Better Homes And Gardens Australia - December 2017.pdf 3o2t3v

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TURN US ON!

53 Festive

25-PAGE

SUPER

Bake a big SPECIAL

IMPRESSION

SUPER STARS!

Goodies, decos and gifts to share your love

Cookies, cakes, choc puds and desserts – amazing!

Hello

throws

GARDEN

Beautiful hook and knit kits

• Hot shot bloomin’ pots • Must-have begonias • Racy roses

Vanilla bickies

Florentines Santa's fave reindeer

C h r is

! g tma is comin

Gingerbread

MAGZ_BHG_1217 *Please see your retailer if your free cookbook is not attached

CELEBRATING HOME • style it chic • flaunt your facade

do a granny flat • love your pantry PLUS go Halloween spookin’

Giving THE GIFT OF

THE GRAND FERRERO ROCHER IS A TIMELESS FESTIVE FAVOURITE

THEME YOUR TABLE

A beautiful, thoughtfully set table is a delight for the senses. A gold and white theme is light and uplifting, with a festive opulence that’s perfect for Christmas celebrations. Add in pops of fresh greenery for a natural element and colour.

START A TRADITION

Treat yourself and your guests to the Christmas tradition that is the famous Ferrero Rocher; a gently roasted hazelnut in a rich, creamy centre, encased in a crisp wafer shell, coated with the finest chocolate and crunchy hazelnut pieces.

FERRERO ROCHER ADVERTISING FEATURE

A SPECIAL TOUCH

Ferrero Rocher is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas celebrations. The limited edition Christmas range includes Ferrero Rocher chocolate and hazelnut shooting stars, tree ornaments and table centrepieces that also make fantastic gifts.

TRIM THE TREE

BEAUTIFUL, EDIBLE ORNAMENTS EVERYONE WILL ADORE — AND DEVOUR!

These shining stars (centre) contain three Ferrero Rocher and make perfect ornaments for the tree, until discovered and joyfully unwrapped. They also make a perfect little add-on gift, or a delicious surprise in someone’s Christmas stocking!

DRESS UP DESSERTS

As beautiful as they are when wrapped, it’s what’s inside that counts! Delicious Ferrero Rocher are magic on their own, but they also make a fabulous topper for festive gifts like cupcakes for teachers or friends. They’re a clever decorative touch for chocolate desserts, too.

A beautiful, thoughtfully set table is a delight for the senses. FERREROROCHER.COM

DECEMBER CONTENTS

come inside DECORATING & CRAFT

44 Welcome to your Christmas wonderland Celebrate the festive

season with creative craft ideas

110 Love your larder Smart tips to

help get your pantry organised

114 21 style updates Inspiring ways

to give your home a revamp

44 16

126 Nautilus vibes After seeing

this home, you will also want to have a multi-level abode 153 The cool factor We show you how you can survive the summer heat with these ideas 188 In the spirit of remembrance

Exclusive throw kit to buy, hook or knit

200 Now it’s time to... spook ’em!

Get ready for Halloween with spooky decorations and spine-tingling treats

GARDENING

ON THE COVER

16 Bake a big impression

Cookies, cakes, choc puds and desserts – amazing!

44 53 festive super stars!

Goodies, decos and gifts to share your love 188 Throws Beautiful hook and knit kits 68 60 76 114 146 138 110 200 4 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Hot shot bloomin’ pots Must-have begonias Racy roses Style it chic Flaunt your facade Do a granny flat Love your pantry Go Halloween spookin’

your garden a splash of colour with these marvellous flowers 68 Hot to trot pots Revamp your outdoor living space with the perfect potted arrangement 76 Winning roses See how the blooms at Flemington always look so incredible 80 Meet the hardy boys Transform your landscape with succulents 85 Garden diary 90 Moon gardening 146 Flaunt your facade Dress

up your front yard for impressive kerb appeal

DIY & BUILDING

138 Build a gran design! Check

out this granny-flat reno

157 Tool school – handy tips for beginners All you need to know 194 Lofty bed Take your kid’s

furniture to new heights

Cover photography Omid Daghighi; styling Lisa Hilton

76

60 In your gorgeous garden begin with begonias Give

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DECEMBER CONTENTS

181

114 68

FOOD

16 Sweet Christmas Delight in

the flavours of the season with these more-ish treats 28 Bake a li’l magic Spread Christmas cheer with a selection of decadent goodies 92 Cooking with Karen Retro recipes with a healthier twist

BETTER TRAVEL

182 Sparkle in the South Pacific

Explore the islands of Fiji and all they have to offer 184 Big Apple bites Go on a culinary and cultural tour of the city that never sleeps   186 In the footsteps of our Anzacs

Pay homage to the heroes of our history

98 From Fast Ed’s kitchen

Get party-ready with these dinners and desserts

BETTER YOU

164 Glow with the faux Get

yourself summer ready with a sun-kissed look

166 Hair today, gone tomorrow

Your guide to smooth, bare skin

 

REGULAR FEATURES 12 204 216 218 224 227

Editor’s letter Better pets Better shopping How to subscribe Stockists BHG Shop

168 Getting the brush off Achieve

better make-up results with the right tools

170 Flat belly foods and fixes

157

Sure-fire ways to beat the bothersome bloat

172 Operation clutter control Turn

messy areas into stylish spaces

174 Being better 176 Better health

6 FREE ISSUES

when you subscribe SEE PAGE 218

VISIT US ONLINE FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES, PROJECTS AND GREAT IDEAS bhg.com.au

6 BHG DECEMBER 2017

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DECEMBER CONTENTS

watch us on tv 98

126

DECORATING & CRAFT

110 Get your pantry organised with

these clever storage solutions

126 This mega-mansion at

Sydney’s Burraneer Bay is a masterclass in how to create multi-level, resort-living style 200 Create a haunting All Hallows’ Eve with scary decorations and tricked-up treats

GARDENING

76 Take inspiration from

Flemington Racecourse and grow your own winning roses 80 Fill your garden with sturdy low-maintenance succulents 146 Give your front yard sexy street appeal with a few simple projects

194

80

DIY & BUILDING

138 Thinking about building

a granny flat? Check out this owner-builder reno 157 Tool school for beginners 194 Take your kid’s bedroom to a whole new level

FOOD

92 Karen Martini’s Giant prawn

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

13 OCTOBER TO 3 NOVEMBER 2017

NOTE: Television content subject to schedule changes. Check your local program guides for viewing times.

8 BHG DECEMBER 2017

toast with black sesame & shiso; Sausage rolls; BBQ whole snapper with oregano potato & lemon; Banana & sweet potato loaf 98 Fast Ed’s Elegant potato salad with marron; Chicken cordon bleu; Sweet potato and salami fritters; Grapefruit chicken salad cups; Smoky chipotle chicken taco bowl; Chocolate pot de crème with truffle honey; Strawberry daiquiri cake; Edible Melbourne Cup hat; Spicy duck poppadums

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Welcome

n this Month the things

YOU’LL

to December

o we’re here, like Santa’s bestest helpers to get you Christmas clever! But let me explain a little thing up front. Some time ago, I told you how we all fall into one of three prep categories for Christmas. Forgive me if you’re reading it again. But for those of you who don’t know, the first of you are Christmas Creatives who begin your amazing planning in October. Then in November, you Traditionalists emerge, liking to make your Christmas pretty much the same every year with perhaps just a stunning little twist here or there – you’re so organised. Come December, you Last Minute Maniacs storm the stores – in waves of chaos! And we’re ready for you all. But right now we’re concentrating on you clever Creatives. With time still ahead but with your heart full of ‘what can I make, what can I do for everybody’, we’ve bundled up a collection of amazing makes for

istmas Free! 36-page BONUS Chr

you to snip, stick and stitch – check them all out, from page 44 – with a big dollop of brights and bling for you to absolutely sparkle! (And PS, you sparkle-arkling should be the real order of the day – just sayin’!) Meanwhile your peeps will adore them. And that’s just the decos! What else? Time to don your chef extraordinaire’s hat of course, and get baking. Then right smack as the season begins, just like magic, you bring out these goodies from your pantry and hand them around to unending compliments. And that’s not counting the mastery you create for the big day. Oh, that we were all Creatives like you. Merry Christmas, you are super stars! For those of us who are breathless with exhaustion just reading this, the rest of this issue is for you to relax.

Not Chrissie planning yet? Then enjoy time in your garden with these exquisite summer pots plus more ‘green’ ideas to simply charm you PAGE 68

Subscribe now for big savings and more. See page 218 or call 1300 301 567 12 BHG DECEMBER 2017

cookbook

Your essential

Christmas desserts

So simple spun sugar in just 20 mins. Gorgeous!

Amazing mango cheesecake

gotta love this

free

cookbook e Your time to shin rs

stoppe Fast, fab, festive showextra bling Glam garnishes for serves Plus stunning single

STEP BY STEP FOR

SO EASY PREP

le wreath

Star-studded bombe Alaska

te ripp

Chocola

Mini upside down baked cheesecakes, page 32

MAGIC BAKES TO MAKE In readiness for the delightful silly season, this issue comes with Christmas desserts – a free 36-page cookbook just for you! Plus, our 25-page baking special also gets you going for wonderful entertaining. And if you buy the festive cakelet pan (above), your mini cakes, cheesecakes and biscuits – and savoury treats, too – will have a very special presentation. Check page 39 for all the info you need. And even without the fab little pan, your baking is covered from page 16.

Photography Andre Martin; styling Annette Forrest

s

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EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Julia Zaetta Deputy editor and decorating editor Dora Papas Production editor Joseph Kenworthy Editor’s assistant Elaine Nasr Enquiries (02) 9394 2496 Creative director Scott Cassidy Design director Monique Larracy Senior designer Carol Tang Designer Carol Baldas Garden editor Roger Fox Food editor Elle Vernon Interiors, design, DIY & kids editor Gavin Kirk DIY writer Greg Fahey Beauty editor Annie Millar Photo librarian Autumn Mooney Decorating stylist Vanessa Tidy REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Gardening Artemis Gouros Garden diary Tony Fawcett Moon gardening Milton Black Health & beauty Samantha Harrison Pets Caroline Zambrano Travel Jason Dutton-Smith, Todd Sturm CONTENT MANAGEMENT TEAM Copy directors Chrystal Glassman, Hannah Hempenstall, Daniel Moore

