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WINTER

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NOURISHING &

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Perfect pies, terriﬁc tarts, super soups, bread to dip + spiced sponge stacks!

NO-HURRY CURRY Plus one-pan pasta – GREEK STYLE

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• DIY retro record unit • Flip over a coat rack COSY UP AT

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• Snug decor inspired by nature, warm coastal greys and an eclectic vibe • Try easy abstract art • Go green + clean AUST . (inc GST) NZ . (inc GST)

PETAL POWER

WINTER STARS

LANTERN O’ LIGHT

HELLEBORE HEAVEN

Recycle plastic bo les + cra s abloom

+ Feel the heat with an outdoor ﬁrepit – toasty!

Lantern House, Victoria, by Timmins+Whyte Architects. Photography by Peter Bennetts. The COLORBOND steel colour swatch represents actual product colour as accurately as possible. However, we recommend checking your chosen colour against an actual sample of the product before purchasing. COLORBOND , the BlueScope brand mark and colour names are registered trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited. 2021 BlueScope Steel Limited ABN 16 000 011 058. All rights reserved.

Beautiful simplicity. Tested in some of Australia’s harshest conditions, durable COLORBOND steel Matt diffuses light to create a subtle, textured and contemporary aesthetic. COLORBOND steel in Surfmist Matt offers a stylish contrast to softer tones and complements darker hues for added design ﬂexibility and an elegantly understated appearance. Visit COLORBOND.COM/MATT or call 1800 702 764

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome!

Winter always feels a little languid. Maybe it’s the appeal of staying in, all toasty by the fire, for a leisurely read of your fave magazine... stew to gobble-worthy cobbler, it’s your go-to cold-weather cookbook. Read it now or, if you subscribe, check your email for details on digital access or phone us on 136 116. Also check out our cover star – a tempting massaman curry with Thaistyle gremolata (page 76). Yum! As for soups, take your pick, from maple and miso celeriac (page 91) to Fast Ed’s kinda-creamy mushroom – yes there’s bread to mop up the juices (page 78)! Once you’re sated, it’s time to burn oﬀ some energy. And we have lots of ideas for doing just that – starting in the garden. With our special roses oﬀer (page 22), you can pick stunning blooms for delivery bare-rooted,

ready to plant for a spring unfurling. And don’t worry if you haven’t grown them before – we have the lowdown on these scent-sational blooms on page 12. Elsewhere, you can make a retro record player unit (page 138), DIY a clu er-busting coat rack (page 134), try easy 3D art (page 132) and take a corner garden from dank to delightful (page 48). There’s so much to do you could never be bored. And, best of all, whipping up these projects will whet your appetite for more winter warmers! Enjoy the issue.

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BHG WINTER

Photography GAP Photos/Jonathan Buckley

aybe it’s the joy of ﬁnding warmth and comfort, from snuggling under blankets to going slow in the kitchen. Whatever your fancy, it’s all about charting your own path through the chilly months. Of course when it comes to seasonal highlights, nothing says winter like a hearty supper simmering for hours, ﬁlling the air with delicious aromas. And, whether you prefer a slow cooker, stove or oven, we’ve got you covered with our bonus 36-page Slow Cooking Special. From rich

WINTER CONTENTS

114

come inside ON THE COVER

BHG exclusive offer Buy scent-sational roses to plant now! Winter stars Hellebore heaven

126

Feel the heat with an outdoor firepit Toasty! No-hurry curry Nourishing & hearty Perfect

pies, terrific tarts, super soups, bread to dip + spiced sponge stacks One-pan pasta Greek style Snug decor Inspired by nature, warm coastal greys and an eclectic vibe

Try easy abstract art Flip over a coat rack DIY retro record unit Petal power lantern o’ light Recycle plastic bottles + crafts abloom

Winter jewels Extend a warm welcome to heavenly hellebores How cool is this! Borrowing other gardeners’ ideas isn’t cheating – it’s a compliment!

Trophies from around the world New-World plants enjoy a prime position in English-style design

Firepits to fuel your dreams! Beat the blues this winter with a garden that glows in the dark! From lifeless to lush Take a small garden patch from dank to delightful with the right plants Sleeper beauty Turn trash into treasure as landscape art From waste to winner! Use your scraps to make free compost

In your garden Better gardening

Go green + clean

DIY & BUILDING GARDENING Bloom kaboom! Find your perfect rose variety to pick, plant and grow

Oh-so pretty and perfumed Order bare-rooted roses now to plant for a sensational summer of scented blooms

BHG WINTER

Modern makeover Easy upgrades to transform the front of your home Clutter buster Build a coat rack to clear the chaos from your front door

Give it a spin and go retro! Custom make a cabinet to put your vinyl collection on show

106

94 FOOD

The call of the coast Tap

Curry it away Slow cook your

way to your favourite Thai dish – scrumptious massaman beef Fast Ed’s kitchen Cook up classic winter meals, hack your leftovers, create creamy sponge stacks and make a marvellous mocktail Weeknight winner An easy recipe for a better dinner tonight Winter warmers Add tasty twists to classic comfort food for moreish meals Cooking with Karen Give recipe basics the far-from-basic treatment for filling and flavourful meals

Better cooking Waste not, want not Tips and tricks to cut your food waste

into refreshing ideas for feel-good beach style

Better decorating Casual dining corner Transform a dead zone into a flexible family space It’s a frame up Make abstract art that won’t break the bank

Add great texture with chunky yarn Give leftover yarn new life as easy decorative pieces Blooming beauties Turn floral inspiration into pretty craft

Seasonal harmony Tune into the changing nuances of the season to bring a sense of countrystyle grace to your rooms Dare to be eclectic Create a family haven that merges design aesthetics to surprise and delight at every turn

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Every issue we bring you projects and recipes from the show for you to make and cook GARDENING 34 Explore a Blue Mountains estate 36 42 48

brimming with ideas to steal New-world plants bring a touch of the exotic to an English-style garden Choose a firepit to suit the size and style of your outdoor area Transform a dank backyard corner with plants that love the damp, garden mirrors and a privacy screen Plant up garden sculptures made from old timber sleepers

DIY & BUILDING 58 Boost your street appeal and build

a new fence, then replace your front porch with a modern deck 134 Make a flexible coat rack to clear your entryway clutter 138 Create a chic cabinet to hold your turntable and record collection

FOOD 78 Fast Ed Almost no-time bread

126

with sour cream and chives; Kinda-creamy mushroom soup; Lamb pot pie; Inside-out Virgin Mary; Bread pastry quiche; Triple-stacked chicken burger; Cannelloni of leftover vegetables; Warm gingerbread sponge stacks 94 Karen Martini Risotto with meatballs, peas and bocconcini; Baked side of fish with lemon caper butter; Roast chicken with potatoes and haloumi 162 Practical tips to cut food waste

DECORATING & CRAFT 126 Cater for casual dining with

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BHG WINTER

wraparound wall shelves and corner bench seats 132 Try your hand at textured art 154 Go homemade to green your clean, from scouring scrub to mould remover spray

Editor Dora Papas Creative director Deputy editor Scott Cassidy Artemis Gouros Production editor Joseph Kenworthy Chief sub editor Lisa Chant Design director Monique Larracy Senior designer Carol Tang Decorating editor Dora Papas Garden editor Jenny Dillon Food editor Sarah Murphy DIY editor Greg Fahey Beauty editor Annie Millar Stylist Vanessa Tidy Editor’s assistant Matilda Ringrose Enquiries (02) 9282 8500 REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Garden diary Tony Fawcett Moon gardening Milton Black Pets Caroline Zambrano ADVERTISING Commercial brand manager Jo-Ann Taylor Brand executive Serena Cox Sales director NSW Karen Holmes Qld head of sales Judy Taylor Sales director Vic, SA, WA Jaclyn Clements General manager media solutions Jane Waterhouse Marketing manager Kathrine Holland TELEVISION Host Johanna Griggs Presenters: Pets Dr Harry Cooper Gardening Graham Ross, Melissa King DIY Adam Dovile Food Karen Martini, Ed Halmagyi Landscaping Charlie Albone Decorating Juliet Love Executive producer Russell Palmer Series producer Rani Eaton Production manager Sarah Charley Researchers: Gardening & Landscaping Vivien Kappos, James Wood, Joshua Culpan Decorating Karenza Jewell, Chris Cort DIY John Rae, Greg Sparke Food Marnie Rowe, Sarah Allchurch Stylist/Junior decorating researcher Erin Brikich Construction manager Scott Marvell Producers Cassandra Felix, Daniel Gustafson, Cameron Hartley, Cathy Foote, Stephanie Walsh Associate producers Sharon Field, Heidi Ahrens Post production Jessica Stone, Duncan Richards, Edvin Mandic, Amarnath Jones, Bettina Otterbeck, Markus Siegl, Kate Tanttari, Steven Levett Production assistants Isaac Hughes, Portia Cheung Social media coordinator Nathan Morris Commercial partnerships co-ordinator Nicole Miall Commercial partnerships manager Stewart Light Production co-ordinator Michelle Nahmy Senior production co-ordinator Stephanie Lee DIGITAL bhg.com.au, bhgshop.com.au Group publisher – digital, homes + food Fiona Baker Digital managing editor Rebecca Lowrey Boyd Content producer Eunice Oh aRe MEDIA PTY LIMITED

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Plant vibrant hellebores to brighten winter’s chill with an avalanche of lush colour, see page 28.

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1 wild and wonderful

If you have a fence, a pergola, balcony rails or a tripod in the middle of your garden, a climbing rose will give you visual splendour from summer through to autumn. BHG WINTER

Photography GAP Photos/Christa Brand

FABULOUS FLOWERS

2 profusion of pink

Pink roses have a beautiful luminescence about them – you can almost believe they could glow in the dark!

kabOom! With so many roses to choose from, you can pick, plant and grow the ones that tell the world what sort of gardener you are!

he beauty of having roses in your yard is more than just their exquisite ﬂowers. It’s the endless ways you can use them to make your garden stand apart. A row of roses can be the highlight of a formal and manicured statement that says you’ve arrived. Or random planting can be romantic and rambling, telling the world you intend to go everywhere. Whatever your style or personality might be, there’s a rose for you. Plant it now!

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5 Tight fit

Roses aren’t this packed on a bush, but you can cram them in a container to put on show. 6 smell the roses

It’s not only beautiful form you look for in a rose, but also perfume. The intensity of scent varies across the board. 7 Style matters

Mix up the colours of your blooms if you like a more co age look to your rose garden. BHG WINTER

Hybrid teas You get bountiful, ornate blooms clustered on long stems or as a single bloom per stem. Being hardy, vigorous and with repeat ﬂowering, they’re ideal plants in large pots, or as hedges or borders. Originally from China, the petals are used in Chinese tea.

Roses today are full of surprises. The bud can give no hint as to what the colour of the bloom will be. And even then you can get two colours, such as this pale yellow and pink bloom!

CARE TIPS Aspect Full sun. Climate Temperate to cool; frosts are ﬁne since roses are dormant in winter. Soil Well-drained loam, slightly acidic. Pests and diseases Modern roses are pre y pest- and disease-resistant, but look out for black spot, powdery mildew and aphids, caused by humidity.

4 Photography GAP Photos/John Glover/Juliette Wade

4 get covered

Rambling roses are vigorous bloomers, celebrating spring with an abundance of small ﬂowers in large sprays.

TYPES OF ROSES Choosing a rose that suits your garden is made easier when you know the types that are available. Whether you have a formal estate, a tiny cottage yard, a sun-drenched balcony, a shed or wall that needs smothering or a front door that wants a welcome, there’s a type for you.

3 ruffle heaven!

FABULOUS FLOWERS

MOST OF THE ROSES IN OUR GARDENS ARE BRED FROM THOSE FOUND IN ASIA, MAINLY CHINA

Modern These bloom throughout the season with larger single and double flowers and a long vase life. But their perfume is less heady and they’re more subject to pests and disease, although resistance is improving. Put them in a bed. Grandiflora A subgroup class of hybrid tea, they’re taller and have floribunda features. Elegant, showy blooms appear in clusters with constant seasonal growth. Hardy and vigorous.

Floribunda Large clusters of longlasting ﬂowers bloom throughout the season and they’re easy to care for. Plant en masse. English Hardy and disease-resistant with a delightful scent, they’ve been

cultivated for reliability, most famously by English breeder David Austin. Most are shrubby, making them suitable for most garden needs – containers, hedges, and formal and informal arrangements. Ramblers and climbers Ramblers have long, vigorous, flexible stems and climbers have long, less energetic, stiff arching stems. Both can be trained over trellises, arches, pergolas, even trees. Ramblers grow to about 6m, and climbers to about 3-4m. Ramblers bloom profusely in late spring or early summer for a couple of weeks with small flowers in large sprays. Climbers repeat flower in summer and autumn with stunning cascades. Ramblers are easier to care for but can become unkempt.

8 top of the table

Make your roses portable by cu ing blooming stems and arranging them in a bucket – so lovely as a courtyard table display, especially when you add a saucer of petals! 9 summer reveal

Waiting and watching for petals to unfold and reveal their centre stamens is one of the joys of having roses. 10 This is so right!

It’s all white if you team white roses with white petunias and lovely gypsophila – diﬀerent-sized pots add interest to the arrangement and highlight the diﬀerent bloom shapes. 11 garden Perfumery

Nothing goes together quite as perfectly as roses and lavender – and both thrive when grown in containers. 12 stellar blues

It’s stars all round when you plant roses with blue stars (Isotoma sp) in the same container. They both love the sun and well-drained soil, but water the po ing mix o en, especially when it gets hot!

Photography GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss/Richard Wareham/Graham Strong

Old or antique The single or double-ﬂower blooms have a strong fragrance but only bloom once in a season. Very hardy and disease-resistant.

FABULOUS FLOWERS

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13 deliCATE DISPLAY TO DELIGHT

Harness a rambling rose when you entertain by cu ing some of the blooms to put on display in terraco a pots.

ROSES IN CONTAINERS You need to water roses in containers daily in summer as pots don't provide the same insulation from the heat that a garden bed does. Be sure your containers have good drainage holes and allow the water to run through these holes to ensure the roots get the moisture they need. Only use quality po ing mix that is especially made for roses. WINTER

BHG

FABULOUS FLOWERS

14 breathtaking when you HAVE the space!

This formal garden has standard roses, climbers, low-growing bushes and small arches set in a regular pa ern. The colours are varied, but not mixed together.

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Photography GAP Photos/Chris Harris/Ernie Janes

ROSE GARDEN STYLES Formal This generally requires a spacious garden and traditionally features a crisply trimmed low hedge – usually buxus – that is the foundation for mass plantings of glorious sprays of spring, summer and autumn roses that rise behind it. In winter, your hedge hides the thorny sticks when roses aren’t in bloom, and keeps your garden looking green. It also protects you from rose thorns as you're admiring the flowers. Include seating and structures such as arbours and pergolas in this sort of garden. Statues also add to the classical look. Informal Stick with this style if space is tight. While your rose bushes are the stars, put in other plants to give your garden a slightly tousled look. Because of limited space, choose smaller

bushes and bloom sizes or it may become claustrophobic. Include vertical elements such as climbing roses and trellises. Limit colours to one or two shades so your garden doesn't look too busy, and opt for paler hues to make the space look larger.

15 Get in the mood

A dark red rose is best suited to a large formal garden which has the light and space to accommodate its drama. 16 Find your way

Cottage This style, for a garden built around an older, smaller or country-style home, features an abundance of perennial ﬂowering shrubs spilling over pathways – and themselves. Keep your roses to the back among these shrubs – to protect you from the thorns – and choose tall slender bushes or ramblers or climbers.

An avenue of arches covered with roses such as this is not for your average backyard, but is inspo that a single arch can serve as an exciting entry to your outdoor space or from one garden room to another. 17 Colour coded

Try roses with bi-coloured petals in co age gardens. They add to the profusion of other ﬂowers with multiple colours. WINTER

BHG

FABULOUS FLOWERS

18 TEXTURED CANVAS

An espalier along a brick wall hides its blandness, but the windows it creates reveal the intriguing texture behind. Plant your climber away from the wall to ensure air can ﬂow between them.

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HOW TO PRUNE Summer growth can be rampant, so pruning in winter is essential. Remove dead or diseased branches and those that cross over and rub other branches, cu ing right back to the collar. Make cuts above an outward-facing bud and on an angle away from it. Aim to keep the centre of the bush open to ensure air ﬂow – roses hate humidity. BHG WINTER

TRAINING ROSES CAN BE BRUTAL – IT'S CUT, CUT, CUT – BUT YOU GET BRILLIANT RESULTS IN SUMMER!

Photography Adobe Stock, Getty Images, GAP Photos/Tomek Ciesielski/Nicola Stocken/Friedrich Strauss/

TRAINING ROSES Pruning is essential with rose bushes. You cut them back so they look like sticks in winter, but they’ll then produce gorgeous foliage and brilliant blooms again in spring. If you can prune, you can also train with these methods! Standards You can do it easily and buy a bush already trained into a standard – or do it yourself. Choose a bush with a straight central stem. Cut off all other stems and branches as close to the ground and centre of the trunk as possible. Cut the top of the central stem just above a bud to encourage the bush to grow new branches at the top. Plant with a stake and cut off new stems that emerge

below to prevent it becoming bushy again. Espaliers Climbers are best for espaliers – follow the same process for standards, but be more precise with your pruning so you get the effect of your preferred espalier pattern, with the wall exposed between each extended cane. Ramblers/climbers These don’t cling to a structure in the same way as climbers like ivy, so need to be tied to a support and pointed in the direction you want them to grow. Put up a trellis or wires along a wall and guide stems along these supports. Trim branches that want to go another way, or let them free range for a bushy effect.

19 Tamed free!

This border looks like it’s growing freestyle, but supporting stakes are hidden in the bushes to give it height and volume. And pre iness! 20 ties that bind

To train roses, use so ties like natural twine or cut-up old pantyhose so they don’t cut into the stems.

21 to cry for!

You can train a rambling rose into a gorgeous weeping specimen by growing it up a stake and trimming lower branches. 22 Regal rules

Purple roses are something special. Highlight them with accompanying yellow ﬂowers – maybe a rambler – to make the garden royal! 23 well, hello!

Got an arbour? Get a climbing rose. It’s the perfect entry to another garden room, or at your front gate, there’s no be er welcome!

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PERFUMED ORDER THESE BARE-ROOTED ROSES NOW FOR A SENSATIONAL SUMMER OF INTOXICATING PERFUMES

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FRAGRANT PARFUMA COLLECTION

Buy these roses for ONLY $27.50 EACH

ONLY $132 – 20% OFF or buy FOR $27.50 each

GOLDEN BEAUTY The high-centred, glowing amber blooms are garden gold in hot, dry climates where the colour doesn’t fade. The ﬂoribunda bush with a delicate fragrance and lush foliage grows to about 1.5H x 1mW.

ORANGERIE The intense tropical colour of these double blooms are fla ered by leathery leaves that make them right for all climates. But you sacrifice divine perfume for wow factor. The floribunda bush grows to 1H x 1mW.

SUMMER ROMANCE These magniﬁcent double blooms produce a captivating and intense scent of spicy apples with a hint of liquorice. A ﬂoribunda bush with dense, dark green foliage, it grows to 80H x 90cmW.

ROALD DAHL So orange-red buds open to cosily cupped apricot petals. With a fruity tea perfume, it matures into a rounded shrub with few thorns. Very robust and copes with partial shade. It grows to 1H x 1mW.

ADORABLE The pink-mauve double blooms come with a rich, complex fragrance that starts with a wow of apple and lychee and ﬁnishes with a creamy geranium wa . This ﬂoribunda bush rose grows to 80H x 50cmW.

DELIGHTFUL PARFUMA An intoxicating fragrance of apples and pears is produced in these old world-style blooms of deep mauve-pink petals with a pale pink reverse. The ﬂoribunda bush grows to about 1H x 1mW.

FRUITY PARFUMA This rich coral-red bloom comes with an intoxicating fragrance, mixing ripe raspberries and rhubarb with a hint of musky patchouli. The lush ﬂoribunda bush grows to 80cm-1mH x 40-60cmW.

KISS ME KATE A climber in gorgeous graduations of pink, this is ever so sociable with large 9cm, fully petalled blooms and a strong lemon/green apple fragrance surrounded by deep green foliage. Climbs to about 2m.

EARTH ANGEL Opening from dark pink buds, the petals evolve to a delicate, romantic pink. The blooms of this ﬂoribunda bush rose have an intense fragrance of lemon and apple. With lush foliage, it grows to 70cmH x 1mW.

DARK DESIRE This sensuous hybrid tea emerges from almost black buds into a unique spectrum of violet, red to purple blooms. Plus, there is the touch of lemon and rose geranium scent. It’s a bush rose that grows to 1.2H x 1mW.

PL ANTI N G YO U R ROS E S The dormant roses are shipped bare-rooted with no foliage, so they look like thorny sticks. When they arrive, immediately soak the roots for at least 24 hours. Meanwhile, dig a hole measuring 30W x 25cmD and create a mound at the base of the hole. Place roots over and around mound, water the ‘moat’, then cover with soil. Water soil thoroughly and mulch to ﬁnish.

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Freight per order $20. Extra WA quarantine surcharge per order $18.50. BHG WINTER

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Colour your garden with these blooms – order them bare-rooted now!

SUMMER ROMANCE

ROALD DAHL

ORANGERIE

only $27.50 EACH! Golden Beauty, Summer Romance, Orangerie or Roald Dahl.

WINTER BLOOMERS

1 get a blush of freckles

Double layers of petals add to the rose-like quality of hellebores. Spla ered freckles are a bonus! 2 a bare patch covered

Plant your hellebores under a deciduous tree. They love the summer shade of the tree’s foliage and bloom when touched by winter’s dappled, low and so light. Being shallow-rooted, hellebores draw nutrients from the upper soil levels.

WINTER

BHG WINTER

You’re deep into the mid-year chill, then the hellebores appear. Hooray – they tell you spring is on its way!

JEWELS

WINTER BLOOMERS

Here’s some winter pollen for hungry bees!

s hellebores arrive, the winter show begins. These delicate, cup-shaped flowers with their gentle, bowing faces bring seasonal charm and create blooming blankets that guide you gently into spring as their petals subtly change colour while the season progresses. They’re known as ‘winter roses’ for the delight they bring with their rose-like form and multitude of colours – from deep purple, yellow and bold gold to gentle peach, a touch of lime, pale pinks and pristine white. But what seals their reputation as all-stars is how undemanding they are. All they need is dappled shade – easy to fi nd in winter. As perennials they’ll retreat to just foliage in summer before flowers emerge again to add a soft and sensual edge to your next winter.

In late summer, look for seedlings around plant skirts. They can be left to grow in place, or you can transplant them elsewhere. Seedlings bloom in about three years. 3 how to trickle down

Plant hellebores on a slope – however gentle – so they can appreciate the drainage. Enjoy views of their nodding blooms from a vantage point further down the hill. 4 create a kaleidoscope

Hellebores come in such a wonderfully wide range of colours – earthy whites, greens, yellows and deep purples, o en with speckles and ﬂashes of colour. Choose something dynamic or go so ly into the winter light.

WINTER

BHG

WINTER BLOOMERS

CAR E FO R H E LLE B O R E S

pa erns – speckles, freckles, smudges and streaks.

Climate Cold to warm temperate, from Sydney to Perth and further south. Aspect Part shade – under deciduous trees you can create the pre iest look, but they tolerate being exposed to any dim winter sunlight. Plant In spring or early autumn. Soil Well-drained and slightly acidic. If your soil is heavy, create a raised bed or put in containers. If too sandy, add organic ma er and mulch. Water Once a week until they’re established. Extra water during long, hot, dry periods. Feeding Fertilise in late autumn. Add potassium to encourage be er-quality ﬂowers. Prune In autumn, before ﬂowering, trim previous year’s foliage to soil level. Mulch In autumn.

