JannNnz

EXPERIENCE SKIN CARE INSPIRED BODY WASH

With ingredients like vitamin C, c ollagen, a nd h y a lu ro ni c a c i d .

Visibly healthier sk in in ju st one us e.

A P RI L 2 02 0 BH G .CO M

FIND YOUR

ADD SOME SPARKLE TO YOUR EASTER p. 120

HOW TO ARRANGE FLOWE RING BRANCHES

p. 108

TRUE COLORS Expert strategies for building a palette you’ll love

Palette Personalities WITH

JENNIFER STAGG

SALT LAKE CITY-based interior designer and blogger Jennifer Stagg reveals why color plays a significant role in her design philosophy, and how she freshened up her bedroom using the ColorSnap® Color ID Nurturer palette from Sherwin-Williams.

Wall color sets the tone of a room.

Choose a shade that will suit any mood.

THE NURTURER Your warm smile and compassionate nature define you. You care for people, and nothing is more important to you than making your friends and family feel at home.

Sensible Hue SW 6198

Throw pillows are an easy way to incorporate bolder pops of color into any space.

Try introducing other colors from your Color ID palette with a patterned rug.

Turn your dresser into a statement piece with a fresh coat of paint and sleek metal hardware.

MAKING A HOUSE A HOME

EMBRACING THE NURTURER PALETTE

CREATING A COZY SANCTUARY

Color is such a powerful force—it can make you feel anything from energized and upbeat to calm and relaxed, so I’m selective about the colors I bring into a home.

I took the Color ID quiz from Sherwin-Williams and discovered that my ideal palette is the Nurturer.

The quiz was so easy, and being able to mix and match all 16 colors in the palette helped simplify the decorating process. These earthtoned shades make a space warm and cozy, which is how I want my home to feel. Plus, they’re neutral colors that will never go out of style.

My bedroom is where I go to relax. Sensible Hue is a color that instantly puts me at ease, so I used it on the walls. I also painted my dresser using Iron Ore and pulled in other shades from the palette with throw pillows and a chair in the corner of the room. Now, when I walk in, I want to change into my comfy clothes and relax.

Scan the code with your phone or visit palettepersonalities.com to see the full project.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS®

Smokey Blue SW 7604

Sage Green Light SW 2851

Iron Ore SW 7069

THE PATH TO YOUR PERSONAL PALETTE STARTS HERE

Do you have a room that needs a fresh look?

Not right now, but maybe soon.

Yes, I do!

Do you have a “look” in mind?

Well, do you like personality tests?

Yes, but I’m not sure what to do next.

Not really my thing.

No, please help!!

I’m OBSESSED. Do you have one??

We’ve got your back!

© 2020 The Sherwin-Williams Company

Okay... you got me.

Take the quiz to find your Color ID at myswcolorid.com

Don’t you want to know what your walls say about you?

Our Color ID palettes are thoughtfully curated for your unique personality. Exclusively at your local Sherwin-Williams store.

CONTENTS APRIL 2020

|

VOLUME 98

|

NUMBER 4

114

LIFE IN COLOR 100 LUCY LOVES

COLOR This homeowner’s adventurous spirit infuses every part of her home.

108

SPRING SNIPPETS Budding branches bring the giddy joy of spring inside.

114 THE ART OF NOT

COMPROMISING She loves pink. He prefers dark neutrals. Their designer kept them both happy.

120 MORE IS MORE

Subtle pastels? Not this Easter. Embrace the sparkle.

120

Nature inspires decor for these spring get-togethers.

58 I DID IT! 62 BEFORE & AFTER

Paint on the cabinets (and floor) brightens a kitchen.

69

CONTAINER DESIGN A series of annuals and accents surrounds an evergreen for year-round appeal.

77 GARDEN

A designer takes a naturalistic approach to her landscape.

FOOD 82 PERFECTING

THE EGG Test Kitchen lessons for foolproof eggs.

94 FAST & FRESH

77 ON THE COVER P H OTO C A R S O N D OW N I N G PRODUCER JESSICA THOMAS

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| April 2020

Weeknight dinners, fast.

LIFE 8 Our favorite

ideas for elevating the everyday.

BEAUTY 20 On-trend

sunset hues and tricks for loving your gray hair.

BETTER 138 HEALTH

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 EDITOR’S LETTER 6 BHG.COM 126 THE WORKBOOK

GOOD TO KNOW Five ways to up your green game for Earth Day.

148 THROWBACK

Give pesky ticks and fleas the shake-off.

Cookie and crafts how-tos.

Protect your peepers.

142

146 PETS

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) CARSON DOWNING, ANNIE SCHLECHTER, CARSON DOWNING, MATTHEW BENSON

108

48

BUYING GUIDE The no-regrets guide to purchasing furniture online.

FOR SERVICE ON YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, INCLUDING CHANGE OF ADDRESS, WRITE TO: BETTER HOMES & GARDENS CUSTOMER SERVICE, P.O. BOX 37449, BOONE, IA 50037-0449. PLEASE ENCLOSE YOUR ADDRESS LABEL FROM A RECENT ISSUE. OR VISIT US AT BHG.COM/MYACCOUNT.

HOME 26 COLOR 40 GATHERINGS

© 2019 Delta Faucet Company

D ELTA®

VOICEIQ

TM

T ECH NO LO GY

Ask Delta to do it for you.

Delegate everyday tasks with Delta VoiceIQ Technology. Turn on, turn off, measure custom amounts, and even warm up water all with just a voice command.

Visit deltafaucet.com/voiceiq.

Amazon, Alexa, Echo, and all related logos and motion marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

VoiceIQ™ Technology is not created by, affiliated with, or supported by Amazon Technologies, Inc.

FEELING COLOR

DON’T TRASH THAT BAG Good news! If you receive your copy of BH&G in a plastic polybag, we want to alert you to the fact that it can be recycled wherever No. 4 plastic is accepted.

Please visit plastic filmrecycling.org to find a convenient collection location near you.

LET TERS + COMMENTS BHGEditor@meredith.com SUBSCRIP TION HELP BHG.com/MyAccount or email us at BHGcustserv@cdsfulfi llment.com or call 800/374-4244

4

| April 2020

PHOTOS: (PORTRAIT) MELANIE ACEVEDO/SARAH LAIRD, (MAGAZINE) CARSON DOWNING

I was in Los Angeles recently and noticed millennial pink is still everywhere. This signature color, something like a sun-warmed dawn, emerged a few years ago as a particular pink tinged with peach that’s popular with hip clothing stores, gift shops, and restaurants. It’s so popular that it has almost become a cliché. But I love it.

You know why? It makes me happy.

Like many people, I really respond to color.

I actually feel certain shades viscerally. I can’t help but be optimistic around the bright, clear blue of chicory flowers; a summer sky; or a tropical ocean. There’s a certain old-fashioned shade of lavender tinged with blue that I favor.

It’s the color of a lilac sweet pea aging to blue, or maybe wisteria. (You can see I relate colors to corresponding flowers.) When I hear music, I often see colors in abstract forms that move and rearrange themselves. I’ve always thought this was a normal trait everyone shares, but it turns out it’s a fairly unusual phenomenon called synesthesia. Synesthetes perceive certain sensory experiences via more than one sense at a time. (Synesthesia has its roots in the Greek words for perceiving together.) They might smell a particular scent when hearing certain sounds or be able to taste words, for example. Maybe that explains why as a kid I would do abstract drawings of music; it seemed like a natural way to capture the colorful images flashing across my retinas.

Why do humans—synesthetes or not—value color? Naturally, it’s handy for us to recognize a brightly striped coral snake on a green path. But color doesn’t only warn; it stimulates our emotions. Imagine a mossy green forest.

Don’t you feel calm? Imagine coming upon a vast field of golden sunflowers or orange California poppies on a road trip. You know that feeling of excitement and wonder that makes you want to pull over and grab your phone for a shot.

We do a color issue every April because we enjoy working with shades, hues, and tints while helping our readers understand how to use them. We share the same challenge: how to pick a color palette. Classic color theory is helpful, but I think the key is to tap into something my 10-year-old self knew. All colors are beautiful, so I use the visceral test I mentioned Synesthetically yours, earlier: I want to feel a color right in my solar plexus.

Once you really stop, clear the mental decks, and concentrate on the colors around you, I bet you’ll feel the colors of rooms in your home. Your choices should make you give a happy, self-satisfied little STEPHEN ORR, sigh. If they don’t, it’s time for a new paint job. Life Editor in Chief instagram @steporr is too short to not live it as colorfully as possible.

©J&JCI 2020

what ’s trending online IS YOUR YARD A WINNER? Our second annual America’s Best Front Yard contest is coming.

Between April 6 and May 15, share a photo of your front yard on Instagram or Twitter tagged with #BHGBestFrontYardContest for a chance to win $5,000 and have your yard featured in BH&G. Check BHG.com/BestFrontYard or page 133 for details.

Make it, then bake it. Our best breakfast casseroles let you roll out of bed, pop a dish in the oven, and have a meal ready in no time. Our favorites come savory, sweet, spicy, and always indulgent.

BHG.com/BreakfastCass

HOW TO PAINT YOUR DOOR Hover your smartphone camera over this code to watch our video.

Curb Appeal Boost Painting the front door is one of the most effective ways to instantly refresh your exterior.

We show you all the tricks for getting this weekend project done right.

BHG.com/PaintDoor

Rose ‘At Last’ [SPECIAL

BH&G OFFER]

These aren’t your mother’s finicky roses. This easy-care variety is diseaseresistant and robust, blooming each year from June through September. ‘At Last’ stands out for its double blooms of velvety apricot petals and deep fragrance. Plant the shrub rose so it gets six hours of sun and has room to grow to its full 3 feet tall.

Order online at whiteflowerfarm.com/ atlast or call 800/420-2852. Mention item M066871 and offer code BHS04. Cost is $27.95, plus shipping.

Ships in a 1-gallon pot.

[ S W E E P S TA K E S ]

Win a mower

Make mowing a breeze.

Enter for a chance to win the John Deere Z335E Residential ZTrak Mower, plus $1,000 to cover taxes.

BHG.com/WinDeere Details on page 133.

6

| April 2020

PHOTOS: (CASSEROLE) KRITSADA, (ROSES) WHITE FLOWER FARM, (FRONT DOOR) BRIE WILLIAMS

BREAKFAST FOR A CROWD

Vet recommended for dental care that dogs love

Š 2020 Mars or Affiliates. Treat shape is a trademark. US Patent No. 587,428

BAD

The Color Me room at the Color Factory’s Houston location. Go to colorfactory.co for info on this and future locations.

8

| April 2020

FROM THE EDITORS

color outside the lines

One of my favorite recent rainy day activities was taking my kids to the Color Factory, an interactive museum that feels like it’s set in a kaleidoscope. Installations (at both the New York City and Houston locations) invite you to experience the rainbow using all your senses: play music, taste a sweet treat, color a wall, or dive into a ball pit the size of a swimming pool. Bright backdrops mean lots of great pics for Nana (and Instagram). —ERICA METZGER , beauty director

PHOTO: CODY BESS FOR COLOR FACTORY

elevate the everyday

The world is your launchpad in the all-new Toyota Highlander.

Wherever you’re going, go boldly. Go with an available all-wheel-drive system built to help handle whatever comes your way and an extraordinarily stylish interior with the available, bestin-class 12.3-in. touch-screen display.* Don’t just go — go above and beyond. Let’s Go Places. toyota.com/highlander

Prototype shown with options. Do not overload your vehicle. See Owner’s Manual for weight limits and restrictions. *2020 Highlander vs. 2020 competitors. Information from manufacturers’ websites as of 09/19/19. ©2020 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

from the editors Painting the back wall in a room with a sloped ceiling draws the eye upward.

EYE CANDY

WALL G REEN WITH ENV Y 2 0 3 6-3 0 BENJAMIN MOORE

Some of the little ways we’re bringing color into our lives.

CO LO R WH E E L PL ATE S

PL AYI N G CAR D S

My family is all about card games these days. With this rainbow deck ($13; fredericksandmae.com), even a losing hand is nice to look at. — MIRANDA CROWELL , West Coast editor I N STA I D E AS

Rit Dye’s Instagram feed (@ritdye) is so vibrant and full of color inspiration—even if you’re not planning to dye anything. — LAUREN HEDRICK , associate home editor

T H ROW BACK

WHAT SEASON ARE YOU?

That was the big question in 1980, when this best seller helped the colorcurious figure out whether they were a winter, spring, summer, or fall based on eyes, hair, and skin. If you were really extra, you could order swatches of your colors to take with you while shopping.

Turns out this awesomely ’80s idea still has legs.

At colormebeautiful .com, you can buy the book, take a quiz to fi nd your season, and score those coveted swatches. —AMY PANOS, home editor

I N PRA I S E O F …

THE ACCENT WALL

It can be a polarizing topic in decorating, but I’m solidly on Team Accent Wall. Painting a single wall can add color without taking over, highlight architecture, or conceal an eyesore.

(Watch how a flat-screen TV disappears when mounted on a black wall.) The trick to getting it right? Choose a wall that is bookended by two other walls, says interior designer Catherine Ebert, who framed a pair of beds with bright green in her Washington, D.C., home. “It’s tough to have a clean edge unless the wall ends in a corner,” she says. — MONIKA EYERS , East Coast editor

ON POINT

These triangle-shape pencils with little grip dots have smooth, easy-to-blend color. Bonus points for using sustainable wood. Your sketchbook will thank you.

— DIANA DICKINSON , features editor ■

24 Grip EcoPencils, $13; faber

10

| April 2020

castell.com

PHOTOS: (PLATE) COURTESY MERI MERI, (CARDS, BOOK, PENCILS) CARSON DOWNING, (BASKET) COURTESY RIT DYE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CRAFTED LIFE, (ROOM) ANICE HOACHLANDER; STYLIST: CHARLOTTE SAFAVI; ILLUSTRATION: JESSICA DURRANT

My favorites for a casual party, these paper plates ($7 for eight; merimeri .com) take me back to the color wheel lessons I had in art school.

—JESSICA THOMAS , style & design director

A G R E AT D AY IN THE MAKING

Wake up to the taste you love.

Find it where you buy groceries.

StarbucksÂŽ and the Starbucks logo are registered trademarks of Starbucks Corporation used under license

by NestlĂŠ. Keurig, K-Cup, and the K logo are trademarks of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., used with permission.

why it works

“When you don’t have a big budget, you become very resourceful. I taught myself how to sew, do electrical projects, and reupholster furniture.”

GRACE MITCHELL, designer

crafts closet

1

Designer, self-taught sewer, and star of HGTV’s One of a Kind, Grace Mitchell wanted a well-organized space for crafting supplies that would be pretty enough to leave the door open. She called her friend Jen Jones—the pro behind the IHeart Organizing site—to help tackle her storage punch list.

1

2

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK Grace and Jen whitewashed the dark wood walls and ceiling, brightening the small space but leaving rustic texture.

2

BETTER BLUEPRINT

3

Grace didn’t limit herself to traditional closet organizers or layouts. She fit cubes (Kallax; ikea .com) along a side wall and stretched storage to the ceiling by hanging a mix of adaptable pieces, including shelves and a vintage accordion peg rack.

EASIER ACCESS Color-coordinated collections of fabrics, trims, and papers are in view. Lidded containers hold small items and the inevitable hodgepodge of crafting.

Grace folds fabrics around a cardboard template so the stacks stay uniform.