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ADVERTISING Head of homes Lauren Sharpe Brand manager Alison Kirkman (02) 9394 2033 NSW advertising coordinator Phoebe Goldie (02) 9394 2276 Vic advertising director Simone Dalla Riva Qld sales director Natalie Harvey (07) 3368 7405 Qld advertising coordinator Alyce Zerner (07) 3368 7478 WA representative Nicky Simpson (08) 9344 0749 SA representative Peter Russell (08) 8364 3665 NZ – Auckland (+64 9) 979 2700 PACIFIC INNOVATIONS Studio manager Ruth Biehler Advertising art director Emma Gleeson PUBLISHING General manager – food and home Wendy Moore Group category and business manager John Borg Group marketing director Belinda Thornton Marketing manager Kate Burroughs Marketing coordinator Jess Baden Senior business analyst Sarah Marshall Production controller John Virm Deputy print operations manager Rebecca Prokop Premedia solutions Louisa Dertadian TELEVISION Host Johanna Griggs Gardening researchers Vivien Kappos, Grahame Rowe, Aiden Biddle Gardening presenters Graham Ross, Jason Hodges Food researchers Sarah Allchurch, Marnie Rowe Food presenter Karen Martini ‘Food in a flash’ presenter Ed Halmagyi Decorating researchers Hannah St John, Karenza Jewell Decorating presenter Tara Dennis Props stylist Joanna Greenwood DIY researchers John Rae, Greg Sparke DIY presenter Adam Dovile Pets presenter Dr Harry Cooper Construction manager Scott Marvell Project manager Kylie Sams Segment producers Cassandra Felix, Cathy Foote, Robyn Wade, Stephanie Walsh, Daniel Gustafson, Cameron Hartley, Daryll Maguire Associate producers Trish Cunneen, Sharon Field, Tiana Speter, Celia Kearin Post production Robin Adamson, Antoinette Dyce, Markus Siegl, Matthew Bawden, Paul da Roza, Lawrence Humphry, Vincent Jarrett, Edvin Mandic, Luke Robinson, Jessica Stone Executive producer Jason Franklin Supervising producer Russell Palmer Chief of staff Rani Eaton Production manager Tori Smith Senior production coordinator Samantha O’Brien Production coordinator Jenni Vinten Production assistant and social media Eloise Walsh Brand partnerships manager Michael Byers Publicist Jonathan Boulos WEBSITES bhg.com.au, bhgshop.com.au Digital content editor Livia Gamble PACIFIC MAGAZINES PTY LIMITED (02) 9394 2000, Media City, 8 Central Ave, Eveleigh NSW 2015 Chief executive officer Gereurd Roberts Commercial director Prue Cox Operations director Dean Porter MEREDITH INTERNATIONAL Chairman and chief executive officer Stephen M. Lacy Chief development officer John S. Zieser For enquiries, Meredith International director Mike Lovell Reproduction: Printed in Australia by Hannanprint Warwick Farm, 2–8 Priddle St, Warwick Farm, NSW 2170 Distributed in Australia by Gordon and Gotch Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 088 251 727). Published 13 times a year by Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd (ACN 097 410 896). For competition entries, use the address on entry forms. Title and trademark BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS® reg US Patents Office, Canada and Australia, by Meredith Corporation. Use of trademark is strictly prohibited. Recommended and maximum price $6.50 (NZ $7.80), inc GST. All content © 2017 Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd, all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. All prices and information are correct as at the time of printing. Prices quoted are recommended retail prices and may vary. All material sent to Better Homes and Gardens (whether solicited or not) will not be returned. Unless otherwise agreed beforehand, all rights including copyright in such material is assigned to Pacific Magazines upon receipt and Pacific Magazines may use or sell the material in all media worldwide in perpetuity without further consent or payment. Better Homes and Gardens does not accept or assume responsibility for such material.

Television enquiries (02) 9394 2468 Email [email protected] Reader offer enquiries 1300 745 898

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FESTIVE BAKING

bonus baking 25-page

sweet special

Christmas

Bring glee to tastebuds all season long with sugar and spice and all things nice

16 BHG DECEMBER 2017

d

elight in the sweet flavours of the season with cookies, cakes and Christmas puds. Bake edible decorations and indulgent desserts to serve on the big day, or wrap up goodies in ribbon to gift to your sweet-loving friends.

Gingerbread wreath The best wreath is an edible one! Decorated with baubles and ribbon this gingerbread beauty makes a yummy table centrepiece. Recipe on page 22

FESTIVE BAKING

Cinnamon pillows with dark-chocolate centre One bite into these sweet ‘snow-dusted’ bickies will reveal a dark-chocolate centre, guaranteed to be a hit with the chocoholics. If preferred, swap dark for white or milk chocolate. Recipe on page 22

It’s that time of the year for sugar and spice and all things wickedly nice. Think decadent dark chocolate, ginger, cinnamon, mixed spice and cocoa combos Chocolate ginger cakes with cinnamonspiked cream cheese frosting Add festive flair to layers a-plenty of rich choccie cake. Top with choccoated coffee beans for wow factor. Recipe on page 22

FESTIVE BAKING

Brownie cookies Just like the slice you know and love, only better, as you get your very own bickie all to yourself. The crackled shell encases a world of brownie wickedness. Recipe on page 24

Want to get your name on Santa’s ‘nice’ list? Make Christmas puds that celebrate his wonderful reindeer!

Chocolate and raisin puddings with salted caramel sauce Give mini Chrissie puds a saucy glow and add jaunty toffee antlers to turn them into too-cute-to-eat reindeer. Recipe on page 24

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 21

FESTIVE BAKING

GINGERBREAD WREATH

Preparation time 20 mins plus 45 mins chilling Cooking time 15 mins Makes 1 wreath

150g butter, chopped, softened ½ cup brown sugar 1⁄3 cup golden syrup 2 cups plain flour 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp mixed spice ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda Icing 2 free-range egg whites 2½ cups pure icing sugar 3-4 tsp lemon juice STEP 1 Line a large oven tray with baking paper. Put butter and brown sugar into a large bowl. Beat with electric hand beaters on high for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add syrup and beat until combined. Stir in flour, spices and bicarb until a soft dough forms. Knead into a ball, flatten into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 15 minutes. STEP 2 Roll out dough between 2 sheets of baking paper to form a rough circle, 5mm thick. Use various leaf cutters (we used 4 x 8cm cutters) to cut out 16 leaf shapes. Arrange leaves, 2cm apart, on prepared tray. Chill for 30 minutes. STEP 3 Meanwhile, re-roll all offcuts to form a rough circle, 8mm thick. Trace around the edge of a 20cm plate to form a disc. Put a 12cm plate in the centre and trace around to make a ring. Remove pastry centre. Slide the paper with dough ring on it, onto a large oven tray. Chill for 30 minutes. STEP 4 Preheat oven to 160ºC fanforced (180ºC conventional). Bake ring for 14-16 minutes and leaves for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside on tray to cool completely. STEP 5 To make icing, put egg whites in a medium bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer until they start to froth. Sift pure icing sugar onto a sheet of baking paper. Add icing sugar to egg white, 1 Tbsp at a time, and 22 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Gingerbread wreath

beat until thick and stiff peaks form. Add enough lemon juice to thin icing until at desired drizzling consistency. STEP 6 Use icing as glue to stick leaves onto ring. Set aside for 30 minutes until icing has set.

CINNAMON PILLOWS WITH DARK-CHOCOLATE CENTRE Preparation time 20 mins plus 15 mins chilling Cooking time 15 mins Makes 20

125g butter, chopped, softened ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup golden syrup 2 cups plain flour 3 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 20 squares dark chocolate (125g) ¼ cup icing sugar mixture STEP 1 Line 2 large oven trays with baking paper. Put butter and brown sugar into a large bowl. Beat with electric hand beaters on high for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add syrup and beat until combined. STEP 2 Stir in flour, cinnamon and bicarb until a soft dough forms. Form into a ball, flatten into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 15 minutes. STEP 3 Preheat oven to 160ºC fanforced (180ºC conventional). Measure 1 Tbsp of dough, then halve it. Roll each half into a ball and gently squash each into a disc. Put 1 square of chocolate on centre of 1 disc. Top with

Cinnamon pillows

second disc. Press disc edges together to enclose chocolate, then gently form into a ball with a slightly flattened base. Transfer to prepared tray. STEP 4 Repeat Step 3 with remaining dough and chocolate squares, to make 20. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Set aside on trays to cool. Dust generously with icing sugar and serve.

CHOCOLATE GINGER CAKES WITH CINNAMON-SPIKED CREAM CHEESE FROSTING Preparation time 20 mins plus 35 mins chilling Cooking time 45 mins Makes 4

Cooking oil spray, to grease 2 free-range eggs 250ml milk 150g butter, melted ½ cup golden syrup ¾ cup brown sugar 3 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 cups plain flour ¼ cup Dutch cocoa Chocolate-coated coffee beans Cinnamon-spiked cream cheese frosting 1½ 250g blocks cream cheese (375g in total), chopped, softened 1¼ cups icing sugar mixture, sifted ½ tsp ground cinnamon Chocolate ganache 125g quality dark chocolate, chopped 125ml thickened cream

Gingerbread gift tags Add a personal – and tasty – touch to gifts or place settings with an edible name tag! Recipe on page 26

FESTIVE BAKING

Chocolate ginger cakes

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 170ºC fan-forced (190ºC conventional). Grease four 7.5cm round cake tins with cooking oil spray. Line base and sides with baking paper. STEP 2 Put eggs into a large bowl and whisk until fluffy. Pour in milk, butter and syrup and whisk until well combined. Stir in sugar, ginger, mixed spice and bicarb. Sift in flour and cocoa and stir until combined. STEP 3 Pour batter into prepared tins. Bake for 45 minutes. Set aside for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Trim off peaked tops to create a flat top. STEP 4 Meanwhile, to make cinnamonspiked cream cheese frosting, put cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with electric hand beaters on high speed until smooth. Add icing sugar and cinnamon and beat on low speed until incorporated, then beat on high for 1 minute or until fluffy and creamy. STEP 5 Meanwhile, to make the chocolate ganache, put chocolate in a heatproof mixing bowl. Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, until just simmering. Immediately pour over chocolate and stir with a hand whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool. STEP 6 Assemble 1 cake at a time. Cut cake into 3 even discs. Spoon 1 Tbsp of cream cheese onto 1 disc, spread to cover top, repeat with a second disc. Put 1 disc on top of the other, frosting side up. Top with remaining disc. Spoon 2 Tbsp of frosting onto the top of the stack and spread all over to 24 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Brownie cookies

cover top and sides of cake to form a thin crumb coat. Transfer to fridge while assembling remaining cakes. STEP 7 Repeat Step 6 with remaining cakes and part of the frosting. Chill cakes for 20 minutes. STEP 8 Use the remaining frosting to cover cakes completely, then refrigerate for a further 15 minutes. STEP 9 Drizzle a little of the chocolate ganache over the top of each cake, allowing sauce to drizzle down sides. Decorate with chocolatecoated coffee beans. Each cake will serve 2 people as dessert, or 4 people as a sweet-treat snack.

a medium saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until the chocolate has almost melted. Remove pan from heat, remove bowl from pan and set aside for 5 minutes. STEP 3 Meanwhile, put eggs, caster sugar and vanilla into the bowl of an electric mixer and beat with whisk attachment on high speed for 5 minutes or until thick and creamy. Pour chocolate into egg mixture and sift in flour, cocoa and baking powder. Gently stir until just combined. Chill for 40 minutes. STEP 4 Roll 1 Tbsp of dough into a ball, and transfer to a prepared tray. Press down with the back of a fork to flatten slightly. Repeat with remaining dough to make 18, arranging the balls 3cm apart on trays. Bake for 9 minutes – they will still look a little bit wet, but that’s OK, that’s what will give them their soft brownie centre. Set aside on trays to cool completely. Serve cookies dusted with cinnamon sugar.

COOK'S TIP

For smaller bite-size cookies, roll dough into 2 teaspoon-sized balls and bake for 8 minutes.

