your zen zone with a design-led approach, elegant yet robust enough for your fam. Try a mix of bold reiterations, using the same vibrant wallpaper on the wall panels and lighting, and solid black accents throughout, then layer in subtle simila

While the French-style patterned tiles on the bench and playful splashback are the show-stoppers in this revamped laundry, there’s a lot more to applaud. A variety of storage in Nantucket-style colours and textures, decorative hooks that ‘float’ and

For many, the Hills Hoist rotary clothesline is as Australian as a barbecue – it was even given a starring role in the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony during Vanessa Amorosi’s indelible performance of Absolutely Everybody. With its reliably sunny da

Surprisingly versatile, blue sofas work with a variety of interior styles. Consider this Australian-made sectional – it’s sumptuous enough to sink into! Plaza 3.5-seater fabric sofa with chaise $3999 (metro areas of Syd, Melb, Bris), harveynorman.com

Available to purchase where all good books are sold and at aremediabooks.com.au or bhgshop.com.au. ■

You don’t need a king’s ransom to update your little princess’s bedroom into the gorgeous space of her imagination. Clever paintwork and some simple, playful accessories provide just the right amount of romance and fantasy for the sweetest dreams. Th

Enjoy a well-deserved city break at one of these hotels The newly revamped Laneways By Ovolo in Melbourne is the perfect base to take in all the Melbourne CBD offers. After shopping, coffee and culture, settle back in your well-designed suite, which

Here’s what you need to know to get started on this cute quilt project. • Read all instructions to make sure you understand the pattern and have everything you need. • The standard measure in patchwork is imperial. To maintain accuracy for our instru

This upcoming summer season, two giants of the cruising world, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas will be homeporting in Australia from October. And cruisers are in for a treat, with both ships offering a host of dining

It’s no secret you can be a little backwards when it comes to looking after yourself, but you’re tough right? Well, yes and no. Yes, you may be physically stronger than women, but that doesn’t mean you won’t look and feel better with a daily skincare

A fter an impressive $30-million makeover, the all-new Manly Pacific MGallery hotel becomes the most sparkling jewel in this beach town’s crown! There’s nothing like the soothing change of pace that comes with a quick city-to-beach escape, so the Man

Did you know being creative can help relieve stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions and help you feel more optimistic, even euphoric? Whether it’s using words, paint, movement, food or sounds, practising any form of creativity can have a posi

Made with essential oils, Shower Clouds provide a bath-like aromatherapy experience in the shower. Available in Euphoria, Performance, Tranquility and Sinus Relief, pack of two $14, set of four $49.99, bathcalm.com. Growing your own food will not onl

There are domestic deities – and then there’s the rest of us. The DDs seem to have effortlessly clean, clutter-free homes, while the rest of us survey our domestic chaos and wonder how it’s possible. The simple trick is to get organised and have a cl

Sophie Green may not have been a bushcare aficionado when she started writing her new book, Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society, but she’s a passionate advocate now. The Aussie author looked to the magic of Noosa and surrounds as the setting

Starting small can reap long-term benefits Trading apps such as Sharesies, Raiz and Superhero make micro investing simple for beginners. With Sharesies, you can start with as little as 1c and the user-friendly platform takes just minutes to set up. B

DOGS AND CATS AREN’T THE ONLY PETS THAT BRING JOY Are you thinking of welcoming home a new animal companion – something other than the usual four legged variety? Here, PetStock shares a list of alternative pets that can bring immense joy to the whole

Small plants tend to play second fiddle to tall and showy specimens. But even the tiny flowers of groundcovers can make a big impression when planted in profusion. Often growing from just the one root system, they can creep and spread up to a metre o

The end of winter is fast approaching! Here, on the eastern seaboard at least, we’re opening our windows and letting in the milder fresh air after our homes have been closed tight for the past few months. There’s a “busy” energy to this time of year

Spring is just so pretty you can forget that all those blossoms serve a serious purpose – to grow into sweet, delicious fruit at summer’s end. And spring means the end of a lean winter for bees – the blossoms’ sweet perfume attracts bees that transfe