4

4

STYLE POINTS Brass hardware and woven baskets give the space polish. n

12

| April 2020

P H OTO DAV I D T S AY

BY: KATY KIICK CONDON; STYLING: JESSICA THOMAS

3

passion project PICK A PAIR Adult shoes start at $65. reunion shoe.com

TH E M I S S ION A people company that happens to make shoes. That’s how founder Dan Fowler describes Reunion. Started in 2017, it provides jobs backed with social services to New Orleanians building new lives after homelessness.

We created Reunion to supply good jobs for people who need them but have a hard time fi nding them.

DAN FOWLER

HOU S E D E S IG N S Browse the site for stock colorways like the Saints-inspired black, gold, and white Shoe Dat collection or the blue-and-aqua women’s Grit.

walkamile

Meet Reunion Shoe Company. Hand-painted in New Orleans, each colorful, custom pair provides a job and support for people rebounding from homelessness.

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| April 2020

B E H I N D TH E LOOK Each Reunion shoe gets a free-form splatter paint job, a method Dan perfected when a friend’s ministry needed to upcycle a donation of 1,000 bright orange prison shoes.

The speedy Pollock-inspired technique stuck.

BY M A D I S O N KO E T T I N G P H OTO JAC O B F OX

S UCC E S S STORY Jonique Houston was Reunion’s fi rst employee and is now the head shoe technician.

After two years creating custom kicks, he has permanent housing and continues counseling. ■

ILLUSTRATIONS: AGNESE BICOCCHI

HOW IT WORKS Jobs at Reunion provide more than a paycheck. Every week, employees gather for a huddle to set goals like maintaining J U ST FOR YOU permanent housing Pick a base canvas or going back to color and two school. The artisans accent paints. are then linked Reunion artisans will to social workers drip, fl ing, throw, or and free counseling spray your custom to help them design. If you’re take action toward local, bring a pair of their goals. your own shoes to the NOLA shop to be painted.

EXPERIENCE

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trends

1

8

4

Polka dots add a feminine touch to brown while keeping the backdrop neutral.

7

5

6

onthedot

Always in style, the friendly polka dot also has a fashionforward edge, especially when it plays around with scale, shape, and color.

1 SPOTTY NAPKINS

As festive as confetti. $7 for 20; merimeri.com 2 BH&G COLLECTION® POLKA DOTS CEREAL BOWLS Irregular dots go

glam with a spot of bling. $10 for set of four; walmart.com/BHG

16

| April 2020

4 TOKYO GIRL NOTEBOOK

3 WHITE DOTS LAPIS BLUE FLATWARE

Dishwasher-safe resin in versatile blue and white. $86 for five-piece set; graciousstyle.com

Classic menswear pocket squares inspired this use of tiny dots. $13 (medium), $16 (large); improvisolab.com 5 POLKA DOTS RUG

upgrade for high-traffic areas. $200 (4'×5'3"); lorenacanals.us

7 STYLISH CHIC PINKAND-GOLD THROW PILLOW Golden dots

6 KLARASTINA CUSHION COVER

take millennial pink up a notch. $40; zazzle.com

The dot goes overscale in timeless black and white. $6; ikea.com

8 DECO DOT TEA KETTLE A retro-inspired

A stylish and washable

BY E U G E N I A S A N T I E S T E B A N S OTO

take on the trend. $50; lenox.com ■

PHOTOS: (NAPKINS, BOWLS, NOTEBOOKS) CARSON DOWNING, (FLATWARE, RUG) MARTY BALDWIN, (ROOM) KARA ROSENLUND, COURTESY OF HALCYON HOUSE; ROOM INTERIOR DESIGN: ANNA SPIRO

3

Š 2020 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Franchises independently owned and operated.

Walk-in closet custom designed

by California Closets

We design custom solutions for the stories of your life.

Together with us, the space where you live becomes the place you love.

Find yourself at home with

californiaclosets.com 844.295.1402 Visit a Showroom | Free Design Consultation

book club

THE KIT You don’t need a pasta-maker or any fancy gear, but these three tools are helpful.

pasta Grannies D I G I TA L S C A L E

Welcome to “Book Club,” where we give new releases a real-life test-drive. First up: making homemade pasta, no special equipment needed.

maggie Pasta Pro

you develop ‘the touch.’ I’m ready to give it another go.”

“I first learned to make pasta by hand during a cooking vacation to Tuscany. Though I’ve made it frequently since, I’d never tried shapes beyond fettuccine and ravioli.

Shaping busiate, a twisted macaroni, was a bit of a challenge— it’s tough to describe the nuances of shaping techniques—and I ended up rolling my spirals too tightly.

But I’ve learned that the more you make pasta, the more

mallory Confident Cook

ANGELA’S BUSIATE

MARIA LUISA AND MENA’S FETTUCCINE

“Usually I’m a recipe skimmer, but I learned pretty quickly that I needed to pay greater attention to detail when mixing the dough. Once I mastered that, fettuccine was easy to make. The grannies say to ‘roll it up like a carpet’ “Making then cut pasta is therapeutic.

I loved working with my hands.”

—Mallory

across the roll into folded ribbons. The accompanying artichoke sauce was just as fun to make.”

christy First-Timer

MARICA’S STR APPONI

“I wasn’t familiar with strapponi. When I learned that it meant torn pasta, I knew shaping would be the easy part. You simply wrap the dough around the rolling pin then tear off pieces straight into boiling water. Smart!”

ROLLING PIN

The preferred length varies by region and pasta shape.

We suggest a long pin (about 20 inches) without handles.

BENCH SCRAPER

A raschietto or bench scraper, comes in handy when mixing and shaping dough and clearing a work surface. ■

“It took some muscle to roll the dough thin enough.

Those grannies are strong.”

—Christy

18

| April 2020

PHOTOS: BLAINE MOATS; ILLUSTRATIONS: AGNESBIC

A chance invitation to an Italian home for dinner set Vicky Bennison on a mission to document and preserve traditional pasta-making techniques across Italy—one nonna (Italian grandmother) at a time. Five years and one popular YouTube channel of the same name later, Pasta Grannies ($30; hardiegrant.com) landed in our in-box, and we couldn’t wait to take it “All you need is a into the kitchen. good rolling Our staff pin and some volunteers patience.” agree that the —Maggie book was a lot like having a nonna next to them in the kitchen.

The grannies measure flour by the handful.

Until you’ve got that down, a scale ensures precision.

the tastes that shape E V ERY JA R OF BER TOL L I SAU CE ®

The deliciously sweet Tuscan flavor of plump, sun-kissed, vine-ripened tomatoes added to freshly minced garlic and cooked lightly with olive oil is what shapes Bertolli . And that’s truly the Tuscan Difference. ®

©2020 Mizkan America, Inc.

G O LD E N E YE S

Warm orange and gold tones make green or blue eyes look brighter.

COLOR REPORT

desert sunset Why wait for summer to warm your look? Pink, orange, and shimmery gold makeup and nail polish flatter every skin tone and can read as striking or neutral, depending on how you apply it. Take orange for example: “It can be a playful choice for lips, an unexpected eye shadow, or a secretweapon blush on medium to dark skin,” says NYC makeup artist Mary Irwin.

Clockwise from top left Olive & June 7-Free Nail Polish in OJSM $8; oliveandjune.com ■ Kaja Beauty Bento Eyeshadow Trio in Poppy Champagne $21; sephora.com ■ It Cosmetics Pillow Lips Matte Lipstick in Wishlist $24; itcosmetics.com ■ Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Heroine $8; walmart.com ■ Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Peach Glow $26; laurageller.com ■ Essie Expressie in Strong at 1% $9; essie.com ■ Milani Cosmetics Baked Blush in 01 Dolce Pink $8; milanicosmetics.com ■

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| April 2020

P H OTO P E T E R A R D I TO S T Y L I N G M I C H E L L E LO N G O

BY: ERICA METZGER

F L A S H MAN I

Paint and go with this quick-dry formula. No base or top coat needed.

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solutions

LOVE YOUR GRAY You’ve plucked them, hidden them, and battled them. But there’s another way: Rock those strong, silvery strands with confidence.

SOFTEN AND STYLE Gray, silver, and white hair appear when follicles quit producing melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. As grays come in, the scalp’s oil production often takes a dive too, making these fine strands seem coarse or wiry. To improve dryness, load up on moisture with conditioning cleansers and treatments and oilrich styling products, says James Corbett, celebrity colorist and owner of James Corbett Studio in NYC. And stylist-colorist Kali Ferrara of The Salon Project in NYC likes to apply a heat-activated styling cream to damp hair before blow-drying. “This softens the grays and smooths the cuticles, which helps resolve those texture differences,” she says.

G IVE YO U R G R AYS TH E AT TE NTI O N TH EY D E S E RVE .

DEEP CO N D ITI O N C LE AN S E WITH CAR E

OGX Pracaxi Recovery Oil Shampoo, $9; cvs.com

BY C H E RY L K R A M E R K AY E

Better Not Younger Hair Redemption Restorative Butter Masque, $35; sephora.com

S M OOTH F R IZ Z

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Blow Dry Créme, $10; target.com April 2020 |

23

BRIGHTEN AND WHITEN

make the transition

GROW OUT YOUR ROOTS

SILVER SAVER PU R PLE S HAM POO

Mellowing the yellow is as simple as adding violet, like this Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo. $14; ulta.com

■

“I’ll have my clients come in for trims a little bit more regularly,” Corbett says. Hair grows about 6 inches per year, so this process is for the super patient.

GET SILVER HIGHLIGHTS

■

Ask your colorist to weave in an increasing number of silver-gray highlights each time you get highlights. This can take you to gray in six months to a year and is less damaging than lightening all the color-treated hair at once, Corbett says.

■

CHOP IT OFF

“A pixie is the quickest way to get rid of any old, color-treated hair while giving yourself a statement style,” Ferrara says.

24

| April 2020

UP YOUR STYLE GAME

Going gray can feel like unchartered territory—exciting, liberating, and a little scary. If you’re concerned that gray hair will make you look older than you feel, know that your haircut, makeup, and accessories can keep your overall look vibrant and youthful. “When you choose gray hair, make sure that you still have a look,” says Corbett, who recommends getting a stylish haircut, like a polished bob, face-framing curls, or something with structure. “You want to avoid styles that look scraggly or BO LD LI PSTI C K unkempt,” he says.

“Contrast And when you’re your gray hair with a pop feeling washed out, of vibrant color applying concealer, like bright lips,” blush, and lipstick Corbett says. will make you feel Here: Lancôme pulled together.

L’Absolu Rouge Ruby Cream in Hot Pink Ruby, $32; lancomeusa.com

Trae Bodge, a smart-shopping expert who shares sweet deals on TV and on her blog, True Trae, is leaning into and loving her natural color.

S T Y L E A DV I C E

”Even more than the color, the definition of my curls is crucial.

I have a lot of hair and use a lot of product.” Trae’s fave is the SheaMoisture Créme on page 23.

G R AY N E W B I E S

“I know it’s hard, but if you are starting to go gray, don’t cover it immediately.

We jump to fix it so quickly that we don’t even allow ourselves to see how it might look.

Years later, we find we’ve spent so much money to color it then get stuck with an awful growing-out period.

Give your gray a chance; it might look awesome.”

B E AU T Y T R I C K S

“l love a gua sha facial massager to wake up my skin followed by a great concealer and a lip stain for color that will stay.” ■

PHOTOS: (SHAMPOO) JACOB FOX, (PORTRAIT) PHOTOGRAPHY/SHOOTT

White hair, as striking as it is, has the unfortunate tendency to yellow. “Sun, heat-styling tools, pollution, cigarette smoke—a lot of external factors can give your gray or white hair a yellow cast,” Ferrara says. But you can keep it bright and shiny with a color-correcting treatment. “Purple is the shade directly across from yellow on the color wheel,” Corbett says. “So a shampoo or gloss with purple tones will neutralize the yellow in your hair.” These products deposit a temporary sheer layer of purple pigment that camouflages the yellow. Purple hair treatments are beneficial even if there’s still some pepper with your salt because it tones down brassy yellow and orange across your whole head. But reach for these products only once a week or on an asneeded basis. “You don’t need to use it every time you shampoo, and leave it on for only a few seconds,” Corbett says. Another way to keep your white looking bright? Add a filter to your showerhead, especially if you live in The segue from a hard-water area. “Mineral deposits can dyeing away your make white hair look rusty or even green,” natural gray to Ferrara says. “We have old pipes, and there’s embracing it can be always a reddish tinge around our bathtub. a slow evolution or Just imagine that on your hair.” Yuck. an overnight coup.

It’s up to you.

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BY L AC E Y H OWA R D P H OTO C A R S O N D OW N I N G

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SMART TECH

New apps help you match colors, get palettes from photos, and preview colors on your walls.

Try ColorSnap Visualizer by Sherwin-Williams or Project Color from The Home Depot

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A WALL COLOR YOU LOVE

REBECCA ATWOOD is a textile designer and artist whose second book, Living with Color, explains how to create a color scheme using a simple formula: one favorite color, two neutrals, one connector, and one contrasting color. If a favorite doesn’t come to mind readily, she says, “look to your color memories.” Those might be the hazy blues of a summer seascape or the rich greens of a hiking trail. Deploy it on walls for an enveloping effect. The two neutrals provide breathing room; the connector (a lighter, darker, or grayer version of your favorite color) bridges those three; the contrasting color punctuates them.

START WITH

FAVORITE COLOR

2 NEUTRALS

The natural materials of the window blinds, rug, and wood pair with the yellow in the linen draperies and brass fixtures— “not bright sunshine yellow, but more golden like wheat fields,” Atwood says.

CONNECTOR COLOR

The darker dusty blue of the sofa transitions between pale walls and earthy neutrals.

CONTRAST COLOR Warm, faded reds on cushions and pillows offset the cool blues.

NATURAL MATERIALS BRING IN NEUTRAL HUES WITH TEXTURE AND WARMTH. REBECCA ATWOOD, designer

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| April 2020

PHOTOS: (PORTRAIT) TORY WILLIAMS, (ROOM) SHARON RADISCH, FROM LIVING WITH COLOR, PUBLISHED BY CLARKSON POTTER, 2019

T H I S PA L E T T E I S A C A L M , L I VA B L E TA K E O N T H E P R I M A R I E S ( B LU E , R E D , Y E L LOW ) .

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If your dream color is strong and you’re worried it will overpower on the walls, Atwood suggests peppering small amounts around the room.

START WITH

M I X I N G WA R M AND COOL NEUTRALS C R E AT E S A T E N S I O N T H AT ENERGIZES THE PA L E T T E .

FAVORITE COLOR

Bold purple in the eye-catching artwork is the focal point of this palette.

Grays on the window trim, shades, and armchair balance purples. Cream walls are complementary, thanks to their yellow undertones— purple’s opposite on the color wheel.

CONNECTOR COLOR Mauve, lilac, and heather on the sofa and round pillow bridge the neutrals and art.

CONTRAST COLOR

Tawny hues in the lamp base, lumbar pillow, and wood finishes stand up to the rich purple.

PURPLE CAN BE POLARIZING, BUT HERE IT DOESN’T FEEL TOO SWEET. IT IS MORE NATURAL—HOW YOU MIGHT SEE PURPLE TONES ON A MOUNTAIN. REBECCA ATWOOD

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| April 2020

PHOTO: (ROOM) SHARON RADISCH, FROM LIVING WITH COLOR, PUBLISHED BY CLARKSON POTTER, 2019

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A FABRIC

Walsh pulled red, green, and blue from the ottoman fabric’s nine colors and set them in a warm neutral envelope.