BROWNIE COOKIES Preparation time 20 mins plus 40 mins chilling Cooking time 10 mins Makes 18

200g dark chocolate, finely chopped 50g butter, chopped 2 free-range eggs 2⁄3 cup caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ cup plain flour 1 Tbsp cocoa powder ¼ tsp baking powder Cinnamon sugar, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180ºC fanforced (200ºC conventional). Line 2 oven trays with baking paper. STEP 2 Put chocolate and butter into a large heatproof bowl set over

CHOCOLATE AND RAISIN PUDDINGS WITH SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 45 mins Makes 8

Melted butter, to grease, plus extra 100g ½ cup caster sugar 2 free-range eggs ½ cup sultanas ½ cup raisins, roughly chopped ¾ cup self-raising flour ¼ cup cocoa powder 3 tsp mixed spice ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda Salted caramel sauce 1 cup caster sugar 100ml water

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FESTIVE BAKING

GINGERBREAD GIFT TAGS Preparation time 20 mins plus 45 minutes chilling Cooking time 15 mins Makes 22

100ml thickened cream 1 tsp sea-salt flakes Toffee antlers, to garnish (see recipe, below right) STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160ºC fan-forced (180ºC conventional). Brush 8 ½-cup capacity metal dariole moulds with butter. STEP 2 Put sugar and extra butter in a large bowl of an electric mixer and beat with whisk attachment on high speed for 4 minutes or until light and fluffy. STEP 3 Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in sultanas and raisins, then sift in flour, cocoa, mixed spice and bicarb. Stir until just combined. Divide mixture among prepared moulds and smooth surface. STEP 4 Put moulds in a large deep roasting pan and add enough boiling water to come a third of the way up the sides of moulds. Cover tops with a sheet of baking paper, then cover entire roasting tray tightly with foil. Bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into centre of puddings comes out clean. Remove pan from oven, remove puddings from water and set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire rack. STEP 5 Meanwhile, to make salted caramel sauce, combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil. Boil, without stirring, for 10 minutes or until mixture becomes golden, brushing down side of pan with cold water if 26 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Gingerbread gift tags sugar crystals start to form. Remove from heat and stir in cream. (Take care as mixture will splutter). Return to the heat, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in salt. STEP 6 Trim bases of puddings so they sit flat on a serving platter. To serve, drizzle puddings with salted caramel sauce and garnish with toffee antlers (see below).

TO MAKE TOFFEE ANTLERS

Draw 5cm antler shapes with a pen on a sheet of baking paper, place on a large flat tray, ink side down. Put ½ cup sugar and 30ml water in a small saucepan. Stir to combine. Cook over a high heat, brushing down side of pan with cold water if sugar crystals start to form. Cook for 5–10 mins, or until the mixture is amber in colour. Remove from heat and plunge into a bowl of iced water for 10 seconds. Set aside for 2 minutes until toffee drizzles like runny honey and doesn’t drip. Using a small spoon, carefully trace drawn antler shapes with hot toffee. Leave on tray to set completely before using as a garnish.

STEP 1 Line 2 large oven trays with baking paper. Put butter and brown sugar into a large bowl. Beat with electric hand beaters on high for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add syrup and beat until combined. STEP 2 Stir in flour, cinnamon and bicarb until a soft dough forms. Knead into a ball, flatten into a disc, then wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 15 minutes. STEP 3 Roll out dough between 2 sheets of baking paper to form a rough rectangle, 5mm thick. Use an 8cm long, 5cm wide gift tag template to cut out 22 tags from dough, rerolling as necessary. Use a straw to make a hole 1cm from top of tag. STEP 4 Arrange tags, 2cm apart, on prepared trays. Chill for 30 minutes. STEP 5 Preheat oven to 160ºC fanforced (180ºC conventional). Bake for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside on tray to cool completely. STEP 6 To make icing, put egg whites in a medium bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer until they start to froth. Sift pure icing sugar onto a sheet of baking paper. Add icing sugar to egg whites, 1 Tbsp at a time, and beat until thick and stiff peaks form. Add enough lemon juice to thin icing until it has reached the desired drizzling consistency. STEP 7 Pipe icing onto tags, writing a name. Set aside for 30 minutes to set. Thread ribbon through the tag holes.

Photography Andre Martin; styling Annette Forrest; food preparation Kayla Cameron

Chocolate and raisin puddings

150g butter, chopped, softened ½ cup brown sugar 1⁄3 cup golden syrup 2 cups plain flour 3 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda Ribbon or string, to decorate Icing 2 free-range egg whites 2½ cups pure icing sugar 3-4 tsp lemon juice

See the potential in every capsule Because aluminium is infinitely recyclable, every used Nespresso capsule has future potential. Help give your capsules a second life by returning them directly to Nespresso through our national recycling network.

Explore recycling at www.nespresso.com

CHRISTMAS TREATS

♥ Bake a

li’l magic

Spread Christmas cheer with sweet little cakes, bickies and slices shaped like snowflakes and trees, plus savoury seasonal treats

Mini chocolate fudge cakes with boysenberry cream cheese frosting The fuchsia-pink jam is the star flavour in these cakes. Recipe on page 42

28 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Chocolate fudge cake This cake is crowned with fresh berries and cherries for instant festive glam – they go beautifully with the flavour of the filling, too. Recipe on page 42

CHRISTMAS TREATS

COFFEE AND FIG FRUIT CAKES

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 1 hour 40 mins Makes 12

Coffee and fig fruit cakes These snowflake-shaped morsels take delicious rich and dark fruit cake to sophisticated new heights.

Cooking oil spray, to grease 200g soft and juicy dried figs, finely chopped 1¼ cups sultanas 1¾ cups plain flour 125g butter, chopped, softened 1 cup CSR dark brown sugar, firmly packed 2 free-range eggs ½ cup CSR treacle 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 Tbsp instant coffee granules, dissolved in 1 Tbsp boiling water 1 Tbsp coffee-flavoured liqueur Double cream, to serve Fresh figs, to serve Store-bought caramel sauce, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 140°C fanforced (160°C conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 2 Put figs and sultanas into a large bowl and add 1 Tbsp of flour. Toss well to coat. STEP 3 Put butter and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat with electric hand beaters on high speed for 1 minute until well combined and slightly pale in colour.

STEP 4 Add eggs and treacle and beat on medium speed until just combined. STEP 5 Sift in cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, bicarb and remaining flour. Stir until half of the flour has been mixed through. STEP 6 Pour in coffee mixture and stir until coffee and remaining flour are incorporated. STEP 7 Stir in dried fruit mixture. STEP 8 Spoon 1/3 cup of mixture into each hole. Bake for 50 minutes. Set aside in pan for 10 minutes and then carefully turn out onto a wire rack. Brush with liqueur. STEP 9 Repeat Step 8 with remaining batter to make 12 in total. STEP 10 Serve cakes warm or at room temperature with cream and figs and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

COFFEE AND FIG CUPCAKES

To make Coffee and fig cupcakes, follow Steps 1–7 of Coffee and fig fruit cakes, lining 20 holes of two 12-hole 1/3 cup-capacity muffin trays with paper cases. Spoon mixture evenly into holes. Bake for 45 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Brush with liqueur then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. To decorate, roll 30g white ready-to-roll icing into a cupcake-sized disc. Press disc onto a doily or a decorative plate to imprint pattern on icing. Use a round cookie cutter to create a clean shape. Repeat to make 20 discs. Spread 2 tsp of storebought vanilla frosting on each cake, then top with decorative icing disc.

STEPS

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 7

Embrace tradition but give it a taste twist with coffee-flavoured fruit cakes

Coffee and fig cupcakes Adorn Chrissie cupcakes with an upturned sprig of rosemary and a star to add a touch of cute factor. Recipe on opposite page

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 31

CHRISTMAS TREATS

MINI UPSIDE DOWN BAKED CHEESECAKES

Preparation time 15 mins plus 3 hours 30 mins chilling Cooking time 15 mins Makes 6 Cooking oil spray, to grease 125g Granita biscuits 75g unsalted butter, melted 1 tsp vanilla extract, plus extra 1 tsp ½ tsp ground cinnamon 250g block cream cheese, chopped, softened

Bake me in your festive cakelet pan or

a muffin tray Cooking times may vary so always test

¼ cup caster sugar ¼ cup sour cream 1 free-range egg Silver cachous, to decorate STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fanforced (200°C conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 2 Put biscuits, butter, vanilla and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor and process until fine crumbs form. Push biscuit mixture into holes, and smooth surface using the back of a teaspoon. STEP 3 Put cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Using paddle attachment, beat on high until well combined. Add sour cream and extra vanilla and beat until combined. Add egg and beat on low until just combined. STEP 4 Spoon cream cheese mixture into holes on top of biscuit base, and smooth the surface. Bake for 15 mins until just set. Remove from oven and set aside for 15 minutes before chilling in pan for 3 hours to cool completely. STEP 5 Just before serving, transfer the cheesecakes to the freezer for 15 minutes to set bases firmly to make removal easy. Carefully turn out. Set aside for 15 minutes before serving. Serve garnished with silver cachous.

LARGE BAKED CHEESECAKE

Mini upside down baked cheesecakes Simply turn your little cheesecakes upside down to reveal a charming snowflake pattern.

To make a Large baked cheesecake, follow Steps 1-4 of Mini upside down baked cheesecakes, greasing a 20cm round spring-form tin with cooking oil spray and lining base and sides with baking paper. Push biscuit mixture into base of tin, spoon cream cheese mixture over, then bake for 25 minutes. Serve topped with 150ml whipped thickened cream, garnished with a milk chocolate snowflake and a dusting of icing sugar. To make, melt 50g chocolate and pipe a snowflake pattern onto a piece of baking paper. Allow to set for 1 hour in the fridge.

Large baked cheesecake Cheesecake is always a crowd pleaser and this baked beauty is easily turned into a Christmas dessert by adding a sugar-dusted choc snowflake on top. Recipe on opposite page DECEMBER 2017 BHG 33

CHRISTMAS TREATS

VANILLA SNOWFLAKE BISCUITS Preparation time 25 mins plus 30 mins chilling Cooking time 50 mins Makes 24

Bake me in your festive cakelet pan or

250g unsalted butter, chopped, softened 2/3 cup CSR caster sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 free-range egg yolk 2 cups plain flour Cooking oil spray, to grease

a muffin tray Cooking times may vary so always test

STEP 1 Put butter in a large bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. STEP 2 Add vanilla and egg yolk, mixing until smooth. STEP 3 Sift in flour, mixing until combined. STEP 4 Use your hands to knead until a smooth dough forms. STEP 5 Divide dough in half and shape each into a disc. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. STEP 6 Preheat oven to 180°C fanforced (200°C conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 7 Push 1 Tbsp of dough into prepared holes. Bake for 12 minutes or until firm to touch. Set aside in pan to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough to make 24.

VANILLA TREE BISCUITS To make Vanilla tree biscuits, follow Steps 1–5 of Vanilla snowflake biscuits. Roll chilled dough between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Use tree-shaped cookie cutters (we used 10cm tall and 7cm tall cutters) to cut out about 32 tree shapes. Arrange on 3 baking-paper lined oven trays, 3cm apart. Bake for 12 minutes, or until firm to touch, swapping tray positions halfway through cooking. To decorate, make one quantity of royal icing (see below). Pipe icing around edge of each tree and scatter with 80g finely chopped pistachios and a single silver cachou. Set aside for 1 hour to allow icing to set hard. Serve.