Jutting out on a ledge in the Strathbogie Ranges – a low set of mountains within the Victorian Great Dividing Range – looms an impressive home in the earthy tones of ochre and grey against a big blue sky. While the home reflects the textures and colo

There’s a succulent for every occasion – as a groundcover, as a garden bed feature or just a filler, making a pretty, edgy border, or as a statement tree. Or put some succulents in a pot for both indoors and outdoors. Whatever your choice, you’ll hav

Hellebores are celebrated for their petal’s superb colours and patterns, ranging from spotted, speckled or picoteed – where the petal margins are a contrasting colour. Hellebore flowers are very long lasting, brightening up the garden from mid-winter

Small plants tend to play second fiddle to tall and showy specimens. But even the tiny flowers of groundcovers can make a big impression when planted in profusion. Often growing from just the one root system, they can creep and spread up to a metre o

You can exploit the straight lines of your boundary and home walls with a clean, sleek, sharp garden that has enough flushed-out and rounded qualities to make it a delight to be in. That’s the skill of garden design. If you’ve succeeded in getting th

There’s only one sad, sorry thing about the end of winter and the coming of spring – and that’s your lawn. The cold weather – especially frosts – damage the turf, causing it to turn brown and look bare. But your lawn is just ugly, not dead, and it wi

For an outdoor living room that sings, try bold colour combos. The primer used here is tintable to thousands of Dulux paints, so you can experiment with the kind of vibrant, playful hues you might shy away from indoors. Pick shades that both enliven

The soft sound of mellow, moving water creates a calm that can be hard to find during our hectic lives. A small reflection bowl in your garden can be the go-to place when you need time out, and where you can be mesmerised as the gentle ripples twist

These early risers say spring is almost here! Big, bold and beautiful rhododendrons are ready for showtime! Pieris produces magnificent clusters of tiny flowers. You can’t see the leaves for the mass of colourful azalea flowers! In each issue, we giv

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 an

Electrify your garden from autumn to spring with the blazing colour of Grevillea ‘Flaming Red’. South Australian-bred, this spidery Aussie beauty is a showstopper alone or as a striking repeat-flowering hedge. A magnet for native birds, it needs mini

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 4 250g truss cherry tomatoes2 Tbsp peanut oil800g chicken thighs, thickly sliced1 medium onion, cut into wedges1 red capsicum, coarsely chopped⅓ cup tikka curry paste1 long green chilli, thinly sli

For all your efforts hiding your rubbish, garbage bins are still unsightly, so why not hide these too? It can be done easily with this clever bin enclosure that turns trash into treasure. Then top it off with an elevated garden of sweet little succul

Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 5 mins Serves 4 4 large garlic naan bread60g baby rocket1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil¾ cup spreadable cream cheese300g hot-smoked salmon, skin removed, flaked2 Tbsp chopped dillFreshly ground black pepper, to sea

Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 1 hour 55 mins Serves 4 100ml extra virgin olive oil80g butter, melted6 cloves garlic, finely sliced10 thyme sprigs, leaves picked2 star anise6 red onions, cut into 1cm slices6 white onions, cut into 1cm slices2

Preparation time 10 mins plus 1 hour chilling Cooking time 25 mins Makes approx. 30 400g baker’s flour½ cup caster sugar¼ tsp fine salt75g cold unsalted butter, grated2 free-range eggs1 free-range egg yolk150ml dry white wine1 cup milk1 Tbsp cornflou

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 50 mins Serves 8 3 cups plain flour1 cup caster sugar250g butter, chilled, chopped1 tsp baking powder1 free-range egg1 tsp vanilla extract½ tsp ground cinnamonIcing sugar, to serve 400g can apple pie filling300g

Blood oranges have a short season from late winter to early spring, so enjoy them while they’re around! The pulp is salmon coloured and the juice has slight strawberry and raspberry overtones. Stock up and freeze the juice for use in cooking when the