32

| April 2020

PAPRIKA RED

Bright red in the sofa doesn’t overwhelm the room because of the equal amounts of ivory in the small-scale pattern.

FOREST GREEN

Dark grayed-back green in the throw pillow and artwork “is about equal weight as the wall of cherry built-ins,” Walsh says.

COBALT BLUE

Triangulating a color through the room keeps the eye moving and builds cohesion.

Here, blues repeat in solids and patterns.

CREAMY BEIGE

Walsh wrapped the room in a light neutral via the rug and wall color. It offsets wood tones in the bookcase and flooring.

PHOTOS: (PORTRAIT) BRITTANY AMBRIDGE, (ROOM) RIKKI SNYDER

WA L L C O LO R M ATC H : PA L E A L M O N D O C -2 B E N JA M I N MOORE

KATHLEEN WALSH, an interior designer, offers another strategy: Use a multicolor object you spark to, like a patterned chair or rug, as a cheat sheet. You can see the colors working together, so pull out three (the magic number creates cohesion) to build your room around.

But first, establish a background with a coordinating color on walls and floors.

Bold or medium tones create a cocoon; lighter ones let furnishings shine.

Then bring in your color palette through furniture and accessories. But avoid exact matches—a shade or two lighter or darker looks less formulaic.

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Still looking for a launching point? Our editors are crushing on these six colors in their homes.

“In different light, this periwinkle transforms from a dusty gray to a soft heather. It gives everything a little moodiness.”

“Slightly powdery in the light, this green takes on more of an emerald hue in the dark—comfort by day, drama by night.”

MALLORY ABREU WI N K

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685 Benjamin Moore EYE O F TH E TI G E R

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A DV I C E ]

“I had this pink in my kitchen and loved how it lightened the dark floors and wood countertops. Almost a neutral with blush tones, it doesn’t go saccharine.”

personalized service connects you with Valspar color experts.

Answer a few short questions, submit photos of your space and inspirations, then chat with a pro via email. You can also upload photos to get paint chips to match and turn Pinterest boards into palettes. askval.com

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2 02 Farrow & Ball

“I love oranges and corals, so I picked this matte blue as a backdrop to complement all those bright punches of color in my living room.”

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ST YLE G U I D E

CAS E STU D I E S

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In Making Living Lovely, the founders of 2LG Studio walk you through using color to express your personality. ($35; thames andhudson.com)

Farrow & Ball’s Decorating with Colour features advice on choosing color to create atmosphere. ($40; rylandpeters.com)

Interior designer Tricia Guild’s 17th book, Paint Box, dissects 45 palettes to illustrate using color. ($35; hardiegrant.com) ■

PHOTOS: CARSON DOWNING

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gatherings

celebrate spring

Let Mother Nature inspire your springtime gatherings.

These three get-togethers put flowers at the center of the table—and the decorating theme.

GET THE LOOK

These flowerinspired hues make this scene.

[ EASTER

A trio of arrangements fills the table.

Build them low enough that guests can converse.

BRUNCH]

FLOWER POWER

Floral designer Kelly Marie Thompson of Fleur flower boutique in Chicago channels her love of flowers on a dramatic, romantic table that starts with lush arrangements.

T U M BL ER S

Bitossi Water in Pink, $7 each; amara.com

F LOW E RS

Foolproof prearranged bouquets; farmgirlflowers.com

■ HIGH CONTRAST

Bright blue cut glass compotes contrast soft arrangements of ranunculus, hellebores, poppies, and Juliet garden roses. A grid of florists tape over the top of each compote holds stems in place.

CO M P OT E

Queen in Colonial Blue, $49; rosso-glass.com

■ MIXED TO MATCH

A mix of vintage floral salad plates sits on top of dinner plates with a larger, simpler pattern. (They don’t have to match. Just go for similar colors.)

A cloth napkin tied in a loose knot is an easy flourish.

40

| April 2020

N A PK I N S

Cotton Slub in Berry, Mustard, and Dusty Blue, $8 for four; worldmarket.com

BY C AY L I N H A R R I S

PHOTOS: (PARTY) ADAM ALBRIGHT, (TUMBLERS, NAPKINS) BLAINE MOATS, (PORTRAIT) TRU-STUDIO.COM; PRODUCED BY: KYLEE KRIZMANIC AND KELLY MARIE THOMPSON

PRO TIP

MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF WITH

©2020 Kraft Foods

GET THE LOOK PRO TIP

Surefire ways to jazz up a mostly white table.

Amanda creates arrangements in her hand first, centering the special flowers.

[ SEDER

MEAL]

CLEAN & CLASSIC Amanda Gluck of the Fashionable Hostess blog aims for luxe chic by adding glam notes to an elegantly simple blue-andwhite scheme.

ACCESSORIZE

Amanda pulls ginger jars off the bookshelf and onto the table as vases to hold arrangements of affordable white stock, eucalyptus, and a few stems of ranunculus and anemone.

■

FLATWA R E

Arkita by Threshold, $20 for five-piece set; target.com

GO FOR GOLD

With the rest of the table done in cool hues, Amanda likes to mix in gold flatware and gold-rimmed wineglasses for warmth.

■

Blue and White, $25; kirklands.com

DRESS IT UP

Layer gold-rimmed chargers under everyday white dinner plates to elevate them.

Top off a simple white dinner napkin with a sprig of fresh greenery.

SE D E R PLAT E

Alabaster White, $50; bedbath andbeyond.com

A Seder plate is the centerpiece of the traditional celebration on the first one or two nights of Passover.

It holds foods that symbolize various parts of the Passover story.

I was trying to channel those beautiful spring vibes, that fresh and bright look. These flower arrangements are AMANDA GLUCK meant to be more whimsical than perfect.

42

| April 2020

PHOTOS: (PARTY, PORTRAIT) @SIMPLYLIVELY, (JAR, SEDER PLATE) BLAINE MOATS; STYLING: AMANDA GLUCK OF @FASHIONABLEHOSTESS

■

PO RCE LAI N JA R

Don’t be the person that brings a veggie platter.

®/©2019 Tyson Foods, Inc.

[ EASTER

E G G H U N T]

NATURALLY SWEET Designer Jenni Kayne of Rip & Tan embodies her native California ease by combining earthy materials like wood and burlap with greens and pinks from nature.

COVERED UP

Burlap (about $3 a yard at crafts stores) is an effortless tablecloth. Cut and drape; no hemming needed.

■ FESTIVE TREATS

Keep kids entertained by letting them decorate Eastertheme sugar cookies with pink frosting and sprinkles.

■

PRO TIP

This trough centerpiece will last for weeks.

SPLATTERED

Brown eggs get festive when splattered with white paint. Try Jenni’s idea on blown-out eggs: Load a brush until it’s dripping and drizzle over eggs.

■

LIVING RUNNER

Plant a long, low container with pansies and hyacinths, either in their pots or rooted in a couple inches of potting soil over a layer of pebbles. Fill gaps between the plants with moss.

44

GET THE LOOK

A modern, rustic take on an Easter tradition.

| April 2020

BURLA P BASK ET S PLAN T ER H EAD BA ND

Frosted Pearl Bunny Ears, $7; partycity.com

24"×6" natural wood trough with a plastic insert, $20; tableclothsfactory.com

M IL K B OT T L E S

$9 for six; containerstore.com

Tape off a few inches at the bottom and paint white. $10 for six medium (6"×6¹∕2"); papermart.com ■

PHOTOS: (PARTY) BRITTANY WOOD, (PLANTER, MILK BOTTLES, BASKET) BLAINE MOATS, (PORTRAIT) KATRINA DICKSON

■

©

©

The best holiday for chocolate.

®/TM trademarks © Mars, Incorporated 2017.

Depending on who you ask.

buying guide

how to buy

wirtehgourtets

FURNITURE ONLINE

The incessant Googling is over. You found the one. That is, until the table, sofa, or bed shows up and … it’s not quite right. We tapped experts for smart strategies to avoid online-shopping missteps so you can click with confidence.

FINE PRINT Tabletops get seen closely and touched a lot, so read the details to consider if you’ll be happy with the look, feel, and performance of the material.

DINING TABLES

[ THE EXTRAS ]

STATEMENT LIGHT To get the scale right, follow the lead of designer Taniya Nayak: “Add the room’s length and width in feet.

That number in inches is the diameter of your light fixture.” (15 feet long + 10 feet wide = 25-inch-diameter fixture.)

FROM THERE

Check the total length of the light to confirm it will hang 66 inches above the floor. That should leave the ideal 3 feet between the light and the tabletop.

3

30 24 MAGIC NUMBERS

The feet needed for a walkway around the table. Map a 3-foot strip around the room’s perimeter; the remaining square footage is the max table size.

The height in inches of a typical dining table.

The standard for counter dining is 36 inches, 42 inches for bar tables.

The inches between each place setting.

Measure from the center of one chairback to the center of its neighbor.

“It’s always great when something comes assembled.

You’ll see that the price point is usually higher, but it can be code for higher quality. Assembly required? Chances are the quality isn’t as great.”

TANIYA NAYAK, Boston-based interior designer and designer on Restaurant: Impossible

48

| April 2020

BY K AT Y K I I C K C O N D O N I L LU S T R AT I O N S S A M K A L DA

RESEARCH BY BERIT THORKELSON; PHOTO: (PORTRAIT) MICHAEL GIRAGOSIAN

RUG Choose one that’ll extend 24–36 inches past the table so all four legs of a chair pulled out are on it. Scan labels for terms like flat weave or low pile. “The dining room is not the place for shag,” Nayak says. “I’m looking for easy-clean rugs, usually described as indoor/ outdoor or made from polypropylene.”

Picture it

SOFAS

where to start

How many people do you want to seat? For three, you need an 84- to 96-inch-long sofa. Average back height: 34–38 inches; overall depth: 35 inches.

Look past the screen and visualize the piece in your space.

FROM THERE Don’t stop with the overall dimensions. Look at the interior, including seat depth

(average is 22 inches). Consider your intended use and adjust: Is this a sofa for lounging? Go a size longer. Do you have short legs? Find a shallower seat. Love throw pillows? Pick something deeper.

FINE PRINT When you order modular pieces, left or right is determined as you face the sofa, not when you’re seated. This is a right sofa, left chaise.

“A low-tech option is to get out a roll of painters tape and tape off the dimensions.

Walk through the space with the tape measure pulled to the height of the piece and make sure it feels in line with the scale of the rest of the space,” says Allison Harlow, an interior designer specializing in virtual consulting.

*

editors’ note

From there, play house.

Pull a chair up to your taped-on table and set it for dinner.

Pass a dish or deal a hand of cards to see how the size works.

[ FACT FINDING ]

GO BEYOND THE PICTURE

“When I picked my sofa, I rubbed every swatch down my yellow Lab’s back to see how the color and texture reacted.”

CHRISTIANE LEMIEUX

50

| April 2020

SWATCHES

USER REVIEWS

SITE RESOURCES

“Don’t trust your screen colors,” says Christiane Lemieux, cofounder of The Inside. Order swatches (she advises limiting options to seven) and spend the day observing them in the exact space you’re shopping for. Check them in the morning and afternoon sun and evening lamplight. Light is everything, she says.

Read them. Look for trends in praise or complaints—claims of bad customer service or issues with assembly or missing pieces—as indicators of quality.

“I always read reviews.

You get the true consumer perspective versus marketing speak,” says Julie Cassetina, product style expert for Wayfair.

Sellers really want to avoid returns, so look for tools dedicated to helping you. “We try to anticipate questions like how to measure a sofa to ensure it fits through your door,” says Laura Wilson, head of West Elm Design Crew. For help beyond the FAQs, call, email, or live-chat with a store’s service reps.

Remember blanket forts?

Arrange cardboard boxes, side chairs, or stacks of books to the dimensions of the piece you’re considering.

Drape them with a sheet to better understand the bulk and proportions.

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FROM A TO B

BEDS [ L I N G O A L E RT ]

PLATFORM BED

FINE PRINT

This kind of bed replaces a box spring with, you guessed it, a platform. And on wayfair.com last year, this was the most searched type of bed. Platform beds tend to be lower and sleeker (because a box spring accounts for a large portion of a bed’s overall height) and often go sans bed skirt, which is an important note if you’re banking on underbed storage.

Check assembly guides. Does the headboard mount to the wall or bed frame?

What tools will you need?

“Check the shipping policy; large pieces might require additional freight charges. If whiteglove delivery is an option, I usually go for it,” Harlow says.

“That means the item is shipped to a third-party freight company who will deliver it to your home, unbox it, and place it where it goes. That’s zero assembly headaches for you, no piles of shipping materials to discard, and no struggle trying to lug it up to the third floor.”

TAKE NOTE

CHRISTIANE LEMIEUX

how tall is your mattress?

Once you install your existing mattress and box spring, how tall will the bed be?

Will you be able to comfortably climb in and get out? Will you be able to see the headboard once you layer on your pillows?

*

EDITORS’ NOTE Shop for a bed (and all furniture)

like you do for pants. Jot down the dimensions of a favorite piece and use those numbers as a guide.

DESIGNER VERN YIP’S HEADBOARD MATH

height from floor to the mattress top 52

| April 2020

your height from waist to top of head

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“No matter what, you’re going to have to assemble the bed, so it’s a fantastic online purchase.

They’re so easy to ship.”

If something doesn’t work (Nooo!), how long do you have to return it? Can it be used? Do you need to hang onto the packing materials? Is there a restocking fee?

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BY THE NUMBERS Use the dimensions of a room’s anchor pieces as the basis for choosing the smaller ones like chairs, consoles, and lamps. “If you take a few minutes to space plan, a lot of questions start to answer themselves,” says Vern Yip, author of Design Wise: Your Smart Guide to a Beautiful Home. Then you can use those handy filters built into most websites to target the workable options. Yip’s room-by-room thought process:

dining room

living room END TABLES

COFFEE TABLE

“You typically want the table height right about where the sofa arm is. Too high or too low and it’s awkward to use. The point is to be able to access the stuff on it.”

“It should be between half to two-thirds the overall length of the sofa.” Any smaller and people at the sofa ends can’t reach it. Any longer and it’s tricky to sit down.

19 "

THE STANDARD SEAT HEIGHT FOR DINING CHAIRS

Options range between 18 and 20 inches, but “even 1 inch can make a difference in how you feel at the table,” Yip says. Choose taller or shorter seats based on the table’s—or your family’s—height.

AR M S OR AR M LE SS?

“Armless: You won’t have concerns about pushing a chair under the table.

If it has arms, you’ll need to figure out if your table has an apron* below it.”

*

An apron or skirt is a vertical piece that hides the mechanics of the legs and bracing pieces under the table top.

bedroom

24" THE MAXIMUM DEPTH FOR A NIGHTSTAND

“People use everything under the sun as nightstands, and that’s perfectly fine. Just make sure it isn’t deeper than 24 inches or you’ll hit it as you get in and out of bed.”

MATC H NIGHT STA ND TO BED HE IGHT

“In a perfect world, the top of the nightstand would be even with the top of the mattress.

A couple inches above or below is OK, but more than that not only doesn’t look good but also isn’t as functional.”

48 "–60" IDEAL HEIGHT FROM FLOOR TO THE CENTER OF THE TV When seated, you should be able to look across and be at screen level.

OTTOMAN “An ottoman should not be taller than the seat of the chair you’re pairing it with.”

LAMPS “The bottom of the shade should be about eye level when you’re sitting in bed.”