Vanilla snowflake biscuits Golden, buttery and flavoured with vanilla, these bickies are as tasty as they are pretty.

HOW TO MAKE ROYAL ICING Put 2 free-range egg whites in a medium bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer until they start to foam. Sift 2½ cups pure icing sugar onto a sheet of baking paper. Add icing sugar to egg whites, 1 Tbsp at a time, and beat until stiff peaks form. Add enough lemon juice (3–4 tsp) to thin icing until desired drizzling consistency is reached.

Edible yuletide trees encased by a sparkling glass dome make delightful table centrepieces

Vanilla tree biscuits Delicately decorated with finely chopped pistachios and a single silver cachou, these trees are as decorative as they are delicious. Recipe on opposite page DECEMBER 2017 BHG 35

CHRISTMAS TREATS

WHITE CHOCOLATE, PISTACHIO, CRANBERRY AND ALMOND FLORENTINES Preparation time 15 mins plus 1 hour cooling and 1 hour chilling Cooking time 40 mins Makes 12

Cooking oil spray, to grease 80g pistachios 100g dried cranberries 3½ cups cornflakes 110g flaked almonds ½ cup sultanas 395g can sweetened condensed milk 200g white chocolate, melted 200g dark chocolate, melted

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C fanforced (180°C conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 2 Roughly chop pistachios and cranberries and transfer to a large bowl with cornflakes, almonds and sultanas. Pour in sweetened condensed milk and stir until combined. Spoon ½ cup of mixture into each of the prepared holes, and press down firmly, smoothing surface as much as possible. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked. Set aside in pan for 30 minutes or until cooled completely. STEP 3 Remove from pan. Wash

White chocolate, pistachio, cranberry and almond florentines These elegant treats are packed with cranberries and nuts. They're for sharing, but no judgement if you don't!

Bake me in your festive cakelet pan or

a muffin tray Cooking times may vary so always test

pan and dry thoroughly. Repeat Steps 1-2 to make 6 more. STEP 4 Pour melted white chocolate into the holes, about 1 Tbsp per hole. Return 6 of the florentines to matching pan holes, decorative side down. Chill for 30 minutes or until chocolate has set. Remove and store in an airtight container between layers of baking paper. STEP 5 Repeat Step 4 with dark chocolate and remaining florentines. Florentines will keep for up to 1 week stored in the fridge.

FLORENTINE SLICE

To make a Florentine slice, follow Steps 1-2 of White chocolate, pistachio, cranberry and almond florentines, greasing a 20 x 30cm lamington tin, lining base and sides with baking paper and baking for 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove slice from tin, grease and reline with baking paper. Pour 200g each of melted milk chocolate and white chocolate into the base, marbling with a spoon. Return slice to tin, rough side up. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until chocolate has set. Remove from tin and cut into 20 triangular pieces.

Turn your florentine slice into majestic festive trees, simply with a couple of clever cuts

Florentine slice Your guests will be asking for take-home packs of these impressive after-dinner trees. Recipe on opposite page DECEMBER 2017 BHG 37

CHRISTMAS TREATS

COCONUT SNOWFLAKE CAKES WITH LIME ICING Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 25 mins Makes 6

Add a touch of winter wonderland to your Christmas table with rock salt and a generous dusting of icing sugar mixture

smooth. Drizzle cakes with icing and dust with extra icing sugar. Serve.

MINI COCONUT CAKES

Cooking oil spray, to grease 4 free-range egg whites 1 cup icing sugar mixture ½ cup almond meal ½ cup desiccated coconut ½ cup plain flour ½ tsp baking powder 90g unsalted butter, melted Lime icing 1 cup CSR soft icing sugar mixture, plus extra to dust 2 Tbsp lime juice STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160ºC fanforced (180ºC conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil spray and put onto an oven tray. STEP 2 Put egg whites in a large bowl and beat using electric hand beaters for 1 minute or until soft peaks form. STEP 3 Sift in icing sugar, beat on low speed until combined. STEP 4 Stir in almond meal and coconut. Sift in flour and baking powder, then stir. STEP 5 Pour in butter and stir until combined. STEP 6 Spoon mixture into holes and smooth surface. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly golden around edges. Set aside in pan to cool completely. STEP 7 To make lime icing, combine ingredients in a small bowl until

To make mini coconut cakes, follow Steps 1–5 of Coconut snowflake cakes, greasing 9 holes of a 12-hole 1/3-cup capacity muffin tray. Spoon ¼ cup mixture into each hole. Bake for 15 mins or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Set aside in tin for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Drizzle with lime icing, scatter with toasted coconut flakes, lime zest and icing sugar.

Mini coconut cakes Turn these cakes into a truly decadent dessert by splitting in half and filling with cream.

STEPS

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

Bake me in your festive cakelet pan or

a muffin tray Cooking times may vary so always test

Coconut snowflake cakes with lime icing Looking for Christmas cakes that taste like summer? These little gems are drizzled with zesty lime icing. Recipe on opposite page

BUY NOW FROM

YOUR FESTIVE CAKELET PAN

You’ll be baking up sweet treats for all your loved ones with these festive cakelet pans! Need more? For only $19.95, you’ll receive two festive cakelet pans (one green, one red). To order, call 1300 745 898 or visit bhgshop.com.au Price includes postage and handling. Delivery only within Australia. Stocks are limited. Please allow 14 days for delivery.

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 39

CHRISTMAS TREATS

Time to serve a

savoury or two CHEESE BISCUITS

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 25 mins Makes 12 Cooking oil spray, to grease 1 cup plain flour, plus extra for dusting ½ tsp fine salt 125g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 35g parmesan, finely grated 30g cheddar, coarsely grated STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C fanforced (180°C conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 2 Put flour, salt, butter, parmesan and cheddar in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until mixture comes together into a ball. Transfer to a lightly floured surface. STEP 3 Spoon 1 Tbsp of dough into each of the holes, press down firmly and smooth the surface. STEP 4 Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes or until golden. Cool biscuits in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out. STEP 5 Repeat Steps 3–4. STEP 6 Serve biscuits on a cheese platter.

CHEESE AND HERB BREAD

Make Christmas-themed finger food to get your party started SWEET POTATO FRITTATAS

1 free-range egg 125ml water 3 Tbsp melted butter

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 20 mins Makes 6

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fanforced (200°C conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 2 Sprinkle ½ cup of the cheese among the prepared holes, pressing down slightly. STEP 3 Combine flour, salt, baking powder and dried herbs in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of the cheese and toss to coat using a fork. STEP 4 In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream, sour cream, egg and water. Add to dry ingredients and stir gently, then add melted butter, mixing until just combined. Batter will be lumpy. Divide batter in half. STEP 5 Spoon one half batter evenly among pan holes, set remaining batter aside covered with plastic wrap. STEP 6 Grease your finger tips with olive oil and flatten out the batter in the pan holes. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Remove pan from oven, loosen the bread slightly then turn it out. STEP 7 Re-grease pan holes with cooking oil and repeat Steps 2, 5 and 6 with remaining cheese and batter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cooking oil spray, to grease 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 125g chorizo, finely diced 1/3 cup finely diced sweet potato 4 free-range eggs ¼ cup milk ¼ cup coarsely grated cheddar 2 green shallots, thinly sliced Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season Micro herbs, to garnish Tomato relish, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 200°C fanforced (220°C conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 2 Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook chorizo and sweet potato, stirring, for 5 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool. STEP 3 Whisk eggs and milk in a large jug. Stir in sweet potato, chorizo, cheese and shallots. Season. STEP 4 Pour mixture into holes. Bake for 16 mins or until egg is set. Garnish with micro herbs and serve with relish.

Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 1 hour Makes 12

Cooking oil spray, to grease 2 cups shredded tasty cheese 3 cups plain flour 1 tsp fine salt 1 Tbsp baking powder 2 tsp dried Italian herbs 250ml thickened cream ½ cup sour cream

1. Chocolate discs

2. Herb butter

3. Iceblocks

Cheese biscuits

Cheese and herb bread

Sweet potato frittatas

You can also make us with

a muffin tray

or cookie cutters Cooking times may vary so always test

4. Decorative ice-cream

4 quickies with the festive cakelet pan 1 Create pretty chocolate discs by spooning 25g melted chocolate into each hole then refrigerate until set hard. 2 Set herbed butter in the pan to make festive pats. Beat 125g softened butter in a large bowl until smooth, stir in chopped herbs and spoon into holes, pushing down firmly to get into the grooves. Refrigerate for six hours or overnight, then turn out and serve with bread.

3 Make pretty iceblocks by putting slices of lemon or a couple of edible flowers into each hole, fill with water and freeze overnight. Handy to use in punch, or a jug of water to keep it icy cold. 4 Freeze softened ice-cream in the pan overnight for a decorative dessert, then turn out onto a chilled plate to serve, decorated with strawberries or other fruit. DECEMBER 2017 BHG 41

CHRISTMAS TREATS

Chocolate fudge cake

MINI CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKES WITH BOYSENBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160ºC fanforced (180ºC conventional). Grease a 6-hole festive cakelet pan with cooking oil. Put it on an oven tray. STEP 2 Put butter, chocolate and sugar in a large bowl. Set over a saucepan of simmering water and stir occasionally until butter and chocolate have melted. Set aside for 10 minutes. STEP 3 Using a hand whisk, stir in jam then whisk in eggs, until just combined. STEP 4 Sift in flour and baking powder, stir again until combined, still using whisk. STEP 5 Spoon 1/3 cup of mixture into each hole. Bake for 25 minutes. Centre will still be slightly fudgy. Set aside in pan for 10 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Trim bases to level, then cut in half horizontally. STEP 6 Meanwhile, to make boysenberry cream cheese frosting,

Preparation time 35 mins Cooking time 25 mins Makes 6

Cooking oil spray, to grease 170g unsalted butter, chopped 170g dark chocolate, finely chopped ¼ cup CSR caster sugar ¼ cup boysenberry jam, plus extra to serve 2 free-range eggs 1 cup plain flour ½ tsp baking powder Icing sugar, to dust Boysenberry cream cheese frosting 250g block cream cheese, chopped, softened 2 Tbsp icing sugar mixture 1 Tbsp milk 1 Tbsp boysenberry jam

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

To make a Chocolate fudge cake, follow Steps 1-4 of Mini chocolate fudge cakes to make 2 quantities of batter, greasing and lining two 20cm round cake tins. Bake for 45 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Once cool, make 2 times the quantity of boysenberry cream cheese frosting. Put the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm star nozzle and pipe peaks to cover the top of one of the cakes. Top with remaining cake. Spoon over chocolate ganache and top with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries. Dust with icing sugar.

COOK’S TIP

Swap boysenberry for your favourite fruit jam. Or use a chocolate hazelnut spread.

STEPS

STEP 2 42 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STEP 4

STEP 5

Photography Andre Martin and Omid Daghighi; styling Annette Forrest; food preparation Elle Vernon and Kayla Cameron

Mini chocolate fudge cakes

put cream cheese and icing sugar mixture into a large bowl and beat with electric hand beaters on low until smooth. Add the milk and beat until incorporated. Increase to high speed and beat again for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add jam and swirl to create a marbled effect. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm star nozzle. STEP 7 Pipe mixture onto the cut side of bases, then sandwich with tops. Drizzle with extra jam. Dust with icing sugar. Serve.