Cut for indoors. Coming out at the bleakest time of the year, hellebores bloom for at least three months. Cut stems quickly droop, o en overnight, so use low in arrangements to overhang vase edge or prop up with other flowers or foliage. Or, cut off the stems and float flowers in a bowl of water – they’ll last about a week!

Spoiled for choice. Traditionally, hellebores were a single row of cup-shaped petals, but breeders have developed doubles and semi-doubles with sensational marks and

5 cutting edge

Brighten up a birdbath with cut ﬂowers – the birds won’t mind! 6 What’s happening here?

White petals are lovely but red spla ers make this hellebore almost criminally gorgeous! 7 be tricky when picking

Cut hellebores will last beyond 24 hours if picked as the seed pod is developing – when the stamens are disappearing. 8 pretty in pink

Single blooms are simple and oh-so sweet. 9 give shade a boost!

Moss-covered rock surrounds give you the hint that hellebores also love shade. 10 double happiness

Doubles oﬀer unique ﬂower qualities and color choices.

Photography Adobe Stock, GAP Photos/Jason Ingram

G ET M O R E BAN G FO R YO U R B U C K

Watch them grow! Start oﬀ with a small collection of hellebores and plant them in a clump. The clump will increase in size each year because the roots produce rhizomes – underground stems – that pop up to the surface to give you more winter bloomers. They also self-seed and you can move the seedlings to another spot, where they’ll ﬂower in about three years.

BHG WINTER

In arrangements, pair hellebores with twiggy branches, such as spirea.

Bicoloured, speckled, freckled or smudged... take your pick!

GARDEN INSPIRATION

HOW

COOL IS THIS! Borrowing other gardeners’ ideas isn’t cheating – it’s a compliment! Here is just a taste of the many delights waiting to inspire you at Breenhold Gardens

VI S IT IT! What Breenhold Gardens whERE 29 The Avenue, Mt Wilson, Blue Mountains, 2 hours’ drive west of Sydney CBD WhEN Daily 10am-4pm, until 29 May (autumn) and 3 September-30 October (spring) COST Adults $15, children $5, families $40 MORE info breenhold.com.au

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FRIDAYS 7.00

Photography Sue Ferris

1 massive and magical

Stands of cool-climate, northern-hemisphere mature trees sit in the Australian bush, creating visual drama through the contrasting appearances of exotics and natives, such as bark colour. 2 soft and sweet

If you love touching shrubs as you walk by,

salvia will indulge your senses – the foliage is velvety and has a minty aroma when crushed. 3 colour is the key

Highlight autumn’s dramatic colours with late summer-blooming orange crocosmia pointing up to a dripping Boston ivy as its leaves turn from green to rust.

4 so entrancing!

Signature archways throughout the estate beckon you to explore what lies beyond – intimate pockets within the larger garden mean delight and surprise ﬂourish as well as the plants do! 5 beautiful barriers

Arches are an indication and invitation that something surprising may lie beyond them, while stone walls provide a windbreak to protect sensitive plantings. If you’re not in the business of lugging large stones about, grow a hedge instead. WINTER

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GARDEN DESIGN

1 new world order

The Georgian era – when Australia was colonised by the English – generated unprecedented interest in ornamental gardening as beautiful, curious and new exotic plants became must-have inclusions.

TROPHIES WORLD FROM AROUND THE

English-style gardens have ruled our front and back gardens for centuries, but plants from the New World have long enjoyed pride of place!

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FRIDAYS 7.00

GARDEN DESIGN

HYDRANGEA (ASIA)

MILKBUSH (AFRICA)

BEGONIA (BRAZIL)

stroll through a slice of history that’s still alive and kicking on Sydney’s foreshore provides a picturebook look at the evolution of the modern garden. The grounds of Lindesay House in Darling Point, built in the 1830s, were laid out at the peak of the English informal ‘landscape design’ of rolling lawns and organic clumps of trees and shrubs. They reveal the passion of the period – plants sourced from exotic countries as European explorers navigated the far seas and brought back trophies of discovery. It’s a design style still going strong almost 200 years later with lots of ideas for your garden!

ANEMONE HUPEHENSIS (CHINA)

VI S IT IT! What Lindesay House Where 1 Carthona Avenue, Darling Point, Sydney When Tours on the ﬁrst and third Wednesday of each month at 10am and 11am. Tours last about 45 minutes Cost Adults $10, concession/children over ﬁve $8, child under 5 free More info nationaltrust. org.au/places/lindesay CANNA LILY (SOUTH AMERICA)

HYPOESTES ARISTATA (SOUTH AFRICA)

G A R D E N S G O G LO BA L

Lindesay’s garden looks English but features trophy plants from the Americas, Africa and Asia. Australian plants didn’t start to make an impact in our gardens until a er Federation in 1900.

2 deep purple rocks! If you’re tired of a li le box hedge edging your garden beds, try the deep burgundy-leafed alternanthera. It’s native to tropical central America and Asia. Add to the tropical feel with the big waving leaves of banana trees. 3 industrial strength Cast-iron garden furniture began appearing in the late Georgian era – and is still popular today! 4 FORMAL APPROACH

The formal parterre garden is a story in itself. A feature of Renaissance France, it was reintroduced in Victorian times, before tastes then returned to organic design. Hugely labour intensive, it’s not seen too o en these days as a result, making this gem a must-see.

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GARDEN DESIGN

N AT I V E G U I D E

5 it’s a frame up Leave space between tall plants to create a window to the view beyond – in

this case the ﬂower spike of an agave (from Central America) and cabbage trees (from New Zealand). 6 pride of place When your trophy plant – here a giant Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubia’ (from Central and South America) – demands more a ention, give it a stand in a low box hedge surround that’s an acknowledgment of parterre gardens, with an exotic touch!

GRAHAM ROSS Let me show you around this fabulous garden on BHG TV, Friday, 27 May, at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change)

Go to bhg.com.au for more gardening tips and tricks.

AGAVE (CENTRAL AMERICA)

COLEUS (ASIA)

Photography Brent Wilson

The native hoop pine (above) was used in colonial garden estates as ‘landmark’ trees to guide visitors who were making their journey across the harbour or up the Parramatta River.

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WINTER WARMERS

TO FUEL YOUR DREAMS! Beat the blues this winter with a garden that glows in the dark!

hen winter casts its gloom over your garden, bring in the heat – with a glowing ﬁrepit. Day or night, it can immediately become a natural gathering spot and, especially in the evening, will cast your garden in a whole new light!

1 have a hearth!

BHG WINTER

Photography GAP Images/Brent Wilson/Anna Omiotek-Tott

If the best place for your ﬁrepit is on your deck, be sure to protect the timber ﬂooring by laying down a hearth underneath. Large concrete pavers will do the trick!

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FRIDAYS 7.00 2 GO FOR gold

A sunken retreat with a ﬁrepit makes for a cosy atmosphere. Take advantage of the levels to create a cavity in which you can store your timber and keep it dry. Then so en the hard edges with Japanese shield ferns that emerge in spring with bronzy fronds – they match the Corten steel ﬁrepit!

W H E N TH E R E ’ S N O F I R E TH E F L AT WI D E B R I M O F TH E P IT CAN B E U S E D FO R S E ATI N G – O R A S A D R I N KS CO U NTE R !

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3 rounding up

When your garden or courtyard is square, create interest by making round things a feature – balls of buxus, a radiating timber platform, even a domed ﬁrepit in its own li le ring of ﬁre!

B E B R AVE W H E N PAI NTI N G R E N D E R E D WALL S – SALM O N P I N K LOO KS A TR E AT AN D R E F LEC TS TH E H E AT!

4 easy peasy breezy!

When there is plenty of open, exposed space, there is also the potential for breezes that can whip up your ﬁre. This encourages you to get imaginative with your wind breaks, such as this maze-like double row of low walls that incorporate seating. So snug! 5 smoke on the water

There’s a zen-like atmosphere with this simple timber bridge leading to a raised platform, creating open space for seating and a ﬁrepit. The area was probably once covered with lawn, but is now a wonderful contrast to the boundary lined with sculptured plants. 6 the one and only!

4 F U E L O N LY D R E A M S , N OT N I G H TM A R E S

• Use dry, seasoned hardwood timber such as merbau, blackbu , Paciﬁc jarrah and Victorian ash in your ﬁrepit. It burns ho er than so wood and creates less smoke. It also produces fewer sparks. Just be sure it comes from sustainable forests. • Don’t use timber that has been pressure-treated, painted or stained, or plywood or particle board. Their toxic chemicals are released when burnt.

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Have a ﬁrepit custom-made by an artisan blacksmith or metal worker. As experts at working with ﬁre, they can suggest ways to make your pit work to your advantage.

WITH O UT F E N CI N G ARO U N D YO U R WATE R F E ATU R E YO U N E E D TO KE E P IT S HALLOW !

Photography GAP Images/Jenny Lilly/Hanneke Reijbroek/ Rachel Warne/Joanna Kossak

PICK THE RIGHT PIT FOR YOU You can get firepits in a range of shapes, sizes, materials and designs to suit your garden style and meet your needs. • If your garden is used for ball games by the kids during summer, get a portable firepit you can move out of the way as needed. This is also a top option if you’re renting. • If your outdoor area is small, don’t let your firepit take up all the space – leave room for seating and for people to mingle. • Many firepits are

portable, but if you want yours to be a permanent feature, consider building one from stone, metal, concrete or a mix of these materials. Pick the material that suits your taste and budget and fits in with the design of your backyard. Concrete and natural stone are durable, but can be stained by soot. Metal is also durable and easy to clean but can become hot. • Consider what fuel your firepit will use. Wood-burning pits offer the classic sound of

crackling flames but produce air-polluting smoke, and you’ll also need to clean up the ash the next day. Natural or propane gas-fired pits are smoke-free, easier to clean and quicker to turn on and off. But you’ll have to pay for natural gas installation or think about how and where to conceal your propane gas bo le. Easy to install, ethanol-burning firepits produce a safe, smoke-free, low-odour flame and also come in tabletop sizes.

WINTER WARMERS

MAKE YOUR BEST MOVE A freestanding, portable ﬁrepit gives you options and versatility. You can move it out of the way when you have other plans for the space. You can shi it from one sheltered spot to another, depending on the seasonal elements. Or, you can even take it away with you on holidays. Try one of these ﬁrepits from the Glow range created by Northcote Po ery (northcotepo ery.com). Available from Bunnings, Mitre 10, Home Hardware and independent garden centres.

7 hidden gem

A wind-protected and very private haven enhances the pleasure and leisure of si ing around a ﬁrepit. The stark white pavers, pit and chairs are made more brilliant by lush greenery such as a wall covered in ivy or climbing ﬁg, tall palms and – to make the large area feel more intimate – mass-planted ferns. 8 sea-ing is believing!

Replace your lawn with ﬁre-safe materials such as decomposed granite, crushed gravel or quartz, concrete, pavers or – as here – sand and shell grit.

P R I O R IT I S E SA F E T Y

tiny but mighty

make a statement

The Tambo ﬁrepit’s deep 56cm bowl delivers a big ﬁre in a small place, $79.

The sleek Pi sburgh ﬁrepit is made from heavy-gauge steel, $299.

• Keep your timber dry – it will burn be er. • Keep leaves and other flammable ma er away from your firepit so they don’t ignite from sparks. • Don’t leave your fire una ended or let it smoulder overnight. Extinguish with your hose’s shower nozzle or cover embers with sand. • Use dry kindling to start a fire, not accelerants. 7

so easy to log on

stylishly black

The Kadai ﬁre bowl has a rustic look for when life is casual, $599.

The Cellar ﬁrepit has a laser-cut weave pa ern for greater airﬂow, $199.

A SQ UAR E F I R E P IT O F F E R S S HAP E LY CO NTR A ST TO ITS SO F T G R E E N S U R RO U N D S

IS YOUR FIREPIT LEGAL? Photography GAP Images/Richard Bloom/Hanneke Reijbroek

• The laws and regulations covering ﬁrepits

differ from state to state, even in local authorities. If necessary, your council can refer you to state-based restrictions. • Check with your local council that you won’t be illegally starting an outdoor fire or creating smoke that disturbs your neighbours and for which you may incur a fine. Local councils can take action if firepits produce excessive smoke. • Take heed of fire danger ratings and fire bans. • If you’re renting you may need permission from your landlord to have a firepit. • If you’re in an apartment or villa complex, you need to check with your building authority.

CHARLIE ALBONE Let me show you more terriﬁc ideas for outdoor heating on BHG TV, Friday, 3 June, at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change)

Go to bhg.com.au for more garden tips and tricks.

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BHG

GARDEN MAKEOVER

FROM LIFELESS

TO LUSH If your garden plot is so small and dank nothing grows there, don’t dwell on the problem. Get stuck into the sensational solution!

B E FO R E

hen your courtyard walls are covered in green – and it’s not one of those fancy vertical garden installations – you have a problem. The green is moss or mould and it indicates your garden space is dark and persistently damp, a situation that puts the kibosh on your plans for vibrantly coloured ﬂower beds. It’s time to rethink your expectations and put in plants that suit your situation, rather than your fancy! Plus spruce up with a couple of DIY upgrades.

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FRIDAYS 7.00

1 invite the neighbours OVER!

The huge monstera in the corner is making its escape from next door – welcome it with a crowd of plants that have similar lifestyle needs. Then add freshness and light with pale-coloured furniture and furnishings!

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GARDEN MAKEOVER

EASY STEPS TO HANG GARDEN MIRRORS

STEP 1

LIGHTEN UP IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE! ACRYLIC MIRRORS ARE LIGHTER AND MORE IMPACT-RESISTANT THAN GLASS.

Build a pine frame for a mirror – or three – and wall-mount to reﬂect light and give the illusion of more space in a small, dark courtyard. Gather your supplies • Frame 42 x 31mm x 5.4m primed treated pine • 900 x 600 x 3mm acrylic mirror • Backing 1220 x 610 x 6mm marine plywood

STEP 3

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 7

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You’ll also need Trimmer ﬁ ed with 9mm rebate bit; mitre saw; tape measure; pencil; PVA glue; nail gun with 50mm galvanised nails; black exterior paint; paintbrush; glass silicone; caulking gun; 20mm bu on head screws; 8mm screw eyes; hanging wire; wire rope grips; 6.5mm masonry drill bit; green wall plug; galvanised 50mm screws Here’s how STEP 1 Sit treated pine on edge and use trimmer to cut a 4mm deep rebate along 1 edge of it. STEP 2 Use mitre saw to cut frame pieces to size to suit your mirror. Measure, mark and cut on inside of rebate as this is the critical measurement to suit mirror. Cut ends on a 45 angle to mitre joins in corners. STEP 3 Spread glue on ends and bring pieces of

frame together. Hold the frame against a block. Make 1 join tight and nail together. Repeat for all corners. Measure diagonals to check frame for square and leave to dry. STEP 4 Apply 2 coats of black paint to frame. Let dry a er each coat. STEP 5 Run a thin bead of silicone around bo om corner of rebate and sit mirror on top, pressing it down. Squirt more silicone into gap between mirror and frame, smoothing it oﬀ with your ﬁnger. STEP 6 Cut ply backing 10mm shorter than frame. Sit over mirror with 5mm

gap to all edges. Predrill and screw backing to frame with bu on head screws. Paint backing black. STEP 7 Towards the top, predrill and insert screw eyes through backing into frame. A ach hanging wire to screw eyes and use wire rope grips to tighten loop around eyes. STEP 8 Set out position of frame on wall and position screw to hang it on, taking into account the slack on the hanging wire. Drill hole with 6.5mm masonry drill bit, insert green plug, then a 50mm screw. Leave screw slightly proud so the hanging wire catches on it.

2 PLANTS FOR A DARK, DAMP SPOT

Think understorey plants from steamy jungles, lush rainforests or alongside gully streams. They’ve evolved to live without too much light – many by having large leaves that quickly harness any light that comes their way – and their roots have adapted to constant wet. Their ﬂowers are unusually shaped or coloured to a ract the pollinators that also exist in these environs – think beetles, moths and wasps, rather than the birds and bees of open, sunny spots. Plants here include elephant’s ear, cordyline, plectranthus, ginger, baby’s tears, walking iris, climbing ﬁg, tractor seat plant, and bird’s nest, blechnum and Boston ferns.

3 It’s time to grow up

When ground space is limited, plant your walls. Ferns trailing from wall planters are like so curtains on a bare brick wall. They also thrive in damp conditions and take advantage of any rainwater that trickles down the wall.

4 4 Potted plants

Break up and so en the straight lines of a courtyard and the constraints of a raised garden bed with plants in round pots. Cluster pots of various heights and sizes to create levels. Paint your plastic or terraco a pots in a shade to suit your colour scheme or as a contrast. Make sure to use a plastic primer and terraco a sealer before painting.

When you put mirrors on your garden’s south wall, they reflect the sun shining down from the north

EASY STEPS TO BUILD A HIGH PRIVACY SCREEN Sometimes that back wall is not high enough to screen out the neighbours’ windows and doors. And if you can see them, they can see you! Solution? Li a wall with a simple screen.

Gather your supplies • Posts 90 x 90mm x 3.6m H4 treated pine • Frame 70 x 45mm H3 treated pine • Decking 86 x 19mm spo ed gum You’ll also need Post hole digger/ pincer; spirit level; wheelbarrow; concrete mix; circular saw; drill; countersinking bit; 100 and 125mm galvanised ba en screws; clamps; square; pencil; sander ﬁ ed with ﬁne grit paper; decking oil in spo ed gum; paintbrush; 50mm decking screws; 4mm plastic spacer For you to note • Paint posts and frame with 2 coats of black exterior paint prior to installation.

FOR AN EASY DIG, USE A CYCLONE POST HOLE PINCER, $94, FROM MITRE 10, (CYCLONE. COM.AU).

STEP 4 STEP 1

STEP 2

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STEP 5

Here’s how STEP 1 Use post hole digger/pincer to dig 800mm deep holes for posts. STEP 2 Sit posts in hole. Use spirit level to make plumb. Mix concrete in wheelbarrow, pour in hole and let set. Make sure tops of posts are level; trim with circular saw if not. STEP 3 Use 70 x 45mm pine to build a simple stud frame to span entire width of posts. Make frame height 355mm and include a length

STEP 7

of timber on edge on inside bo om of frame to help stiffen it. Space studs evenly along frame, not over 700mm apart. Notch studs so they fit over timber on edge. Predrill with countersinking drill bit and screw frame together with 100mm ba en screws. STEP 4 Hold frame against posts flush with top, make level and clamp. Predrill with countersinking drill bit and screw frame to posts using 125mm ba en screws. STEP 5 Cut decking boards to width of frame, with any joins occurring over a stud. Lightly mark centre of studs across boards then screw holes 20mm from each edge along this line. Predrill with countersinking bit. STEP 6 Sand boards to smooth, remove dust, apply 2 coats oil and allow to dry for 3 hours between coats. STEP 7 A ach straightest board to frame flush with bo om. Predrill through holes in boards and screw together with deck screws. STEP 8 Continue a aching boards to frame, using 4mm spacer for an even gap. If any boards are bowed, pull straight with a clamp before drilling and screwing. for SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, see OUR stockists page

STEP 8

Photography Brent Wilson, Sue Ferris; styling Vanessa Tidy

GARDEN MAKEOVER

LANDSCAPE ART

SLEEPER

BEAUTY THERE’S TREASURE IN TRASH IF YOU TART IT UP A BIT!

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FRIDAYS 7.00

BROMELIAD

HOMALOMENA

ho knows what sort of trash you may have stashed down a side passage, hidden away behind your shed or tucked into a corner out of your general line of sight. Possibly some leftover building materials or a pile of old bricks you dug up when you replaced a path or driveway. But if these things have no further functional use in your home or garden, you can make them into something ornamental. Think a couple of rustic-looking sleeper sculptures upon which you can create a mini garden. Give it a whirl! 1 encourage NEW life IN something OLD

There’s a rustic beauty in the ﬁssures of an old railway sleeper that encourages you to let it stand alone as a statement piece of garden art. Or, poke in plants such as the epiphytic tillandsia and you get the sensation of life emerging from decay. There’s still a future for any of those old stumps, logs or planks you have lying around!

WALKING IRIS

LANDSCAPE ART

EASY STEPS TO RUSTIC SLEEPER SCULPTURES

WHAT AR E E PI PHY TE S? Epiphytes are also known as air plants, as they grow in the air rather than the soil, growing on another object or plant. But they’re not parasites and don’t harm their hosts. While most plants form roots to absorb nutrients and water from the soil, epiphytes’ roots are used to grip the surface of trees, rock surfaces or any type of debris that provides an adequate growing environment. They take water from the air – most are found in the tropics where the air is very moist – and nutrients from plant li er. Popular epiphytes include orchids and bromeliads.

Gather your supplies • Recycled hardwood sleepers (2) • Recycled bricks • Bricktor reinforcing mesh • Plants, including groundcovers and epiphytes, such as baby’s tears, pratia, bromeliad and tillandsia You’ll also need Round-end shovel; spirit level; quick-set concrete; bagged crusher dust; set out paint; brickie’s sand; general-purpose cement; wheelbarrow; trowel; drill; spade bit; clear silicone; caulking gun

Here’s how STEP 1 Clear the garden bed of any weeds or debris. STEP 2 Using shovel, dig hole for the ﬁrst sleeper

400mm deep. Dig second hole 350mm away, and 300mm deeper. STEP 3 Sit sleepers in holes and use spirit level to make plumb. Set in position with quick-set concrete. STEP 4 Put down crusher dust around sleepers and roughly level to create a bed 40mm thick. STEP 5 Lay bricks around sleepers in an aesthetic way, leaving random gaps for groundcover plants. STEP 6 Use set out paint to mark a straight line for garden bed edging and dig a narrow, shallow trench along this line. STEP 7 Blend sand and cement in wheelbarrow in a ratio of 4:1. Add water and mix to make a reasonably stiﬀ mortar. Use trowel to lay a bit of mortar in trench, then push in mesh, and add

more mortar. Lay bricks in mortar so they’re level, following edging line. STEP 8 Drill holes in side of sleepers at downward angle with spade bit. STEP 9 Move bromeliads from pots to holes, using some of their po ing mix. STEP 10 Apply silicone to tillandsia roots and a ach to crevices in sleepers. STEP 11 Fill gaps in bricks around sleepers with soil you’ve already dug up and plant groundcovers like pratia and baby’s tears. STEP 12 Put in plants around sleeper sculptures and in the garden bed, such as walking iris, Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’, bird’s nest fern, philodendron and homalomena. STEP 13 Water plants in the ground and on sleepers. for PROJECT SUPPLIES, see OUR stockists page

M O U NTI N G AI R PL ANTS STEP 2 STEP 5

STEP 3

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STEP 8

STEP 7

STEP 9

Photography Sue Ferris

When taking air plants out of their natural environment, give them extra help when mounting onto boards or walls. Wrap roots in moistened sphagnum moss and tie together with natural twine, or glue them with clear silicone. A ach to board with silicone or more twine.