“Logistics may not be the most glamorous part of design and decoration, but once you know the facts behind the fancy, selecting pieces that make you happy and that you love becomes fun.”

VERN YIP in Design Wise: Your Smart Guide to a Beautiful Home ■

54

| April 2020

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i did it!

While making over a friend’s home office, this budget-minded blogger dreamed up a battery-operated pendant that couldn’t be any easier to install.

Looking for the final touch for a home offi ce she designed for a friend, Timisha Porcher suddenly had a lightbulb go off.

Or on, really. “I saw a chandelier in a magazine for around $300—too expensive— but I thought, I can make that,” she says.

A mere $35 and two hours later, the pendant was cut, drilled, and glued into existence in this Baltimore home.

Because there was no ceiling light in the room, Timisha used battery-operated LED puck lights with a remote control. Fabric attached to the bottom of the shade with hook-and-loop tape hides the inner workings but provides easy access to pucks to change batteries.

Turn the page for the how-to.

Show us what you made Send photos of you with your latest project to IDidIt@meredith.com and post on Instagram with our #BHGIDidIt hashtag.

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| April 2020

BY M A L LO RY A B R E U

PHOTOS: (OFFICE) TIMISHA PORCHER, (PORTRAIT) ANERIS PHOTOGRAPHY

WOO D FI N IALS B ECAM E A FAUX SOC KET, AN D A RO PE STAN D S I N FO R A CO RD.

You can find the craziest things while checking for monsters under your kid’s bed.

Like a minute to eat a cookie.

Save Something for Yourself ® ©2020 Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated.

WHATSHEDID

Timisha used paint stir sticks to create the inner light fixture, so she recommends bringing a stirrer when shopping for a shade to make sure everything fits inside.

MEET TIMISHA

Her website, Toolbox Divas, aims to empower women by teaching them DIY skills.

2

1

3

WHY I D IY

”It started out as a budget necessity but has turned into the thrill of looking at something and thinking, I made that. It gives me a sense of pride.”

FAVO RITE TOO L

”The impact driver.

I can use it for anything: drilling, screwing something in place, cleaning something out.”

4 YOU’LL NEED Wood finials Drill and drill bit ■ Wood stain ■ Paint stir sticks (3) ■ Hot-glue gun and glue sticks ■ Wireless LED puck lights (6) ■ Rope ■ Cotton fabric ■ Drum shade ■ Hook-and-loop strips ■ ¹/2"-diameter PVC pipe ■ Rubber band ■ Ribbon ■ Screw-in swag hook ■ ■

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| April 2020

1

WOOD TOPPER

Drill through the center of the wood finials then stain.

(Timisha sprayed on a powder-base wood dye then buffed it in.)

2

STIR STICKS

Stack the paint stir sticks and mark the center; drill through the center of the stack.

Hot-glue the bottom of a puck light to each stick’s ends. (The light tops twist off for battery changes.)

3

5 LIGHT FRAME

Thread one end of the rope through the holes of the sticks and knot.

Fan the sticks out like a sunburst and hotglue them together.

4

FABRIC DIFFUSER

To create a diffuser for the bottom of the shade, cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than the diameter of the shade. Glue one side of the hookand-loop tape along the inside edge of the bottom of the shade and the other to the

6 fabric edge, pleating the fabric as you go so it won’t bunch up when hung.

5

ASSEMBLY

Thread the remaining end of the rope through the PVC pipe, the shade, and the finials. Attach fabric diffuser.

6

HANGER

Create a loop on the loose end of the rope, secure it with a rubber band, and wrap the rubber band with ribbon. Hang light from the swag hook.

“I travel a lot internationally and get inspiration from the colors I see.

Thailand and Cuba, especially, have inspired designs.”

B E ST WAY TO S PE N D $ 5 0

“Ingredients for a gourmet shrimp, feta, and kale pizza night!”

PL AN TO LE ARN

”How to weld.

I want to incorporate metal into a few of my woodworking projects like a bed and coffee table.” ■

BUYING IN FORMATION : BHG.com/Resources

PHOTOS: (HOW-TO) TIMISHA PORCHER, (PORTRAIT) ANTHONY WASHINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY

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before & after

color shift

This once dark and dated kitchen got a lightened look thanks to the homeowner’s DIY spirit and a lot of paint.

C LEVE R D E S I G N HAC K

Jessica painted right onto the existing floor tile.

Details on page 66.

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| April 2020

BY J O DY G A R LO C K P H OTO S A N N I E S C H L E C H T E R

A counter-height table doubles as an island in Jessica Davis’ kitchen. “The room became so much more useful once we added it,” she says.

STYLING: ERIN SWIFT; PRODUCED BY: MONIKA BIEGLER EYERS

j

essica Davis went back and forth about remodeling her New Jersey kitchen for so long that she finally tired of the talk. Figuring a paintcentric facelift would tide her over, the interior and hardware designer overhauled the cabinets with easy-to-apply chalkfinish paint in a mossy sage green. “The color has a lot of historical reference, so it fit with the 1879 house,” she says. Plus, it distracted from the reddishbrown patches in the granite countertops.

“I realized I needed to think of it like makeup,” she says. “If you’re trying to hide red spots, you use concealer with green in it.” Other updates included hardware from her Nest Studio collection and a graphic pattern she stenciled onto the tile floor. “I thought the makeover was going to be a Band-Aid, but it looks great.”

Makes broccoli less broccoli-ey.

Š 2019 Kraft Foods

blend it

[ DO

Jessica mixed an even ratio of two paint colors to get the right green.

“If you see two colors and want something between them, play around by mixing sample pots. A 50/50 mix is pretty simple.”

TOP Provence BOTTOM Château Grey (Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan)

I T YO U R S E L F ]

JESSICA’S TIPS C H OO S I N G PAI NT

“Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan doesn’t require priming, so I just cleaned the cabinets with Clorox wipes and filled holes with wood putty.

The paint dries really fast, so I could do two coats in one paint session.”

The range slips into what originally was a cooking fi replace.

Adding panels on each side gives it the look of a built-in.

Jessica painted upper cabinets white for brightness but left the window trim stained to tie in with her “island” table and the interiors of glass-front cabinets on the opposite wall.

PAI NTI N G STR ATEGY

”I worked on the cabinets in stages.

I’d remove the doors or drawers from a section then paint the box.”

HAN DY H E LPE R

“My dining room table served as my workshop while I was painting doors and drawers. I used painters tripods to elevate them. A 10-pack is about $5 at Home Depot.”

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| April 2020

B E FO RE

PHOTOS: (BEFORE) JESSICA DAVIS

PRO TR I C K

“I put a piece of painters tape where I’m about to drill holes. It gives the drill bit something to grip, and the wood is less likely to split.”

She also uses a hardware installation template to line the holes up (under $10 at Lowes).

All the fun of Goldfish now comes with the goodness of 1/3 serving of vegetables. ®

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GAME CHANGERS

A few key updates went a long way in revamping Jessica’s kitchen. “I wanted to honor the style of the house,” she says.

Making decisions through that filter helped her pull together the details.

EASY RETROFIT Slide in one of these 30-inch freestanding ranges without demoing any cabinets.

Their features will have you cooking like a pro.

SAM S U N G

An oval-shape fi fth burner evenly heats oversize pans.

NX58R4311SS, $999; samsung.com

B E FO RE

COLOR CORRECTION The 1990s stained cabinetry made the room dark and looked out of place in the 1879 Victorian. The cabinetry’s new green hue has enough gray in it to avoid being jarring.

CONNECTING THE DOTS “I wanted a backsplash that didn’t feel too modern and that tied into the style of the house,” Jessica says. She chose penny tile—typically used on fl oors—for its texture and vintage look.

KITC H E NAI D

Punch the recipe temperature in, and this oven converts it for convection cooking.

KFGG500ESS, $1,399; kitchenaid.com

For a similar look, try Royal Design Studio’s Concrete Quilt Stencil.

BOSC H

FINISHING TOUCH O il-rubbed bronze pulls from Nest Studio’s Mod series balance the cabinets’ traditional profi le. “I like a dark fi nish because it can look both modern and traditional at the same time,” she says.

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| April 2020

FAUX EFFECT To get the look of unglazed encaustic tiles, Jessica applied white chalk-fi nish paint to the existing 10¹∕2-inch porcelain tiles then stenciled a black pattern on top. Two coats of sealer protect it.

This range, which has a warming drawer, fi ts fl ush to the wall and countertops so can appear built-in.

HGI8056UC, $2,299; bosch-home.com ■

container design

THE PLANTS

ONE CONTAINER,

FOUR SEASONS

BULBS

TO

K

GOOD

When shopping for potted hyacinth and tulips in garden centers, choose plants with unopened flowers so you have more time to appreciate them.

NO

W

Commonly sold as 3'-tall specimens, ‘Moonglow’ juniper grows anywhere from a few inches to a foot a year in a pot.

Start with a versatile evergreen focal point, then swap seasonal annuals in and out for a design with no expiration date.

LETTUCE

BY: MIRANDA CROWELL; PHOTOS: CARSON DOWNING; JUNIPER SOURCE: THETREECENTER.COM

The round leaves of a lettuce like ‘Buttercrunch’ balance the daintier elements.

SPRING Jump-start spring with as much color as fits in a pot. Plant this combo as soon as you see tulips and hyacinths in stores. (These plants can all survive light frost.) During spring, summer, and fall, the plantings will prefer full sun and water about once a week. You’ll want a pot at least 18 inches wide and deep. All-Weather Wicker Cylinder Planter, $268 (large); shopterrain.com

PANSIES

Most pansies, including this ‘Matrix Jewels Mix’, flower into early summer.

ALYSSUM

The white flowers work like a spark amid the other colors.

P R O D U C E D BY S C OT T J O H N S O N

April 2020 |

69

THE PLANTS

SUMMER

CALIBRACHOA

TO

This powerhouse bloomer needs no deadheading; spent flowers fall off.

W

Pinching salvia’s spent flowers encourages more to bloom.

NO

STAY HYDRATED Simply hover your smartphone camera over this code to learn how to make your own container irrigation system.

GOOD

K

Around late May transition from the sweet spring design to this exuberant collection of plants for summer. The vibrancy of the calibrachoa and sweet potato vine spilling over the pot rim complements the pale flowers of the salvia and oxalis.

SALVIA

To fill the middle ground of the container, choose a salvia that tops out around 2 feet like this ‘Victoria Blue’.

OXALIS

SWEET POTATO VINE

The ‘Margarita’ variety grows vigorously, and its bright chartreuse leaves catch the eye.

70

| April 2020

PHOTOS: BLAINE MOATS

The striking leaves add contrast and a graphic note. The plant will do well through fall.

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FALL A deeper color palette signals fall’s arrival. Pot this up when you start seeing mums in stores, around mid-September.

The oxalis from the summer planting won’t need to be pulled until the other plants have filled in, so you won’t be left with bare patches.

THE PLANTS

MUMS

Mums are the best bet for flowers all fall. (Any white variety at the nursery will do.)

FOUNTAIN GRASS

A secondary focal point, red-stripe leaves of ‘Fireworks’ stand out against the conifer.

N

TI

P

‘Lacinato’ kale’s bluegreen leaves are a natural sidekick to the conifer.

The ruffled leaves of the cabbage are a counterpoint to the pointy grass and conifer.

VIOLAS

Opposite the mums, the violas even out the distribution of white.

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| April 2020

PHOTOS: MARTY BALDWIN

DES

IG

ORNAMENTAL CABBAGE

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© Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2020

TYLENOL® won’t raise your blood pressure or interfere with certain blood pressure medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can.

Use product only as directed.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions

WINTER

DE

SI

G

N

Evergreen sprigs and holiday accents take the tree in a festive direction. If you live in Zone 6 or above, the potted juniper will likely survive the winter outside. In Zone 5 and below, overwinter in a garage once temps are consistently below freezing. Water every few weeks unless the soil is frozen.

TIP

Weave in strings of batterypowered fairy lights for evening.

BERRY BRANCHES

EVERGREENS

PINECONES

ORNAMENTS

Faux or real branches work.

(Although birds might snack on fresh berries and leave you with a bare branch.)

Insert 18"–24" sprigs (from your yard or florist) into the dirt around the container edge; collar the juniper with a few more after placing the other elements.

A few sitting amid the branches enhance the woodland look.

Cluster metallic or glass ornaments at the base of the juniper, wiring them to the branches for extra security if you like. ■

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| April 2020

PHOTOS: JACOB FOX

THE ACCENTS

better living

light show

It’s a bold move, hanging a 28-inch-wide diva of a chandelier over a dining room table. But stylist Barri Leiner Grant lives for the statement piece in her Chicago home. To help you bring the look to your own space, we asked Barri to share a few of her picks.

BRIGHT IDEAS

Always consider how a fixture will cast shadows, Barri says. These strings of shells create a flattering dappled light.

Barri recommends choosing a fixture that’s at least 18 inches wide for drama.

L ARG E CAPIZ LOTU S PE N DANT

Natural capiz shells edged in bronze. $150 (18.9" diameter); worldmarket.com

NA S SA BA S K ET PE N DANT

BY: MALLORY ABREU; STYLING: BARRI LEINER GRANT

This bamboo fixture is architectural yet airy. $299 (26" diameter); cb2.com

I NVE RTE D B U B B LE S E A S H E LL PE N DANT

Get a look similar to Barri’s with this coastal-inspired piece. $395 (18" diameter); kouboo.com ■ P H OTO N AT H A N K I R K M A N

April 2020 |

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garden

a gardener’s eye

Outside her pottery shop in Massachusetts, designer Barbara Bockbrader weaves plants and decorative elements into a fairy-tale scene.

o

n a well-traveled road in the Berkshires, drivers often hit the brakes when they spot pottery and garden shop Campo de’ Fiori. Many people make the pilgrimage here for the terra-cotta containers designed by Barbara Bockbrader and her husband, Robin Norris. But other passersby are simply drawn in by the masses of geraniums, lily-of-the-valley, and anemone lapping the building. “We wanted a garden that made customers feel enveloped,” Barbara says.

In designing the garden, Barbara took her inspiration from the fields and woodlands behind the shop. “Nature is so Impressionistic,” says Barbara, who plants perennials in masses to mimic the broad gestures often found in the wild. Though this naturalistic approach has become increasingly popular in garden design in recent years, Barbara has been

BY TOVA H M A R T I N P H OTO S M AT T H E W B E N S O N

By clustering multiples of a single type of plants, Barbara creates large blocks of color.

Elements like arbors and columns add height to the scene.

Drawing on her background in floral design, Barbara varies foliage texture and color in the garden much as she would in a vase. Here she arranges white wild indigo, purple ground clematis, heuchera, and white geraniums.

April 2020 |

77

A GARDEN IS A CREATIVE PROCESS THAT EVOLVES OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. BARBARA BOCKBRADER

putting it in practice since the early 1990s, when many other gardeners favored tidy, disciplined borders.

But Barbara knows when to insert breathers in her wild landscape.

For those, she relies on decorative elements like twig arbors, concrete benches, and potted plants. Her terracotta containers create textural contrast or highlight unusual specimens.

“Containers can give plants a sense of importance even beside more rambunctious neighbors,” she says.

The grounds around Campo de’ Fiori are in constant flux because Barbara is always rearranging containers, adding tuteurs, and digging in new plants.

“I give the garden permission to improve, then I tweak,” she says.

“It’s never finished.”

Barbara often uses potted plants to fill seasonal holes in the garden. To draw extra attention to them, she elevates them on plinths or benches.