Trends may come and go, but enduring design is always in style. By all means, keep the trends in mind as you plan your dream kitchen, but also focus on how you actually use the space. To blend style and function for a look you’ll never tire of, read

While the French-style patterned tiles on the bench and playful splashback are the show-stoppers in this revamped laundry, there’s a lot more to applaud. A variety of storage in Nantucket-style colours and textures, decorative hooks that ‘float’ and

Create a pretty display – and prevent tangles – by hanging jewellery from an upturned spice rack. Finish the look with decorative accessories arranged on the shelf. Paint a block colour on the wall directly behind the bed to create a focal point and

For many, the Hills Hoist rotary clothesline is as Australian as a barbecue – it was even given a starring role in the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony during Vanessa Amorosi’s indelible performance of Absolutely Everybody. With its reliably sunny da

There’s no need to splash out on expensive new furniture – repurpose something you’ve already got or look for a secondhand bargain, such as this gorgeous old leather sofa, and dress it up with snuggly throws and cushions. Once you’ve chosen a basic p

Surprisingly versatile, blue sofas work with a variety of interior styles. Consider this Australian-made sectional – it’s sumptuous enough to sink into! Plaza 3.5-seater fabric sofa with chaise $3999 (metro areas of Syd, Melb, Bris), harveynorman.com

Available to purchase where all good books are sold and at aremediabooks.com.au or bhgshop.com.au. ■

You don’t need a king’s ransom to update your little princess’s bedroom into the gorgeous space of her imagination. Clever paintwork and some simple, playful accessories provide just the right amount of romance and fantasy for the sweetest dreams. Th

Create your zen zone with a design-led approach, elegant yet robust enough for your fam. Try a mix of bold reiterations, using the same vibrant wallpaper on the wall panels and lighting, and solid black accents throughout, then layer in subtle simila

Here’s what you need to know to get started on this cute quilt project. • Read all instructions to make sure you understand the pattern and have everything you need. • The standard measure in patchwork is imperial. To maintain accuracy for our instru

This upcoming summer season, two giants of the cruising world, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas will be homeporting in Australia from October. And cruisers are in for a treat, with both ships offering a host of dining

A fter an impressive $30-million makeover, the all-new Manly Pacific MGallery hotel becomes the most sparkling jewel in this beach town’s crown! There’s nothing like the soothing change of pace that comes with a quick city-to-beach escape, so the Man

It’s no secret you can be a little backwards when it comes to looking after yourself, but you’re tough right? Well, yes and no. Yes, you may be physically stronger than women, but that doesn’t mean you won’t look and feel better with a daily skincare

Enjoy a well-deserved city break at one of these hotels The newly revamped Laneways By Ovolo in Melbourne is the perfect base to take in all the Melbourne CBD offers. After shopping, coffee and culture, settle back in your well-designed suite, which

Did you know being creative can help relieve stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions and help you feel more optimistic, even euphoric? Whether it’s using words, paint, movement, food or sounds, practising any form of creativity can have a posi

Made with essential oils, Shower Clouds provide a bath-like aromatherapy experience in the shower. Available in Euphoria, Performance, Tranquility and Sinus Relief, pack of two $14, set of four $49.99, bathcalm.com. Growing your own food will not onl

There are domestic deities – and then there’s the rest of us. The DDs seem to have effortlessly clean, clutter-free homes, while the rest of us survey our domestic chaos and wonder how it’s possible. The simple trick is to get organised and have a cl

Sophie Green may not have been a bushcare aficionado when she started writing her new book, Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society, but she’s a passionate advocate now. The Aussie author looked to the magic of Noosa and surrounds as the setting

Starting small can reap long-term benefits Trading apps such as Sharesies, Raiz and Superhero make micro investing simple for beginners. With Sharesies, you can start with as little as 1c and the user-friendly platform takes just minutes to set up. B

DOGS AND CATS AREN’T THE ONLY PETS THAT BRING JOY Are you thinking of welcoming home a new animal companion – something other than the usual four legged variety? Here, PetStock shares a list of alternative pets that can bring immense joy to the whole