BLECHNUM ‘SILVER LADY’

COLOUR FOR A SHADY AREA Ferns love a shady spot but don’t offer much in the way of colour. Bromeliads are vibrant shade-lovers, but the walking iris is a dazzler. It gets its name from the fact that over the years it will ‘walk’ across your garden. When it produces its brilliantly hued, iris-like flowers on long stems, the weight of the flower bends the stem to the ground and plantlets at the tip of the flower stalk take root. It can also self-seed, giving the impression it is ‘walking’ across your garden. 2 Add A SENSE OF dimension

Oﬀset your sleeper pillars so they are distant from your fence. You immediately add volume and air, which allows your vegetation to breathe. Over time, bromeliads will produce pups and the irises will spread, with both creating a lushness you can partly control by planting pups elsewhere – or you can leave them exactly where they are...

WALKING IRIS

MODERN

STREET APPEAL

faking it

Try leucadendrons if you want longlasting winter colour – what looks like ﬂowers are actually modiﬁed leaves called bracts!

small but magnificent

With glossy leaves featuring velvety undersides and big summer blooms, a po ed evergreen magnolia will give you year-round pleasure. Try the wide canopy of ‘Teddy Bear’ or a slender ‘Li le Gem’.

BHG WINTER

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MAKEOVER

Easy upgrades to transform the front of your home

FRIDAYS 7.00

Take a seat and relax

New decking oﬀers ample room for a comfy bench seat where you can sit and enjoy your garden.

ive the front of your house a fresh, contemporary look with a DIY makeover to boost your kerb appeal and create a garden you can enjoy. Take your inspiration from this transformation of the home of one of the last surviving diggers of Kokoda. It’s full of projects and planting ideas you can use, from a front deck to a new fence, fresh paint job and an array of bedded and potted plants. This is now a front-of-house that says, ‘Welcome home’.

STREET APPEAL

EASY STEPS TO BUILD A FRONT FENCE Make your move towards a modern update right from the get go with a fresh twist on the old paling fence. Chunky palings fixed on their edge are the key to this look. Gather your supplies • Posts 90 x 90mm x 3.6m H4 treated pine • Retaining wall 200 x 75mm x 3m treated pine sleeper • Rails 66 x 30mm primed treated pine • Palings 66 x 30mm primed treated pine • Le erbox

STEP 8 STEP 1

STEP 4

STEP 2 STEP 9

You’ll also need Crowbar; tape measure; set out paint; post hole digger/pincer; spirit level; quick-set concrete; stringline; marker; chalkline; drill; long 5mm drill bit; 125mm galvanised ba en screws; square; circular saw; hammer; chisel; wood preservative; exterior paint in Monument; painting equipment; 75 and 100mm galvanised screws; exterior gap ﬁller; mitre saw; sander; 10mm plastic packers; countersinking drill bit; nail gun with 50mm galvanised nails; 30mm screws; epoxy ﬁller; charcoal decking stain

Here’s how STEP 1 Demolish and remove the existing fence. Where the fence is stone, as here, use a crowbar to help break it apart. BHG WINTER

STEP 5

STEP 3 STEP 2 Measure and mark position of holes for fence posts using set out paint. Place a post at each end and space intermediate posts evenly, not exceeding 1500mm between centres to suit length of retaining wall sleepers. STEP 3 Use post hole digger/pincer to dig 600mm deep holes at marked positions for fence posts. STEP 4 Cut 3.6m long post material in half to make 2 posts. At each end of fence, insert a post into hole so face is at least 75mm from the property boundary. Use a spirit level to make plumb and set in place using quick-set concrete.

STEP 7 STEP 5 Run stringline between the 2 end posts and make taut. Insert remaining posts in holes, make plumb and concrete in position so they are just oﬀ the stringline. Leave to set. STEP 6 Determine height of retaining wall to hold back existing or planned garden beds. Mark this on end posts, stretch chalkline between these points and ﬂick to mark all posts. If, as here, the height is over 200mm, meaning you will require 2 rows of sleepers, chalk a line 200mm below

this to mark the top of your ﬁrst row. STEP 7 Starting at one end, place sleepers against posts so top edge meets chalked line. Join sleepers over a post, cu ing as required. Predrill through sleeper into post using a long 5mm drill bit, then screw together with 125mm ba en screws. STEP 8 Lay the second row of sleepers on top of the ﬁrst, staggering the joins. Predrill and screw in place. STEP 9 Mark end posts for cu ing to height and for 66mm high and 30mm deep notches to accept fence rails. Top of post is 1150mm above ground and tops of notches are 65 and 620mm from top of post. Working one at a time, stretch a stringline between these points and use a square to mark all the intermediate posts. Make top of the post square and if, on a slight slope, as here, make the line of notches follow

STEP 10

STEP 11

STEP 12 the slope of the stringline. STEP 10 To create notches for rails, use circular saw set to cut 30mm deep and make multiple passes through the posts between marked lines. STEP 11 Use hammer and sharp chisel to knock out waste timber and smooth bo om of all notches. STEP 12 Cut rails to length, making joins between rails sit over a post. Treat cut ends of timber with wood preservative, then seal them with exterior paint before si ing inside notches. Predrill and screw rails to

RETAIN THE GOOD BITS By adding a retaining wall at the bo om of the fence, you can keep your existing garden beds or take the opportunity to add statement plants such as the glistening olive here. BEFOR E

posts using 75mm screws. STEP 13 To protect rails from water entry, ﬁll any gaps between rails and posts with exterior gap ﬁller. Let dry, then apply 2 coats of exterior paint. Allow to dry a er each coat. STEP 14 Apply a coat of paint to uncut paling timber. When dry, cut palings using mitre saw, making them

40mm longer than the distance from the retaining wall to top of fence posts. You will need to cut about 13 palings for every metre of fence. Use sander to slightly round corners on 1 end of each paling, which will sit at the top. Treat all the cut ends with wood preservative and, prior to installation, apply 2 coats

exterior paint to seal palings. STEP 15 Install palings on the edge at each end of fence, ﬂush with outside of posts. Sit them on 10mm plastic packers to create a gap to retaining wall below. Predrill through facing edges into fence using a countersinking drill bit and screw into posts using 100mm screws.

STREET APPEAL

STEP 16

STEP 17

STEP 18

STEP 20

for SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, see OUR stockists page

STEP 16 To prepare to fix remaining palings, set a stringline between tops of palings on end posts and cut two 48mm spacing blocks from scrap timber. Position paling against rails using spacing blocks, with packer underneath, so it is just off the stringline. Use nail gun to nail through rails to hold in place, then predrill and screw through rails into paling using 75mm screws. STEP 17 Work your way along the fence, screwing through front of palings with 100mm screws where they sit over posts. Occasionally check palings are plumb and stringline is not caught on any of them. About three-quarters of the way along, calculate whether the 48mm gap between palings will mean the final gap to the end paling will be even. If not, slightly adjust the size of the spacing block so the gaps all the way along will be even and then keep monitoring distance. STEP 18 Create an opening to house the le erbox by removing palings and cu ing them down. Join the cut sections with horizontal pieces at top and bo om of the opening. Rea ach shorter paling sections to rails. Insert le erbox into opening and screw into horizontal pieces to secure, using 30mm screws. STEP 19 Where screws go through front of palings, fill holes with epoxy. Let dry and sand smooth with sander. Give palings a second coat of paint. STEP 20 Apply 2 coats of stain to sleeper retaining wall at fence base. Let dry a er each coat.

PAINT IT TO MAKE IT! Painting is the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective way to dramatically improve the look of your home. Refresh the walls and eaves using exterior low sheen acrylic and the windows with a quick-drying water-based enamel. Dated colours and features such as the brick columns, gutter and aluminium awnings can also be changed with a colour that picks up other elements of your makeover. Use a long nap roller and brush for the textured bricks. To prepare metals, sand to roughen the surface, then coat with a maximum adhesion primer for glossy surfaces. Follow with two coats of acrylic paint in your selected colour.

EASY STEPS TO UPDATE YOUR FRONT ENTRANCE Cover up dated tiles and cracked concrete with new decking, render old brickwork and build a screen. Gather your supplies • Ba ens 90 x 22mm treated pine decking • Path frame 140 x 45mm H3 treated pine • Posts 90 x 90mm H4 treated pine • Decking 137 x 23mm Ekodeck composite decking in Ironwood • Screen frame 90 x 42mm primed treated pine • Screen slats 66 x 30mm primed treated pine You’ll also need Hammer drill; mitre saw; 6.5, 10 and 8mm masonry drill bits; green and blue wall plugs; hammer; 50mm galvanised screws; square; pencil; framing nail gun with 75mm nails; countersinking drill bits to suit screws; 100mm galvanised ba en screws; spirit level; M10 x 100mm galvanised masonry anchors; acrylic render; wheelbarrow; steel float; sponge float; painting gear; exterior paint in Monument; circular saw; 60 and 48mm trimhead screws; 3mm Quickfix decking clips; angle grinder fi ed with metal cu ing blade; wood preservative; scrap timber for screen template; 5 and 8mm drill bits; 10mm plastic spacers; epoxy filler; sandpaper

BEFOR E

Here’s how STEP 1 Use hammer drill to remove tiles from wall around porch and demolish steps from porch to the path below. STEP 2 Determine thickness of ba ens for decking on the porch, the tops of which are 28mm below threshold at the door, then cut to length. Treated pine decking worked here. Place ba ens at sides of porch and no more than 400mm apart between these. Drill through ba ens into porch using 6.5mm masonry drill bit. STEP 3 Insert green wall plugs into holes and tap down ﬂush with the timber. Screw ba ens to porch with 50mm screws. STEP 4 Use 140 x 45mm treated pine to make a frame for the pathway which extends from the porch. Width of frame is governed by distance from house to brick wall at front of porch. Make length 40mm shorter than corner of house. On timbers that are the long sides of the

SET AND FORGET Minimise your maintenance with composite decking, which has a built-in ﬁnish you don’t need to restain.

STEP 3 STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 4

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STREET APPEAL

STEP 11

STEP 22

STEP 5

STEP 16

STEP 23

STEP 6

STEP 17

STEP 24 STEP 8

STEP 18

STEP 9

STEP 19

STEP 10

BHG WINTER

STEP 20

frame, mark for joists that will go between them. Make a joist ﬂush with each end, then space remaining joists evenly, not exceeding 400mm apart. Lay sides of frame together and mark position of one side of joists using a square. Mark an ‘X’ on the side of the line where the joist will sit. STEP 5 Cut joists to suit width of frame. Bu into marked points on frame sides. Nail to hold with nail gun and 75mm nails. Predrill using countersinking bit and screw together using 100mm ba en screws. STEP 6 Li frame into position and temporarily prop under at desired height. Check for level. Make height so step from ba ens to frame at porch

end is 20mm larger than from frame to concrete driveway at the other. At house, drill through frame into brick wall using 10mm masonry drill bit, then fix to wall using masonry anchors. On open side, cut 90 x 90mm treated pine to create 3 posts that will sit on the concrete path and extend up the frame. Place in corners and middle of the frame and screw together using 100mm ba en screws. STEP 7 A ach a length of frame timber to riser of the step between porch and frame. This will support a decking board that goes against riser. Ensure there is still support for decking at this end of the frame, adding an extra joist if required. STEP 8 Mix acrylic render in wheelbarrow according to instructions. Use steel float to apply to brick wall around porch. Leave for about 15-30 minutes, so it sets slightly but can still be worked. STEP 9 Use sponge float to smooth the surface of the render and create a rustic bagged look. Leave to dry for a few days, then paint using exterior paint. STEP 10 Start decking by cu ing and fi ing boards to fit around the edges of frame. Make boards overhang face of frame by 23mm and mitre joins in corners, leaving a 3mm gap at the join to allow for expansion. Prior to fixing, cut off the bo om half of the groove in the leading edge of the board with circular saw. Predrill through boards using countersinking drill bit to suit 60mm trimhead screws then screw in place. STEP 11 Screw Quickfix

Photography Sue Ferris, Brent Wilson, Greg Fahey; styling Vanessa Tidy; projects James West, Greg Sparke, Scott Marvell

clips to joists so they bu into the boards already fi ed, then cut and fit boards to run along deck. When cu ing, allow for a 3mm gap to board at the end of the path. Insert this into fixing clips, then a ach more fixing clips to the other side of this board and continue to lay decking. STEP 12 At the house, cut the last board along its length using circular saw to suit the gap between last full board laid and the house. Predrill and screw down through board at house. STEP 13 Continue decking along porch so the boards align with those on the pathway. When fixing through the top of the boards, use 48mm trim head screws. You may have to cut the ends off them using an angle grinder if using thin ba ens, as here. STEP 14 Cut boards to fit along face of deck frame and on the riser of the step up to the porch. Cut off 1 side of the groove on these boards to create a neat finish when they bu up into the edge boards on the deck. Predrill and screw to frame.

BUILD THE SCREEN STEP 15 Determine screen frame dimensions – here 888mm wide and 2065mm high. Allow for a 10mm gap under screen to wall below. Cut screen frame timbers to suit, bu ing the sides into the top and bo om. Also cut 12 slats which are the same length as the frame sides. Treat all cut ends with wood preservative and seal with exterior paint. STEP 16 On scrap timber,

draw a template for the position of the vertical slats on the screen and the gaps between them, which vary as you go along the screen. The gap from frame to ﬁrst slat is 48mm; to the next slat is 46mm; to the next slat 44mm and so on. Hold template on bo om and top of frame and transfer marks from template to them. Draw lines across top and bo om with a square. STEP 17 Stack top and bo om together and use 5mm drill bit to drill pilot holes for screws through centre of slat positions. Switch to countersinking drill bit and drill through these holes to countersink underside of top and bo om for screws. STEP 18 Bu sides of frame into top and bo om. Predrill through holes in these into sides and join using 100mm ba en screws. STEP 19 Sit frame on bench on top of timber ba ens. On these ba ens place a series of 10mm plastic spacers. This is required as the slats are not as wide as the frame. Sit slats on inside of frame so they are si ing on spacers. STEP 20 Align slats with marks drawn on top and bo om. Predrill through holes in frame into slats, then screw together with 100mm ba en screws. STEP 21 Fill screw holes in top and bo om of frame using epoxy ﬁller. Let dry, sand smooth, then repaint these components. STEP 22 Li screen into position, using plastic packers to create a 10mm gap under it. Make plumb. To a ach to wall, predrill on an angle through the

WHAT TO PLANT Colour and texture are the key to this style of planting, with an emphasis on plants that are mostly low-growing and low-maintenance. Many fabulous Australian plants now fit this description – they've been bred to grow in our modified and enriched garden soils. Try low-growing kangaroo paws, bo om right and at le with dwarf callistemons (C. 'Li le John'), and exciting exotics such as snow flake (Euphorbia leucocephala), top right. frame using 8mm drill bit. Switch to 8mm masonry bit and drill through these holes to mark the walls. STEP 23 Remove screen and drill holes into bricks where marked. Try to maintain the angle on the holes you drilled into the screen. Insert blue wall plugs into holes and cut off flush with the wall. STEP 24 Reposition screen and screw through screen into plugs in wall, using 100mm ba en screws. Fill holes with epoxy, sand smooth, then touch up the paintwork.

ADAM DOVILE Join me as I show you more creative ways to improve your home on BHG TV on Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7 (Apologies, may be subject to change)

Go to bhg.com.au for more DIY tips and tricks.

WINTER

BHG

FROM WASTE TO WINNER!

MAKING COMPOST

As you’re cooking up hearty vegie stews, use the scraps to start a compost heap, along with clippings from your tree and shrub pruning. It can be ready for spring to give your garden a real treat!

BHG WINTER

1 bursting with health!

Adding cooked compost – or humus – to your garden bed soil increases the ability of the roots to grow deep into the soil and develop a stronger and more rigid root and plant structure for healthier and longer-lasting plants.

f you’re looking for a pile on, then a compost heap is where you do it – without any nasty consequences. Making compost is often thought of as too hard and tricky, or messy and too smelly. But it’s really not much more than piling food scraps on top of spent ﬂowers, on top of garden waste, on top of grass clippings and letting them all fall down into a heap of rich and potent garden food! You can do it the lazy way if you are time poor by building a cold compost, which takes about a year to break down. Or, you can save your heap a bit of time by building a hot compost and have nutrient-rich humus ready to put back into your garden in 1-4 months. It’s called black gold in gardening circles – and for good reason. Your plants will love you for it!

CHOP OR SHRED RAW MATERIALS TO SPEED UP THE COMPOSTING PROCESS.

Just four ingredients are needed for this recipe for garden food – nitrogen (green material), carbon (brown material), water and air. In the right mix, they’ll a ract the micro-organisms essential to speed up decay. If you have room to spare, maintain two heaps – one where the food is cooking, and the second where the cooked humus is good to go.

add nitrogen. Start your pile by mixing 3 parts brown with 1 part green material. STEP 2 Add water Sprinkle your compost regularly with water so it has the feel of a damp sponge. If the pile looks too wet and begins to smell, add more brown items or turn the pile more o en. If it looks brown and dry, add green items and water to make it slightly moist. But don’t add too much water or the microorganisms in your pile will drown, and it will then rot instead of breaking down. As the decay progresses, the pile should feel warm. Test it by reaching into the pile with your hand. STEP 3 Stir o en Add oxygen to your pile by turning it once a week with a garden fork. This will help it cook faster and prevents it from smelling. STEP 4 Feed your garden When the compost no longer gives oﬀ heat and becomes dry, brown and crumbly, it’s cooked. Add to a depth of about 15cm to your ﬂower and vegetable beds and add to your po ing mix in spring.

STEP 1 Combine brown and green material Brown items include dried plant ma er, fallen leaves, shredded branches, cardboard or other paper products, straw and wood shavings. They’re also called ‘dry’ and add carbon to your pile. Green items include kitchen scraps and fresh plant or grass clippings. They’re also called ‘wet’ and

CUT GARDEN DEBRIS INTO PIECES ABOUT 12-15CM SO IT BREAKS DOWN MORE QUICKLY.

HOT

COMPOST

COLD COMPOST This is as simple as throwing all your kitchen waste (vegetable and fruit peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells), organic household waste (hair from brushes, clothes dryer lint, coffee filters, pet fur or wool, shredded newspaper), and garden debris into a pile on bare earth or a bin with holes in the bo om so soil creatures can move in – then ignoring it. All these materials will break down over a year and can be spread over or dug into your garden soil.

COMPOST IS THE HEAP BREAKING DOWN. HUMUS IS THE FINAL PRODUCT – BLACK OR DARK BROWN, CRUMBLY AND VERY SWEET SMELLING!

Photography Adobe Stock, Getty Images

MAKING COMPOST

WHAT N OT TO AD D Meat and fish scraps

The smell of ro ing ﬁsh or meat a racts rats, ﬂies and even household pets. Dairy, fats and oils

These also smell and will a ract vermin. pesticides or preservatives

Preservative-treated wood and plants treated with pesticides have a chemical residue that can kill composting organisms. This residue can also aﬀect plants a er composting. Diseased or insectinfested plants

Most compost piles don’t reach the high temps needed to kill pests and diseases, so they’ll survive to infect plants a er compost is added to your garden. Weed seeds

Weed seeds survive composting, so you’re adding to your weed problem when you put it in your garden. Dog or cat waste

Dog and cat faeces can turn compost into hazardous waste, as both carry bacteria and parasites that cause human disease.

2 feed hungry greens

Adding humus to your vegie patch increases the water-holding capacity of your soil and puts in nutrients vital for quick-growing plants.

WINTER

BHG

GARDEN TRENDS

In your

Jenny Dillon Garden Editor

GARDEN Enjoy the winter break as your garden takes a long, well-earned nap!

SEASON SPECIALS

KEY TO CLIMATE ZONES ZONE Mild warm summer Cold winter

Get your vitamins from these winter-fruiting plants!

ZONE Warm summer Cold winter ZONE Hot dry summer Cold winter ZONE Hot dry summer Mild winter ZONE Warm humid summer ZONE Hot humid summer

Sweet surrender

Mandarin love is in full swing. You won’t be able to restrain yourself!

PLANT NOW It’s a wrap

Bananas come in their own natural packaging. Feel the peel!

FLOWERS

VEGETABLES

ALL ZONES

ALL ZONES Asparagus

Carnation, marigold and nemesia. ZONES 1-3 Ageratum (top le ), alyssum, aster, candytu , celosia, cosmos, gerbera, impatiens, lupin, nasturtium, petunia, phlox, salvia and verbena.

crowns, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts (top le ), carrot, garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, le uce, peas, radish. ZONES 1-3 Beans, capsicum, globe artichoke, potato, pumpkin, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato and turnip. ZONES 4-6 Kohlrabi (bo om le ) and onion.

ZONES 4-6 Your furry friend

Kiwifruit are perfect for a winter-in-July pav! Just add whipped cream.

BHG WINTER

Delphinium, dianthus, gypsophila (bo om le ) and tuberous begonia.

Photography Tony Fawcett, Adobe Stock

In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for cooler, warmer, we er and drier areas in each zone, so ask at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions.

MAHONIA GIVES A WINTER NECTAR FEED TO POLLINATORS.

The Moon Guide will be back next issue!

Winter is the real spring – the time when the inner things happen, the resurgence of nature

EDNA O’BRIEN, IRISH NOVELIST

C. SASANQUA DROPS FLOWERS DAILY. LET THEM FORM A CARPET OR DISPLAY BLOOMS IN A BOWL OF WATER.

PUT OUT THE WELCOME MAT

BUTTERFLY MAGNETS Few plants are be er at a racting bu erflies than the bu erfly bush itself, the buddleia. Plant a few shrubs now and bu erflies like you wouldn’t believe are guaranteed in summer. A cinch to grow and happy in most soils, buddleias come in hues from white to purple, dark violet-purple and purple-red. Apart from the occasional clip to maintain compactness, these plants need minimal a ention. And the bu erflies will love you!

GARDEN SECRETS

C. SASANQUA

Grow the queen of cool, the gorgeous camellia

WINTER WINNER

CONTINUAL COLOUR

EASY PEASY

Generally ranked second in popularity to the rose, the camellia is hands-down tops when conditions cool – and every garden has the space for one.

Evergreen and easy-to-grow, there are smaller-leafed sasanquas from April to July, followed by shiny-leafed japonicas – all in vibrant colours.

Treat them to good drainage, a 5.5-6.5pH, well-composted soil and dappled sunlight away from hot northerlies, and they will bloom their heads oﬀ.

GARDENING ADVICE DIG UP and move any deciduous plants that were planted in the wrong spot. LIFT and divide herbaceous perennials such as cannas, asters and phlox. TAKE cu ings of your favourite old roses (see page 12). PUT secateurs and saws

in for sharpening in preparation for pruning duties. TREAT nectarine and peach trees with a copper fungicide spray to prevent leaf curl. TIDY up your borders – cut back unruly growth and remove debris that may have fallen in autumn.

WINTER

BHG

GARDEN MATTERS

better gardening [

T H E L AT E S T N E WS A N D T R E N D S

]

PRETTY & PRACTICAL

CLASSIC LOOK Turn back the style clock with an elegant Terrazzo Resin Tri Stand Pot. Handcrafted by Melbourne’s Capra Designs, it’s 15W x 23.7cmH, comes in white, pink or black and features a tripod plinth that doubles as a drip tray, $65, from Bunnings stores or capradesigns.com.

CLEO WARMS UP WINTER For a bonanza of brilliant blooms in winter and early spring, grow Magnolia ‘Cleopatra’ – its vibrant cerise ﬂowers have an almost metallic sheen. A small upright tree, this award-winner is ideal for smaller areas, copes with full sun and frost, and can be grown in a large pot. From Plants Management Australia, it’s available at nurseries.

NATURAL WONDERS

Trees of mystery Laced with facts and inspiring images, The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, And History of Trees (DK/Penguin Australia, $59.99) is an absolute treelover’s delight. From the tallest of all living things – the mighty redwood – to the tropical kapok with its furry seedpods, it’s one you’ll browse often.

WHAT’S ON?