78

| April 2020

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EMPTY SPACES ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO INSTALL A NOVEL PLANT OR USE SOMETHING OLD IN A NEW WAY. BARBARA

DESIGN IDEAS 1

MAK E ROO M FO R WH I M SY

Surrounded by lily-of-the-valley, a concrete bust takes on a surreal quality.

“Tucking sculpture away so it’s subtle and waits to be discovered adds to the fantasy,” Barbara says.

2

I NTRO D U C E TH E E XOTI C

1

2

3

4

She often uses containers to bring tropical and semitropical plants into the garden in warm months. This pot lacks a drainage hole so it suits semiaquatic umbrella papyrus.

3

B U I LD U P

Tree peonies and alliums draw eyes upward, breaking up what Barbara calls the “voluminous mass” of plants below.

4

PI C K TH E RI G HT POT

“A container should balance the stature of a plant and work with the roots,” she says.

For thirsty plants, try large pots, which hold more moisture; if a plant prefers dry soil, give it a shallow pot.

Plants in terra-cotta pots need more frequent watering than ones in plastic, but the advantage of terra-cotta is that more oxygen reaches the roots. n

80

| April 2020

[ THE

BAS IC S]

BUYING EGGS

Bewildered by what the language on egg cartons means? We clear up a few mysteries.

1 SEE PAGE 92 FOR THE SECRET TO AN EASY PEEL.

WHAT ’S TH E DIFFERENCE?

Free range, pasture raised, organic, omega-3 … what’s the deal?

Carton buzzwords indicate how the chickens were raised and what they were fed. The words free range and organic indicate the chickens have varying degrees of access to the outdoors; organic also means they eat ingredients grown without fungicides, herbicides, and other typical pesticides. Chickens that lay omega-3–enriched eggs eat feed supplemented with omega-3–rich sources like flaxseeds.

2

WHAT DO E S CO LO R TE LL U S?

Shell color doesn’t indicate anything about quality or nutritional value; it’s determined by hen breed. Hens that lay brown eggs tend to be bigger and require more food, which is why those eggs tend to be slightly more expensive.

BY M AG G I E G L I S A N P H OTO S C A R S O N D OW N I N G F O O D S T Y L I N G G R E G LU N A

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| April 2020

3

Cartons are stamped with a number denoting the day of the year the eggs were packed (001 signifies January 1; 365 is December 31). Fresh, uncooked eggs will last up to 5 weeks after their pack date.

ILLUSTRATIONS: AGNESBIC

ASK 100 PEOPLE HOW TO COOK AN EGG AND YOU’LL LIKELY GET 100 DIFFERENT RESPONSES. So we turned to our Better Homes & Gardens® Test Kitchen for definitive answers. They went through dozens of cartons and cracked hundreds of shells to bring you the best, most foolproof techniques for common egg-cooking methods.

WHY R E AD TH E DATE ?

STIR-INS

what’syour scramblestyle?

If you prefer soft and creamy, try our stirred method. If fluffy is your pick, go with our folded method.

STIRRED Whisk together 8 eggs and 3 Tbsp. milk. In a heavy 10-inch nonstick skillet heat 2 Tbsp. water over medium-low.

Once the water just starts to steam (about 2 minutes), add the egg mixture. Cook and stir constantly for 5 minutes or until the mixture is creamy and small curds form.

Season with ¹∕2 tsp. salt and ¹∕4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper.

FOLDED Whisk together 8 eggs and ¹∕2 cup milk. In a 10-inch nonstick skillet melt 2 Tbsp. butter over medium. Add egg mixture.

Let stand 20 seconds or until mixture begins to set on bottom and around edges. Lift and fold toward center, allowing uncooked egg to flow underneath. Repeat until eggs are just set and still slightly wet. Season with ¹∕2 tsp. salt and ¹∕4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper.

Salt coagulates the proteins in eggs, which can make them tough. Season after cooking to ensure prime fluffiness.

[ SHELL

GAM E]

When cracking eggs, tap them on a flat surface rather than the side of a bowl or skillet, which can drive those hard-to-fish-out shell fragments into the egg white.

84

| April 2020

Fold in additions (including precooked veggies or meat, cheese, and herbs) after scrambling. Try one of these combos:

1. Lox-style salmon, cream cheese, and fresh dill 2. Black beans, jalapeño, avocado, and cilantro 3. Sweet potato, red onion, asparagus, and parsley 4. Bell pepper, green onion, and walnuts

®

Only Eggland’s Best gives you eggs with 25% less saturated fat and 6 times more vitamin D No other egg provides 10 times more vitamin E, 6 times more vitamin D, and 25% less saturated fat. Plus, more of the delicious, fresh-from-the-farm taste everyone loves. Your love for your family isn’t ordinary, so why serve ordinary eggs?

Give them only the best–Eggland’s Best.

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ourno-failmethod

We tried stirring the water to create a vortex, straining the eggs fi rst, and using a few gadgets that weren’t worth our precious kitchen drawer space. But amid all the tricks and gimmicks, it was our Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book technique that delivered fi rm, neat whites and runny yolks every time.

1

1

BOIL WATER In a 10-inch skillet bring 4 cups water and 1 Tbsp. vinegar to boiling. A splash of vinegar helps the protein in the whites coagulate quickly for a uniform shape.

2

ADD THE EGG

Break the egg into a cup. Hold cup lip close to the water and slip the whole egg in at once. (This keeps the egg white from spreading— no unruly tendrils, please and thank you.)

2

3

4

5

6

TOASTS WITH THE MOST Toast was made for sopping up a runny yolk.

Dress up the duo with these combos. ■ 1 Sautéed mushrooms and thyme ■ 2 Ham, Swiss, and Dijon mustard ■ 3 Mozzarella, sautéed spinach, roasted cherry tomatoes, and basil ■ 4 Mashed avocado, seared corn, and pickled red onion ■ 5 Romaine, bacon, and Caesar dressing ■ 6 Smashed black beans, salsa, cilantro, and green onion

86

| April 2020

3

SIMMER AWAY

Simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes or until whites are set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Using a slotted spoon, remove them from the skillet, letting the water drain from the eggs.

MAKE AHEAD Chill in a bowl of water up to 24 hours.

To reheat, slip back into simmering water for 2 minutes.

A fresh egg poaches best.

To test, place one in a glass of water. If it lies flat, it’s fresh. If the wide end floats up, the egg may be old.

(Check the date and reserve it for hard-boiling.)

Over time the white evaporates through the porous shell, leaving an air pocket in the wide end.

fry forall

SUNNY-SIDE UP Cooking over medium sets the whites without overcooking the yolks. Heat 2 Tbsp. butter over medium until melted and foamy. Add 2 eggs.

Cook 3 minutes.

OVER EASY The egg is fl ipped (hence the over) so both sides brown but the yolk stays runny.

Heat 2 Tbsp. butter over medium until melted and foamy. Add 2 eggs. Cook 2 minutes.

Flip with a spatula.

Cook 1 minute more.

Our timing and temps ensure cooked-through whites and fl uid yolks for every kind of fried egg.

A well-seasoned cast-iron or nonstick skillet eliminates any sticking, and you can skip the fussy basting some recipes suggest. For yolks that ooze at the pierce of a fork, remove the eggs from the heat when the yolk edges are barely opaque.

EXTRA CRISPY A blend of butter and oil creates browner edges and a rich fl avor.

Heat 1 Tbsp. butter with 1 Tbsp. canola oil over medium-high for 2 minutes. Add 2 eggs.

Cook 2 minutes, rotating pan occasionally.

CRISPY Frying in olive oil over higher heat yields golden, lacy edges. Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-high 2 minutes.

Add 2 eggs. Cook 2 minutes, rotating pan occasionally.

sprinkle one on

Eggs are a fantastic vehicle for whatever flavor direction fits your mood. Try one of these robust seasoning blends.

88

D U KK AH

TOGAR AS H I

O N IO N SALT

ITALIAN S E ASO N I N G

EVE RY TH I N G BAG E L

The Egyptian mix often includes toasted nuts, sesame, and cumin.

Try this Japanese chile blend (with nori and orange) for heat.

An everyday onion salt will work fine, or try a blend with dried alliums.

A dusting is yummy over eggs baked in marinara too.

Get your eggs and bagel fix without the carbs.

| April 2020

w Real stra berries.

Re al

Re al al m

. ds on

. s a n a n ba

It’s the real ingredients that make Special K really tasty.

aclassic, mastered It’s a simple dish that can make even the most practiced cooks break a sweat.

But we’re here to tell you that you absolutely can make a classic French omelet—no matter your skill level. Our method takes a cue from culinary greats Jacques Pépin and Julia Child but is simplified.

The result is

textbook: a neat oval shape, a pale yellow color free of browning, a smooth and delicate sponge, and a custardy interior.

1

BEAT WELL In a bowl beat 3 eggs, ¹∕4 tsp. salt, and ¹∕8 tsp. black pepper with a fork until evenly mixed (no white strands) but not foamy.

2

SHAKE & STIR In an 8¹∕2" nonstick skillet melt 2 Tbsp. butter over mediumhigh. When it starts to foam, pour in the eggs. Shake the pan back and forth with one hand while stirring constantly with a fork in the other hand. The fork

tines yield a small, silky curd. If you’re concerned about scratching your skillet, use chopsticks or bamboo skewers.

3

ALL SET Continue shaking and stirring, scraping around the edges occasionally, until the eggs are set but still slightly moist. At this point you can sprinkle on a little cheese. Then it’s time to roll.

ROLL IT UP

The secret to a tidy omelet: Let gravity help.

TI LT TH E PAN

Bring your hand palm-side-up under the handle and tilt the pan to about a 45-degree angle.

G U I D E & RO LL

Using a spatula, fold one-third of the omelet onto itself; repeat with the other third.

Nonstick is must for any style omelet.

We love the Anolon Advanced Home Frying Pan, $25 (8¹∕2"); anolon.com

PL ATE IT

Angle the pan over a plate and flip the omelet so that it lands seam side down.

Bon appétit!

A WESTERN (AMERICAN) OMELET IS THE KIND YOU’LL FIND AT YOUR LOCAL DINER. IT HAS A LARGER CURD AND A LITTLE BROWNING AND IS FOLDED INTO A HALF MOON. 90

| April 2020

A few tips on walnuts, snacking and

how to keep your spices dry when your mouth is watering

Discover a new BBQ-seasoned walnut snack, a trick to protecting your spices from moisture and hundreds of recipes made with heart-healthy* California walnuts at walnuts.org.

Per one ounce serving. *California walnuts are certified by the American Heart Association.® Heart-Check food certification does not apply to recipes unless expressly stated. See heartcheckmark.org/guidelines. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and not resulting in increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. (FDA) One ounce of walnuts offers 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat including 2.5g of alpha-linolenic acid – the plant-based omega-3.

So Simple. So Good.®

teamsteam

Turns out the best way to hard-boil an egg … is not to. For soft to jammy to hard-boiled, the gentle, consistent heat of steam is your best bet, plus steamed eggs peel like a dream. Place up to 6 eggs in a steamer basket over a saucepan of boiling water. (More than six will alter the cook time.) Reduce heat, cover, and simmer according to the timings below.

Immediately transfer eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking and let cool slightly before peeling.

MULTICOOKER EGGS Get instructions and timings for cooking eggs in a multicooker: Hover your smartphone camera over this code or visit BHG.com/ InstantEgg.

CLASSIC-ISH DEVILED EGGS Halve 6 hard-boiled eggs lengthwise.

Mash yolks with ¹∕4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1 tsp. white wine vinegar, and a dash sriracha. Season with salt. Spoon or pipe into white halves. Sprinkle with chives and paprika.

MASH A LITTLE EXTRA AVOCADO ON THE BOTTOM BREAD SLICE.

[ PEEL

EGG SALAD MEETS AVOCADO TOAST Stir together 12 chopped hardboiled eggs, ¹∕4 cup fi nely chopped red onion, 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp.

Dijon mustard, and ¹∕4 tsp. salt. Gently fold in 1 chopped avocado. Serve on toasted bread.

PERFECTION ]

For the easiest peeling, start with eggs that are at least two weeks old.

As eggs age, the contents contract, enlarging the air cell. Steaming causes the whites to further pull away from the shell membranes. ■ 92

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SO THEY ASKED YOU TO BRING DEVILED EGGS AND YOU’VE NEVER MADE DEVILED EGGS.

IT’S GONNA BE GREAT. Don’t panic. We’ve got just the recipe for you. Visit mccormick.com/easter and start deviling some eggs.

fast&fresh

EASY, DELICIOUS RECIPES FOR A BETTER DINNER TONIGHT

SWISS CHARD

1 lb.

VEGETABLE BROTH

2 cups

CANNELLINI BEANS

one 15-oz. can, rinsed and drained

TOMATOES

2 medium, cored and coarsely chopped

1 cup

FRESH PARMESAN CHEESE

6 Tbsp. finely shredded

GARLIC CLOVES

2

BEANS AND GREENS SOUPE AU PISTOU

The basil pesto makes a yummy addition to almost any tomato-based vegetable soup. Consider making a double or triple batch to freeze and keep on hand.

HANDS-ON TIME 25 min.

TOTAL TIME 45 min.

ITALIAN BREAD

4 slices

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1. Remove stems from chard.

Chop stems and greens separately.

2. In a 4-qt. pot combine broth, 2 cups water, the chard stems, beans,

tomatoes, ¹∕2 tsp. salt, and ¹∕4 tsp. black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Stir in chard greens. Cook, uncovered, 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.

3. Meanwhile, for pesto: In a small food processor or blender combine basil, 4 Tbsp. olive oil, 4 Tbsp. Parmesan, the garlic, and ¹∕4 tsp. each salt and black pepper. Process until smooth.

BY M AG G I E G L I S A N

4. Brush both sides of bread slices with olive oil.

On a grill or grill pan toast bread on both sides, sprinkling with remaining cheese after turning once.

5. Ladle soup into bowls.

Top each with pesto. Serve with bread. Serves 4.

EACH SERVING 409 cal, 25 g fat (4 g sat fat), 5 mg chol, 1,345 mg sodium, 36 g carb, 7 g fiber, 5 g sugars, 13 g pro

PHOTO: CARSON DOWNING; FOOD STYLING: KELSEY BULAT

FRESH BASIL

Soupe au pistou is a Provençal take on minestrone featuring a nut-free pesto.

P R E M I U M S AU C E C O L L E C T I O N

PA S S I O N M A K E S I T P E R F E C T. BARILLA M A K E S I T P E R F E T TO.

ST I R YO U R PA S S I O N

Reimagined premium flavors and textures as distinct as the regions of Italy that inspired them.

M A S T E R S O F PA S TA

With 2% milk, at least half of adults had a lower desire to eat than before breakfast for 3 1/2 hours.

SKINLESS, BONELESS CHICKEN THIGHS

1 lb.

GROUND ANCHO CHILE PEPPER

2 tsp.

POBLANO PEPPERS

2, halved, stemmed, and seeded

ONION

1, quartered

FRESH TOMATILLOS

FLOUR TORTILLAS

12 street taco-style

ANCHO CHILE CHICKEN WITH POBLANOS AND TOMATILLOS If fresh tomatillos aren’t available, substitute six canned tomatillos.

Omit the roasting; chop the tomatillos and add them to the chicken mixture immediately before serving.

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HANDS-ON TIME 20 min.

TOTAL TIME 40 min.