"You could be on one of those cooking shows" REVIEWED BY NICHOLAS

This choc-raspberry meringue cake was homemade with love by Celeste. Wife and favourite chef of Nicholas.

Be someone's favourite chef

make it rustic Enjoy the magic of a white Christmas with snowy woodland scenes

1

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW Create a captivating vignette with a wooden chalet, windows aglow, flanked by firs. The roof tiles are branch chips dusted with glitter and the trees are simply felt glued to dowel. Elevate the house on a tree trunk slice then set the scene. What to use for the bed of snow? Rock salt. Too easy! Instructions for projects on page 206

i 44 BHG DECEMBER 2017

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

SEASONAL CRAFT

welcome to your

Christmas lan wonder

d

Craft the way to your most amazing holiday season yet!

t

hese pages are a celebration of everything Christmas. May you be tempted to make and share the many decorating and display ideas, ornaments, wreaths and gifts to create an even more memorable occasion than last year. Go forth and create!

2 DASHER AND DANCER What a pair these two make, prancing through the snow. The mossy reindeer is store-bought, but the barkcovered guy is one for you to make. There’s nothing tricky to it, but it does get a little sticky. Want to make it easier? Just cover with wood-look scrapbook paper.

3

3 ENCHANTED WOOD Cut trees from cardstock and stitch three together for a deco that stands on its own. Highlight it under a cloche lit with seed lights (the battery-operated kind) and make more for what will be a muchired woodland scene. 4 SEASON’S GREETINGS Add a personal touch to your gifts with beautiful handmade cards. Made with cardstock, glitter paper and double-sided tape, the woodland tree

Your new art form! The Germans call it scherenschnitte, which means designs ‘scissor cut’ from paper 4

5

designs are die cut. (You could do them freehand, but the cuts won’t be as precise.) Mini wood flourishes are the finishing touch. 5 SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS What would Christmas be without elves? With pinecone bodies and wood beads for their heads, this family is easy to make. Paint on their smiling faces and dress them in felt hats, scarves and coats. Too cute!

SEASONAL CRAFT

6 WALL WREATH Traditionally hung on front doors, bring wreaths indoors and they make for a pretty display. Create your own with handmade felt flowers and a mix of fresh and faux foliage, berries and flowers. Hang it low so it has a relationship with other seasonal decorations. Instructions for projects on page 206

i

SHOP IT AT SPOTLIGHT! FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE DECEMBER 2017 BHG 47

SEASONAL CRAFT

make it merry and mauve

Soft and subtle teals, blues and purples combine for a pretty seasonal interior

1 FLOWER SHOW Design a lush centrepiece for your Christmas table, made of faux flowers and foliage. Up the festive feel with a candle on a bed of pink rock salt in a hurricane lamp. Its low height makes it ideal for conversing with guests opposite. 48 BHG DECEMBER 2017

2

FELT GIFT TOPPERS Six felt circles, in two sizes and two different shades, is all you need for these pretty gift toppers. Simply stack a small circle on top of a large circle, thread through the ‘base’, and keep adding circle pairs until all are threaded. Pull the loose ends taut to form the ‘flower’ shape, tie off and decorate with a button in the centre. Easy-peasy! Instructions for projects on page 206

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

4 WHAT A PAIR! The partridge may be missing, but a beautifully embroidered pear makes a mighty fine ornament or take-home gift for your guests. And don’t you love the gift tag? Make a swag of them using a tag punch. Decorate each with fine glitter sprinkled over two narrow strips of double-sided tape across the bottom. A letter sticker for each recipient personalises it.

4

3

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a partridge in a pear tree

FROM THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

3 SCALLOPED NAPKIN RING Give your table napkins a festive twist. Use a paper punch to make scalloped circles from glitter card, then, using the dips in the scallops as a guide, fold concertina creases to give 50 BHG DECEMBER 2017

your ‘flower’ dimension. Make a small hole in the centre and thread the hanger of a tassel through it. Arrange a ribbon around your napkin, slip over the tassel hanger and tie the ribbon to secure the ‘flower’ in place.

SEASONAL CRAFT

5

’TIS THE SEASON When craft meets decorating! Take raw MDF letters, seal and paint them, then cover in glitter paper that was first traced and cut to shape. Simple so far, yes? It gets easier. Rest each letter on a bed of snow-like rock salt on a raised cloche stand. Under glass, each letter becomes a precious object. To display, arrange the cloches in a straight or staggered line on a hall or sofa table, a sideboard or your mantelpiece. ➤ Instructions for projects on page 206

i

SHOP IT AT SPOTLIGHT! FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

6

COUNTDOWN JOY Look no further than this idea for an Advent calendar. Assembled from decorated mini envelopes and strung together with gold cord, it’s an easy project. The kids will love punching out the scalloped circles as you paint and do the fussier bits. And spell out the season’s sentiments with letters and images, individually painted to suit your scheme. Instructions for projects on page 206

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

SEASONAL CRAFT

7 STARRY STARRY NIGHT Two sheets of square glitter paper and you’re in the starmaking business! These easymake 3D ornamental stars can be made in multiple sizes and are light enough to hang from the ceiling, dangle from a tree branch or be part of a still life. Instructions are for large and medium sizes, but you can tailor your sizes with a simple amendment to the measurements and cutting instructions.

9 8

For what is it that angels do? They bring us good news... They lift our hearts and give us wings WHERE ANGELS WALK, JOAN WESTER ANDERSON

8 GILDED GLASS BAUBLES Weary of scouring stores for ornaments to suit your scheme? Look no more! You can custom-colour clear glass baubles with acrylic paint in just the right shade. Add touches of gold leaf for a contemporary take on gilded ornaments.

9 HARK THE HERALD ANGELS Often the crowning glory of a Christmas tree, this enchanting concertina angel and her friends (see Felt gift toppers) happily pose as tabletop decorations heralding Christmas cheer throughout your home. ➤ DECEMBER 2017 BHG 53

SEASONAL CRAFT

make it folksy

and bright

Put a new twist on decos and gifts, going beyond the traditional with bold colours and an ethnic folk feel

1 CROCHET BAUBLES Made from summery cotton-blend yarn, these easy-to-hook crochet baubles can be hung from a tree, displayed in a bowl and scattered across a mantel. Or you can give them the deserving status of the handmade, arranging them on a raised platter. Loving this happy-go-lucky colourway but feel free to make them up to suit your decorative palette.

2 THREE WISE MEN We love these gents! Thoroughly modern in design, but with a touch of whimsy, you’ll notice they come bearing gifts. Check out the cheekiest of the three, observing the preparations and celebrations from his high perch on top of a bauble. ➤ Instructions for projects on page 206

i

SHOP IT AT SPOTLIGHT! FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE DECEMBER 2017 BHG 55

SEASONAL CRAFT

3,4 STARRING HEARTS Inspired by folk tradition and boho style, these colourful stars and hearts are made from felt. You can decorate them with your choice of simple embroidery stitches, a little beadwork and, if you wish, layered felt flowers. ➤ Instructions for projects on page 206

4

3

The song says that if your heart is in your dream when you wish upon a star, it will come true! 56 BHG DECEMBER 2017

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

SPOTLIGHT ADVERTISING FEATURE

Stacked Star Christmas Trees CREATE THE IDEAL ADORNMENT FOR A FESTIVE FEAST

N

othing signals the start of Christmas like adding the star to the top of the tree. These easyto-make fabric stars will provide that magic feeling at the dinner table, too.

THESE CHRISTMAS STARS ARE THE PERFECT TABLETOP DECORATION.

MATERIALS • 30cm of 112cm wide assorted Christmas metallic print fabrics • Gold or silver jingle bells • 3mm wide metallic gold or silver ribbon • Hobby Fill polyester stuffing • Matching sewing thread and long doll hand needle • Sewing machine • Scissors, pins, tape measure/ruler • Iron • Pencil and paper

STEP 1

Go to spotlightstores. com/projects/ christmas-projects to and print the star shape template. Enlarge/reduce the star shape to six sizes; 30cm, 26cm, 22cm, 18cm, 15cm and 11cm wide. Cut out two star shapes from the Christmas metallic fabric from each of the six sized templates.

STEP 2

With the right sides facing, pin and sew the two largest cut-out fabric stars together, leaving a 3-4cm opening along one side. Clip and trim the seams and turn the star the right way out, then press. Repeat with the other five star shapes.

STEP 3

Insert the hobby fill stuffing into the stars

through the openings to the desired fullness. Hand sew the openings closed.

STEP 4

Using a long doll hand needle, hand sew the largest star to the next sized star through the middle of the stars, knotting the thread tightly at the base of the largest star. One at a time, continue to sew each sized star to

VISIT SPOTLIGHTSTORES.COM/PROJECTS/CHRISTMAS-PROJECTS

the largest two stars, stacking them and securing them firmly at the base. Sew the smallest star to the top, standing it vertically.

STEP 5

Make small bows from metallic gold ribbon. Sew one to the middle of the top, standing star. Sew bows to some of the star points as required, alternating with jingle bells.

SEASONAL CRAFT

5

Greet your guests with a quirky twist on the traditional wreath with little elves in lights! 5 WREATHS AND STARMEN What a terrific idea for transforming a plain wreath! You simply make mini felt star characters, then wire them around it. Holding hands, these starry people also make a cute garland. Loving their glitter ribbon scarves and the tinkling hat bells. 58 BHG DECEMBER 2017

6 FELT REINDEER Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a reindeer on the horizon, or in our midst. You can make him to dangle on your tree or to gift. As a deco, you might like to arrange him on a soft bed of Spanish moss instead of the usual presentation of shredded cello. So pretty!

6

i

SHOP IT AT SPOTLIGHT! FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

Instructions for projects on page 206

FOR MORE CHRISTMAS CRAFT IDEAS VISIT BHG.COM.AU/CRAFT

The Daintree Collection

&

LADIES WHO LUNCH

PLANT PROFILE

in your

gorgeous garden i BEGIN WITH BEGONIAS

Add colour, texture and patterns to your patch with the Persian carpet of the plant world

f you are after plants that have stunning flowers and spectacular foliage, then begonias are hard to beat. They come in an astounding array of leaf shapes, sizes, patterns and colours – with the flowers ranging through white, pink, red, yellow, orange and many other hues. While many species favour shady parts of the garden, others thrive in direct sun, and you’ll find varieties to suit pots, tubs, garden beds and hanging baskets. So try a little begonia brilliance at your place.

Fabulous pink shades abound in the world of begonias. This is ‘Dibleys Pink Showers’, a tuberous variety, about 30cm high, which makes a lovely subject for pots or baskets.

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 61

PLANT PROFILE

Try using them as hanging basket plants for spring and summer displays. The double orange blooms of this tuberous variety almost smother the container.

3

essential

CARE TIPS

Begonias are fairly robust, but you may need to treat the odd problem to keep your plants in tip-top shape.

1

When buying begonias, inspect the plant carefully for any signs of disease or insect damage. If it looks weak and leggy, or has any holes, spots or discolouration on the leaves or stems, don’t buy it, as it will not thrive.