BLOOMIN’ BEAUTIFUL The Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Nambour will burst into vibrant bloom during the three-day Queensland Garden Expo, starting on Friday, 8 July. Check out inspiring show gardens and ﬂoral art, join lectures and workshops, explore the giant kitchen garden and enjoy food and entertainment for all the family. COVID-Safe measures will be in place during the event, qldgardenexpo.com.au.

BHG WINTER

Australia’s Gardening Journey. Setting sail in February 2023, Cunard’s inaugural gardening voyage offers guests a wonderful opportunity to indulge their love of gardening while enjoying a summer cruise on Queen Elizabeth. Guests will enjoy a full entertainment program with a green twist, including informative sessions, hands-on workshops and lessons in cooking from the garden.

7 nights 4 - 11 Feb 2023

Q307

Fares from $1,699 pp twin share. For more information and to view all fares, visit cunard.com/Q307

Join Cunard and nine leading gardening experts on Australia’s Gardening Journey.

Jamie Durie

Graham Ross

Angus Stewart

Jamie Durie is an award winning international designer, an author of 12 books, an internationally recognised TV presenter with over two decades of design experience, and a lifetime of environmental empathy.

Perhaps Australia’s best known gardener, Graham’s career as a horticulturalist, radio broadcaster, television gardening presenter and author has spanned more than 50 years.

An award winning horticulturist, Angus is renowned for his work in breeding new varieties of Australian native plants and is a regular presenter on a range of popular radio and television gardening shows.

5ECP JGTG VQ NGCTP OQTG

cunard.com/gardening

To book visit cunard.com, call 1300 363 258 or contact your travel agent )WGUV URGCMGTU CTG EQPƜTOGF VQ FCVG DWV OC[ EJCPIG CV %WPCTFoU FKUETGVKQP FWG VQ WPHQTGUGGP EKTEWOUVCPEGU (CTGU CTG ETWKUG QPN[ RGT RGTUQP KP #7& KP EQORNGVG VYKP CEEQOOQFCVKQP DCUGF QP NGCF ECVGIQT[ UVCVGTQQOU CU URGEKƜGF CXCKNCDNG CV VKOG QH RWDNKECVKQP /C[ KPENWUKXG QH CNN FKUEQWPVU VCZGU HGGU CPF RQTV GZRGPUGU YJKEJ CTG UWDLGEV VQ EJCPIG 5WRRNGOGPVU CRRN[ HQT QVJGT UVCVGTQQO ECVGIQTKGU %WPCTF JCU UGV CUKFG C TGCUQPCDNG PWODGT QH UVCVGTQQOU YJKEJ CTG CXCKNCDNG CV VJGUG HCTGU 1PEG VJKU CNNQECVKQP KU GZJCWUVGF HCTGU OC[ TGXGTV VQ C JKIJGT HCTG DWV OC[ CNUQ DG FKUEQWPVGF 5QOG 1EGCPXKGY CPF $CNEQP[ UVCVGTQQOU OC[ JCXG CP QDUVTWEVGF XKGY 8CNKF HQT PGY DQQMKPIU CPF PQV EQODKPCDNG YKVJ CP[ QVJGT QƛGT #NN QƛGTU CTG UWDLGEV VQ CXCKNCDKNKV[ CPF CXCKNCDNG QP UGNGEVGF XQ[CIGU QPN[ `4GFWEVKQPU JCXG CNTGCF[ DGGP CRRNKGF VQ VJG HCTGU UJQYP 5CXKPIU DCUGF QP EQORCTKUQP NCWPEJ HCTGU NCWPEJGF KPVQ VJG OCTMGV 0QXGODGT /CTEJ 0QXGODGT CPF (GDTWCT[ 9G CTG EWTTGPVN[ CUUGUUKPI GPJCPEGF JGCNVJ CPF UCHGV[ RTQVQEQNU KP NKIJV QH %QXKF CPF NQQMKPI CV JQY VJGUG OC[ CƛGEV [QWT XQ[CIG 1WT CEVWCN ETWKUG QƛGTKPIU OC[ XCT[ HTQO VJG FGUETKRVKQPU RTQXKFGF CPF KOCIGU FKURNC[GF VJTQWIJQWV VJG YGDUKVG 1ƛGT GPFU ,WPG DWV OC[ GPF GCTNKGT KH UQNF QWV 1ƛGT KU PQV VTCPUHGTCDNG PQV TGFGGOCDNG HQT ECUJ CPF OC[ PQV DG EQODKPCDNG YKVJ QVJGT UGNGEV QƛGTU QT QVJGT QPDQCTF ETGFKVU 6Q DG TGCF KP EQPLWPEVKQP YKVJ VJG 6GTOU CPF %QPFKVKQPU CV EWPCTF EQO GP CW NGICN YJKEJ RCUUGPIGTU YKNN DG DQWPF D[ # UWTEJCTIG HQT 8KUC CPF /CUVGTECTF CPF C UWTEJCTIG HQT #/': CRRNKGU VQ FKTGEV DQQMKPIU OCFG VJTQWIJ QWT ECNN EGPVTG CPF YGDUKVG 6JGTG KU PQ EJCTIG HQT FGDKV ECTF RC[OGPVU 9JKNUV CNN KPHQTOCVKQP KU EQTTGEV CV VJG VKOG QH RWDNKECVKQP QƛGTU CTG UWDLGEV VQ EJCPIG 2NGCUG EJGEM YKVJ %WPCTF CV VJG VKOG QH DQQMKPI 6TCXGN CIGPVU OC[ EJCTIG CFFKVKQPCN HGGU EJGEM YKVJ [QWT VTCXGN CIGPV %CTPKXCN RNE VTCFKPI CU %WPCTF #$0

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CURRY IT AWAY!

You’ll curry favour – and also ﬂavour – with this delicious recipe to slow cook your way to your favourite Thai dish

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 3 hours 20 mins Serves 6 1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 brown onions, cut into thin wedges 1.5kg chuck steak, coarsely chopped 195g jar massaman curry paste 400ml can coconut milk 2 cups chicken stock 2 sticks cinnamon 2 dried bay leaves 8 baby potatoes, whole 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1 Tbsp fish sauce Steamed rice and roti, to serve THAI-STYLE GREMOLATA 1 long red chilli, seeds removed, finely chopped 1 bunch coriander, stems and leaves finely chopped, plus extra sprigs, to serve 1 Tbsp fried shallots

1/4 cup roasted peanuts, ﬁnely

chopped Finely grated zest of 1 lime STEP 1 Preheat oven to 140 C fan-forced (160 C conventional). Heat half of the oil in a large ﬂameproof casserole dish on medium. Cook onion, stirring, for 6-7 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove onion from pan. STEP 2 Heat remaining oil in same pan and cook beef in batches, until browned. Return all beef to pan, add curry paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Return onion to pan, add milk, stock, cinnamon, bay leaves, potatoes and peanuts. Cover and bake for 21/2-3 hours, or until beef and potatoes are tender. Stir in sugar and ﬁsh sauce. Remove bay and cinnamon. STEP 3 To make the gremolata, combine all ingredients in a small bowl just before serving. STEP 4 Top steamed rice with beef curry, drizzle over gremolata, garnish with extra coriander and serve with roti.

COOK'S TIP

If you’re looking for a change from steamed rice, try cauliflower rice instead. It works beautifully and is an easy way to add extra veg to your dinner. Simply roughly chop a whole cauliflower, then put in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Cook, in two batches, in a saucepan of boiling salted water for two minutes, until cauliflower is tender. Drain, put in a large bowl and season with salt. Then simply serve with your delicious massaman!

Traditional Italian gremolata (green sauce) gets a tasty Thai twist with shallots, lime, chilli, peanuts and coriander to add fresh zing and crunch to the meat and potatoes.

MASSAMAN IS THE CROWDPLEASER OF CURRIES – THE BEEF IS MELTINGLY SOFT AND THE SAUCE IS SO CREAMY!

Photography Con Poulos; styling Michele Cranston; food preparation Kerrie Worner; recipe Sarah Murphy, Kerrie Worner

MASSAMAN BEEF WITH THAI-STYLE GREMOLATA

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FOOD IN A FLASH

ALMOST NO-TIME BREAD WITH SOUR CREAM AND CHIVES A classic loaf takes four hours from start to ﬁnish, but this delicious soda bread is ready for your table in about an hour. PS, you can swap the sour cream for yoghurt. Recipe on page 84

KINDA-CREAMY MUSHROOM SOUP This is the 2022 version of a 1960s fave, simmered to perfection. Made with a medley of mushrooms – try bu on, shimeji, oyster and shiitake – this full-bodied soup goes beautifully with the Almost no-time bread. Recipe on page 84 BHG WINTER

ED HALMAGYI Join me as I show you how to give your meals and desserts a seasonal makeover on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change)

Go to bhg.com.au for more food tips and tricks.

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

FAST ED’S

kitchen Cook up classic winter meals such as soup and pie, hack your leftovers for quiche and a pasta bake, create creamy sponge stacks and make a marvellous mocktail!

LAMB POT PIE Rich and hearty, this winter dish is a quick-prep – thanks to diced lamb you can get at the supermarket – but a long cook, as the ﬁlling simmers for two hours before you bake the pie. It’s so worth the wait. Recipe on page 84

FOOD IN A FLASH

BOOZEFREE IT MAY BE, BUT THIS MOCKTAIL STILL HAS A KICK – GREAT FOR DRY JULY !

The best thing about this gorgeous drink is not just that it’s booze-free, but that it’s also kind of clever. A classic Bloody Mary is spiked tomato juice with a celery garnish. Here, you turn that inside out and give celery juice a tomato garnish!

INSIDE-OUT VIRGIN MARY Preparation time 5 mins Cooking time nil Serves 4 10 sticks celery 11/2 cups baby spinach leaves 12 basil leaves Juice of 2 lemons 2 Tbsp pickle juice 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp chipotle Tabasco sauce 11/2 tsp sea-salt ﬂakes 250g mixed baby tomatoes 4 baby cornichons (baby gherkins) 240ml non-alcoholic gin 2 cups ice cubes, roughly crushed Thinly sliced lemon, to serve

STEP 1 Put celery, spinach, basil leaves, lemon juice, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco in a blender and purée until very smooth. Strain through a ﬁne sieve. Use one of the squeezed lemons to rub around the lips of 4 tall glasses, then dip into sea-salt ﬂakes. STEP 2 Thread tomatoes onto long skewers, then put a cornichon on the end of each. Char lightly with a kitchen blowtorch. STEP 3 Pour gin into glasses, then top with ice. Pour in celery juice mixture, add a tomato skewer, then garnish with a lemon slice. Serve.

BREAD PASTRY QUICHE Cooking with le overs doesn’t mean cu ing corners. You can turn le over bread into an incredible family meal. Just make sure the bread isn’t too dry, otherwise it cracks and leaks… all over your oven. Actually, maybe use a tray! Recipe on page 84 WINTER

BHG

FOOD IN A FLASH

HOW DO YOU GIVE A TRIPLE CHICKEN AND CHEESE BURGER ZING? WITH SEAWEED, CORIANDER, LIME AND MUSTARD PICKLE!

TRIPLE-STACKED CHICKEN BURGER Take inspiration from the coriander, lime leaves and seaweed notes in Seadri Classic – an Aussie alcohol-free spirit – to make a splash with a brilliant burger featuring all those ﬂavours. Delicious, indulgent and just plain tasty, serve it up with a Seadri and tonic for the full coastal botanical experience. Recipe on page 86

CANNELLONI OF LEFTOVER VEGETABLES Need to clear out your fridge? Use le over vegies, greens and herbs to make a rico a mixture you can pipe into pasta tubes, smother with tomato passata, top with tasty cheese and bake. Yum! Recipe on page 86

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KINDA-CREAMY MUSHROOM SOUP Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 40 mins Serves 4-6 1kg mixed mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 brown onions, very finely sliced 4 shallots, finely sliced 8 cloves garlic, very finely sliced 1 bunch thyme, very finely chopped, plus extra sprigs, to serve 1 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup raw cashews 2 Tbsp white miso paste 1L vegetable stock 400ml coconut cream Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 1 red onion, very finely sliced 2 tsp sesame oil STEP 1 Cook 3/4 of the mushrooms in half of the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan on medium heat for 5 minutes, until well browned. Add brown onion, shallot, half of the garlic and half of the thyme, then cook for 5 minutes. STEP 2 Add wine, simmer for 2 minutes, then mix in cashews, miso, stock and coconut cream. Simmer for 20 minutes, then purée until very smooth. Season. STEP 3 Heat remaining oil in a pan on high. Cook remaining mushrooms, garlic, thyme and red onion until browned. Season. Mix in sesame oil. Top soup with mushroom mix and extra thyme. Serve.

ALMOST NO-TIME BREAD WITH SOUR CREAM AND CHIVES Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 40 mins Serves 4-6 21/2 cups plain ﬂour, si ed 2 cups wholemeal ﬂour, si ed

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21/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 11/2 tsp cream of tartar 2 tsp fine sea-salt flakes 2 cups bu ermilk 300g sour cream 1 bunch chives, very finely chopped So ened bu er, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 210 C fan-forced (230 C conventional). Combine flours in a bowl, then si in bicarb, cream of tartar and salt. Mix well. STEP 2 Whisk bu ermilk, sour cream and chives in a bowl until smooth. Make a well in flour mixture, add bu ermilk mixture, then mix very gently to make a dough. Using floured hands, form into a ball and put on a lined oven tray. STEP 3 Score loaf with a serrated knife. Rest for 15 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce oven to 180 C fan-forced (200 C conventional). Bake for 20 more minutes, until it sounds hollow if tapped. Cool on a wire rack. Serve with bu er.

LAMB POT PIE Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 3 hours Serves 6 1kg diced lamb 1/4 cup plain flour 2 leeks, cut into rounds 4 carrots, cut into rounds 1 swede, diced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped 4 bay leaves 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp tomato paste 1 cup red wine 400g can diced tomatoes 1/4 cup HP sauce 1L beef stock 420g can black beans, rinsed, drained Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 2 sheets puff pastry 2 free-range egg yolks, whisked

STEP 1 Toss lamb in flour, then set aside for 10 minutes. Fry leek, carrot, swede, garlic, rosemary and bay leaves in a heavy-based frying pan in half of the oil for 5 minutes, until just so ened. Set aside. STEP 2 Cook lamb, in batches, in remaining oil in a saucepan, until well browned. Add tomato paste, cook briefly, then add wine and bring to a simmer. Return lamb to pan with cooked veg, add tomatoes, HP sauce and stock, then bring to a simmer and simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours, until meat is tender and sauce is thickened. Lightly crush black beans, then stir through. Remove bay leaves. Season, then spoon into a 2-litre baking dish. STEP 3 Preheat oven to 200 C fan-forced (220 C conventional). Cover pie filling with pastry, trimming to fit if needed, then brush with yolk. Bake for 40 minutes, until pastry is golden. Serve.

BREAD PASTRY QUICHE Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 35 mins Serves 6 10 le over slices white bread 100g margarine 4 rashers bacon, cut into fine strips 1 brown onion, very finely sliced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tsp mixed dried herbs 300ml pure cream 6 free-range eggs 11/4 cups grated cheese 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, very finely chopped, plus extra, roughly chopped, to serve Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional) and put an oven tray on middle shelf. Cut off bread crusts, then fla en with a rolling pin. Spread both sides with margarine.

FOOD IN A FLASH

FLUFFY, FRUITY AND JUST A BIT STICKY, SPICED SPONGE STACKS MAKE SENSATIONAL SINGLE-SERVE DESSERTS

WARM GINGERBREAD SPONGE STACKS Give sponge cake a winter spin with molasses, ginger and mixed spice, then drizzle the mascarpone and strawberry- ﬁlled stacks with homemade bu erscotch sauce. Divine! Recipe on page 86

FOOD IN A FLASH

TRIPLE-STACKED CHICKEN BURGER Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 25 mins Serves 4 4 chicken breast fillets 2 tsp coriander seeds, toasted 4 kaffir lime leaves, chopped 1 tsp raw sugar 1 Tbsp oyster sauce Juice of 2 limes 2 tsp sesame oil 2 carrots, cut into very fine julienne 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp mustard pickle 4 so burger buns, split 1/2 cup aioli 12 slices burger cheese 1 cup Japanese seaweed salad Crinkle cut chips, to serve STEP 1 Use a sharp knife to cut each breast into 3 slices. Pound lightly with a meat mallet to fla en, then put in a shallow tray. Combine coriander, lime leaves and sugar in a mortar and grind into a rough paste. Mix in oyster sauce, lime juice and oil, then rub on chicken. STEP 2 Cook carrot in olive oil in a frying pan on high heat for 5 minutes, until just tender, then mix in mustard pickle. Spread tops and bases of buns with aioli, then put carrot mixture on bases. STEP 3 Cook chicken in a frying pan on medium heat for 8 minutes, turning

BHG WINTER

occasionally, until cooked through. Stack sets of 3 chicken pieces and 3 cheese slices. Put on bun bases and top with seaweed salad and bun top. Serve with chips.

WARM GINGERBREAD SPONGE STACKS Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 45 mins Serves 4

CANNELLONI OF LEFTOVER VEGETABLES Preparation time 30 mins Cooking time 2 hours Serves 6 3 cups le over root vegetables (potatoes, carrots and swedes) 4 1/ cup vegetable oil Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 2 cups le over leafy green vegetables (cabbage, kale, spinach and le uce) 1/2 cup le over so herbs (parsley, basil, tarragon and mint) 250g rico a cheese 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 cup green olives, finely chopped 12 large cannelloni tubes 700g tomato passata 1/2 cup finely grated tasty cheese STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180 C fan-forced (200 C conventional). Toss root vegetables in vegetable oil, season, arrange on an oven tray and bake for 1 hour, until so ened. Peel vegies if desired, then put in a food processor and purée until smooth. STEP 2 Blanch leafy green vegetables and herbs in a saucepan of rapidly boiling salted water until just wilted, then transfer to iced water. Drain, then very finely chop. STEP 3 Mix rico a, nutmeg and olive in a large bowl, season, then fold in vegetables and greens. Put in a piping bag fi ed with a large straight nozzle and pipe into cannelloni tubes. Arrange in roasting pan, pour over passata and sca er with cheese. Cover with baking paper and foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and paper, and bake for 15 more minutes, until golden. Serve.

21/2 cups dark brown sugar 1/4 cup molasses 2 tsp ground ginger 2 tsp mixed spice 1/2 tsp ground white pepper 3 free-range eggs 250g unsalted bu er, melted and cooled, plus 125g extra, chopped 11/2 cups plain flour 1/2 cup wholemeal plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 cup bu ermilk 1 cup thickened cream 2 tsp vanilla paste 2 punnets strawberries, hulled 300g mascarpone STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180 C fan-forced (200 C conventional). Put 11/2 cups of the brown sugar, molasses, ginger, mixed spice, pepper and eggs in a bowl, whisking until sugar is dissolved. Fold in melted bu er. Si together flours, baking powder and bicarb, then fold in, alternating with bu ermilk. STEP 2 Spread ba er on a lined 20 x 30cm lamington pan and bake for 30 minutes, until just firm to touch. Cool in pan, then cut into six 10cm rounds with a biscuit cu er. Halve each with a bread knife. You need 12 rounds in total. STEP 3 Put extra bu er and remaining brown sugar in a medium saucepan on high heat, and cook until mixture starts to darken. Pour in cream and vanilla, then simmer until thickened. STEP 4 Set aside 1/3 of the strawberries and halve the rest. Spread 8 cake rounds with mascarpone, top with berry halves, stack in twos and top with remaining rounds. Cut reserved strawberries into a mix of halves and dice. Top cake stacks with mixed berries, then drizzle over bu erscotch sauce. Serve.

Photography Jeremy Simons; styling Michele Cranston; food preparation Sarah Mayoh; food assistant Jaimee Curdie

STEP 2 Line a fluted 22cm tart tin with bread, overlapping slices and pressing firmly to seal. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. STEP 3 Cook bacon, onion, garlic and herbs in remaining margarine in a frying pan on medium heat for 5 minutes, until so ened. Pour in cream, then remove from heat. Whisk in eggs, then fold in cheese and parsley. Season. STEP 4 Pour mixture into tart tin, put on preheated oven tray and bake for 30 minutes, until just firm to touch, then serve warm, topped with extra parsley.

WEEKNIGHT WINNER

fast&fresh

An easy, delicious recipe for a better dinner tonight

SHOPPING LIST

BEEF OR LAMB MINCE

ONION

GARLIC

TOMATO PASSATA

OREGANO

HERBED SKILLET PASTITSIO Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 40 mins Serves 4

GROUND CINNAMON

PENNE

ALFREDO SAUCE

1 Tbsp olive oil 500g beef or lamb mince 1 onion, ﬁnely chopped 3 cloves garlic, crushed Sea-salt ﬂakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 400g jar tomato passata 11/4 cups water 1 Tbsp chopped oregano, plus extra sprigs, to serve 4 / 1 tsp ground cinnamon 500g penne or ziti pasta 490g jar alfredo sauce

STEP 1 In a large ovenproof frying pan, heat oil on high. Cook mince, onion and garlic for 6-8 minutes, stirring, until meat is browned. Season. STEP 2 Stir in passata, water, oregano and cinnamon. Bring to the boil. Stir in pasta and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. STEP 3 Preheat oven grill to high. Top pasta with alfredo sauce. Grill for 4-5 minutes, or until sauce starts to brown. Stand for 5 minutes. Top with extra oregano and serve.

You can hack ‘Greek lasagne’ with this yum one-pan recipe that swaps bechamel for storebought sauce.

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BEEF, MUSHROOM AND RED WINE PIE Too cold for the pub? No need to miss out on the grub! Top a meat-in-gravy filling with a flaky pastry made from just flour, bu er, an egg and a dash of water – it’s a cinch with a food processor. Recipe on page 90 BHG WINTER

SEASONAL RECIPES

HARISSA MEATBALLS WITH FETA SWIRL Sweet and spicy, these luscious lamb meatballs in a tasty tomato sauce were inspired by classic Middle Eastern ﬂavours. Spoon over bu ered couscous for a warming hug in a bowl or serve with ﬂatbreads to scoop up every last drop. Recipe on page 90

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WARMERS

Give your classic comfort food tasty twists for meals that are so more-ish!

SEASONAL RECIPES

FOR A COSY MEAL ON A COLD DAY IT DOESN’T

GET BETTER THAN A PIPING HOT HOMEMADE PIE OR MOUTHWATERING MEATBALLS IN A RICH SAUCE

BEEF MUSHROOM AND RED WINE PIE Preparation time 45 mins plus 30 mins chilling Cooking time 2 hours 50 mins Serves 6 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1kg chuck steak, cut into chunks 1 brown onion, finely chopped 3 Tbsp plain flour, plus extra, for dusting 1 bay leaf 4 juniper berries 11/2 cups red wine 200ml chicken or vegetable stock 200g swiss brown mushrooms 2 eschalots, halved if large 2 Tbsp redcurrant jelly 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 1 free-range egg, lightly beaten, for brushing Mashed potato and steamed green beans, to serve PASTRY 11/2 cups plain flour 100g cold unsalted bu er, chopped coarsely 1 free-range egg 1 Tbsp iced water (approx) STEP 1 Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan on high. Brown meat in batches, until golden. Remove to a bowl using a slo ed spoon. Reduce heat to medium and heat half of the remaining oil in the BHG WINTER

same pan, then cook onion for 5 minutes, until lightly golden. Return meat to pan, along with any resting juices, then sprinkle over flour and stir until well combined. STEP 2 Add bay leaf, juniper berries and wine to pan. Bring to a simmer and scrape base of pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Pour in stock and cook, covered, on low heat for 2 hours, until meat is tender. Remove lid for the final 10 minutes to thicken the sauce, if needed (it should be quite a thick gravy that coats the meat). STEP 3 Meanwhile, to make the pastry, pulse flour and bu er in a food processor until crumbly. Add egg and enough of the iced water to make mixture come together. Knead pastry on a floured surface until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. STEP 4 When pie filling is almost ready, heat remaining oil in a clean frying pan on medium. Fry mushrooms and eschalots for 15 minutes, stirring o en, until caramelised, and eschalots are tender. Stir mushrooms, eschalots, redcurrant jelly and balsamic into pie filling. Season. Cool for 15 minutes. STEP 5 Preheat oven to 180 C fan-forced (200 C conventional). Pour pie filling into a 22cm lipped pie dish. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface until large enough to cover dish. Brush egg around dish rim, then top with pastry, crimping edges and trimming excess. Brush pastry with remaining egg and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Serve with mashed potato and beans.