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a 15×10-inch baking pan with foil. Coat chicken with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and the ground ancho pepper; arrange in a single layer on half the pan. Arrange poblanos, onion, and tomatillos on other half. Drizzle with

PHOTO: BLAINE MOATS; FOOD STYLING: GREG LUNA

8 oz., husked, rinsed, and halved

10 LAYERS

OF WHEAT

IN EVERY BITE

1 Tbsp. olive oil. Sprinkle chicken and vegetables with salt and black pepper.

Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes or until chicken is done (170°F) and vegetables are charred.

2. Transfer pepper halves to a large bowl; cover with foil. Transfer chicken, onion, and tomatillos to a cutting board, reserving

juices in pan. Chop onion and tomatillos. Slice chicken.

Peel and chop peppers (discard skin). Return all to pan; toss to combine.

Serve in tortillas. If desired, top with Cotija or feta cheese. Serves 6.

EACH SERVING 317 cal, 14 g fat (4 g sat fat), 81 mg chol, 26 g carb, 525 mg sodium, 4 g ďŹ ber, 3 g sugars, 21 g pro April 2020 |

97

SILENCE

YOUR

We opted for goat cheese, but similarly tangy blue cheese would be delicious too.

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PHOTO: CARSON DOWNING; FOOD STYLING: KELSEY BULAT

GROWL

RED ONION

1, halved and sliced ³∕4 inch thick

CHICKEN SAUSAGE LINKS

HOAGIE ROLLS

4 cooked (12 oz.)

4

GRILLED SAUSAGES WITH BALSAMIC ONIONS Arugula’s pepperiness contrasts the sweetness of grilled onions, but other tender greens, such as baby kale or spinach, would work too.

TOTAL TIME 25 min.

1. Brush onions with 1 Tbsp. olive oil.

Sprinkle with ¹∕4 tsp. salt. Grill onions and sausage links on rack of a covered grill directly over medium-high 8 to 10 minutes or until onions are tender and sausages are heated through, turning once.

ARUGULA

4 cups

BALSAMIC VINEGAR

FRESH THYME LEAVES

GOAT CHEESE

¹∕4 cup

1 to 2 Tbsp.

4 oz., softened

(Or grill in a grill pan over medium-high.)

During the last 2 to 3 minutes of grilling, toast hoagies on grill.

2. In a large bowl combine arugula, onion slices, balsamic vinegar, thyme, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, and ¹∕4 tsp. black pepper.

3. Spread goat cheese on hoagies.

Top with sausages and arugula mixture.

Serves 4.

EACH SERVING 612 cal, 25 g fat (9 g sat fat), 82 mg chol, 1,064 mg sodium, 67 g carb, 6 g fiber, 22 g sugars, 31 g pro ■

MORE WEEKNIGHT MEALS

Check out our new Fast & Fresh magazine available on newsstands March 20.

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Like the rest of their Wayzata, MN, home, Lucy and David Penfield’s kitchen has multiple inspirations.

The soapstone counters remind Lucy of the agates she used to hunt near her great-grandpa’s cabin. The green tiles echo pottery spotted in both Morocco and Mexico; they also speak to Lucy’s practical side: “I found these hand-glazed Mexican tiles for $6 a square foot.”

Lucy loves color.

And travel. And action. In fact, Minneapolis designer Lucy Penfield does not easily sit still.

Depending on the season, she might be hiking in the Superior National Forest, playing pond hockey with her two grown daughters, or plotting her next weekend getaway. So when it came time for Lucy and her husband, David, to build their forever house, Lucy drew on their many adventures to map out a vibrant design in the exuberant color combos she favors.

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BY K E L LY RYA N K E G A N S P H OTO S K I M C O R N E L I S O N S T Y L I N G J E S S I C A T H O M A S

CUTOUT HANDLE S FURTHER SIMPLIFY THE SLEEK FRONTS OF THE L ARCH WOOD CABINETS .

THE CLEAN LINES OF THE WOOD - BURNING STOVE MAKE IT MORE MODERN THAN RUSTIC .

The exterior, right, establishes Lucy’s palette and love of far-flung influences.

The ornate gables, a design she picked up in South Africa, reappear inside, as does the scheme of white, black, and beige. The neutral colors support layers of styles and eras, like the living room’s balance of Moroccan fabrics with framed Pop Art, above.

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Lucy

always knew her dream house would be outfitted in vivid hues, but it wasn’t until relatively recently that she decided on Cape Dutch-style architecture to frame it. “When I visited my daughter, who was studying in South Africa, I fell in love with the understated, serene setting of the wine country,” she says. The architectural style—noted for whitewashed walls and symmetrical arched gables—and Lucy’s neutral furniture provided “a quiet backdrop that sets the scene for the fun,” she says. “It’s like desert sand that lets the cactus blooms pop.”

With the crisp white, sand, and black base in place, Lucy says, “the color palette unfolded like opening a wrapped present. All my textiles, pillows, and found objects tumbled out.” The rooms weave together teal, green, earthy rust, and yellow, representing visits to Minnesota’s North Shore, Arizona, South America, and beyond.

“When I’m on a trip, I buy not always knowing where things will go, but knowing I will use them someday either in a client’s project or at home,” she says. In this house, Lucy was finally able to pull all those collected pieces together into a kind of threedimensional scrapbook of her life story.

Her art, the vintage furniture, the baubles she displays on stacks of books, and yes, even the architecture, all have a story and remind her of a place visited or a time gone by.

“We know this style isn’t for everyone, but it’s authentically us,” Lucy says, underscoring her belief that home should be a reflection of the people who live there.

PAI NT SIMPLY WHITE OC-117 BENJAMIN MOORE

Lucy turned bedspreads from India into draperies for the dining room, where a simple Parsons table accommodates the Penfields’ frequent taco parties and happy hours.

Lucy pulls in more chairs as needed: “I like to mix old classics with new finds,” she says.

HEATED PORCELAIN FLOOR TILES ARE A WELCOME COMFORT DURING HARSH MINNESOTA WINTERS .

Mimicking the exterior Cape Dutch gables, an alcove in the master bath surrounds a soaking tub. Waterresistant banana leaf wallpaper and the stool’s faux animal-print upholstery channel a tropical vibe.

We love putting our feet up, being surrounded by our family and friends, and long evenings filled with stories and laughter.

LUCY PENFIELD

In the guest bedroom, Lucy flipped her color story to deep teal walls behind crisp white furnishings. Above the headboard, Lucy hung a foldout party invitation.

“I love a mix of high and low art,” she says.

PAI NT SL ATE TE AL 2 0 5 8 -2 0 B E NJAM IN MOO RE

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“Mudrooms and laundry spaces are used so frequently that I don’t think of them as castaways,” Lucy says. Palm frond wallpaper and leafy plants turn the laundry room, complete with potting bench, into a breezy getaway. There’s even a “puppy den” for Winnie and Pooh Bear.

WOVEN SHADES PROVIDE PRIVACY; UNCOVERED TR ANSOM PANES LET IN CONSTANT LIGHT.

BUYING IN FORMATION : BHG.com/Resources

#lucylovescolor That’s the hashtag Lucy uses to catalog her travels and the color palettes she finds along the way. Here’s how a few favorite places reappear in her home.

V I N TAG E G L O B E LIGHTS AND T E R R A- C O T TA FLOOR TILE S TIE T H I S S PAC E T O THE NEIGHBORING L AU N D RY R O O M .

PAI NT B L AC K JAC K 213 3-2 0 B E NJAMIN MOORE

S E DONA This peacock blue gate inspired Lucy’s front door and the laundry room cabinetry. Dusty terra-cotta and leafy greens reoccur as featured players.

The kitchen’s breakfast area, right, and the mudroom, above, also nod to the exterior gables.

Painted black and sporting hefty leatherand-brass handles, the twin storage armoires have the finished feeling of furniture. “I’ve never had a mudroom, so I thought, We’re stepping this up. I want to be happy when we come in the back door,” Lucy says.

M EXICO The kitchen pairs bright red-orange accents with mottled greens, a complementary combo spotted in a Mexican market.

L AKE S U PE RIOR The Minnesota shore’s black stone beach and dry grasses capture Lucy’s base palette. ■ April 2020 |

107

Arrangements will last longer if you keep them out of full sun and change the water every few days.

pure and simple Branches without showy flowers can have a quiet beauty of their own. Placing an oak branch, left, in a vase draws attention to the delicate drama of its uncurling leaves.

For contrast, pair it with ironwood stems, whose catkins— elongated flower clusters—create a soft, draping effect.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO THE GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN AND THE IOWA ARBORETUM FOR SUPPLYING MANY OF THE BRANCHES FOR THIS STORY

THAT GIDDINESS YOU FEEL WHEN YOU STEP OUTSIDE THIS TIME OF YEAR? BRING IT INDOORS WITH ARRANGEMENTS OF FRESH BRANCHES FROM THE GARDEN.

grand gesture

BY J O H A N N A S I LV E R P H OTO S C A R S O N D OW N I N G P R O D U C E D BY J E S S I C A T H O M A S

A large bowl gives ample room to celebrate spring’s arrival. Contrast helps ensure no element gets lost. Here, pale pink tulip magnolias, crabapple, and tulips set off dark purple hellebores, woodsy birch catkins, and tall purple-leaf sand cherry branches. Pluck tulips when their flowers are tight; as they open, they’ll swan dive forward to reveal tie-dyed centers.

When building an arrangement of this size, first secure branches in a floral frog inside the vessel, then fill in with smaller elements.

April 2020 |

109

Pruning flowering quince toward the end of its bloom period will stimulate more profuse flowers the next spring.

the gang’s all here �

For a cohesive multivessel display, group vases in a neutral palette and fill each with one type of branch. This grouping includes some of the most common flowering branches (left to right): pink crabapple, cherry, flowering quince, magnolia, cornelian cherry dogwood, flowering dogwood, and white crabapple.

making the�cut

Alan Branhagen, director of operations at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, offers tips about clipping branches for display.

TRIM WITH INTENTION Use the opportunity to improve the shape and structure of plants by removing crossing or weak branches. Always cut where two branches connect. If you’d like to minimize the number of branches you remove from the tree, clip one long branch and snip it into small ones.

KEEP CLIPPERS CLEAN Prevent the potential spread of diseases by dipping bypass pruners (which won’t crush stems) into a bucket of pure ethanol or isopropyl alcohol or a 10-percent solution of bleach between plants.

LEAVE SOME FLOWERS Many types of flowers provide important nectar for early-season pollinators, so leave some behind for the bees and butterflies.

This is especially true for pussy willows, Branhagen says.

MIND YOUR MANNERS If you don’t have flowering branches in your garden, order them at BHG.com/Flowering.

We hate to state the obvious, but if you want to clip from somewhere other than your own property, get permission first.

Remember, public lands are often off-limits; check local regulations.

April 2020 |

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designed by nature ďż˝

With their strong shapes, branches are like sculpture on a table. For maximum impact in a vase, choose branches that have several offshoots and a little swoop to them, as with the bright gold witch hazel, pink redbud, and yellow ironwood here. To keep the focus on their form, limit yourself to no more than three branches per vessel.

Glass pebbles secure branches in place and weigh down vases so they don’t topple.

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BUYING IN FORMATION :

BHG.com/Resources

feast of flowers BRANCH OUT Simply hover your smartphone camera over this code to learn more about planting springflowering trees and shrubs in your garden.

Branches can put instant drama into arrangements of cut flowers from the grocery store or your local florist.

Placed asymmetrically for interest, a cherry branch sprouts from a cluster of tulips, white star magnolias, daffodils, and fritillaries. Small vases of redbud and cherry sprigs run down the table as a supporting cast. ■

Tie a few pussy willow catkins with ribbon to dress place settings.

April 2020 |

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THEART OFnot COMPROMISING HE HAS A TASTE FOR DARK, TRADITIONAL DECOR; SHE DELIGHTS IN ANYTHING PINK. THEIR INTERIOR DESIGNER TOOK THE UNCONVENTIONAL APPROACH OF NOT MEETING IN THE MIDDLE, INSTEAD GIVING THEM THE PALETTES AND PATTERNS THEY EACH WANTED.

BY M A R N I E LYS E K AT Z P H OTO S A N N I E S C H L E C H T E R ST YLING LIZ STRONG

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LIVI N G ROO M

Lisa and Matt Hall’s living room has a sense of drama and formality, with its moldings and curtains matched to inky walls. A zingy sofa and bubble chandelier temper the seriousness.

WALL BL ACK BLUE 95 FARROW & BALL

KITC H E N The Hall family—Lisa,

Matt, and daughter Harper— appreciates the simplicity of the white kitchen, right, a neutral zone among the bold-color rooms. In the breakfast nook, top, the vibrancy of a painting by Sally King Benedict is pure Lisa; the subject—a tennis court—speaks to Matt.

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isa and Matt Hall had a strategy when it came to decorating their St. Louis-area home: They agreed to disagree. Rather than have them seek mutual approval on every last piece, designer Amie Corley showed the couple how some rooms could embody Matt’s aesthetic and others could be all Lisa’s. “Trying to get both parties to agree not only stalls the process but also waters down the design and results in nobody being thrilled,” Corley says.

Matt has long admired the colors and style associated with fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The couple decided that the formal living areas and the master suite would overtly reflect those preferences.

Corley combined rich, saturated colors like midnight blue, olive green, and cognac with sophisticated antique rugs and dark wood furnishings.

Lisa favors a Palm Beach look. She revels in a bright version of preppy, in which trellis patterns and palm fronds are executed in bold lines and color is crisp, clear, and preferably pink. “I get excited by things like hot pink pillows,” she says. So Corley brought pink accents into every room.

“Matt wouldn’t have picked pink art for the kitchen,” Corley says.

“But it’s OK for one person to have more of a say in one room than another.”

Her approach means that each room has its own distinct character yet subtly threads the couple’s tastes into a cohesive whole. “You get a wildly different energy in the family room than in the living room, but they don’t feel like they belong in different homes,” Matt says.

D I N I N G ROO M

The floral wallpaper, walnut table, and glass chandelier signal a traditional dining room, but white furniture and a pale pink ceiling (Matt read that everyone looks better under one) supply unexpected breeziness.

versatile trio Designer Amie Corley wove blue, pink, and green throughout the house to tie spaces together. By varying the shades, she created schemes that represent both Lisa and Matt.

living room Corley heightened the glamour of blue-black walls with a velvet sofa and Oushak rug.

“The mossy green and dusky pink are muddy, almost dirty, so they feel sophisticated,” she says.

FAM I LY ROO M

dining room “Although the wallpaper is floral, the deep teal shade gives it gravitas,” Corley says. Because it is the same intensity, nubby chair upholstery in salmon balances the walls. A midnight blue lampshade connects this space to the living room.

family room A blue sofa with equally bold pink pillows anchors this room. China blue and aqua upholstery hint at the backyard pool and landscaping.

BUYING IN FORMATION : BHG.com/Resources

WALL INCHYR A BLUE 289 FARROW & BALL

The light-filled room that leads to the pool satisfies Lisa’s appetite for zippy colors and preppy patterns.

Vacation memories endear Matt to its bright, beachy feel.

MA STE R BATH

The Connaught Hotel in London inspired the navy and marble tile and brass fixtures, which were left unlacquered so the finish changes over time. Corley uses antique Oriental rugs in high-traffic areas because “they last forever and already have a ton of wear, so you aren’t afraid they’ll get destroyed.”

MA STE R C LOS ET

A pink upholstered chair brings dressing room glamour to the moody-blue closet. n April 2020 |

119

The key to this look is to pack the gems as tightly as possible.