2

Powdery mildew This fungal disease shows on the tops and undersides of leaves as a grey/white coating, and affected foliage withers and dies. To help prevent it, water the soil around the plant and avoid splashing the leaves, watering in the morning so any excess moisture can evaporate during the day. Remove any affected leaves with sharp scissors or secateurs and, if necessary, spray with a fungicide.

3

Begonia pustulata

Burn marks Dark brown, crisplooking marks on leaf edges are usually caused by low humidity. Place the pot in a tray with pebbles and water, making sure the pot base doesn’t sit in the water, to prevent root rot. Begonias also get sunburnt, seen as a pale brown or yellow scorch mark on all, or part, of the leaf. Cut off affected foliage, discard and move pots into a more sheltered spot.

Begonia brevirimosa

With their shade-loving habits, begonias are wonderful for injecting flower colour into low-light parts of the garden. Here, a red variety mixes it up with sweet potato vine and white bacopa.

GROW YOUR BEST

begonias

CLIMATE Most varieties grow best in a mild temperature range, between 15°C and 26°C, though tuberous begonias need it a little cooler to perform at their best. They like humidity and warmth, but can’t tolerate extreme heat, dryness or frost. POSITION As a general rule, begonias favour bright filtered light with no exposure to harsh midday sun. Some species will also tolerate deep shade. They need good ventilation to help prevent fungal diseases and do well planted under trees and shrubs.

Some of the cane-stemmed and wax varieties will tolerate full sun. SOIL In the garden, they require freedraining soil improved with compost. Heavy clay soil that becomes waterlogged is unsuited, as it can cause root and stem rot. In pots, use a light freedraining potting mix containing coco coir, perlite or vermiculite (African violet mix works well). WATER Begonias have fleshy stems and leaves that hold water for long periods of time, so they don’t need

constant watering. Too much water can cause plants to turn brown and rot, so allow them to dry out almost completely between waterings. Try to water the soil around the plant and not the foliage, as wet leaves can encourage powdery mildew. FERTILISER For potted plants, apply a generalpurpose slow-release fertiliser at the time of potting and liquid fertiliser at half-strength every two to three weeks during the growing period. In the garden, it’s advisable to incorporate a general-purpose fertiliser into the soil at planting time. DECEMBER 2017 BHG 63

PLANT PROFILE

begonia types Begonia coccinea

Cane stemmed begonias

1

Tall growing, up to 1–2m, these varieties bloom from mid-summer to mid-autumn with fleshy flowers like little chandeliers, in shades of pink, red, orange and white. One of the most popular is B. coccinea, which has pendulous heartshaped leaves with red undersides and margins. They’re stately plants, great for filling areas of the garden that need a vertical element. Or try them as specimen plants in large pots, on a verandah or in a courtyard.

Shrub begonias

2

These are robust plants; they come in many sizes, colours and leaf shapes, and bear flowers for many months. They can handle being a little on the dry side and prefer semi-shade. A few standouts in the group are Begonia venosa, with rounded silver-grey velvety leaves, B. metallica, with purple-veined leaves, and the majestic B. luxurians, with leaves that look almost like a palm frond – green on the topside and red underneath. Unlike the cane-stemmed varieties, shrub begonias will branch, so prune in late winter to promote new growth. 64 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Begonia x hiemalis

Tuberous begonias

3

Renowned for amazing glasshouse displays, Begonia tuberhybrida, or tuberous begonias, have gorgeous double flowers that appear in late spring and summer. They make delightful pot or window box displays. Best in filtered shade, they like a little morning sun in cooler climates. Allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings and store the pots somewhere dry over winter.

Rex begonia ‘Princess of Hanover’

Begonia venosa

Elatior begonias

4

Ideal as houseplants or in hanging baskets, elatior begonias (Begonia x hiemalis) are short-lived but flower prolifically and come in fabulous colours, from hot reds and oranges to softer sherbet-like pinks, lemons and apricots. A group of two or three pots of these little beauties will brighten any room. In of growing, they like rich, well-drained soil and detest soggy feet. Grow them in African violet potting mix and keep it evenly moist. Cut back spent flower stems to 5–10cm long, to revitalise the plant and encourage new growth.

Begonia tuberhybrida

Rex begonias

5

Also known as king begonias, Rex begonias have the name for good reason. While their flowers are insignificant, their foliage is like a royal robe with purple, pink, maroon, pewter, silver and shades of green splashed on the foliage in dazzling combos. They grow well in pots and hanging baskets in bright filtered light. They need high humidity but hate soggy roots, so water only when dry.

You can include begonias in your mixed outdoor flower beds too. Look for the varieties sold as ‘bedding begonias’, which thrive in sun or shade.

PLANT PROFILE

HOW TO PROPAGATE BEGONIAS

If you have a hard-to-get variety, or you just want more plants to keep or give to friends, you’ll be thrilled to know that most begonias can be propagated from leaf cuttings. As long as you keep your potting medium and equipment clean, you should have little trouble producing healthy plants. There are a few different ways to take begonia leaf cuttings, but the wedge method is one of the easiest and you can propagate many plants from a single leaf.

STEPS

STEP 1

Gather your supplies

• Begonia leaf • Sharp sterilised scissors • Perlite and vermiculite • Clean, sterilised plastic pot • Small saucer • Plant cutting (hormone) powder • Chopstick • Plant label • Marking (wax) pencil or permanent marker • Plastic bag

STEP 2

STEP 3

Rex begonia

Begonia masoniana

66 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STEP 1 Choose a healthy mature leaf and cut off with scissors. STEP 2 Cut off the leaf stalk with scissors. Make a 50/50 mix of perlite and vermiculite and transfer to plastic pot. STEP 3 Cut leaf into wedges, making sure a prominent vein runs along the centre of the cutting. STEP 4 Dip cut end of each wedge into plant cutting powder, shaking off any excess. STEP 5 Use chopstick to make a hole in the moist potting medium. STEP 6 Insert cutting into the hole and firm down the potting medium to keep leaf wedge as upright as possible. Insert plant label. STEP 7 Put a plastic bag over the pot and place in a brightly lit area but out of direct sun. Remove bag to mist occasionally, if the potting medium dries out. STEP 8 Once the plantlets come up, transfer them to individual pots.

STEP 4

STEP 6

STEP 7

Words and photography Brent Wilson. For more information on begonias, visit shadeplants.com.au

Here’s how

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BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

hot to trot

Transform your outdoor living spaces with glorious summer combos, artfully arranged in containers large and small, perfect for the entertaining season ahead

s

ummer – there’s no other time like it for flowers. Bold and brilliant blooms abound and nurseries are packed with potted annuals, shrubs and climbers doing their thing. So here’s your seasonal recipe for creating an eye-popping display – grab a clutch of favourite bloomers, gather every spare container and combine the two. Perfect!

1

SET UP A SCENE You can create an entire summer garden scene in pots, by concentrating them all together around your outdoor living zone. For height, try standard bougainvilleas (pick your favourite colour!), then arrange smaller pots and troughs with petunias and geraniums in lolly pink and red shades. And to vary the height layers, how about borrowing this idea and using old packing cases as shelves. ➤ 68 BHG DECEMBER 2017

pots

Photography GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss

2

FLOWER TOWER Lift the view closer to eye height by using tall cylindrical planters – go red if you dare! To fill up the base, use bricks or an upturned planter, then sit a pot of bloomers on top – here impatiens and marigolds, with draping stems of vinca.

QUICK SILVER

When you’re combining lots of shockingly bright flower colours, silver foliage can provide a good foil. Try lamb’s ear (shown here) or look for silver plectranthus or helichrysum.

70 BHG DECEMBER 2017

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

3

LIGHT UP THE LANTERNS Chinese lantern flowers (Abutilon sp.) bloom all summer long, bearing clusters of nodding bellshaped blooms in a range of hues – yellow, white, pink, apricot, red and more. For growing in pots, seek out the dwarf varieties, which grow into neat little shrubs, about 30–40cm high.

4

COLOUR BY NUMBERS Don’t ignore the familiar! Warm-season colour doesn’t come any easier than geraniums and they look extra cute when clustered together. Seek out a wall planter like this one or line up a trio

5

Photography GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss/Annie Green-Armytage

MIX UP MATERIALS Metal pots and planters add an interesting edge to the outdoor scene, their dull silver texture contrasting well with ultra-bright blooms. Try dwarf mandevillas in pink and red shades, teamed with white alyssum and ornamental grasses.

of potted geraniums on your front steps. Red is the classic favourite, but the range of colours available these days is vast. ➤

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

6

HEAVENLY HYDRANGEAS True stars of the summer garden, hydrangeas can make a scene like few other shrubs, with their huge rounded blooms in blue, pink or white. Consider creating a patio display like this, combining a potted pink variety with a standard form in blue – gorgeous!

7

SPIRES OF BLUE Add splashes of cool blue to a hot summer garden with salvias – there are lots of varieties to choose from.

Photography GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss

8

SWINGIN’ IN THE BREEZE Hanging baskets bring flowers right up to eye level. Plant them up generously with three or four flower varieties, or cheat and buy one of the pre-planted nursery versions! This fabulous scheme marries purple lobelia, red verbena and white calibrachoa for a display with tons of in-your-face impact.

9

SUMMER SKIES Blue flowering shrubs have a wonderfully cooling influence on a summer garden, and plumbago is one of the best – it’s never out of flower! Try a scheme like this one, with a standard plumbago in a wooden container, underplanted with petunias and geraniums. ➤

6 FREE ISSUES

when you subscribe SEE PAGE 218

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 73

10

SALVAGE STYLE How’s this for a DIY vertical garden? Grab that old ladder from the shed and arrange a cluster of enamel jugs as planters. Plant-wise, try a scheme of white impatiens and mauve ageratum.

4

THINGS

flowers NEED

1

THE RIGHT SPOT Most flowering plants need lots of sunshine to thrive. For shady spots, try hydrangeas and impatiens.

2

HAPPY ROOTS Use a top quality potting mix when planting containers. Never use garden soil, as it doesn’t drain effectively.

3

GOOD FOOD Flowering plants need good nutrition. Mix slow-release fertiliser into the potting mix at planting stage, and apply periodic doses of soluble fertiliser throughout the growing season.

4

WATER PLEASE Pots are thirsty things during summer. Water daily in hot weather and every 2-3 days when the weather is mild.

74 BHG DECEMBER 2017

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

11

HEAVEN SCENT Is there any perfume more intoxicating in a summer garden than gardenias? These compact shrubs will grow just as happily in pots as in the ground, and that means you can enjoy one right beside your patio doors. But why plant just one?

12

STARRY CHARM Clusters of simple star-like flowers smother Pentas lanceolata throughout the warmer months. Compact and shrubby, it makes a nice container plant and blooms in both full sun and partly shaded spots. The colour range includes pink, red, lilac and white.

13

Photography GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss/Neil Overy, Adobe Stock

COTTAGE COLOUR If you love pink in your garden, get to know summer phlox (Phlox paniculata). Traditionally a long-stemmed flower, it’s available in more compact forms these days, which are perfect for pot displays. Plant up a whole tub of it, in one of its many shades of pink, and enjoy the parade of blooms all season long. ■

There’s no such thing as too many flowers in a garden – so fill up every container you can find!