HARISSA MEATBALLS WITH FETA SWIRL Preparation time 30 mins Cooking time 45 mins Serves 4 500g lamb mince 5 dried apricots, finely chopped 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted, plus extra, to serve 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs 1 free-range egg, beaten 1 tsp ground cumin 1/2 bunch coriander, leaves picked and finely chopped 1 large brown onion, finely chopped 2 Tbsp harissa paste 2 Tbsp tomato paste Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (optional) 400g can Mu i Polpa finely chopped tomatoes 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 Tbsp pomegranate molasses Yoghurt and 50g feta, to serve Couscous, to serve STEP 1 Combine lamb mince, apricots, pine nuts, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, and half each of the coriander, onion, harissa paste and tomato paste in a large bowl. Season. Using clean hands, mix well and shape mixture into 28-30 meatballs, then transfer to a plate or tray and refrigerate meatballs for 10 minutes.

MAPLE AND MISO CELERIAC SOUP Make the most of this underused root vegetable with a creamy soup. White miso adds extra umami (which means ‘essence of deliciousness’) and balances the earthy celeriac and sweet maple syrup. You can swap the double cream for a plant-based cream to make this dish vegan. Recipe on page 92

SEASONAL RECIPES

STEP 2 Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, deep frying pan and cook the meatballs in batches until golden. Remove to a plate with a slo ed spoon and set aside. STEP 3 Heat remaining oil in the same pan on medium and cook remaining onion for 5 minutes, until so ened. Stir in garlic, chilli ﬂakes (if using) and remaining harissa paste and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in chopped tomatoes, half a can of water, chickpeas and pomegranate molasses. Return meatballs to pan. Bring to a simmer, then cook on low heat for 12-15 minutes, uncovered, until meatballs are cooked through. STEP 4 Top meatballs with yoghurt, feta, extra pine nuts and remaining coriander. Serve with couscous.

MAPLE AND MISO CELERIAC SOUP

with maple syrup and season. Sca er over thyme sprigs and whole garlic cloves, and toss well. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until celeriac is tender throughout and lightly caramelised around the edges. STEP 3 Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a large saucepan on medium. Cook onion for 10 minutes, until tender but not golden. Add celeriac, scraping in any roasting juices from oven tray. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skin into pan and discard thyme sprigs. Add miso and stock, bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes. STEP 4 Using a hand blender, blitz the mixture until very smooth. For an extra-smooth soup, strain through a sieve into a clean pan. STEP 5 Add cream to soup and stir on low heat for 3 minutes to warm through. Drizzle with extra cream, sca er with extra thyme and season with pepper. Serve soup with toasted cheese sandwiches or sourdough toast.

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 1 hour Serves 4 1 large celeriac 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Tbsp maple syrup Sea-salt ﬂakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 4 sprigs thyme, plus extra leaves, to serve 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled 1 brown onion, ﬁnely chopped 3 Tbsp white miso 1L vegetable stock 200ml thickened cream, plus extra, to serve Toasted cheese sandwiches, or toasted sourdough, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180 C fan-forced (200 C conventional). STEP 2 Peel celeriac, cut into 2cm dice, then toss with 2 tablespoons of the oil on an oven tray. Drizzle

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PUMPKIN PINE NUT AND CHILLI PESTO TART Preparation time 40 mins Cooking time 40 mins Serves 6 2 sheets puﬀ pastry 100g fresh rico a Sea-salt ﬂakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 1 small bu ernut pumpkin, seeds removed, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted 50g rocket or baby kale 1 long red chilli, thinly sliced Shaved parmesan, to serve PESTO 1 bunch basil, leaves picked, 1/4 cup reserved

2 Tbsp flaked almonds, toasted 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped 1/4 cup water 1 tsp chilli flakes STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180 C fan-forced (200 C conventional) and put a large oven tray on middle shelf. STEP 2 Line another large oven tray with baking paper. Cut 1 sheet of puff pastry into 4 equal strips. Place remaining pastry sheet in centre of prepared tray, place a pastry strip on each side of the pastry sheet, so they slightly overlap, and press edges to seal. Cut out a 34cm circle from pastry and discard the excess. Refrigerate pastry circle for 10 minutes. STEP 3 Meanwhile, to make the pesto, pulse all ingredients except for water and chilli in a small food processor until smooth. Add water and pulse until just combined. Season and stir through chilli flakes. STEP 4 Stir 2 tablespoons of the pesto through rico a. Season with pepper. Score a 1cm border around the edge of the chilled pastry using a knife, then prick the middle all over a few times with a fork. STEP 5 Spoon rico a mixture into the middle of pastry circle, gently spreading it to the scored border. Toss pumpkin in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Season. Arrange pumpkin slices in a spiral over the rico a, slightly overlapping the slices as you go. Carefully slide the tart, on its baking paper, onto the preheated oven tray and bake for 40 minutes, until the pumpkin is tender and the pastry cooked underneath (check this by carefully li ing up one side using a spatula). STEP 6 Mix together remaining oil, pine nuts and 2 tablespoons of the pesto. Toss rocket, chilli and shaved parmesan together, and pile it up in the middle of the tart, then drizzle over the pesto dressing. Serve.

PUMPKIN, PINE NUT AND CHILLI PESTO TART Homemade pesto makes this tart sing! You’ll make more pesto than needed for the recipe, so put the extra in an airtight container, drizzle the top with olive oil (to prevent it browning) and keep it in the fridge for up to ﬁve days to use with pasta, pizza or anything! Recipe on opposite page

PAIR PUMPKIN AND A PESTO WITH

PUNCH TO BAKE THIS TERRIFIC TART, THEN PUT CHILLI ON TOP FOR EXTRA ZING!

FABULOUS FOOD

cooking WITH KAREN Recipe basics get far-from-basic treatment with these ﬁlling and ﬂavourful meals

RISOTTO WITH MEATBALLS PEAS AND BOCCONCINI Make a riso o to remember! Add a bit of spice with meatball chevaps – or cevapcici – a skinless sausage from Eastern Europe. Then make it extra cheesy with baby bocconcini and grana padano. Recipe on page 96

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00 BAKED SIDE OF FISH WITH LEMON CAPER BUTTER A fab seafood dish is easier than you think. If you cook white ﬁsh in a tangy bu er with lemon slices it becomes so succulent you won’t need any other sauce. Serve with crispy spuds for maximum yum! Recipe on page 96

KAREN MARTINI Join me as I show you how to make delicious dishes on BHG TV on Fridays at 7pm, on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change)

Go to bhg.com.au for more food tips and tricks.

WINTER

BHG

FABULOUS FOOD

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 35 mins Serves 4 2L chicken stock 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 300g beef chevaps or cevapcici, rolled into li le balls (available at supermarkets) 1 brown onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, finely sliced 1 bay leaf Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 500g carnaroli, vialone nano or arborio rice 200ml white wine 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed 120g unsalted bu er, diced 180g grana padano, finely grated 150g baby bocconcini STEP 1 Bring stock to a simmer in a large saucepan. Keep hot on low heat. STEP 2 Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wide, heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Add meatballs and fry until golden, about 6 minutes, then remove from pan. STEP 3 Add remaining oil, onion, garlic and bay leaf to same pan. Season lightly with salt, then cook on low heat until so ened but not caramelised, about 5 minutes. Return meatballs to pan, add rice and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until grains are hot to touch, for about 2 minutes, then add wine. Stir until wine has reduced to almost nothing, then add enough stock to cover (about 1 cup). Stir until almost dry again, then repeat. STEP 4 Cook until rice is al dente, about 15-20 minutes, and riso o is loose but not soupy. Stir through peas. Turn off heat and add bu er and grana padano. Stir riso o quite vigorously, until creamy, and season. You can add a li le more water or

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ROAST CHICKEN WITH POTATOES AND HALOUMI Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 1 hour 10 mins Serves 4

BAKED SIDE OF FISH WITH LEMON CAPER BUTTER Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 50 mins Serves 4 5 yellow waxy potatoes (such as Nicola or Desiree), skin on, cut in large dice 3 cloves garlic, smashed in skin, plus extra 2 cloves, finely sliced 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra 1/4 cup Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 30g unsalted bu er, plus extra 50g 1 lemon, skin on, finely sliced into rings 2 Tbsp tiny capers 1kg side of fish (such as blue-eye trevalla), boned, skin on, at room temperature 2 1/ cup peas Dill fronds, flat-leaf parsley leaves and lemon wedges, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 170 C fanforced (190 C conventional). Toss potato and garlic with oil in a roasting pan. Season. Roast for 35-40 minutes. STEP 2 Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt bu er on medium heat. Fry extra garlic and lemon until golden, add capers and season. Stir through extra bu er and extra oil. STEP 3 Put fish on a baking paper-lined oven tray and spoon over lemon caper bu er evenly. Add fish to oven and cook for 10 minutes. Remove potatoes and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Increase oven to 200 C fan-forced (220 C conventional). Sca er fish with peas. Bake for a further 7 minutes. Garnish fish with herbs. Serve with roast potatoes and lemon wedges.

4 large Desiree potatoes, each cut into dice of 8 8 bone-in chicken thigh cutlets, skin on 1 brown onion, skin on, quartered 1 bulb garlic, skin on, cloves separated and bruised 120ml extra virgin olive oil 1/2 lemon, skin on, finely sliced into rounds 4 sprigs rosemary, leaves pulled and roughly chopped 2 Tbsp dried Greek oregano 2 bay leaves 11/2 Tbsp sea-salt flakes 11/2 tsp ground black pepper 100ml chicken stock or water 200g haloumi, thickly sliced 2 Tbsp honey 50ml white or red wine vinegar Steamed green beans, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 190 C fan-forced (210 C conventional). STEP 2 Put potato, chicken, onion, garlic, oil, lemon, herbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl and toss through, massaging everything a li le. Arrange potato and chicken mixture in a large roasting pan, ensuring the chicken is skin-side up. Pour over stock or water and roast, uncovered, for 45 minutes, then remove from oven. STEP 3 Increase oven to 220 C fan-forced (240 C conventional). Arrange haloumi on top of potato and chicken mixture, drizzle over honey and vinegar, and roast for 25 minutes, until golden and haloumi is quite so . If chicken and haloumi need more colour, flash under a hot grill for a few minutes. Serve roast with steamed green beans.

Photography Jeremy Simons; styling Michele Cranston; food preparation Sarah Mayoh; food assistant Jaimee Curdie

RISOTTO WITH MEATBALLS PEAS AND BOCCONCINI

stock if needed – riso o should never be stiﬀ. Remove bay leaf and stand for 2 minutes. STEP 5 Transfer to a serving dish or individual plates, then top with bocconcini and serve immediately.

ROAST CHICKEN WITH POTATOES AND HALOUMI This Mediterraneanﬂavoured meal will be your new family fave. Instead of a whole chook, cook thigh cutlets with potatoes, onion, garlic, lemon and herbs for an easy-serve and very juicy roast dinner – no carving needed! Recipe on opposite page

KITCHEN MATTERS

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T H E L AT E S T P R O D U C T S A N D T R E N D S

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SOUPER MUG With the cooler weather on its way, upgrade your soup bowl to a hand-held soup mug instead! Ecology Nomad 500ml soup mug, $16.95, is the perfect size for your favourite warming soup, ecologyhomewares.com.au.

SLOW LANE

It’s porridge and pudding season, so warm up your presentation with Salt & Pepper’s Amana six-bowl sets for cereal, $59.70, and soup, $89.70, saltandpepper.com.au.

Bake brilliance No more stopping to clean the bowl while making your fave cake! The Breville Bakery Chef Hub Stand Mixer, $499, comes with a double-sided scraper beater attachment that wipes down the side of the bowl as it mixes. Clever! harveynorman.com.au.

BHG WINTER

to the

DARK SIDE The ultimate winter chocolate ﬂavour combo is here! Darrell Lea has released Rum & Raisin Dark Chocolate in a 170g block – the perfect partner for cosy nights by the ﬁre! Available nationally for $5, dlea.com.au.

Prices are approximate and a guide only

SERVING SELECTIONS

No more dull grey slow cookers on the benchtop! Bring a pop of colour to your cooking with the Greenpan slow cooker in Blue Haze, $369. The generous 6L capacity holds all your ingredients and the sauté function means no more browning ingredients in the frying pan, greenpan.com.au.

P E L I C A N WAT E R S G O L F

C L U B

SEASONAL STYLE

SEASONAL

HARMONY Tune into the changing nuances of the season to bring a sense of country-style grace to your rooms

1 , 2 TI M E TO R E L A X A N D R E F L E C T

Take time out for a walk in the bush, park or around the block – on the ground you will find a wealth of foraged materials you can use in your decor. And, if you head out now before winter really sets in, a colourful pale e of autumn leaves, seed pods and heads await you and your cra y endeavours. As picking foliage, flowers and berries may be prohibited, ask your florist for a rustic winter arrangement, if preferred. Also take a considered approach to decorating your living room (see opposite). Stylised leaf wood block prints in gentle tones and cushions matched with handsome leather furniture make for a smart, stylish and serene look.

BHG WINTER

AM P U P TH E CO M FO RT FAC TO R WITH TH ROWS A P LE NT Y – STR I P E S WAF F LE W E AVE S H E R R I N G BO N E

SEASONAL STYLE

unkering down for winter, where the days are short and the nights long, you owe it to yourself and your family to shower your home, even if contemporary in design, with harmony. Cosy country comfort can be found in an autumnal palette that easily transitions to winter. Also key are bare branches, dried ﬂowers, foraged ﬁnds, leafy block prints, organic shapes and natural materials and textures – wood, woollens, loose linens...

3 BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE

Pull up a wooden bench by the front door and add textiles inspired by woodland and country scenery. Bring in texture with a so neutral throw and woven baskets for handy storage. If you’ve a fancy for ﬂowers, gather your garden oﬀerings and arrange blooms and foliage in a way that’s more freeform than formal in style. 4 D I S P L AY N AT U R E P R I N T S

Celebrate the season with a gallery wall that encourages all to dawdle as they observe and wonder at the natural beauty of foraged ﬁnds. Display in timber frames and from jumbo wall pegs for a harmonious arrangement. 5 C O U N T RY K ITC H E N

Marble, copper and rustic boards are key to se ing a country tone in the kitchen and can be further underscored by a wire basket ﬁlled with squashes ready to prep for a family meal. 6 B E YO N D H A L LOW E E N

Designate a spot you can switch up seasonally. Here, pumpkins and squashes create a striking vigne e that celebrates both autumn and winter.

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LOO K FO R WOO LLE N KN ITS AN D/O R P LU S H C H E N I LLE COVE R LETS AN D B L AN KETS TO COSY U P YO U R B E D ROO M

7 SET UP A SERENE BEDROOM

Dri oﬀ to sleep amid calming colours with a dash of sunny yellow that hints at, and virtually envelops you in, warmth. If you prefer, introduce delicate block prints of leaves for wallpaper and sca er cushions, but equally comforting is this sparse sleeping space with a solid timber bed frame and nightstands that subtly nod to the rusticity of bushland surrounds. 8 I N D U LG E I N M E T I M E

Warm up with a long, hot soak in your tub. Arrange botanical candles and keep foliageinspired bathroom and beauty buys at hand. 9 C O L L E C T L I T T L E WO R K S O F A R T

As much as a roaring ﬁre will draw the eye, so too will beautifully illustrated ornaments, ceramics and prints featuring li le country creatures. Take pleasure in displaying seedheads and autumn leaves in glass cases or domes. 1 0 S T U DY I N S E R E N IT Y

Live in a modern minimal home? Generate the harmony of beloved country interiors and let neutrality and natural materials rule!

Photography Future Media

‘AUTU M N I S A S ECO N D S P R I N G WH E N EVE RY LE AF I S A F LOWE R ’ ALB E RT CAM U S

SEASONAL STYLE

ENDOW YOUR HOME WITH WARMTH AND CHARACTER BY LINING WINDOW REVEALS WITH TIMBER FOR A BEAUTIFUL CONNECTION TO THE VISTA OUTSIDE

BO R ROW TH I S I D E A FO R YO U R STU DY AN D R I G U P A ST YLI S H D E S K F RO M A S I M I L AR O F F -TH E - S H E LF TI M B E R WO R K TO P AN D TR E STLE LEG S

Dare to be

ECLECTIC This home is a masterclass in how you can create a family haven that merges differing design aesthetics to offer unexpected visual surprises at every turn

BHG WINTER

DECO INSPIRATION

1, 2 CURATED FLAIR Design a family room that is an unabashed celebration of eclectic styling. Here, thri y and unique ﬁnds meet designer and big box buys. Also evident is a passion for Moroccan decor. Soderhamn three-seat section sofa in Finnsta White, $699, ikea.com.au. Eijﬃnger wallpaper mural Masterpiece VE358110, POA, vervedc.com.

Explore items not commonly seen. For a similar eyecatching light, see the Nordic Hemp Rope Monkey Lamp, aliexpress.com.

love of vivid colour and animal prints, a great affinity for mixing old and new pieces, and a design ethos of ‘more is more’ combine to create a family friendly home that is anything but stuffy. What’s exciting about decorating a modern build or a bland box where, amid new pieces, much of the decor is either quirky, has a Moroccan vibe or is pre-loved – and given another life in your home – is the unique character that transforms it. With so many online auctions, marketplaces, charity and secondhand stores about, you are spoilt for source material. The freedom to explore the unknown is what makes eclectic design so intoxicating.

3 FAMILY FRIENDLY Gather the fam around an extra large modular sofa upholstered with tactile plush velvet in a gorgeous silver grey to balance terraco a tones elsewhere in the room. Velvet will not only suggest opulence, it’s also the ideal winter warmer. Splurged on the sofa? A budget-buy secondhand display cabinet can easily be reinvented with paint and good old-fashioned elbow grease. Go on, give it a go. It will be worth the eﬀort. BHG WINTER

Display a quirky collection of oriental umbrellas on a picture ledge.

4, 5 CHALLENGE EXPECTATION Keep abreast of furniture auctions for unusual pieces, like this look-at-me black oriental-style campaign chest with brass details (le ). Partner up with a ceramic tiger ﬁgurine and lamp with a DIY animal print shade! Spotlight has an abundance of fabrics you can use to upgrade an old shade. And remember, if you’ve gone for a bold shade for your walls, you’ll need to repeat it elsewhere – here it happened to be in an armchair and o oman.

DECO INSPIRATION

6 SENSE OF CONNECTION Carry on the clay colour established in the living room with a so er wash of the same shade in the dining zone to create harmony between the two spaces. Consider Replica Eames oﬃce chairs in tan in lieu of dining chairs – not only are they an excellent colour ﬁt, they’re also comfortable. Kalimantan bamboo wall lamp, small, $184.90; large, $302.98, etsy.com/au. Similar round crystal/brass pendants, creativelightingsolutions.com.au.

What sets this dining room apart is the unusual choice of oﬃce chairs – on wheels for greater mobility and ﬂexibility.

DECO INSPIRATION

7 BESPOKE THE HEART OF THE HOME

Swap the cover of a swing-arm ceiling light for a mini crystal chandelier shade.

BHG WINTER

Look for opportunities to elevate your kitchen from the norm – a full-height glass mosaic splashback, an interesting surface ﬁnish on cabinetry... Ask your cabinetmaker for two types of vertical timber veneer planks joined in the middle for the face of each cabinet. But know you can achieve a less costly yet similar eﬀect by alternating pale woodgrain laminated cabinets with ones that are ever so slightly darker.

8, 11 IN THE OPEN AND UNDER COVER A covered outdoor terrace of majestic proportions becomes a virtual all-weather space – even in winter – due to an in-built ﬁreplace, windows, transparent outdoor blinds and all the comforts of home. Even an old leather sofa that’s seen be er days, but is too good to discard, can be called on to decorate the space. Keep the mood relaxed with woven ra an pendant shades and weatherproof wicker.

In lieu of a costly concrete ﬂoor, try oversize cement-look tiles. 10

9, 10 ON THE MENU Be inspired to design an island with suﬃcient seating for the kids and their friends who may drop in a er school. There’s li le doubt they’ll gravitate to the kitchen to do a spot of supervised homework and be fed. And, for the chef in the family, go all out on your cooking appliances with a dual-fuel range cooker and pigeon pair built-in microwave and coﬀee maker. Stick to black appliances as they’re timeless.

DECO INSPIRATION

Explore marble-like slab ceramic wall tiles for an air of elegant luxury. For similar, check out Spacious Arabascato White Ma slab, beaumont-tiles.com.au.

12, 13 TIME TO REFLECT Beat the winter blues and invite paradise into your home with a wallpaper mural of a tropical beach scene at dusk. Pull up a bamboo chair resplendent with a sheepskin rug and cushions for comfort and bask in the imaginary warmth. Then again, if there’s a spot in your home that’s a bit of a sun trap, arrange storage cubes under the window. The moment you add an easy-make day bed cushion, it becomes a comfy window seat for chilling out. BHG WINTER

14, 15 MAKE A SPLASH When you commission your new kitchen, get a quote for a vanity/ dressing table for your bathroom at the same time, as taking the bespoke route may be as aﬀordable as buying in store – and you get an exact ﬁt to suit your storage needs and style aspirations. PS, note the cabinetry’s semi-circular cut-out ‘handles’, the shape of which are echoed by the round mirror and triptych make-up mirror (for similar, visit etsy.com).

Photography Chiela van Meerwijk/Inside Features

16 ENLIST PAINT MAGIC Trick the eye into believing the head of the bed is tucked into a protective wall niche. All you need to do is mask the wall and ceiling about 50cm from the back wall, then use a warm clay-toned paint to create a so distressed finish. The earthy hue serves to energise a room where white and grey dominate. You can view YouTube online tutorials on how to create a textured finish using Dulux Suede Effect paint. Staying true to a mix and match theme, Moroccan pendants feature prominently in this bedroom.

Pick bedding to coordinate with your chosen paint hue, here a warmish clay. Vibrant orange will certainly brighten a bedroom with grey accents, but if its citrus zing is a tad overwhelming, compromise with an earthy terraco a — check out the Darcy corduroy Terraco a Quilt Cover with two pillowcases, $230/queen, sheetsociety.com.

DESIGNER LIVING

CALL COAST

THE

OF THE

BE TRANSPORTED TO THE COAST WITH THESE REFRESHING IDEAS FOR YEARROUND FEEL-GOOD BEACH STYLE!

1 H AV E A P L AY W IT H G R E Y

Turn to versatile grey to create a neutral interior that can only be described as tranquil and eminently suitable for a beach home. But what about the school of thought that grey has had its day? The truth is we are seeing a shi towards so er, warmer greys. To bring your cool grey and bright white room up to date, paint just the architraves and skirting in a warm greige.