WE’RE NOT INTO SUBTLETY THIS EASTER. THESE EGGS ARE DRESSED TO IMPRESS IN RUNWAYINSPIRED SEQUINS, GLITTER, AND PEARLS. 120

P H O T O S C A R S O N D O W N I N G C R A F T S BY K I M H U T C H I S O N

| April 2020

F O O D S T Y L I N G J E N N I F E R P E T E R S O N P R O D U C E D BY J E S S I C A T H O M A S

This flowing design came as a preassembled self-adhesive unit on a sheet.

Peel. Stick. Done.

Counter organic forms with straight lines and geometric designs.

bejeweled & bedazzled Like rare gemstones or the FabergĂŠ treasures that inspired these eggs, no two are alike.

C R AF T S EG G S We

painted paper mache eggs and covered them with gems big and small. For the largest selection, check the crafts store trim, jewelry, and scrapbooking aisles.

COO K I E S Even

cookies wear bling well. For maximum sparkle, look for edible metallic or hologram glitters and candy gems.

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Glue down only the flower centers so edges curl for a 3D effect.

trims & appliquĂŠs Bold colors and delicate florals are a combo straight from the spring fashion runways.

C R AF T S EG G S

A coat of matte paint prepped these plastic eggs for glued-on stripes of soft and sparkly ribbons layered with bits of floral trim and flower patches.

COO K I E S Add

dimensional flower power with mini flower cookie cutouts and blossoms of gum paste. Pipe on accents with tinted icing to mimic embroidery and fabric trim.

RECIPES AND HOW-TOS BEGIN ON PAGE 126.

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Swap your Easter basket for a treat-filled, egg-shape treasure chest.

pearlescent shimmer Silky and shiny with a touch of trendy iridescence, these cookies and the egg-shape box holding them are elegant updates to seasonal pastels.

creamy texture.

Fashion lines across the lids with adhesiveback pearl halves.

COO KI E S

Nonpareils—small sugar candy balls— come in various sizes.

Place them while C R AF T S EG G S the icing is wet. Once Multiple coats of pearlized crafts paint set, brush on pearl white luster dust for give a ceramic bisque box a smooth, a sheer shimmer.

layered look Overlapping layers of sheer silk fabric inspired these eggs, made even more luxe with jewel and sequin details.

C R AF T S EG G S

Break out the Mod Podge to decoupage bits of printed fabric (we used silk sari remnants) onto white-painted wood eggs.

COO K I E S

Mix your favorite palette of gel food colors with vodka for a quick set. Then paint watercolor plaid designs on a canvas of iced cookies.

golden glitz Layers of textured shimmer and bits of gilt remind us of the glitter effects we’re seeing in makeup and nail polish.

C R AF T S EG G S

Feather your nest with ceramic eggs coated in sparkly paint, gilding flakes, or a thick coat of glitter. Keep the finishes loose and natural, not perfect.

COO KI E S Edible

versions of glitter and gold leaf glitz up iced cookies.

For extra glam, arrange them in a nest of spun sugar.

Draw on “seams� using food coloring markers.

Spun cotton eggs were painted and covered in a blanket of sequins.

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More is More

WORKBOOK

Citrus Sugar Cookie Eggs It’s easy to change the flavor of this cookie dough. Swap the orange zest and juice with lemon, lime, or any combination of the three.

HANDS-ON TIME 25 min.

TOTAL TIME 45 min.

1¹∕2 cups butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 tsp. orange zest ¹∕4 tsp. baking powder 1 egg 1 Tbsp. orange juice 1 tsp. vanilla ³∕4 tsp. salt 3¹∕2 cups all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl beat butter with a mixer on medium to high 30 seconds. Add sugar, orange zest, and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, orange juice, vanilla, and salt until combined. Beat in flour. Divide dough into two or three portions. On a lightly floured surface roll out dough one portion at a time to ¹∕8- to ¹∕4-inch thickness.

2. Cut out egg shapes using 2- to 3-inch cookie cutters. (Dip cutters into flour to prevent sticking.) Place cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are firm but not brown. (Adjust timing for smaller and larger cookies.) Let cool on a wire rack.

Makes 48 (2- to 3-inch) cookies.

PER COOKIE 102 cal, 6 g fat, (4 g sat fat), 19 mg chol, 86 mg sodium, 11 g carb, 4 g sugars, 1 g pro

Royal Icing Meringue powder is a mixture of pasteurized egg whites, sugar, and edible gums. Look for it in the baking aisle of large grocers or in the cakedecorating section of crafts stores.

START TO FINISH 15 min.

4 3

¹∕2 ¹∕2 1

cups powdered sugar Tbsp. meringue powder tsp. cream of tartar cup warm water tsp. vanilla Gel paste food coloring

In a large mixing bowl stir together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Add the warm water and vanilla. Beat with a mixer on low until combined. Beat on high 7 to 10 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Tint as desired with food coloring. Makes about 4 cups. Store unthinned icing, covered, in refrigerator up to 2 days.

ROYAL ICING HOW-TOS Royal icing is a favorite of cookie decorators because you can adjust its consistency for different tasks.

PIPING CONSISTENCY Transfer about 1 cup unthinned icing to a pastry bag fitted with a small round decorating tip (No. 2 or 3).

ICING CONSISTENCY Thin icing with warm water (4 to 5 tsp. per cup of icing). Icing should fall in ribbons from a spoon, and ribbons should disappear into icing surface in the bowl in 10 to 15 seconds. Dip cookie surface in icing; place on a wire rack to set (about 6 hours). One cup thinned icing covers about 36 (2- to 3-inch) cookies.

The meringue powder in royal icing ensures a smooth, firm surface for decorating.

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You can find all of these embellishments in the cakedecorating section of major grocers and crafts stores, as well as on Amazon and Etsy.

EVEN BUTTER LOVERS LOVE IT - Lynn Rupley Smith -

229-TIME STATE FAIR BAKING CHAMPION

© 2019 Upfield | All rights reserved

Lynn’s 2019 Winning Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Country Crock® Plant Butter

Cooks, Bakes and Tastes Like Butter.

Tested and when used with Country Crock Plant Butter® sticks.

WAF E R O R R I C E PAPE R F LOWE R S

Pretty, pliable, and flavorless, these florals come in a variety of designs.

G U M PA STE B LOS S O M S

TRIMS & APPLIQUÉS While icing is still wet, attach edible wafer or rice paper flowers, painted gum paste blossoms, or small candies.

LAYERED LOOK Ice cookies with white royal icing; let set. Mix ¹∕8 tsp. gel paste food coloring and 2 tsp. vodka. (Alcohol evaporates quickly without dissolving the icing.) “Paint” using clean artists brushes; add details with edible markers.

Gum paste looks like fondant but hardens to a porcelainlike finish. Brush with luster dust to color.

S U GAR F LOWE R S

Made of sugar icing and widely available.

CAN DY J EWE LS

Gem-shape candies look like the real thing but melt in your mouth.

MORE TRIMS & APPLIQUÉS If you like, cut out small flowers from the dough and bake. Use unthinned icing in a pastry bag to decorate and attach them to large egg cutouts. Pipe on additional accents as desired.

GOLDEN GLITZ For edible gold leaf flake accents, let icing partially set (about 1 hour). Gold leaf is tricky to handle due to static, so transfer flakes using a dry artists brush.

G O LD LE AF F L AK E S

Yes, you can eat 24k gold flakes; look for food-grade leaf labeled as edible. (We found ours for $6 at walmart.com.)

G LIT TE R S & D U ST S

PEARLESCENT SHIMMER While iced cookies are still wet, attach small white or pearl nonpareils. When set, use a clean artists brush to apply pearlized white luster dust over tops; tap off excess.

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BEJEWELED & BEDAZZLED While iced cookies are still wet, sprinkle on edible metallic glitter. Using unthinned icing in a pastry bag, attach candy gems or pipe on geometric designs.

Edible metallic glitter sparkles like crystals; sprinkle it over wet icing.

Luster dust is a translucent powder. Use an artists brush to apply to dry surfaces or mix with vodka (not water) and brush onto iced cookies.

More is More

WORKBOOK WHAT’S BETTER THAN A HIGH FIBER BREAKFAST? A TASTY, HIGH FIBER BREAKFAST WITH RAISINS.

Gold leaf flakes lend themselves to uneven coverage and curved or textured surfaces.

Beyond fabric and crafts stores, check sites like Etsy and eBay for vintage fashion trims by the lot.

These nonperishable eggs are, from top, plastic, ceramic, wood, spun cotton, and paper mache.

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Crafting eggs would be easier with a third hand. Instead, make the workboard on the next page.

Bejeweled & Bedazzled

Trıms & Appliqués

FAUX-GEM EGGS

FABRIC TRIM EGGS

Paper mache eggs in various sizes ● Crafts paints in assorted colors ● Paintbrushes ● Jewelry glue ● Jewelry tweezers ● Faux gems in assorted sizes and colors

Plastic eggs ● Crafts paints in assorted colors ● Paintbrushes ● Crafts glue ● Assorted fabric trims, patches, and ribbons

THE BASICS Paint paper mache eggs with crafts paint; let dry. Apply a dab of glue to an egg and press on a gem.

Repeat as desired.

TOOL TIP We used E6000 Jewelry & Bead Glue. It comes with fine-tip applicators that help with precise placement.

STYLE POINTERS ● If you’re going for the fully encrusted look, choose a base paint color similar to or slightly darker than your faux gems so the background recedes behind the sparkle.

Mix the sizes and colors of your gems evenly around the egg surface, aiming to get each stone as close as possible to its neighbor. Jewelry tweezers make this much easier. ●

GLITTER EGGS Paper mache eggs in various sizes ● Crafts paints in assorted colors ● Paintbrushes ● Mod Podge ● Assorted chunky glitters

TH E BAS IC S Paint paper mache eggs with crafts paint; let dry. Cover all or part of eggs with Mod Podge and sprinkle on glitter.

TOOL TIP Be heavy-handed with your glitter application, holding eggs over a coffee filter to catch the excess. Use a different filter for each color so you can reuse the overflow.

THE BASICS Paint plastic eggs with crafts paint; let dry. Glue on trim pieces.

STYLE POINTERS Spin the color wheel and pair brights with brights for a look that goes a little retro.

Pearlescent Shimmer PEARL BOX Ceramic egg box ● Pearl crafts paint ● Paintbrush ● Jewelry glue ● Assorted sizes of pearl halves

THE BASICS Paint the outside of the ceramic egg box. Apply at least two coats for an even shimmer, letting the paint dry between coats. Dab glue on the box and apply pearls as desired.

WHERE TO BUY Egg Box, $11; ceramicsuperstore.com STYLE POINTERS Sheets of adhesive-backed pearl halves make it quick and easy to create tidy stripes and borders. Cut the sheets into strips, peel, and apply. Place larger pearls where your lines meet.

A GOOD SOURCE OF FIBER AND A GREAT SOURCE OF CRUNCHY DELICIOUSNESS.

More is More

WORKBOOK

NUTS ABOUT FIBER?

Golden Glitz GOLD LEAF EGGS

CRUNCHY VANILLA ALMOND IS A GOOD SOURCE OF IT.

Ceramic eggs ● Crafts paint in assorted colors ● Paintbrushes ● Sponge brushes ● Gold leaf sizing ● Gold leaf flakes ● Mod Podge

THE BASICS Give ceramic eggs a colorful base coat. Use a sponge brush to apply dabs of gold leaf sizing. Let sizing dry 30 minutes, then sprinkle gold leaf flakes over sizing. Use a clean, dry sponge brush to press flakes onto sizing and brush away any excess.

Seal with a coat of Mod Podge.

WHERE TO BUY DIY Ceramic Eggs, $10 for 12; oriental trading.com. Speedball Mona Lisa Metal Leaf Adhesive Size, $4; Speedball Mona Lisa Metal Leaf Flakes, $7; dickblick.com STYLE POINTERS Don’t cover the entire egg with sizing. Leave some areas of the colorful base exposed.

GLITTER PAINT EGGS Ceramic eggs ● Crafts paint in assorted colors ● Paintbrushes ● Glitter paint in assorted colors

THE BASICS Paint ceramic eggs with a colorful base coat using crafts paint. When dry, brush on glitter paint as desired.

TOOL TIP To match the nottoo-perfect look of the gilded eggs, use a paint containing different sizes of glitter. We used FolkArt Glitterific Acrylic Paint, $5; plaidonline.com.

Layered Look FABRIC-WRAPPED EGGS Wood eggs ● White crafts paint ● Paintbrush ● Assorted silks and/or semisheer patterned fabrics ● Mod Podge ● Embellishments ● All-purpose crafts glue

THE BASICS Paint eggs white to help fabric patterns show.

Cut fabric into 1"×1" squares.

Brush Mod Podge onto the eggs and press on pieces of fabric, overlapping the edges. Once covered, seal with a thin coat of Mod Podge. Attach jewels or fabric trim embellishments with a drop of glue.

SEQUINED EGGS Spun cotton eggs ● Crafts paint in assorted colors ● Paintbrushes ● Sequins ● Sequin glue ● Sequin pins ● Thimble

THE BASICS Paint spun cotton eggs. Use a spot of glue to attach sequins, working from one end to the other and overlapping the edges slightly. Insert a sequin pin through each sequin hole.

A thimble makes this easier.

WHERE TO BUY Check smilemercantile.com for a mix of egg sizes made from tightly spun cotton.

ORNAMENTS

Before decorating a spun cotton or paper mache egg, use a large embroidery needle or an awl to poke a hole in the small end.

Fold a 6" piece of gold thread in half; push the ends into the hole. Secure thread with a spot of hot glue.

HOW-TO VIDEO Hover your smartphone camera over this smart code to see how we created an Easter tree out of painted branches and then decorated it by hanging egg ornaments.

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READER SHOPPING

Jewelry tweezers come in all tip shapes and sizes.

A bent head works well for flatback gems.

FRESH BLACKBERRIES A pot of these compact blackberry bushes in a sunny spot puts juicy, antioxidant-rich berries at your fingertips. With thornless branches that stay under 4 feet tall, ‘Bushel and Berry Baby Cakes’ don’t require staking or trellising.

And in most areas of the country, the plants will set a second crop of fruit midfall.

FOAM WORKBOARD Straight pins ¹∕2"-thick foam-core board

● ●

THE BASICS Insert straight pins in a 1"×1" grid on a sheet of foam-core board. Rest the eggs on pinheads to free hands up for painting and decorating.

TOOL TIP Use pins with small heads so they block less of the egg surface. ■

RULES FOR SWEEPSTAKES MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE

Order early This item sold out last year.

JOHN DEERE SWEEPSTAKES No purchase necessary to enter or win. Subject to Official Rules at BHG.com/DeereGiveaway. The Better Homes & Gardens Your Best Yard Sweepstakes with John Deere begins at 12:01 a.m. CT on 3/1/20 and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on 6/30/20. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 21 years or older. Limit one (1) entry per person and per email address per day. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Meredith Corporation.

AMERICA’S BEST FRONT YARD CONTEST No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 21 years or older, with Internet access and photo uploading capability. Entry period begins 12:01 a.m. ET on 4/6/20 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 5/15/20. Public voting period begins 12:01 a.m. ET on 5/26/20 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 6/5/20. Subject to Official Rules at BHG.com/BestFrontYard. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Meredith Corporation.

A special offer from our friends at White Flower Farm: Order online at whiteflowerfarm.com/berry or call 800/420-2852. Item M068428 is $25.95 each, plus shipping.