STAR BLOOM Pierre de Ronsard

f

orget fashions on the field this carnival season and check out the spectacular racecourse roses instead! Flemington is famous for the Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation, but the roses on the course are also renowned for their amazing colour. Head gardener Terry Freeman has worked at Flemington Racecourse for more than 40 years and is known as the ‘keeper of the roses’. In the months leading up to the spring carnival Terry and his team of 18 horticulturists and gardeners are kept busy pruning and feeding more than 16,000 plants so they are in full, beautiful bloom on the big day – the perfect backdrop to all the hats, horses and hoopla.

Winning

Find out how the famous blooms at Flemington always look spectacular, and create the same magic at your place

roses

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00 EXPERT TIPS Here is what to know to grow beautiful roses at your place. • The soil used for the Flemington roses is brought in from a local garden supplier, not the stables! It’s a mix of sandy soil, composted manure and organic matter. • The plants are fed three times a year with an organic slowrelease fertiliser – in September, late November and late January. Additional foliar feeding with a fish-based liquid fertiliser is done weekly once they go into bud. • All winter pruning is done by hand, and that’s why the pruning schedule starts at the end of May. The first roses to be trimmed are those that take a long time to flower – ‘the slow coaches’ Terry calls them. And, the last are called ‘the sprinters’. At your place, midwinter is the time to prune, which is July in most districts.

What they need

THE 4 ESSENTIALS

Sun Give roses a position in full sun and ensure the plants have good airflow. Avoid growing them near big shrubs and trees that will cause them to compete for light and nutrients. Water During the warm months, regular water is key. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of disease such as powdery mildew and black spot. Food They’re hungry plants, so feed them well. Use a slowrelease fertiliser for roses and supplement with liquid feeding. You Prune roses in winter, and deadhead for more blooms during the growing season. ➤

Flemington Racecourse

Grimaldi

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 77

STAR BLOOM Gold Bunny

TRY THESE

Flemington favourites

in your garden

Pierre de Ronsard This vigorous climber with cream-andpink blooms, bright green leaves and a light scent will suit a wall or fence. Grimaldi Robust with a delicate fragrance, this continuous bloomer looks terrific mass-planted. Splashed with salmon and streaks of pink, the flowers are long-lasting in the vase.

Crepuscule

Princess of Wales

Chartreuse de Parme For big colour and strong perfume, this bush rose is hard to beat. With double blooms in look-at-me purple, it makes an eye-catching border standard. Crepuscule The sweet scent of this almost thornless climber makes it a favourite with gardeners. Grow over a pergola to enjoy its apricot yellow blooms for months. Princess of Wales This bush rose was named for the people’s princess. To commemorate Diana’s visit, Flemington created a garden with her white rose. It’s great for mass-planting and landscaping. ■

78 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Photography GAP Photos, Garden World Images, Alamy, Getty Images

Chartreuse de Parme

Gold Bunny Add sunshine with this bold yellow rose, which has bush and climbing forms. The repeat-flowering climber reaches 3m in height.

LANDSCAPE IDEAS

meet the

hardy boys

Fill your outdoors with these sturdy beauties – they’ll give you an impressive yet low-maintenance yard, even in the hot zones!

LAY OUT YOUR ZONES Transform your landscape with succulents and cacti STEP 1: Prepare the area If removing turf, make sure to get rid of all grass roots to stop it regenerating. Loosen the soil with a garden fork first – it will make it easier to dig out the turf and access the roots. After removing turf, fork over the area to loosen the surface. STEP 2: Improve the soil Succulents need well-drained soil to thrive. Try raising garden beds into mounds to let the water soak in then drain away – this will also save you excavating and bringing in aggregate. Use equal parts garden soil mix, compost and river sand. STEP 3: Add the plants Work out where to place your new plants according to their size, shape and structure. While they establish, water plants when the soil feels dry to touch and liquid-feed occasionally with a formulation for cacti and succulents. STEP 4: Mulch the beds Finish with mulch to protect the plant roots. Choose a small-grade river pebble, then use brown deco granite for the pathways to theme with the arid look. 80 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Marvel at these sculptural masterpieces! Plant a variety to showcase their beautifully textured foliage.

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

d

Photography Brent Wilson, Carna Feldtmann; project Grahame Rowe

oes your yard have an exposed ‘hot spot’ where nothing will thrive? Call on the very toughest of plants to make a fabulous display. Succulents and cacti come in many shapes, sizes and colours, are hardy and very versatile, and once established will last you a lifetime!

If you have a heated microclimate, such as a space between a low fence and a brick wall, plant up succulents and cacti and they’ll flourish!

DO I LOOK FAMILIAR?

Due to changes in TV scheduling, this story featured in a past issue. Here it is again for you to enjoy!

get the look Here’s your guide to what to plant where FOR POTS

1 Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi has notched leaves edged in pink. During spring, pink flowers add a vibrant pop of colour among the blue-silver foliage. Height: 1m. Spread: 60cm. 2 Senecio ‘Ice Sticks’ is an attractive groundcover of clumped, stalk-like blue foliage. A true arid-tolerant plant, it suits pots or garden beds. Height: 30cm. Spread: 60cm–90cm.

FOR LOW LAYERS

3 Sedum ‘Gold Mound’ is a ground dweller with soft needle-like lime green leaves that mat and spread. Height: 30cm. Spread: 50cm–1m. 4 Senecio ‘Blue Chalk Sticks’ is a spreading succulent with distinct blue foliage that forms thick clumps. Height: 30cm. Spread: 60cm–90cm. 5 Echeveria imbricata grows in rosettes and sits low to the ground, so drainage is key. Height: 15cm. Spread: 20cm.

FOR POTS

6 Cotyledon macrantha has thick, fleshy, bright-coloured leaves. It flowers in summer. Height: 50cm. Spread: 50cm.

FOR TEXTURE

7 Crassula ‘Silver Dollar’ is a branched succulent shrub with rounded silver-blue leaves blushed with red. Height: 1.2m. Spread: 60cm.

2

3

8 Crassula undulata is medium growing with small curvy leaves and a smooth thick trunk. Height: 50cm. Spread: 60cm.

FOR ACCENTS

9 Pilosocereus azureus grows in singular tree-like columns. It has dramatic blue-coloured flesh and spectacular white tuba-shaped flowers. Height: 30cm. Spread: 90cm. 10 Euphorbia canariensis is a five-sided columnar cacti with bluegreen flesh. Its undulated edges are perfectly symmetrical, producing a hint of leaves at the very top during summer. Height: 1–3m. Spread: 1–3m. 11 Agave ‘Blue Glow’ is smallgrowing with strong, sturdy leaves in a rosette from a round base. To prevent rot, don’t let water collect in the crown. Height: 60cm. Spread: 90cm.

1

FOR LOW LAYERS

5

You’ll have

FOR ACCENTS

12 Echinocactus grusonii, or golden barrel cactus, is globe shaped with prickly yellow spines and white woollen hairs on the crown. It’s a fast grower in warmer climates. Height: 30cm–90cm. Spread: 30cm–90cm. 13 Agave ovatifolia grows to be a large plant. It forms in a rosette and has a clumped habit and very wide pale blue leaves. Given enough summer water, these can be grown in full sun even in very hot areas. Height: 1.5m. Spread: 1.8m.

9

LANDSCAPE IDEAS

FOR TEXTURE

4

6

7

8

two green thumbs up with these heat-resistant lovelies!

10

11

12

13 DECEMBER 2017 BHG 83

OUTDOOR INSPIRATION

garden diary It’s warming up, so stay water savvy for beautiful blooms all summer

flowers

plant now

❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉

All zones Ageratum, portulaca and sunflower. Zones 2-5 Aster, begonia, calibrachoa, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, phlox, salvia, Sturt’s desert pea and verbena. Zones 6-8 Alyssum, calibrachoa, gomphrena, petunia, phlox, salvia, vinca and zinnia.

purrfect

petunia the things

vegetables

All zones Capsicum, eggplant, lettuce, tomato and zucchini. Zones 2-5 Beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, carrot, celery, endive, pumpkin, radish and silverbeet. Zones 6-8 Beans, chilli, cucumber, marrow, squash and sweet corn.

Single-flowered dahlias lure more pollinators than the showier double bloom types.

KEY TO CLIMATE ZONES Z1

Lift the happiness rating of your garden with pots of perky petunias. Few can resist their beguiling yet honest beauty. With petunias, less can mean more when it comes to colour, so stick to just one or two tones. They need sun for about six hours a day and do best in a good friable potting mix with added water-storing crystals. Before potting, dunk your punnet of plants in a liquid seaweed solution for a minute or two to help them establish quickly. Feed fortnightly, deadhead spent blooms and, if they look straggly, give them a haircut with clippers to encourage bushiness and more flowering.

Z2

Z3

Z4

Z5

Z6

Z7

Z8

In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for different climate zones, so it’s important to find the zone number for your area. Naturally, there will be cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask a horticulturist at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions.

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 85

OUTDOOR INSPIRATION

what’s new... Grandessa

… AT THE NURSERY

Claimed as a world first, Grandessa is an Australian-bred marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum) with big, long-lasting flowers. A natural for pots, it’s a vigorous grower and comes in four colours – red, white, yellow and sunset. From Floriana (floriana.com.au), it’s available nationally.

FULL SUN

HEIGHT 60CM

SPREAD 60CM

SUITS POTS/ PLANTERS

DEADHEAD SPENT FLOWERS

BEST ZONES 2–7

… IN PRINT

Fancy snapdragon muffins, calendula cheeseballs or a borage smoothie? Check out A Delicious Bunch by horticulturist and ionate green thumb Linda Brennan (Ecobotanica, $39.95). A lavishly illustrated guide to growing and using 30 of her favourite edible flowers for healthy dishes, it has heaps of inspiration (ecobotanica.com.au). 86 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Modernise your outdoor dining with a Caldera 3-Way Fire Pit. Its mesh surrounds allow three different looks. Made of glassreinforced cement, it comes in grey or cement colour. The pit is 71 x 71 x 66cm high and is $399 at Bunnings stores.

… IN PLANTER STICKS

… IN PLANTERS

Just right for injecting western style into your interior green scene is this quirky Bull Head Planter. Made of handwoven rattan with a loop for wall hanging, it’s $79 from Olli Ella (olliella.com.au).

… IN FIRE PITS

...IN OUTDOOR CANDLES

Savour a fresh lemon scent next time you dine outdoors with a Gumleaf Fragrances citronella candle. Made of soy and coconut waxes, it burns up to 40 hours, keeping pests at bay. It is $19.95 from Buckley & Phillips Aromatics, buckleyand phillips.com.au

Personalise your plantings with hand-illustrated and partially glazed ceramic planter sticks. They’re $10 per stick (plus postage), 16cm high and include numerous plant names. From LabKAJO (labkajo.com.au/shop).

… IN TERRARIUMS

Go green indoors by creating a foliage display in one of these oval-shaped Vetro glass terrariums. By Casa Domani, they’re 18 x 20cm, come with a hanging rope and are $34.95 from Zanui, zanui. com.au.

Top of the line. Stylish features, ergonomic design and robust construction ensure TopDry is perfectly suited to your backyard. Backed by a 15-year warranty, you’ll find an innovative and versatile clothesline to suit your lifestyle, priced from $260.

Ergonomic features

Unique hanging brackets

Reinforced durable frame

High tensile line

Designed to look good and be easy to use.