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DESIGNER LIVING

W HY O PT FO R TH E E XP EC TE D P L A STE R C E I LI N G W H E N YO U CAN GO FO R B LE AC H E D B OAR DS?

CO SY U P TH E S PAC E I N WI NTE R WITH G E N U I N E O R FAUX S H E E PS KI N R U G S

esirable living often equates to interiors with the distinct vibe of a beach house. By their very nature, these houses are relaxed in attitude and have a way of encouraging you to put down roots – perhaps because they project peace and serenity, something we all crave for ourselves and our forever home. But how do you go about achieving the look without resorting to the usual coastal decorating cliches heavily dominated by seashells, anchors and the like? The answer lies in erring towards the classic, using natural ﬁbres and materials throughout, lining the walls, ﬂoor and ceiling with stained, painted and/or bleached timbers, embracing a white and stormy beach-inspired palette, and repeating a single splash of colour here and there for continuity. Natural light is imperative, but furniture can be a mix and match affair.

BHG WINTER

2 S PAC E S E C R E T S

3 BRANCH OUT

The key to delineating living and dining areas is furniture arrangement. Here, a near-black sofa does the trick. It’s smartly tailored with tu ed bu ons and decorative tacks, serving to contrast with the casual slip-covered sofas alongside it. Whether you’re hosting a soiree or chilling with friends, it oﬀers an inviting gathering spot.

Look for solid pieces that will reinforce the beachy vibe, such as a timber drum stool or log side table. Another option is to take the DIY route and assemble wood logs into a stylish side table, similar to here. View YouTube video tutorials for how-to ideas on construction. Finish with your desired timber stain/varnish.

R E P E AT TH E U LTR A- D E E P CHARCOAL O R B L AC K O F YO U R WI N DOWS I N ACC E NT P I EC E S S U C H A S P H OTO F R AM E S

4 , 5 O N D I S P L AY

Depart from the usual blue and white accents and opt for the vibrancy of burnt orange. Its warmth makes it the perfect partner for cosy greys. And, when creating tabletop vigne es, practice restraint when it comes to kitsch beach decor. A single piece of chunky sea-washed dri wood accompanies black and white seascapes (above). Somewhat more subtle is the arrangement at le , where an African mask and other collectibles take pride of place. The only nod to the theme is the dri wood lamp base.

MAKE A CA S E FO R AN O PE N AN D S H UT TI M B E R VAN IT Y IT TU R N S EVE RYDAY TOW E L S I NTO D ECO R !

P O S ITI O N A CO M PAC T SO FA I N F RO NT O F YO U R B E D TO TAKE I N TH E VI EWS I N WI NTE R L AY A P L AI N O R STR I P E D R U G THAT TO N E S WITH YO U R CO LO U R SC H E M E

TI M B E R F LOO R BOAR DS AD D VI SUAL WAR MTH

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6 B AT H I N G B E L L E

7 B L AC K M AG I C

A timeless dark charcoal bathroom, from paint to tiles, gives a beach house a more modern and sleek aesthetic, yet one that’s just as calming as a traditional nauticalinspired colour scheme. If you do decide on a timber vanity, opt for Shaker-style doors and a grey stone or quartz countertop for cohesion.

There are monochromatic schemes you can describe as pleasingly restful, but this dramatic interpretation is pure magic! The striking deep charcoal on the walls is repeated on the window sashes, bars and rails in sharp contrast to the crisp white architraves, skirting and freestanding tub.

DESIGNER LIVING

B R I N G I N C L A S S I C F U R N ITU R E W ITH C LE A N LI N E S EVE N I F F RO M D I F F E R E NT E R A S

GO FO R C R I S P W H ITE LI N E N O R COT TO N B E D D I N G WITH CHARCOAL B L AN KETS AN D/ O R COVE R LETS

8 LET THERE BE LI G H T

Work on creating a lo ier, airier feel in your bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, taking advantage of the roof cavity without altering the facade of the house. To bathe the room in natural light, allow for an abundance of windows and glass doors opening up to balcony views. Skylights are also a good option.

9 O N B OA R D

Allow yourself to be transported to the coast, even if you live in the bush or ’burbs, by laying the groundwork for the style. Start by cladding your walls with horizontal shiplap or wide timber boards. Both are textbook coastal style. But, rather than opt for traditional white or blue walls, paint them a pale-to-mid grey with warm undertones.

DESIGNER LIVING

Paper your walls with seagrass wallpaper. The weave adds texture and the natural colour brings warmth. It’s subtle enough to let the bed take centre stage yet assertive enough to make a statement and not fade into the background. Here, too, the ceiling is lined with timber boards, which are painted a bright white that gives the impression of height. Had they been the same as in the living room, wall and ceiling would appear to merge, with the eﬀect of a lower ceiling. 12 ZEST FOR GLASS

Avoid clu ering tabletops to promote a feeling of calm. A couple of hand-blown glass sculptures in a zesty orange will contribute a sense of vibrancy without overwhelming your scheme.

F R AM E YO U R WI N DOWS O R DOO R S WITH F LOO R LE N GTH CU RTAI N S LI N E D TH EY AF FO R D P R IVACY AN D B LOC K LI G HT BHG WINTER

Photography GAP Interiors/Costas Picadas

1 0, 1 1 D R E A M W E AV E R

DESIGN MATTERS

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BATTERY POWERED

Illumination It may be small but this cordless lamp delivers an inviting glow, adjustable to three settings, inside and out. Column table lamp 17.5H x 12cm dia., from $465, oskiandlottie.com.au.

DESIGN A SOFA VELVET EMBRACE Perfect for winter! Amalﬁ Quarto cushion in Cream, Lime and Khaki 50 x 30cm, $59.95, isalbi.com.au.

Now you can choose your preferred style, conﬁguration and fabric. Et voila – a sofa, tailor-made to your specs. How good is that? Seen here, the Roba 3-seater velvet sofa in Turtle Blue, $2699, earlyse ler.com.au.

EASY PEASY

Focus on tiles Pa erned tiles are hot, hot, hot. And why wouldn’t they be when they provide a wealth of visual interest and character. Lay them on the ﬂoor or be braver than most and use them as a wall feature. Seen here, Majorca motif ma ﬁnish in Navy 198 x 198 x 8.5mm, $79.72/sqm, beaumont-tiles.com.au.

BHG WINTER

FLORALS Flower arranging not your forte? This arrangement is so lifelike, you won’t believe it’s faux! It comes in a stylish glass vase with a wide body and narrow neck and even faux water to make it as real as possible. Rogue Banksia Mix-Pail Vase in Coral/Clear 60 x 50 x 55cm, isalbi.com.au.

MIX TO MATCH

Photography GAP Interiors/Julien Fernandez

Go natural – but far from neutral – by building layers of tone, texture and timber from ceiling to ﬂoor. Check out the irregular ﬂagstone pa ern underfoot, which adds subtle interest. Striking lighting enhances the appeal, with an extra burst of sunshine from the bold two-tone chairs.

DESIGN MATTERS

Curio The display potential of this eyecatching resin piece is high. Invite interest by resting it on a stack of books, a tabletop or bookshelf, but leave space around it so it can be fully appreciated. Amalﬁ Bela Sculpture in Gold 37 x 19 x 18cm, $139.95, isalbi.com.au.

DECORATIVE GLASS

BEDROOM MAKEOVER Transform your sleeping space in an instant by taking things up a notch with new accessories in unexpected colours. Maison Vintage standard pillowcases in Hazelnut, $39.95 each; Luxury Velvet in Merlot pillowcases, $49.95 each, cushion, $79; Vintage linen fringe throw in Syrah, $149, aurahome.com.au.

OBJET D’ART Art comes in many forms, such as this shapely vase – a design statement in itself. Society Home Hugo vase in Black/Gold 18 x 18 x 30cm, $69.95, isalbi.com.au.

ON THE TILES

Blind ambition A stylish interior deserves elegant shades for privacy and light control. Featuring so ly contoured vanes at front and a ached to a single sheer backing are Piroue e Shadings, POA, luxaﬂex.com.au. BHG WINTER

Prices are approximate and a guide only

With all the authenticity and charm of aged timber parquetry, these easy clean tiles are a practical choice for both traditional and contemporary interiors. Artwood Black Blue Parquetry porcelain tiles 598 x 598mm, $111.23/sqm, beaumont-tiles.com.au.

EASY TO GROW

T R E AT YO U R SE L F OR S O M EO NE S P E C IA L

H A R D T O F I N D . C O M . AU

ROOM REVAMP

YOU C A

N TURN

CASUAL

A DEA D

CORNER

Dining

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ZONE IN

TO A F L

EXIBLE

R SHAR O ING E F C MEA A P S LS A Y L I ND H M A AVIN F G FU N !

hack your space for smart style Think

outside of the box – or the corner – to turn an underutilised area into a functional dining zone. With clever positioning you can have it all – a table, sideboard, extra seating and storage!

B E FO R E

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

ROOM REVAMP

busy household needs to meet the needs of your whole family. And while a dining table is essential for gathering at mealtimes, with a couple of clever DIY projects and furniture hacks you can create a space that can be used in other ways – especially if you have a slightly awkward corner to work with, as in this home. Floating shelves across three walls connect the spaces while the dining table can be moved into a corner with bench seats to open up the room.

EASY STEPS TO WRAPAROUND WALL SHELVES Make the most of an awkward corner with slimline ﬂoating shelves. You can wrap them around as many walls as you like for seamless – and stylish – storage and display.

STEP 7

STEP 10

STEP 5 Gather your supplies • Kaboodle 900mm Slimline Steel Shelf and supplied hardware You’ll also need Clamps; drill; 3.5 and 4.5mm drill bits; ladder; tape measure; pencil; 90 x 45mm timber lengths; spirit level; 6.5mm masonry bit; green wall plugs; hammer

For you to note • The steel shelves also come in 600mm, so you can mix and match to suit your space. • For stud walls, determine stud positions and ensure screws a aching shelves to wall go into the stud centres. Here’s how STEP 1 Assemble all the steel shelves you need using the supplied hardware. STEP 2 To join units along a wall, bu together and BHG WINTER

STEP 11 STEP 8 STEP 6 clamp. Drill 3.5mm holes through sides of one unit and slightly into the next. Screw together using supplied 32mm Tek screws. STEP 3 Drill clearance holes through back rails of units for screws using 4.5mm bit. STEP 4 Measure from the ceiling to mark where bo om rail of shelves will sit, leaving about 20mm clearance at the top. STEP 5 Position 90 x 45mm timber lengths so they sit against the wall, are at bo om of shelves and level. STEP 6 Sit shelves on timbers so side is ﬂush with the external corner. Check for level and mark wall

STEP 12 STEP 9 though holes in frame for screws. Remove shelves. STEP 7 Drill wall holes for screws using 6.5mm masonry bit. STEP 8 Insert green wall plugs into holes and use hammer to tap into place. STEP 9 Reposition shelves on timber supports and screw into wall plugs using supplied 70mm screws.

STEP 10 On adjacent wall, repeat Steps 2-9. At corner, make shelves ﬂush with outside of units already a ached, and clamp. STEP 11 Repeat Step 2 to screw the shelves together. STEP 12 Position melamine shelves on wall units. FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE

play with your floor plan A round

table promotes flow and offers more flexibility. Centre it in the room for everyday dining, but when extra space is needed for yoga, games or parties, you can move it to use the corner bench as seating.

bust your clutter You

can turn lamp tables into bench seats with a bit of DIY. The drawers hide the mess of family life while the black metal legs go perfectly with the wall shelves.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 6

EASY STEPS TO CORNER BENCH SEATS Repurpose side tables into seating with this furniture hack. You join them to make benches to sit in a corner, then cut budget-friendly timber for the seat tops. Gather your supplies • Lamp table with drawer (4) • 42 x 19mm dressed pine ba en • 1800 x 600 x 26mm FJ timber panel (2) You’ll also need Clamps; drill; countersinking drill bit; 30 and 50mm screws; green wall plugs; circular saw; water-based clear varnish; painting gear

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Here’s how STEP 1 Remove drawers and pair 2 lamp tables on each adjacent wall but don’t let them meet in the corner. STEP 2 Clamp table pairs together. Predrill using a countersinking drill bit and join using 30mm screws. STEP 3 Cut 42 x 19mm ba ens to fit along ends of tables in corner. Predrill and screw to tables using 30mm screws, so ba en is flush with top. STEP 4 Cut ba ens to fit

along walls in corner flush with table tops. A ach with plugs and 50mm screws. STEP 5 Cut timber tops to size. Make 20mm longer than tops of table pairs. STEP 6 Position timber tops on joined tables. Make the ends in the corner flush with cabinets so they overhang 20mm at the other ends. STEP 7 Predrill and screw through tables into timber tops from underneath, using 30mm screws. STEP 8 Use panel offcuts to make top to fit in corner. Sit on top of ba ens, then predrill and screw down through top into ba ens

STEP 7 using 50mm screws. STEP 9 Apply 2 coats of varnish to benchtops and corner piece with roller, and to edges with a paintbrush, leaving to dry a er each coat. Return drawers. FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE

ROOM REVAMP

GET THE LOOK Selby candle holder, $149/pair, mcmullinandco.com.

Art series framed print No.4, $159, freedom.com.au. Medium wooden storage box, $12, target. com.au.

Teddy vessel in Terracotta, $109, mcmullinandco.com. STYLING TIPS AND TRICKS FOR

Photography Sue Ferris; styling Vanessa Tidy; projects Karenza Jewell

DINING BY DESIGN • This four-door buffet is from the same range of furniture as the lamp tables used for the bench seats, creating a connection between the corner nook and the adjacent wall. • Hang a pair of wall mirrors behind the buffet by pu ing screws into the wall to suit the keyhole hooks on the mirrors. The mirrors bounce light around the room and reference the angular black frames of the floating wall shelves. • Create a room that is contemporary yet warm and inviting by teaming dramatic black with natural timber. You can do this with classic designer pieces like the replica wishbone chairs used here, with their black frames, and accessories such as the timber candlesticks on the black buffet. • To keep a room with bright white walls and black furniture from looking stark, go natural and neutral when accessorising. As well as timber, think earth tones for so furnishings, vases and ornaments, use cushions and artwork to introduce pa ern and don’t forget to bring in greenery – the more the be er.

Nigel fruit bowl in White, $129, Shipwrecked mcmullinandco.com. stripe linen cushion 55 x 55cm, $49, saltliving. com.au.

Navarre geo linen cushion in Black 50 x 50cm, $69.99, adairs.com.au.

Belgian vintage washed linen cushion in Brown Sugar 50 x 50cm, $79.99, adairs.com.au.

Figaro black sculpture, $85, indigolove.com.au.

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE

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DIY ARTWORK

ME FRA UP

IT’S A

EASY STEPS TO YOUR TEXTURED ARTWORK STEP 7

STEP 1 STEP 8

STEP 2 STEP 9

STEP 3

STEP 10

STEP 6

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FOR SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE

Gather your supplies • Stretched canvas • Pre-mixed cornice cement • Acrylic paint • 42 x 19 DAR pine • 25 x 25 x 20mm angle brackets (4) • Black timber wax • 97 x 20 x 2mm mending plates (4) You’ll also need 250mm curved broadknife; 6mm notched trowel; paintbrushes; saw; pencil; drill; 2mm drill bit; tape; PVA glue; ﬁne grit sandpaper; so lint-free cloth; screw hooks; black chain Here’s how STEP 1 Apply a thin layer of cornice cement to entire canvas using broadknife. STEP 2 Use notched trowel to make grooved arches in cement. Leave to set. STEP 3 Apply 2 coats of paint to 1 grooved pa ern using a paintbrush, leaving to dry a er each coat. STEP 4 For frame sides,

cut 2 pieces of pine to length of canvas sides plus 6mm. For frame top and base, cut 2 pieces of pine to width of canvas plus 44mm. STEP 5 Bu 1 side into base piece and position angle bracket in corner. Mark screw holes on both pieces. Repeat for all frame corners. STEP 6 Drill pilot holes at marked locations, using 2mm drill bit and tape as a depth gauge. STEP 7 Apply glue to 1 end of a side; position against base piece. Screw angle bracket to corner using supplied screws. Repeat for other side, then a ach top piece. Leave glue to dry. STEP 8 Sand frame to smooth and remove dust. Apply a coat of wax using a so cloth. Leave to dry for 5 minutes, then buﬀ. STEP 9 Lay canvas face down in frame with 3mm shadowline even all around. Screw mending plates across corners into both picture frame and canvas frame. STEP 10 Mark holes 80mm in from frame top edges. Insert screw hooks, a ach chain and hang artwork.

Photography Brent Wilson; styling Erin Brikich; projects Chris Cort

extured art is trending on social media and it’s easy to see why. And you don’t need to be an artist – you can make your own with cornice cement. Build a frame and bingo, you have a gallery-worthy creation.

You can create abstract art that won’t break the bank

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get the look on a budget Take your

textured artwork to the next level with a simple but stylish frame. Build it from plain pine, then apply black wax to give the timber a stylish ﬁnish.

JULIET LOVE Join me as I show you more great decorating ideas and projects on BHG TV on Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change)

Go to bhg.com.au for more deco tips and tricks.

DESIGNER DIY

clutter buster

Get a whole new angle on clearing the chaos from your front door

he entry to your home is a notorious clutter hotspot. Clear up the mess and create an eye-catching piece in one go by building this clever coat rack. The hooks on the rack fold out to suit the wide array of stuff you shed as you walk through the door, so you’ll always have a spot to store and sort it.

EASY STEPS TO BUILD A COAT RACK Gather your supplies • 65 x 32mm x 2.4m Tasmanian oak (2) • 8mm x 1.2m threaded rod • 8mm nylon lock nuts (2) • 897 x 600 x 12mm ply You’ll also need Circular saw with fence a achment; mitre saw; clamps; scrap timber; dowel jig; marker; drill; 8mm bit; sander with 180grit discs; lint-free cloth; gloves; Danish oil; 240grit sandpaper; hacksaw; hammer; adjustable spanners; 19mm spade bit; countersinking drill bit; painting gear; undercoat; interior paint to match wall; tape measure; 30 and 60mm screws; spirit level

BHG WINTER

SEEN ON BHG TV

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Genius in its simplicity, this rack is the perfect way to showcase your DIY skills and keep your hallway mess-free.

IT’S A COAT RACK BY NAME BUT YOU CAN USE IT FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN HANG FROM HATS TO HANDBAGS STYLE CENTRAL

Use your new rack as the basis for a stunning entry transformation. A timber bench with clean, modern lines and angled legs echoes its design, while a pair of cosy cushions adds subtle colour and a basket provides extra storage.

STEP 2

Here’s how STEP 1 Use circular saw with fence a achment to cut timber in half along its length to make 4 lengths of 32mm square. STEP 2 Use mitre saw to cut 27 x 195mm long blocks of oak. Clamp scrap timber stopping block to saw so pieces are the same length. STEP 3 Clamp an oak block to bench. Sit dowel jig over timber so lugs on jig are on end and one side of

STEP 3

STEP 9

STEP 4 STEP 10

STEP 5 STEP 12

STEP 8

BHG WINTER

STEP 13

block. Mark side of block the lug of the jig is on. This is the back side of the block; marking it now will make construction easier later. STEP 4 Use 8mm bit to drill a hole all the way through block, going through 8mm hole on jig. The dowel jig will keep the bit straight, which is essential to the success of the project. Do this to all blocks except for the two that will be the end blocks. STEP 5 Set mitre saw to cut on a 45 angle and place a block on the saw with marked side against saw. Align block with saw blade so it cuts oﬀ the end on an angle, leaving about 3mm of the end intact so you don’t create a sharp point. Clamp scrap timber to saw as a stopping block so all cuts on blocks are the same. Cut end, then turn block over and cut the other end so it goes in the opposite direction across timber. Repeat with 12 more blocks. STEP 6 Use sander with 180-grit discs to smooth out blocks and remove any cu ing marks on them. STEP 7 Wearing gloves, use a cloth to apply 2 coats Danish oil to all blocks. Allow to dry and lightly sand with 240-grit paper between coats. STEP 8 Use hacksaw to cut threaded rod into a single 812mm length. Starting with an angled block, align blocks on your bench, alternating between full and angled blocks. Make sure marked sides are facing down. Starting from one end, make threaded rod go through all the holes drilled in blocks. Tap the end of the rod with a hammer, threading a nut

onto it ﬁrst so you don’t damage the end of the rod. STEP 9 Put a nut on other end of threaded rod and use a pair of adjustable spanners to tighten nuts against blocks. The blocks should be able to turn but not be ﬂoppy. STEP 10 On end blocks, use dowel jig and 8mm bit to mark them with position of holes in all other blocks. Make sure you mark the right side of one block and the le side of the other. Switch to 19mm spade bit and drill 10mm deep holes to countersink for nuts. STEP 11 Use circular saw to cut an 845 x 100mm panel out of ply to create backing board. Undercoat, allow to dry, then paint to match your wall colour. STEP 12 Sit block assembly on bench with end blocks over the nuts and marked sides facing up. Sit backing board on top so it is 62mm from bo om of blocks and distance to outside of the end blocks is even. Predrill through backing board into blocks without angled ends and screw together using 30mm screws. STEP 13 Position coat rack on wall in desired spot and use spirit level to make level. Predrill through backing board and a ach to wall with 60mm screws. DIY TIP

• When ﬁxing to a plasterboard wall, make sure screws go into timber wall studs.

for shopping details and PROJECT SUPPLIES, see OUR stockists page

Photography Brent Wilson; styling Erin Brikich; projects Greg Sparke

DESIGNER DIY

ADVERTISING FEATURE

FULL OF SURPRISES FOR WENDY O’HALLORAN RETIREMENT HAS GIVEN HER THE TIME TO PURSUE HER PASSIONS

fter running a number of Perth fashion boutiques for 40 years, Wendy O’Halloran, 65, retired with many of her regular customers as great friends. She was also lucky enough to have family close by. “My husband and I decided to stay living in the family home where we raised our three kids, Tom, Jack and Mikaela. It was an easy decision; I’m a bit of a homebody and was keen to stay in the place where I’ve made lifelong friends. My daughter lives in the same area, which will come in handy when she starts a family. I’m also just a few kilometres from my 97-year-old mum, who still lives at home independently. I see her every day and we have lots of laughs together,” says Wendy.

“Fitness is a big part of my life with my husband, and we’ve always enjoyed running together.”

Retirement has not only given her more time with family but it’s also allowed her to explore her passion for sport and singing. “Fitness is a big part of my life with my husband, and we’ve always enjoyed running together, particularly now I have more time. I joined the West Australian Marathon Club when I retired and have been volunteering on the committee as Public Relations Co-coordinator. I also started running competitively – I’ve surprised myself by winning the Club Champion in my age category five times! I also took up golf and singing in a small community choir.

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST OVER- s HOME LOANS I recently started jamming with a band of three other girls, which has been a real blast – something I never thought I’d do!” With some solid planning behind her, Wendy’s financial security has given her the peace of mind to enjoy her newfound passions. “We’ve lived life our way, but while we were working we always ensured we kept our superannuation contributions up, which has been a blessing. “*96 @E96C 3=6DD:?8 92D 366? >J ] CDE grandchild, a little girl named Joy. She is the light of my life and I try to spend as much time with her as possible,” says Wendy.

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FURNITURE BUILD

GIVE IT A SPIN AND

GO RETRO! Vinyl is back, baby! Let your collection take centre stage with a custom-built cabinet

ive your record collection its proper recognition by building a custom cabinet to take pride of place in your living room. Using a single sheet of plywood, this simple build features an LP-sized storage area with a smaller space above for a wireless speaker to blast out your tunes or store your favourite rock tomes.

EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR TURNTABLE CABINET Gather your supplies • 2400 x 1200 x 19mm plywood • Water-based enamel paint in dark orange • 150mm hairpin legs (4) • Clear varnish You’ll also need Circular saw; scrap plywood for DIY saw guide; combination square; pencil; drill; countersinking drill bit; PVA glue; 50 and 30mm screws; Spakfilla; sander fi ed with fine sandpaper; undercoat; painting gear; 180-grit sandpaper; 20mm bu on head screws

Components ITEM

SIZE

MATERIAL QTY

Tops & bo oms Upper sides Lower sides Rails Spacing block

400 x 500 x 19mm 400 x 200 x 19mm 400 x 200 x 19mm 462 x 50 x 19mm 350 x 400 x 19mm

Plywood Plywood Plywood Plywood Plywood

BHG WINTER

4 2 2 2 1

Here’s how STEP 1 Cut all components to size using circular saw. A DIY saw guide made of scrap plywood will let you quickly cut straight lines. STEP 2 Stack a top and bo om together on your bench. Using combination square, draw a line 9mm from each short edge, then predrill along them for screws using countersinking drill bit. Remove top piece

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3 then drill through the pilot holes in bo om piece to countersink. STEP 3 Spread glue along top edges of upper sides and sit top on them. Predrill through holes in top, then screw together using 50mm screws. Repeat to a ach

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Record rescue

With a dedicated retro music centre, you can save your treasured vinyl record collection from that stack of old milk crates in the garage!

DROP THE NEEDLE AND REVEL IN THE CRACKLE OF A STYLUS ON VINYL STEP 8

STEP 9

STEP 10

STEP 11

STEP 6 STEP 4

STEP 5

BHG WINTER

STEP 7

STEP 12

bo om piece to the other edge of the upper sides. STEP 4 Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to a ach remaining top and bo om pieces to lower sides, to create lower cabinet. STEP 5 Position the rails between sides at back – hard up to top of upper cabinet and to bo om of lower one. Predrill and screw through top or bo om into rail to secure with 50mm screws. STEP 6 Fill all screw holes using Spakﬁlla. Allow to dry, then sand both units smooth using sander. STEP 7 Apply undercoat to the outside faces of the cabinets and the edges of the spacing block. Let dry, then lightly hand-sand with 180-grit paper. STEP 8 Apply 2 coats of paint to all undercoated surfaces. Let dry, sanding lightly between coats. STEP 9 Centre spacing block on lower cabinet. Predrill and screw to lower cabinet using 30mm screws. STEP 10 Sit upper cabinet on spacing block and use combination square to align it with lower cabinet. Predrill and screw through lower cabinet and spacing block into upper cabinet to join, using 50mm screws. STEP 11 Position hairpin legs on underside of bo om cabinet, 20mm from edges. Predrill and a ach using 20mm bu on head screws. STEP 12 Apply 2 coats of clear varnish to all raw timber. Let dry, sanding lightly a er each coat. FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES AND SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE

Photography Brent Wilson, Sue Ferris; styling Vanessa Tidy; project John Rae

FURNITURE BUILD

ADVERTISING FEATURE

BRING THE SUN HOME SAVE MONEY AND SUPPORT A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BY TAPPING INTO OUR GREATEST NATURAL RESOURCE

Brighte Capital Pty Ltd (ABN 74 609 165 906). Fees, terms, conditions and approval criteria apply.

mid the growing global focus on sustainability, more and more Australian households are turning their thoughts to solar power as a clean and renewable source of energy. Yet in an era where the cost of living keeps rising – especially our power bills – finding the upfront funds for such big-ticket home improvements isn’t always easy when balanced against day-to-day expenses. It’s a reality that sustainability financier Brighte is supporting Australians to overcome. Having helped more than 80,000 Aussie households make the switch to solar, they let the numbers speak for themselves. HELPING EVERYDAY AUSSIES With a clear vision to make every home sustainable, Brighte puts solar installation within easier reach by providing affordable financing options, chiefly a 0% interest payment plan (see How It Works).

Yet that’s just the start, as figures show the average Brighte customer also saves $1000 on their annual power bills*, which can help to offset their repayments. It’s a winwin situation both environmentally and economically. TRUSTED NETWORK Of course, with such big-ticket projects, trust and transparency are essential. And here, Brighte offers peace of mind with its 2500-strong network of trusted tradies across Australia who look after the installation process for home owners. It’s about having the right partner for an investment in a sustainable future that could also benefit your hip pocket. *Source: Deloitte Access Economics, ‘Consumer and vendor study: Brighte Capital Pty Limited’, August 2019”

VISIT YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER AT BRIGHTE.COM.AU

HOW IT WORKS Wondering how Brighte can offer 0% interest? Simple – it makes its money through a fee from its tradies and affordable account management fees. For Brighte’s home owners, most of the set-up work is done online. They organise quotes via Brighte’s network of trusted tradies, then apply for financing and book installation. Brighte’s easy-to-use app makes it simple to stay on top of such things as your balance and repayment dates. There’s also a seven-day support team available on 1300 274 448.

1 B O H O BA S K E T

Decorate the rim of a loose-weave seagrass basket with le over chunky yarn and a few simple stitches. A plastic yarn needle (with a large eye for threading the yarn) makes it a simple process to stitch through the basket weave. Make DIY tassels and/or pom poms as the ﬁnal touch — either or both look terriﬁc dangling from the handles. Instructions on page 146

BHG WINTER

EASY CRAFT

chunky yarn ADD GREAT TEXTURE WITH

There’s no need for you to be skilled in knitting or crochet to make these easy decorative pieces from leftover yarn – so tactile you’ll want to reach out and touch them!

EASY CRAFT

WANT AN E XTR A L AYE R O F TAC TI LE I NTE R E ST ? W H E N W R AP P I N G FOAM BALL S TH R E AD B E AD S O NTO YAR N A S YO U GO

2 O R N A M E N TA L O R B S

Make the most of le over yarn and inject colour and a dash of DIY a itude into your living rooms simply by covering polystyrene balls with colourful yarn. To secure the yarn end, thread the yarn through the eye of a plastic yarn needle and pass it under the wrapped yarn. Snip the excess thread and it’s ready to display. 3 C R A F T E D C O N TA I N E R S

Jazz up a plain pot with texture and colour. Cut yarn to the pot’s circumference plus 10cm. Cut a yarn end on the diagonal. Hot glue around pot base but stop short of joining. Snip free end diagonally so when you glue the ends together, they are as one. Repeat for diﬀerent colours. 4 WOV E N R U N N E R

Give a natural-ﬁbre table runner a style upgrade with a few rows of running stitch at each end. To stitch, simply cut each piece of yarn to runner width plus 25-30cm. Tie yarn at start of each row then, working across runner and using desired stitch length, weave yarn in and out through the runner with a duct tape ‘needle’ (technique 2, page 146). Knot to ﬁnish. Repeat with as many rows and colours as you wish.

5 CHUNKY BLANKET

To create a tactile throw perfect for snuggling up, choose your adventure – hand-kni ing, arm-kni ing or using 15-25mm and even bigger kni ing needles (depending on your yarn thickness). This lap blanket was hand-kni ed using an unspun super chunky jumbo-weight yarn. Check online tutorials to compare your options. If you are hand-kni ing, make sure you have ample ﬂoor space to spread out while you work. Any le over yarn can be used for decorative accents (see Rosy accent, below).

6 R O SY AC C E N T

Dress up a basic cushion with a flowery embellishment, woven using different plys of yarn, including a thick jumbo-weight yarn. Like sparkly stamens? Loosely weave a short section of gold yarn around centre first then, when accent is complete, snip gold yarn at the front. Instructions on page 146

WINTER BHG

EASY CRAFT

IT’S ALL IN THE TECHNIQUE BOHO BASKET

For each decorative accent, thread yarn (cut length between 45-60cm) through large-eyed plastic needle. Knot ends. Referring to main photo (see page 142) and far le , stitch through basket (from inside to basket front) to create pa erns of choice. Here, the yarn repeatedly loops up and over the rim, then through to the front again, covering from one to several rows, depending on the pa ern. When done stitching, ﬁnish as desired, such as cinching centre of some embellishments, and knot to secure inside basket. Follow diagrams (below) to create a simple tassel and pom pom.

WOVEN RUNNER Make your own DIY yarn needle by tightly wrapping duct tape around yarn to thread through a loose open-weave fabric.

ROSY ACCENT Cut a card template to desired circumference. Make a small hole in template centre. Thread a long piece of yarn through hole and wrap around template an odd number of times (11 here). Pull a 90cm length of yarn through hole and tie oﬀ (this is the back). Starting at the centre, weave yarn in and out of framework. Keep weaving to do full circle, changing yarn type as desired. Tie ends at back. Stitch woven ﬂower in place. HOW TO MAKE A TASSEL 1

HOW TO MAKE A POM POM

LARK’S HEAD KNOT

2 1 2

BHG WINTER

HAN G YAR N F E ATH E R S F RO M DOWE L RO DS O R D R I F T WOO D WITH P U R S E C LI PS

7 ORGANIC ART

Fun feather wall hangings require only one knot type. Cut a 60cm length of yarn and fold it in half. Loop through a small metal ring and tie a lark’s head knot (see opposite page). Cut 24 pieces of yarn to 15cm.Fold one in half; join to centre yarn with lark’s head knot; pull ends to the le (technique 4, opposite). Repeat with a second yarn, pulling ends to the right. Continue, alternating the sides. Once all 24 pieces are tied on, tighten knots. Tie oﬀ original long centre strings to secure. Trim into desired feather shape. Repeat to create additional feathers.

CRAFT PROJECTS

LANTERN O’ PETALS

TURN WATER BOTTLES INTO A MODERN LIGHT SHADE.

Put plastic water bo les in the spotlight by shaping them into a collection of contemporary ﬂowers. You simply spray-paint the petals and stick them to a paper lantern to create a unique pendant light. Now that’s upcycling! Instructions on page 150

blooming

BEAUTIES

Create pretty flower-inspired projects for a winter garden that will stay forever fresh – no weeding needed!

BHG WINTER

forever FLOWERS

Replace seeds, water and sunshine with co on, stitches and linen to create a duo of embroidery hoops featuring lovely lavender stalks and a wispy crop of dandelions. It’s super simple to do, using just three stitches, and makes a gorgeous gi , too! Instructions on page 150

CRAFT PROJECTS

Gather your supplies • Co on buds • Scissors • Foam ball • Food colour gel • Glass bowl • Artiﬁcial ﬂower stem

STEP 1

STEP 2 Here’s how STEP 1 Cut co on buds 25mm from each end and discard offcuts. Push cut ends of buds into foam ball, spaced about 5mm apart. STEP 2 Shallow dip co on bud-covered ball in a bowl of food gel; rotate to cover all buds. For contrast, you can dip dye single buds in a different colour. Let dry for 24 hours, rotating ball as it dries. Cut flower head off artificial stem. Poke into ball. BHG WINTER

FOREVER FLOWERS – LAVENDER

FOREVER FLOWERS – DANDELIONS

Gather your supplies • 50-60 empty water bo les in assorted sizes, labels removed • Scissors or electric knife (optional) • Spray paint • 50cm-diameter paper lantern in white • DIY pendant light suspension kit in white • Heat resistant clear-drying glue

Gather your supplies • 40cm square of linen • Water-soluble marker • 17.5cm and 25cm wood embroidery hoops • DMC No. 5 perle coton #3348 celery green • DMC stranded co on #3042 light purple and #3041 medium purple • Tapestry needle • Felt • Fabric glue

Gather your supplies • 40cm square of linen • Water-soluble marker • 17.5cm and 25cm wood embroidery hoops • DMC No. 5 perle coton #3348 celery green • DMC stranded co on #3348 celery green and #758 dusty pink • Tapestry needle • Felt • Fabric glue

Here’s how STEP 1 Using scissors or an electric knife, cut each water bo le – with lids on – in half. Then cut 5-9 times from the cut edges to the centre of the base or lid of each bo le half, to create petals, shaping the petal ends as desired. STEP 2 Spray-paint the outsides of petals and the bo le lids. Leave to dry. STEP 3 Install pendant light kit. A ach bo le ﬂowers to outside of paper lantern by placing a dab of glue on bo le lids or bo oms of bo le halves. Hang lantern on pendant light cord and insert low wa age light bulb.

Here’s how STEP 1 Using water-soluble marker, trace pa ern (see page 152) onto centre of linen square. Centre linen in 25cm diameter embroidery hoop. Pull fabric taut; tighten screw. STEP 2 Following the pa ern and colour key (see page 152), stitch the design. Use 3 strands of stranded co on for French-knot flowers and 3 strands of perle coton for stem-stitched plant stems and straight-stitched leaf stalks (see General stitch guide, page 152). STEP 3 Remove fabric from embroidery hoop. Dampen fabric to remove any soluble marker lines that are still visible. Using a warm iron and working on wrong side, gently press finished embroidery. STEP 4 Centre fabric into 17.5cm embroidery hoop. Pull fabric taut; tighten screw. Trim fabric, leaving 3cm excess, then trim threads on back of fabric. To finish, glue a 17cm felt circle onto back of piece.

Here’s how STEP 1 Using water-soluble marker, trace pa ern (see page 152), onto centre of linen square. Centre linen in 25cm diameter embroidery hoop. Pull fabric taut; tighten screw. STEP 2 Following the pa ern and colour key (see page 152), stitch the design. Use 3 strands of stranded co on for straight-stitched leaf stalks and French-knot flowers. Use perle coton for stem-stitched plant stems (see General stitch guide, page 152). STEP 3 Remove fabric from embroidery hoop. Dampen fabric to remove any soluble marker lines that are still visible. Using a warm iron and working on wrong side, gently press finished embroidery. STEP 4 Centre fabric into 17.5cm embroidery hoop. Pull fabric taut; tighten screw. Trim fabric, leaving 3cm excess, then trim threads on back of fabric. To finish, glue a 17cm felt circle onto back of piece.

LANTERN O’ PETALS

BALLS OF BLOOMS

Flower craft never goes out of style – or season!

SIMPLE COTTON BUDS MAKE PRETTY FLOWERS!

balls of BLOOMS Did you know that ornamental onions – called alliums – are stunning spring bulbs? Create your own using dip-dyed co on buds and foam balls to make shapely purple faux ﬂower heads, then put them on display in a shapely vase. Instructions on opposite page

for PROJECT SUPPLIES, see OUR stockists page

CRAFT PROJECTS

GENERAL STITCH GUIDE

STEM STITCH

DANDELIONS FULL-SIZE EMBROIDERY PATTERN

STRAIGHT STITCH

FRENCH KNOT

LAVENDER FULL-SIZE EMBROIDERY PATTERN DMC COLOURS:

Straight stitch

#3042

Straight stitch

#758

Stem stitch

#3041

Stem stitch

#3348

French knot

#3348

French knot

DMC COLOURS:

BHG WINTER

READER OFFER

BUYW NNLO 1 . 45 Y $2H O

EAC

Yarn KNIT KITS Wrap up your little ones in stylish, snuggly fashion this winter!

APRIL MATINEE JACKET & HAT COL 1 Fits baby 6-9 (12-18) months

APRIL MATINEE JACKET & HAT COL 2 Fits baby 6-9 (12-18) months

IVY CARDIGAN & BEANIE COL 2 Fits baby 6-9 (12-18) months

rom knitted matinee jackets or cardies with matching hats to scarfand-beanie sets and the prettiest textured blankets, you’ll adore these baby and toddler kits, each beautifully presented in a paper bag with a cute ribbon detail.

AVA STRIPED BEANIE & SCARF Beanie ﬁts years 2 (4-6) Scarf 15W x 110cmL

NOAH STRIPED BEANIE & SCARF Beanie ﬁts years 2 (4-6) Scarf 15W x 110cmL

EACH KIT INCLUDES • 3 balls of Classique acrylic 8ply 100g yarn • Instructions

CIARA TEXTURED BABY BLANKET COL 2 Size about 75 x 80cm

IVY CARDIGAN & BEANIE COL 1 Fits baby 6-9 (12-18) months

CIARA TEXTURED BABY BLANKET COL 1 Size about 75 x 80cm

TO BUY THESE KITS, OR FOR YARN, VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU SCAN TO SHOP NOW! Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last. WINTER BHG

ECO CLEANING

HOW TO

GREEN YOUR CLEAN Keep your home spick and span with chemical-free cleaning products you can buy or make so your place looks and smells great!

BHG WINTER

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oing green with your clean is better for your wallet, your health and the planet. From doing the laundry to tackling the toilet or scrubbing the kitchen sink, you can get fab results without chemicals. Make your own natural cleaners with simple ingredients or buy eco-friendly plastic-free products. So easy! 1 B E A LIT TLE B IT SA LT Y !

Salt is for more than food! It’s natural, non-toxic and can be used around your home to cut through grease, absorb odours (see Fruity beauty air freshener, page 157) and li stains such as red wine spills on carpet. 2 K E E P M OT H S AT BAY

Fill small calico bags with mixed dried herbs and ﬂowers such as lavender, thyme, cloves, rosemary, bay leaves, ginger, black pepper or cedar chips. Tuck into drawers or a ach to clothes hangers to repel moths. 3 D I Y A R O M AT H E R A PY

Tie a bundle of eucalyptus branches with twine and hang in your shower in a spot where it won’t be hit by much water. The steam releases the oils in the leaves for a fresh, soothing scent. Leave for up to a week.

ECO CLEANING

GOOD TO KNOW

USING ALLERGY AND ASTHMA FRIENDLY PRODUCTS MEANS YOU CAN BREATHE EASY! swap bottles for bars

PLASTIC

FREE Streamline your clean with Pleasant State. Dissolve concentrated bars in glass and silicone bo les to make multi-purpose glass and bathroom cleaners that are plastic-free and non-toxic. Plus, they donate 2% of sales to Take 3 For The Sea, pleasantstate. com.

Natural cleaners are better for your budget and the planet! BHG WINTER

OF PLANT-BASED SOAPS YOU CAN USE FOR THE DISHES SHAVING AND SHAMPOOING PLUS FLAKES FOR DOING THE LAUNDRY theaustraliannaturalsoapcompany.com.au

GREENER CHOICES

You can become a more conscious consumer with planet-friendly products from Urban Ethos. Use Eco Turtles organic tablets to make cleaning sprays in 750ml reusable bottles. Get the starter kit with multipurpose, degreaser, sanitiser, ﬂoor and bathroom tabs plus bottles for $54.95, and 20-pack laundry tabs for $15.95, urbanethos.co.

JUST ADD WATER! Scrub Daddy sponges (pictured) clean so well just with water, indoors and out, plus you can sanitise them in the dishwasher. As for dust, trap it with a Damp Duster, then simply rinse it away, cleanhq.com.au.

READER OFFER SEE PAGE

FRUITY BEAUTY AIR FRESHENER

Cut citrus fruit in half, scoop out all the flesh, fill rinds with sea-salt flakes, add mint or basil leaves and position in a spot to absorb bad odours. Keep out of reach of kids and pets, and replace a er a week.

EASY, ECO & ETHICAL

Replace your plastic dish brush destined for landﬁll with ethically sourced wooden alternatives from Munch. Check out the dish, bo le, cup and vege brushes, $14.99 each, plus more eco essentials such as dish soap, $8.99, and a compostable natural scourer, $7.99 for a two pack, munchcupboard.com.

ECO CLEANING

KITCHEN DEGREASER Make a spray that you can use as a degreaser but also to clean your countertops, inside the fridge and the stovetop. Pour 13/4 cups distilled water into a glass spray bo le. Add 2 tablespoons Castile soap and 20 drops of orange essential oil. Shake well before use.

EASY STEPS TO SCOURING SCRUB Make an amazing scrub to clean your sink, bathtub, shower, stovetop and burned pots and pans, using just two ingredients.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 5

BHG WINTER

Gather your supplies • Bicarbonate of soda • Sweet orange essential oil • Mason jar You’ll also need Glass jug; measuring cup; mixing spoon; ﬂyscreen mesh; scissors; label; microﬁbre cloth

STEP 6

For you to note Mason jars are used for preserving as they have a two-part top – a flat and screw-top lid – that creates a tight seal, making them ideal for storing this scrub. Here’s how STEP 1 Pour 1 cup bicarb soda into a glass jug. STEP 2 Add 15-20 drops sweet orange essential oil to bicarb. STEP 3 Mix well then spoon into Mason jar. STEP 4 Cut a piece of flyscreen mesh to fit inside screw-top lid. STEP 5 Screw mesh lid on Mason jar and add label. STEP 6 Sprinkle scrub onto a damp cloth to use.

GLASS CLEANING SPRAY Create a cleaner that quickly evaporates for sparkling glass. You can also use it on oven doors, and ceramic and chrome surfaces. Combine 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon vinegar in a glass jug, then pour into a glass spray bo le. Shake well before use.

Your life. Your way. Here when you need us. To find out more about our services for children, families, people with disability, carers and older people, contact us.

Call us today 1800 236 762 or visit www.benevolent.org.au

The Benevolent Society acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present. J002927

ECO CLEANING

EASY STEPS TO MOULD REMOVER SPRAY Don’t reach for the bleach next time you see mould. Instead use clove oil – which has antiseptic properties – to make a safe cleaner that kills the mould spores.

Gather your supplies • White vinegar • Distilled water • Glass spray bo le • Tea tree essential oil • Clove essential oil

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE

BHG WINTER

You’ll also need Measuring cups; glass jug; label; microﬁbre cloth or paper towel

For you to note • Vinegar is not recommended for use on stone surfaces – in this recipe, swap it for vodka or rubbing alcohol instead. • You can exchange the tea tree oil for eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon or lavender oil. • Clove oil is available at pharmacies. • You can get distilled water at major supermarkets.

Here’s how STEP 1 Measure 1/3 cup each of white vinegar and distilled water and pour into a glass jug. STEP 2 Carefully pour the vinegar mixture into glass spray bo le. STEP 3 Add 4 drops of tea tree essential oil to the bo le. STEP 4 Add 10 drops of clove essential oil to the bo le. STEP 5 Replace trigger top and a ach a label with the words ‘mould remover’ to bo le. STEP 6 Shake well before use. Spray mould remover directly onto aﬀected areas, then leave to dry for at least an hour. STEP 7 Spray again and gently wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove mould. Rinse and wipe dry. Repeat if needed.

• White vinegar is acidic so cuts through grease, but make sure you dilute it with water. And don’t use it on stone or hardwood ﬂoors. You can also use it as a weed killer, check out bhg. com.au/vinegaras-weed-killer. • Castile soap is a natural soap made from vegetable oils not animal fats. Extremely versatile, you can use it in the shower, to wash dishes, diluted with water as an allpurpose cleaner and in many more ways. • Glass spray bo les are best for natural cleaners, as plastic bo les can leak chemicals. Amber bo les help preserve ingredients such as essential oils which can degrade in light. • Lemon is antibacterial, ﬁghts grease and helps with odours. In fact, any kind of citrus is useful in your DIY cleaners.

Photography Sue Ferris, Brent Wilson; styling Vanessa Tidy; projects Chris Cort. Prices are approximate and a guide only.

STEP 3

STEP 7

ESSENTIALS

• Bicarbonate of soda is a cleaning all-rounder! It’s an eﬀective scourer, grease dissolver, stain remover, deodoriser and drain cleaner.

STEP 1

STEP 4

RECIPE

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ECO LIVING SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

WASTE NOT WANT NOT Cut down on your food waste with simple tips and tricks

very year in Australia we waste 7.6 million tonnes of food and 70% of it is perfectly edible! On top of that, it costs the average household $2000-$2500 annually, according to Foodbank Australia. The top ﬁve most wasted foods are vegetables, bread, fruit, bagged salad and leftovers, but there are easy ways you can make better use of what’s in your fridge and pantry. RECIPE IDEAS

See Fast Ed’s Kitchen for easy, delish dishes using leftovers, see page 78.