(Mention source code BHR02.) Ships in a 1-gallon pot in spring at the proper planting time for your hardiness Zone. Recommended for Zones 4–8S&W.

Families spend an average of $1,997 on a spring break vacation.

in3

12 AMERICANS HAVE ABOUT

Using a card to pay for vacations can be a smart move if it’s one that has travel insurance offering refunds in case of illness or emergency.

But pay off the card within a month or two so you don’t negate the financial benefit.

April 16

That’s how much less likely people who eat chile peppers weekly were to die of a heart attack.

People who ate the hot peppers were also 23 percent more likely to outlive those who didn’t, says research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Experts think the benefits are due to capsaicin, an inflammation-fighting compound in chile peppers.

Add them (or hot sauce) to salads and sandwiches.

National Healthcare Decisions Day Only 37 percent of Americans have documents spelling out end-of-life wishes or instructions in case they’re unable to make medical decisions. For info on what you might need and to get started, visit nhdd.org.

ON AVERAGE, AMERICANS SPEND $177 EACH YEAR OUT OF POCKET ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. That number skyrockets if you have a health condition: People with heart disease shell out more than $600; those who have diabetes pay nearly $700 annually. To cut costs, download GoodRx or RxSaver. These apps help you find the best prices and coupons for certain medications.

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PHOTOS: (CHILES) BLAINE MOATS, (PILL BOTTLE) AREEYA_ANN/GETTY IMAGES

That includes talking to a good friend and chitchatting with the cashier at the coffee shop. Research has found that a combo of cordial interactions and close friendships is key for happiness. So go ahead, make small talk in line or chat up that barista.

plans to charge some or all of that amount to a credit card.

Browned Butter Ravioli. Get the recipe at landolakes.com

ALL TOGETHER BETTER

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Join BH&G for a special series of craft workshops at CraftJam NYC DIY? NBD! With the skillful instructions of an expert, you’ll get an introduction to a classic art form.

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Unleash your inner artist, get special gifts and find your jam with BH&G! • Watercolor Brush Lettering • Tuesday, April 7, 2020 • Modern Calligraphy Bootcamp • Saturday, April 11, 2020

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health

YOUR EYES:

THE CLEAR PICTURE Even if you’ve always had 20/20 vision, time and habits can leave you squinting.

Protecting your peepers means separating fact from fiction, so we’ve debunked five common myths.

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MYTH

You only need to see an eye doctor if you’re having vision troubles.

TRUTH From age 18 to 40 you should get an eye exam about every five years—more often if you have vision issues, a family history of eye disease or diabetes, or high blood pressure. At age 40, you should get an exam that includes eye dilation. After that, have eye exams every two to four years then annually when you hit 55.

Dilating your eyes enables the doctor to examine your eyes for signs of disease. “The eye is like a house with two rooms, and everything you see in the mirror is the foyer,” says

Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Dilating expands the pupil, which is like a tiny keyhole, so a doctor can open the door and look at the great room of the eye where so many of the blinding eye diseases occur.”

Diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration rarely cause symptoms until they’ve advanced, but if you catch them early, they’re usually treatable.

MYTH

If you start wearing reading glasses, you’ll become reliant on them.

TRUTH Near vision diminishes for everyone at some point after age 40.

Readers prevent eye strain, not changes in your eyes, so go ahead and wear them. “You don’t get more dependent on the glasses; you see better,” Taylor says.

BY B A R B A R A B R O DY P H OTO S JAC O B F OX

IN FOCUS

159 MILLION

Americans— about two out of three— wear prescription eyeglasses.

45

MILLION Americans wear contact lenses. If you’re one of them, be sure to change the solution daily and never sleep with your lenses in.

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MYTH

Eyes that tear up often can’t be dry.

TRUTH If your eyes

MYTH

Floaters are always normal TRUTH Floaters—spots or shadows that appear to move across your field of vision—can be harmless.

But they can sometimes be a sign of retinal detachment, so if you’re suddenly seeing floaters, call your eye doctor ASAP, especially if you’re also seeing flashes of light.

In general, floaters develop because the gel inside your eye starts to partially liquefy, says Laura Sperazza, O.D., director of low vision services at Lighthouse Guild in NYC. That process tends to increase as you get older, which is why floaters are

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more common after 50.

You’re also more likely to experience floaters if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, but good health habits can help minimize them.

Over time, floaters tend to shrink or sink to the bottom of the eye so they’re less noticeable.

water a lot, it’s because they’re trying to compensate for a decrease in normal tear production. You have three types of tears: basal, which keep your eyes lubricated; reflex, which wash away irritants; and emotional, which happen when you’re sad or happy.

As you age—especially during menopause—basal tear production may decrease, causing a common condition called dry eye. Certain meds (including antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and decongestants) can also dry basal tears. To make up for the loss, eyes produce more reflex tears, but they don’t moisturize as well.

To treat dry eye, use OTC artificial tears several times a day, Sperazza says. Also remind yourself to blink periodically when you’re staring at a screen for a while, and stay hydrated.

MYTH

It’s normal for your peripheral vision to shrink as you age.

TRUTH Though it’s common to have trouble seeing up close as you get older (because the eye lens becomes less able to change shape to shift focus from far to near), it’s not normal for your peripheral vision to change. If your side vision has become more limited or things in the distance have gotten blurrier, see your eye doctor to find out what’s going on; it could be a sign of glaucoma.

[ BEST

P R AC T I C E S ]

TOP WAYS TO KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY

1

WEAR SHADES UV rays can lead to cataracts, eyelid skin cancers, even melanoma in and around the eye.

Look for wraparound sunglasses with 100-percent UVA/UVB protection.

2

EAT COLORFULLY Leafy greens are great sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that help protect vision.

Vitamin C-rich fruits (oranges, grapefruit, etc.) are also good, as are beta-carotene– rich carrots.

3

DON’T SMOKE It damages the blood vessels in the eyes and puts you at risk for macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness after age 60 in the U.S. ■

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good to know

FIVE FEEL-GOOD WAYS TO BE

greener

In honor of Earth Day’s 50th anniversary, senior editor Kit Selzer takes a fresh look at everyday eco-friendly habits that are both easy and gratifying.

When it comes to living green, I know—and try to faithfully practice— the basics. But I’m feeling the need to take a closer look at my routine and make sure I’m thorough and consistent. I’m recommitting to five tried-and-true green practices—things I can do every day, which increases their potential impact. Their payoff is immediate and tangible.

And they make me feel good about doing my part. Here’s my pledge: Waste less, reuse more, and never leave home without a bag again.

RELEARN TO RECYCLE It’s natural to think everything we recycle will be turned into something. But much of it won’t, so in some ways recycling is part of the waste problem. The key, says Kathryn Kellogg, author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste, is to “learn to recycle better and depend on it less.” Recycling is worthwhile if done

✽

RECYC L AB LE S S H O U LD B E C LE AN B UT DO N ’ T N E E D TO B E S POTLE S S .

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| April 2020

correctly. Cities set their own recycling rules, so check with your local waste management facility or search “how to recycle in city/state” online. One trick for success: Tape a cheat sheet to your recycling bin and refer to it until you know the rules.

Turns out that I had a few things wrong.

Where I live, shredded paper must be recycled in a paper bag or cardboard box, and twist-off tops should be put back on plastic containers. One of the most valuable items to recycle? Metal cans. Use and recycle them without guilt.

“An aluminum can can go from the curbside bin to the store shelf in as little as 60 days,” Kellogg says.

I L LU S T R AT I O N S E DW I N F OT H E R I N G H A M

BYO BAGS The best bag is one you’ll keep using. I’ve decided to make the reusable ones I take to the grocery store work harder. Now I try to take them everywhere I shop. I appreciate the nominal incentive some stores offer (I might make my millions one nickel at a time), but you know what I really like?

The way the cashiers always thank me for bringing my own bag.

Another bonus: After years of struggling to organize and store an increasing supply of plastic and paper bags, I’m finally free.

THE FIRST EARTH DAY ON APRIL 22, 1970, A U.S. SENATOR RALLIED 20 MILLION AMERICANS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS.

BREAK IT DOWN Nothing proves that waste can be put to use like composting.

I’m inspired to try after hearing how editor in chief Stephen Orr composts and has the healthy garden beds to show for it. “It makes me feel less guilty about food waste,” he says. He suggests this formula for beginners: vegetables (those that have gone bad and peelings), coffee grounds, and tea bags. “Think of it like

a vegan diet—no meat or dairy,” he says.

“Also, no cooked food and be sure to remove produce stickers.”

Collect scraps indoors in a lidded pail; when it’s full, dump the scraps into your outdoor compost bin.

Stephen alternates layers of food scraps with dry leaves, stirring them together occasionally. He suggests an organic compost starter to kick things off. When you hit the right wet/dry balance, Stephen says, the stuff looks like dark chocolate cake and smells like good soil—a true recycling reward.

For more information, check out epa.gov or garden.org.

FIX INSTEAD OF NIX

REDUCE TRASH My trash and recycling bins have become a research project. I’m investigating what I usually toss that should be put in the recycling bin or taken to a waste collection site. What can be composted?

Most important: What could be reused? If I pretend I’m on a desert island, can I find a purpose for anything that’s not dangerous or yucky?

The challenge is on, and I’m starting with

✽

WAS H O UT AN D C RU S H EG G S H E LLS B E FO RE CO M POSTI N G .

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glass jars. Yes, they can be recycled, but the better option is to reuse them. I’m keeping them to store leftovers, hold dog treats, turn into vases, and grow an herb garden. Likewise, I’ll repurpose toilet paper tubes to hold spare power cords, turn into seed starters, and use as drawer organizers.

Also on my list: cans of leftover paint. In the past, I’ve taken oil-base paint to the hazardous waste collection site and removed the lids from water-base paint to allow it to harden before putting it in the trash. These are approved disposal techniques. But the better plan going forward is to find a use for the leftovers, like give them to a youth group or make over an old piece of furniture.

I’m looking forward to a lighter trash can.

It’s gotten so easy to buy household goods that I’m often tempted to simply replace them when they break.

To combat that, I’ve started turning to online fix-it videos and compiling a list of local resources for repairs. I’d rather fix than replace items like lamps, the vacuum cleaner, a suitcase with a broken zipper, a window shade. And now I keep my sewing machine set up and a basic toolbox within reach because I know I’m more likely to attempt a repair if I can dive right in. n

pets

BUG off

Spring is here and so is flea and tick season. Learn how to best protect pets from these pests and what to do if they end up becoming unwelcome visitors.

FIGHTING FLEAS PREVENT & PROTECT

GOT FLEAS?

Remove any fleas pronto! Brush out your pet’s coat with a flea comb, then give her a bath with a pet shampoo. Also consider a fast-acting oral treatment.

Next, treat the house.

Wash pet’s bedding in

hot water and vacuum everywhere. You can sprinkle borax where fleas congregate: baseboards, under furniture, carpets; keep pets out of those rooms for at least 48 hours and vacuum after 12 to 48 hours. If the infestation is bad, you may need to fumigate.

Also talk to your vet about treating for tapeworms; pets with fleas are at risk.

TAKING ON TICKS PREVENT & PROTECT

In addition to a regular tick-prevention regimen (again, choose between oral or topical meds or a collar), stay on top of yard upkeep.

Ticks prefer damp areas, tall grasses, and shrubs, so keeping grass short, trimming trees and bushes, and raking up piles of leaves can go a long way toward minimizing the risk of a tick bite.

A nontoxic way to kill ticks and fleas in the yard is to sprinkle diatomaceous earth (a powder made from fossilized algae).

Check your pet’s coat daily. On a dog, ticks are commonly found in ears, ear folds, and corners of eyes; on the neck; and between toes and the

GOT A TICK?

The longer the tick stays attached, the higher the risk of transmitting disease, Richter says. Use tweezers or a tickremoving tool (sold in pet stores) to remove the entire tick without crushing or twisting it; leaving any part of the tick could cause an infection.

Call your vet; she may start your pet on an antibiotic to ward off any chance of a tick-borne illness developing, which can take months to show up on tests or cause symptoms. Watch for signs of illness, including lethargy and joint swelling that can lead to limping. n

TIC K-BO R N E I LLN E S SE S AR E MO R E PR EVA LEN T IN DOG S THAN CAT S. PHOTO: NICOLAS RESILLE/EYEEM GETTY IMAGES

For flea control, you can choose between oral or topical meds or a collar, but vets advise using only one type of treatment, says Nadine Znajda, D.V.M. at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital in Tampa. In general, oral meds aren’t advised for pets who have seizures, and cats should never wear collars containing permethrin, which can be toxic to them.

When you start treatment depends on when fleas are prevalent in your area.

Fleas thrive yearround in some climates and only in warm months in others. “If

you’re worried about chemicals, less is more, and you can use these products on an as-needed basis,” says Gary Richter, D.V.M., director of Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, CA. If you want to go the natural route, there are products made with essential plant oils, but experts say they’re often not as effective.

body and legs. On a cat, prime spots are the face and neck.

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BY K A R E N A S P

1926

FLAMINGOS

These vibrant, quirky creatures are taking flight in a new variety of colorful decor options.

THE ORIGINAL Flamingos haven’t always been typecast as kitschy lawn ornaments, as this sophisticated chinoiserie scene from the ’20s illustrates.

THE UPDATE You can still bank on the leggy bird’s playful side—why, yes, we’d be happy to see a few wading across a napkin under our Arnold Palmer. But the latest flock of offerings also shows a more diverse range of personalities for the motif, including graphic dot-and-dash patterned wallpaper and stylishly sweet upholstery.

1

Flamingo Flamboyance Sure Strip in Pink, $110/double roll; yorkwall coverings.com

3

2

2

L AM PS HAD E

Lani, $10 (7" tall); onekingslane.com

3

KN O B

Flamingo, $15 (3¹∕2" tall, 2¹∕2" wide); cb2.com

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4

Flamingo, $6 for 16 small; merimeri.com

5

5

A PAT TE RN E D S HAD E I N STANTLY U PDATE S A L AM P.

TO U C H E S O F B L AC K B E AD I N G AD D G L AM TE X TU RE .

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NAPKI N S

C HAI R

Vanessa Upholstered Swivel, $200; worldmarket.com

6

PI LLOW COVE R Flamingo

Embroidered, $59; thecompany store.com ■

BY: LAUREN HEDRICK; PHOTOS: (WALLPAPER, NAPKINS) BLAINE MOATS

1

WALLPAPE R

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS (ISSN 0006-0151) APRIL 2020, VOL. 98 NO. 4, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY MEREDITH CORPORATION, 1716 LOCUST STREET, DES MOINES, IA 50309-3023. U.S.A. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT DES MOINES, IOWA, AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES, $22 PER YEAR IN THE U.S.; $35 (U.S. DOLLARS) IN CANADA; $35 (U.S. DOLLARS) OVERSEAS. POSTMASTER: SEND ALL UAA TO CFS. (SEE DMM 507.1.5.2); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO BETTER HOMES & GARDENS, P.O. BOX 37508, BOONE, IA 50037-0508. IN CANADA: MAILED UNDER PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES PRODUCT AGREEMENT NO. 40069223; CANADIAN BN 12348 2887 RT. YOUR BANK MAY PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE CARD INFORMATION WE HAVE ON FILE. YOU MAY OPT OUT OF THIS SERVICE AT ANY TIME. ©MEREDITH CORPORATION 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

BH&G throwback

A little bread.

A little cheese.

A lot of Wow.