FOOD SAVERS • Store dry goods

in airtight containers in your pantry, making sure to mark the use-by dates clearly on labels. Freeze fruit before it goes bad to use later, such as bananas for baking and smoothies. Rotate older ingredients to the front of the fridge so they aren’t forgotten. To refresh stale bread, generously spray the loaf with water, wrap in foil and bake for 10 minutes in the oven at 180 C fan-forced (200 C conventional), until heated through. Remove foil. Bake for 5 more minutes to crisp. Use budget-friendly food vacuum seal bags to refrigerate and freeze food; they prolong food life by reducing freezer burn and oxidisation. Don’t toss that half bunch of herbs leftover from a batch you bought for a recipe and didn’t fully use up. They can be used to make infused oils for cooking and dressings. You’ll find lots of recipes and tutorials online.

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Photography Getty Images

Woolworths is also concerned about food waste and has teamed up with WIRES to provide fruit and vegies that would otherwise be wasted to wildlife in care. To learn more about this partnership supporting our native species, visit wires.org.au/woolworths-andwires-for-wildlife.

Wild indulgence

jungle bungalow

WINNER - Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia Giraffe treehouse

uShaka Lodge

Jamala Wildlife Lodge, located in the heart of Canberra, invites guests to immerse themselves in one of the most unique ĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ :ĂŵĂůĂ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ǌŽŽ ĂƌĞ ůŽĐĂƚĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĨŽƌĞƐŚŽƌĞƐ ŽĨ >ĂŬĞ ƵƌůĞǇ 'ƌŝĸ Ŷ ŝŶ Ă Ϯϱ ŚĞĐƚĂƌĞ ůĂŶĚƐĐĂƉĞĚ ƐĞƫ ŶŐ ĨĞĂƚƵƌŝŶŐ ŵĂŶǇ ƚƌŽƉŝĐĂů ŐĂƌĚĞŶƐ ĂŶĚ ǀĞŐĞƚĂƟ ŽŶ ^ůĞĞƉ ŶĞǆƚ ƚŽ Ă ůŝŽŶ ďĂƚŚĞ ŶĞǆƚ ƚŽ Ă Ɵ ŐĞƌ Žƌ ƐƵŶ ďĞĂƌ ĨĞĞĚ Ă ŐŝƌĂī Ğ ĨƌŽŵ ǇŽƵƌ ďĂůĐŽŶǇ Žƌ ŐĂǌĞ ŝŶƚŽ Ă ϳϬ ϬϬϬ ůŝƚƌĞ ŽĐĞĂŶ Į ƐŚ ƚĂŶŬ ŝŶ ǇŽƵƌ ƌŽŽŵ :ĂŵĂůĂ ĐƌĞĂƚĞƐ Ă ƚƌƵůǇ ƵŶĨŽƌŐĞƩ ĂďůĞ ŵĞŵŽƌǇ dŚĞ ϮϮ&ŚŽƵƌ ƐƚĂǇ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞƐ ŽǀĞƌŶŝŐŚƚ ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶ Ă ϰ ĐŽƵƌƐĞ ĨƌŝĐĂŶ ŝŶƐƉŝƌĞĚ ĚŝŶŝŶŐ ĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĂŶ ĞǆĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ƚŽƵƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů ŽŽ Θ ƋƵĂƌŝƵŵ ŶŝŵĂůƐ WůĞĂƐĞ ŶŽƚĞ ƚŚĂƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŝŵĂůƐ ŐĞŶĞƌĂůůǇ ũŽŝŶ ŐƵĞƐƚƐ ĂƐ ƐŚŽǁŶ ŶŽ ŐƵĂƌĂŶƚĞĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĂƩ ĞŶĚĂŶĐĞ Žƌ ůĞŶŐƚŚ ŽĨ ĂƩ ĞŶĚĂŶĐĞ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ŐŝǀĞŶ

@jamalalodge @jamalawildlifelodge

02 6287 8444 | www.jamala.com.au info@jamalawildlifelodge.com.au Canberra | AUSTRALIA

Canberra

ECO MATTERS

better living [

T H E L AT E S T I N S U S TA I N A B L E P R O D U C T S A N D I D E A S

]

Sustainable

SPARKLE

ECO FEET! Your li lies can leave an envirofriendly footprint with New Zealand brand Bobux. Check out the consciously constructed Scamp collection and the vegan Seedling shoe, part of a collab with One Tree Planted that sees a tree planted in Indonesia for each pair sold, bobux.com.au.

NATURAL WONDERS Visit spectacular unspoilt locations in the beautifully illustrated Wild Places by Sarah Baxter (Murdoch Books, $29.99), which also features top tips for the mindful traveller.

Clean beauty Treat your lips to a creamy, cruelty-free lipstick and liner in one. Aussie brand Lük Beautifood makes natural nutritious ‘skin food’ so you can wear cosmetics with zero chemicals. The plant-based Lipstick Crayons, $24.95 each, come in four skin-flattering shades and feature a 55% compostable biobased lid, lukbeautifood.com.

BHG WINTER

Reduce food waste with a guilt-free bevvie! Made using Aussie spring water infused with ‘wonky fruit’, Dash Water comes in 300ml fully recyclable cans manufactured in Victoria. This yummy sparkling water is available in raspberry, lemon, cucumber and peach ﬂavours, $8 for a 4-pack, at your local Woolworths, dash-water.com.au.

FUN FAB FITNESS MATS Give your workouts sustainable style with gorgeous, colourful yoga and exercise mats. Designed and made in Melbourne using recycled materials – rubber with a microsuede top for great grip and no slip – these mats feature the original artwork of a local artist. Wild Mingo recycled exercise mats, $119, wildmingo. com.au.

BUILD WITH BRICKS

Photography Katherine Lu; architect Carter Williamson Architects; product Bowral Bricks Dry Pressed Bowral 76 in Chillingham White. Prices are approximate and a guide only.

You can build sustainability into the heart of your dream home or reno with carbon-neutral bricks! Brickworks uses an inhouse carbon calculator to estimate the carbon emissions generated across the entire life cycle of its bricks – from clay extraction and production to delivery and end-of-life disposal. It then buys carbon credits to oﬀset the calculated emissions. Check out projects like this ‘Concrete Blonde’ home, brickworks.com.au.

TECH MATTERS

better tech [

T h e l at e s t p r o d u c t s , a p p s a n d ga d g e t s

]

VINYL REVIVAL DREAM STREAM

Smart security Give yourself peace of mind with an innovative indoor camera. You can keep an eye on your kids, elderly parents and pets from afar with livestreams, record footage, have two-way chats and even trigger a siren, all from an app. And, with a unique automated privacy shield, you have total control over when the camera is active. The Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera, $159, arlo.com/en-au.

Turn your TV into a smart streamer with a super aﬀordable media stick. Binge your fave shows from Netﬂix, Stan, Prime Video and Disney+. Or stream SBS On Demand, ABC iview, 7plus and more. You can also watch live TV, news and sport, and listen to music. All you need is a Fire TV Stick 4K, $99, amazon.com.au.

Vinyl is vintage so your record player should be too – in looks at least. You can spin tracks anywhere with the compact Crosley Voyager Bluetooth Portable Turntable in Amethyst and four other colours, 26.67L x 35.56W x 11.76cmH, $189.95, hardtoﬁnd.com.au.

AIR PURIFIER

FRESH HOME

BHG WINTER

Hello, food! Seniors are very savvy when it comes to shopping and cooking, with 70% adopting new tech in the kitchen – such as online ordering – says research by mealkit service HelloFresh. It’s oﬀering a 10% discount oﬀ every box to Aussies over 60 – le ing you save up to $600 a year, hellofresh. com.au/pages/seniorsdeal.

Prices are approximate and a guide only

sleek sound Get amazing audio anywhere via a chic compact speaker with Bluetooth 5.0 for excellent range, 2-hour charging and 30 hours’ playback. Dali Katch G2, $749, in Caramel White, Iron Black or Chilly Blue, ambertech.com.au.

Breathe easier with a TruSens air puriﬁer. This sleek device looks great in any space and is so simple to set up – just plug it in and switch on. Put the SensorPod across the room to measure pollutants and freshen the whole area – a display lets you know if your air quality is good, moderate or poor. TruSens Air Puriﬁer with SensorPod Air Quality Monitor, Z-2000 up to 35sqm, $399; Z-3000 up to 70sqm, $549, trusens.com/en-au.

Your TV, secured with style

STYLISH & SECURE

In an ideal world, your children would never play around your valuable flat screen. Your cat would never jump on the TV. And your dog would always take a large detour around your equipment. However, the real world is very different. There is always a possibility that your TV will take a knock. But a solution is available. Your TV can be safely secured with a mount that is specifically designed for heavy use. The COMFORT TV wall mount from Vogel’s.

AV installers & integrators

For your nearest dealer, please contact Canohm. Phone:1800 636 026 | Email: sales@canohm.com.au canohm.com.au

•

Strong and safe

•

Ease of installation

•

Respecting people and planet

•

The best materials

Vogel’s. For Sure.

BETTER BEAUTY

GLOWING STRONG W

hen it comes to ageing well – and gracefully – it’s all about focusing on brightening and rejuvenating your skin, and boosting its radiance. The brighter the better! Here’s how.

Toss the soap Harsh soaps and cleansers strip the natural oils essential for keeping skin youthful. So if you think that tight, clean sensation is good, think again. A gentle, non-soap cleanser does the job minus the harm. 1 Nourishing Cleansing Oil, $45, Jurlique. 2 Recoverederm Ultra-Calming Restorative Cleanser, $29.95, Dr LeWinn’s. 3 Energising Facial Cleanser, $22.95, Nude By Nature. 4 Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser, $60, Trinny London.

FOLLOW THESE TOP TIPS FOR LUMINOUS SKIN 3 1

2 4

Back it up

The side of the face you sleep on will develop more wrinkles, so keeping ﬂat on your back as much as possible will help to ﬁght the signs of ageing.

DO A COLOUR CORRECTION

Slip into silk

Pillowcases made from silk are slippery, creating less friction on the skin than a normal one. Making the switch might sound like a small change, but it’s worth it to avoid skin wear and tear.

KEEP IT NOURISHED

Well-hydrated skin is healthier, smoother and looks more radiant. Applying a nourishing cream, oil and/or serum on a daily basis is the key. Use a sunscreen in the morning, then at night use a firming, soothing or brightening product – whatever your skin needs. 5 Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream SPF15, $140, Elizabeth Arden. 6 DermAbsolu Comforting Night Balm, $74.99, Eau Thermale Avène. 7 Brightening Niacinamide Serum, $79.99, Sabbia. 8 LumiBalance Multi Active Facial Oil, $120, 9 Synergie Skin. 9 AAA & Brightening Cream, $83, Ginger & Me. 5

If your adopted hair colour doesn’t complement your skin’s undertone, it won’t be ﬂa ering. If you have a warm undertone, you need honey or golden pigments in your hair. Cooler tones should go for ash- or blue-based shades. Not sure what you have? Take a look at the underside of your wrist. Do your veins look blue? If yes, you’re cool. If they’re greenish, you’re warm. AVOID BRASSINESS

If in doubt, go for lighter, neutral hair colours as you age because they're generally the most ﬂa ering. Why? Because with age the skin tends to lighten, and warm undertones o en become more cool.

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WINTER BHG

BETTER BEAUTY

Work up a sweat Exercise improves the blood flow to your skin, which is a glow booster in itself, but there are more benefits as well. When skin cells are well nourished with oxygen and nutrients delivered by the blood, your skin becomes healthier and stronger. Even moderate exercise twice a week makes a difference.

GO BACK TO NATURE

Skin thrives on potent plant-based goodness and happy skin looks radiant. Natural oil blends can be used on their own or layered with a moisturiser if your skin is extra thirsty. 10 Plant Gold L’or des Plantes, $77, Clarins. 11 Superfood Crystal Glow Elixir, $39.99, Raww Cosmetics. 12 Radiance Boost Serum, $60, Endota Spa. 13 Br Organic Rosehip Oil, $28, Biologi. 14 Notox Ageless Glow Serum, $89, Synthesis Organics. 10

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11 9

EAT ACROSS THE RAINBOW

Eating a mix of colourful fruit and veg daily will give your skin a steady supply of the essential building blocks, such as vitamins and minerals, it needs to function optimally and look its best.

Refine skin surface If your skin has a build-up of dry and dead skin cells on the surface, it can look a little lacklustre. Exfoliated skin reflects light, is smoother and appears to be brighter, so perform skin exfoliation once a week – or following the directions given with your product. 15 Glow Face Scrub, $36, Somic. 16 Ageless Skin Renewal Exfoliator, $17.95, Natio. 17 Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Scrub, $45, Enbacci. 18 Hydra-Bright AHA Glow Peel Kit, $139, Glo Skin Beauty.

use less POWDER Dewy skin glows, so nix powder when wearing foundation, as a matt finish tends to dull your complexion, rather than boost its glow. If you’re concerned about minimising shine, dust on a little powder only where you tend to get oily – the middle of your forehead, nose and chin.

Photography Getty Images, Adobe Stock

Plump up with water Water goes a long way in waking up your skin. How? When you’re dehydrated there’s less blood flowing to the surface and, as a result, your skin suffers. Over time, lack of hydration can cause fine lines, even deep wrinkles, from prolonged and severe dehydration. So drink up and aim for at least eight glasses of water a day. Keep in mind that by the time you're thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Chill out

Stress can negatively affect blood ﬂow to your skin and reduce its natural radiance, so if you need time out, hit the yoga mat, book a massage or soak in a relaxing bath.

DO AN INSIDE JOB

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your bones, muscles, tendons and skin. It’s the scaﬀold which provides strength, structure and, for your skin, elasticity. Your body’s production of collagen declines with age and exposure to UV light and smoking. BETTER DELIVERY

As the collagen molecules in lotions are too large to be absorbed by the skin the best way to get a top-up is to consume it. Collagen powders and supplements have become the go-to for thicker hair, stronger nails and plumper skin. 23 Glowso Collagen Supplement For Skin, $49.50, JOSO. 24 Beauty Collagen Mature Skin Tablets, $34.99, Nature’s Way. 25 Complete Skin Food Elixir Ultimate 1.0, $159, Opty.NC. 26 Natural Marine Collagen Sachets, $70, Vida Glow.

PURIFY YOUR PORES While you can’t change the size of your pores, you can make them appear smaller. The first step is to use a clay mask to draw out congestion before applying a salicylic acid serum to break down impurities left on your skin. 19 Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask, $60.90, Sand & Sky. 20 Clear Skin Blemish Control Mask, $44.95, Alpha-H. 21 Pore Refining Solutions Correcting 21 22 Serum, $73, Clinique. 22 Effaclar Ultra Concentrate Serum, $59.95, La Roche-Posay. 20

24 23

WORK COLOUR MAGIC

Wear neutral colours (not warm or cool), as they’ll lift and brighten your complexion. Purple, emerald green, true red, turquoise and royal blue are flattering to all complexions and can be enjoyed in soft shades right through to the rich and bold.

THE GOOD SIDE OF

at iv

g ul arl

nc ut t

We re

e, b hat’s not the f

ull story

es, it’s important to keep a watchful eye on how much time you spend surﬁ ng the net and scanning electronic devices, but there’s an upside to modern tech – and you’re never too old to learn the ropes and reap the beneﬁts. Here’s how it can change your life for the better.

BHG WINTER

lu e nf

s o ci a l m e d i a c a n b e

e r c s

nd a e n tim

BETTER WELLBEING

FIND YOUR

TRIBE

DEVELOP YOURSELF The internet is a fabulous arena for learning and developing your ideas. It literally puts the world at your ﬁngertips 24/7, with unprecedented access to information on anything and everything at the scroll of a mouse. You can satisfy your curiosity, do some study, search for employment, read up on news, connect with health professionals, be entertained, do banking, go shopping... The sky really is the limit.

BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE

As well as using the internet to expand your horizons, it can also be a platform or stage. And the work involved in developing your online presence and ﬁnding your voice – whether for your personal brand or for a cause or business – lets you stretch your skill base (which is good for the brain) and unleash your creativity.

Once upon a time people were limited to the physical conﬁnes of their neighbourhood, work and school to make new friends – if you didn’t get out and about, you could be le isolated. Now, regardless of your circumstances, it’s possible to go online and connect with family and friends, both old and new. Virtual interactions are an easy way to have a chat, express yourself and show support and empathy.

G OO D TO K N OW

AGE IS IRRELEVANT DEVICES ARE MADE TO BE USERFRIENDLY SO YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A TECH WHIZ BUT IF YOU DO STRUGGLE LIBRARIES AND GROUPS LIKE U A SYDNEYU A ORG OFTEN HOLD CLASSES TO HELP SENIORS COME TO GRIPS WITH TECH

BETTER WELLBEING

GOOD TO KNOW

CHILD PROOF

RULED BY YOUR PHONE? If you answer yes to two or more of these queries, it may be time to reduce phone use.

you check your phone •theDominute you wake up? If you forget your •phone, do you feel anxious until it’s back in your hand? When you’re out with your friends, do you keep your phone out and on?

•

FOCUS ON qUALITY The content of the social media you follow is more important than how much of it you consume. There’s a lot of great material online that can help both younger and older people follow a passion, learn and grow as individuals.

There’s a big (sometimes bad) world out there and kids are easily influenced, so keep an eye on what they post and access, and give guidance, such as being cautious about who they engage with and encouraging them to support friends who are being bullied online.

TO P T I P

stay safe on social media THINK BEFORE YOU POST DON’T POST ANYTHING YOU WOULDN’T SAY IN PERSON AND KEEP ALL PERSONAL INFO ADDRESS DATE OF BIRTH PHONE NUMBER PRIVATE

Digital apps represent an easy way to get the help you’re a er, whether it’s for recipes, weight loss and mental health support or news, TV shows or a health issue. There are loads to choose from and many are free to download. You can also use your device to listen to podcasts, which are free audio recordings on an exhaustive range of topic and interests.

BHG WINTER

Illustrations Adobe Stock

FIND YOUR SUPPORT

YOUR BODY ON

TECH Get the most out of technology without it getting the best of you.

MIND YOUR BRAIN

All electronic screens give off blue light, which stimulates the brain. Looking at a screen near bedtime (or worse, in bed) can interfere with the brain’s signals that it’s time to wind down. The light also suppresses production of melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle. Balance it out Make a ‘ last call’ for checking emails and do it outside your bedroom (ideally, all devices should be banned from the bedroom, especially after lights out). If you read on a phone or tablet, dim the brightness or put it in night-shift mode.

Seek and find For app suggestions see apple.com/au/ app-store and play. google.com/store/apps and for podcasts see blog.feedspot.com/ australian_lifestyle_ podcasts.

PROTECT YOUR NECK

Tech neck is real. Tilting your head forward and down to look at your phone, iPad or other device can put extra force on your spine. Over time this can stress your back and neck ligaments and muscles, causing pain and inﬂammation. Balance it out When looking at any handheld device, hold it at eye level or only as far as your eye can look down without tilting your head. To increase your neck’s mobility (and avoid stiff ness), try this – sit or stand straight, then slowly turn your head to the right and hold for a count of ﬁve. Do the same to the left. Repeat twice. Also, try slowly rolling your head from left to right and back again. You should feel the stretch in your shoulders.

Keep a look out Constantly looking at a computer screen causes you to blink about a third less o en, which can make your eyes feel dry and tired. Over time you could also experience eye strain, headaches and blurred vision. Balance it out To give your eyes a break, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes focus on something at least 20 feet (six metres) away for about 20 seconds. And make sure your screen is clean. A dusty or dirty screen may force your eyes to focus more, causing strain.

HEALTH MATTERS

better health [

T H E L AT E S T N E WS A N D T R E N D S

]

HOME BLISS

If you’re experiencing burnout or exhaustion, it’s time to step up the self-care. Or maybe you’re just in the mood for a li le pampering but don’t feel like heading out in search of it. Whatever your need, Blys oﬀers a wide range of in-home services, including massage, beauty and wellness, available seven days a week, from 6am11pm. Visit getblys.com.au.

GOOD READS

FREE YOURSELF

DIET SUPPORT The beneﬁts of a keto diet can include weight loss, more energy, lower blood pressure and reduced visceral fat, but it can be challenging to maintain. Keto Support, $39.95, is a plant-based, TGA-approved vitamin supplement that aims to reduce the diet’s common cravings for sugar and support a transition to ketosis, where the body burns stored fat for energy instead of blood sugar. Visit locako.com.au.

BHG WINTER

NIGHT, NIGHT Everyone needs good sleep – quality and quantity. And with ingredients like magnesium to ease tension and marine collagen to regenerate skin, INTU Sleep & Skin Renewal, $89, is designed to help you wake up energised, with younger-looking skin, intuwellness.com.

HAPPY FEET Misaligned feet can cause aches and pains in other areas, like the hips or knees. Orthotics help, but can be costly. StepBe er is an online service delivering custom orthotics from $329. You start with an online assessment. Then, if it’s right for you, a kit is sent to take an impression of your feet, with your orthotics delivered a few weeks later, stepbe er.com.au.

Photography Adobe Stock

WE I G H T LOSS

We can all be our own worst enemy, but if you want to tackle obstacles such as bad habits, anxiety and negativity, this is for you. Mind Free by Mark Stephens (Murdoch Books, $32.99) oﬀers self-hypnosis scripts and meditations, key lessons, hypnotic aﬃrmations and case studies to help you create a more mindful life.

MONEY MATTERS

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Best finance audiobooks THE DUMB THINGS SMART PEOPLE DO WITH THEIR MONEY

Jill Schlesinger It’s easy to have money blind spots. In this title, by an investment advisor and US TV money guru, you’ll hear rules about retirement, insurance, real estate and more to help you save.

Get more in your next return with this pay-attention advice WHAT CAN I DEDUCT (AND WILL I NEED RECEIPTS)?

It can be easy to forget which general work-related costs you can claim, while other deductions, whether it’s cleaning and dry-cleaning or selfeducation, may only apply in certain industries. So sit down with your tax advisor and write down everything you can claim so you can start the new financial year

knowing exactly which receipts to keep and what log books to maintain. ARE THERE ANY NEW TAX RULES?

A look on the Australian Tax Office (ATO) website details ongoing tax updates. And while you can’t be expected to know, and understand, all the changes, your advisor can. So liaise with them for advice on what’s applicable to you.

ARE ALL DONATIONS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

Have you donated to a good cause such as pandemic or flood victims, and now wonder if you can claim it? You’ll need to know if the organisation you donated to is a deductible gift recipient (DGRs) as per the ATO. A DGR is an organisation or fund that’s registered for tax deductible gifts. Find out from your tax expert, or ask the organisation itself.

WORDS OF WISDOM

BEWARE OF LITTLE EXPENSES A SMALL LEAK WILL SINK A GREAT SHIP Benjamin Franklin, US founding father This financial information is general in nature and does not take into consideration your personal circumstances. If you need advice, please seek out a licensed financial adviser.

BHG WINTER

Clare Seal Go on a realistic finance journey covering everything from how to negotiate repayment terms with creditors and setting realistic budgets without punishing yourself, to dealing with money anxiety. 12 MONTHS TO $1 MILLION

Ryan Daniel Moran Want to bring in big business bucks? With a road map set out in three stages across a year, it offers what you need to launch a sustainable, scalable online business.

Words Andrea Black; photography Adobe Stock

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REAL LIFE MONEY