Each arm has a hanging bracket for 3 coat hangers.

The entire range is backed by a 15-year warranty.

Able to withstand heavy loads on each line.

topdry.com.au

OUTDOOR INSPIRATION

in the garden Prepare for a dazzling summer with random plantings of geranium, vinca and impatiens. Do it now and they’ll bloom their heads off by the new year. Check out the stunning hydrangeas now in nurseries and choose a couple for an indoor colour-up over Christmas. They’ll need plenty of light and regular water to be right for a few days indoors before being moved back outside. Give drip systems the once over to check they’re working properly and each plant gets its share. Keep fruit trees happy over warmer days with regular water. As a treat, sprinkle potash around

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in GREEK PROVERB

88 BHG DECEMBER 2017

trees to encourage sweeter fruit, and water in with a seaweed solution. Be proactive and prune back once-flowering spring roses as soon as blooming

BRIGHTEN UP BEDS

by growing a few colourful chillies among the ornamentals. finishes. Repeat-flowering roses can also be lightly pruned to encourage a repeat show in autumn. Blanket sow cosmos seed in bare patches of garden. Come late summer you’ll

have a vibrant carpet of daisy-like blooms. For big impact, choose a mix with different coloured blooms. Be alert to caterpillars munching through your vegie patch. Spray with an insecticide or simply flick them off with a finger and squash. Don’t leave hoses lying in the sun as temperatures soar. Not only will the hot water in them scald plants, they will start to wear and perish faster. Give companion planting a go with marigold, blue borage and ageratum among your vegies. They’ll look good and lure in lots of pollinating insects. Keep tomatoes happy by watering regularly, fertilising often once fruit appears and pinching out the growing tips to encourage bushiness. Get in early if planning a summer holiday by lining up a neighbour to do a spot of watering and to keep an eye on things.

what’s on

Soak up the scent with a stroll through the lavender at Victoria’s Warratina Lavender Farm open day (November 18-19). Take in craft demos, stalls, music and even lavender scones. The farm is at Wandin Yallock, about an hour from Melbourne in the Dandenongs. Visit warratinalavender.com. au. Entry is $10 adults, $25 family, under 12s free, with proceeds to the Country Fire Authority brigade.

mini pond

Set the scene for summer living with an instant water feature. Simply fill a container with water then add flowers. Easy! A galvanised bucket with wooden handle makes a great portable pond with a rustic feel. And don’t forget to float a candle to light for extra ambience when the sun goes down. For a real pond look, add water lilies and floating plants such as fairy moss.

Photography Tony Fawcett, Adobe Stock. Prices are approximate and a guide only

Nasturtium

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OUTDOOR INSPIRATION

moon gardening Use the phases of the moon to your

advantage by following Milton Black’s planting guide How to use the calendar

DECEMBER SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

Moon enters Taurus 6:38am

3

4

Full Moon in Gemini 1:47am

5

Moon enters Cancer 6:37am

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

25

26

27

28

29

30

Moon enters Gemini 7:21am

Last Quarter Moon 5:51pm

24

Moon enters Pisces 12:42am

Moon enters Libra 3:01am

New Moon in Sagittarius 4:30pm Moon enters Capricorn 11:33pm

Moon enters Aries 10:27am First Quarter Moon 7:20pm

Moon enters Scorpio 11:59pm

Moon enters Leo 6:37am

Moon enters Aquarius 12:29pm

Moon enters Taurus 4:23pm

Moon enters Virgo 9:08am

Moon enters Sagittarius 11:07am

Moon enters Gemini 6:31pm

31

You must plant all ABOVE‑ground crops during the moon’s WAXING cycle. You must plant all BELOW‑ground crops during the moon’s WANING cycle. Times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time, AEST. This applies to NSW, the ACT, Qld, Vic and Tas. For SA and NT, deduct half an hour. For WA, deduct two hours. During Daylight Saving Time, add one hour.

ZODIAC SIGNS

Aries

The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into four groups – fire, air, earth and water.

Taurus

Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are in harmony with all fruit. Leo is in harmony with nuts and all seed‑producing crops. Earth signs Capricorn and Taurus are in harmony with all root vegetables that produce crops below the ground, including garlic. Virgo is in harmony with all herbs.

Cancer

90 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Air signs Libra, Aquarius and Gemini are in harmony with plants that produce flowers and perfumes. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are in harmony with above‑ground crops, including trees, shrubs, lawns, and leafy, juicy and fleshy vegetables.

Gemini Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn

Best days Second-best days On these days, thin out seed boxes, sow all types of seeds and plant seedlings that produce their crop above the ground. These include all varieties of peas, beans, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprout, eggplant, lettuce, celery, silverbeet, spinach, endive, Chinese cabbage, tomato, cucumber, asparagus crowns, artichoke, marrow, pumpkin, capsicum, melon, zucchini, chicory, sprouts, rhubarb, all herbs (except garlic) and all agricultural crops, such as sunflower, grains, cereals, canola and cotton. During these days, you can also plant flowering shrubs, annuals, flowers (not bulbs), cactus, flax, tree ferns, ionfruit vines and kiwifruit. Plant all fruit trees and trees that produce edible nuts, such as almond, pecan, macadamia and walnut. Grapes and banana can also be planted during these times. Take cuttings from established trees and shrubs, and propagate. This is also a good time for planting trees and climbers and sowing new lawns. Best days Second-best days On these days, sow all seeds and plant seedlings of root vegetables that grow their crop below the ground, such as carrot, parsnip, radish, beetroot, onion, leek, swede, turnip, sweet potato, seed potato, yam, cassava, peanut, garlic and ginger. This is a good time to plant flowering bulbs, or bulbs for propagation and development rather than flowers. Also, plant bare‑rooted trees, to develop root growth, and refurbish established lawns. A favourable time for transplanting all types of established trees, shrubs, ferns and bulbs. Weed and lightly feed. Water with seaweed‑type products only. Destroy or spray weeds, pests and noxious growth. Burn off, cut lawns, do heavy pruning and clear rubbish – don’t plant or transplant anything. Prepare soil and fertilise garden beds for future planting; spread and make compost; feed all established plants, shrubs and lawns, then water in. This is the best time for dethatching or coring lawns.

Aquarius

Do not plant or transplant anything, as the moon is adversely aspected with the sun.

Pisces

Any questions? Email [email protected]. ■

C A S A D O M A N I . C O M . AU Casual White Evolve. Available at leading department stores and boutiques nationwide.

FABULOUS FOOD

cooking

with Karen

Retro recipes are reimagined to be tastier – but with a healthy twist. It’s a win-win!

Hello home cooks!

Fresh is best and that’s why I like to give classic recipes new flavour using vegies, herbs and spices. You’ll love what you can do with old favourites! Watch me cook on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. KAREN MARTINI

GO TO BHG.COM.AU/FOOD FOR MORE FAB RECIPES.

Giant prawn toast with black sesame & shiso I love to rework Chinese classics by adding a few of my favourite herbs, spices and seeds. Recipe on page 96 

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

Sausage rolls These goldencrusted pastry rolls are packed full of hidden vegetables, so they not only taste delicious, they are also good for you. Recipe on page 96

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 93

FABULOUS FOOD

BBQ whole snapper When you cook fresh fish whole, still on the bone, the flesh stays succulent and the flavour is divine.

BBQ WHOLE SNAPPER WITH OREGANO, POTATO & LEMON Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 2-4

2 x 500-600g whole baby snapper, scaled, cleaned (dinner-plate size) Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 lemons, sliced 2 large kipfler potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced 6 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves picked, plus extra to garnish ½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, torn, plus extra to garnish 2 fresh bay leaves 1 Tbsp dried oregano 120ml white wine 1 Tbsp mascarpone, plus extra to serve

STEP 1 Put a wire rack inside a lidded barbecue. Preheat barbecue over medium heat, with lid down. STEP 2 Lay 2 large sheets of foil on bench, and top each with baking paper. STEP 3 Using a sharp knife, score fish with 2-3 slashes across thickest part of fish. Season inside and out. Drizzle 1 Tbsp of oil into centre of each piece of baking paper, then scatter over a few garlic slices. Lay fish on top. STEP 4 Lay half of the lemon and the potato slices inside the cavity of 1 fish. Top with half of the fresh oregano, parsley, bay leaves, dried oregano and half of the remaining garlic. Repeat with remaining fish, lemon, potato, herbs and garlic.

STEP 5 Drizzle 1 Tbsp of remaining oil over each fish, then pour over wine. STEP 6 Gather edges of foil and fold to seal parcel tightly. Place on rack in barbecue and cook for 11 minutes with the lid down. STEP 7 Increase heat to high, and open lid. Carefully open top of foil parcel to expose fish. Baste fish with juices and dollop 2 tsp mascarpone onto each fish. Leave foil open and cook with lid closed for a further 6 minutes or until browned and flesh flakes easily. STEP 8 To serve, lift foil package onto plate and garnish with extra oregano and parsley, and serve with extra mascarpone on the side.

BANANA & SWEET POTATO LOAF

Preparation time 15 mins plus 30 mins cooling Cooking time 1 hour 50 mins Serves 8-10 Cooking oil spray, to grease 2 x whole small sweet potatoes, about 150g each 180g peeled very ripe bananas 100ml extra virgin olive oil 50g natural yoghurt 1 free-range egg ½ tsp fine salt 120g plain flour 80g wholemeal plain flour 3 tsp baking powder 120g caster sugar ½ ripe banana, sliced lengthways STEP 1 Preheat oven to 170°C fan-forced (190ºC conventional). Grease a 24 x 13 x 6cm loaf tin with cooking oil. Line base and side with baking paper, allowing long edges to overhang by 5cm. STEP 2 Place unpeeled sweet potatoes on an oven tray. Bake for 55 mins or until very tender. Set aside to cool for 30 minutes or until room temperature. Cut 1 potato in half and scoop out flesh, transfer to a large bowl. Reserve remaining potato for garnish. STEP 3 Combine banana and potato until a smooth puree forms. STEP 4 Whisk oil, yoghurt, egg and salt in a separate large bowl until just combined. STEP 5 Sift flours and baking powder into a separate large bowl, returning husks from wholemeal flour back to flour mixture. STEP 6 Put banana and sweet potato mixture in the bowl of an electric mixer, add sugar and beat with a paddle attachment on medium speed until incorporated. Add oil mixture, beat on low speed until combined. Add flour mixture and beat for 2 minutes or until combined. STEP 7 Spoon the batter into

Banana & sweet potato loaf Your fave cafe bread has been given a vegie twist for natural sweetness and great colour.

prepared tin and smooth surface. STEP 8 Cut remaining sweet potato in half. Set aside one half for another use. Peel remaining half and thinly slice into bite-size pieces. STEP 9 Top cake batter with sliced banana and sweet potato pieces. Bake

for 55 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Set aside to cool in tin for 20 minutes, then turn out on a wire rack to cool completely. Transfer to a platter and serve. DECEMBER 2017 BHG 95

FABULOUS FOOD

GIANT PRAWN TOAST WITH BLACK SESAME & SHISO Preparation time 20 mins plus 10 mins marinating Cooking time 25 mins Makes 18

22 large raw prawns, peeled, deveined 3 green shallots, finely sliced 2 Tbsp finely chopped ginger 1 Tbsp light soy sauce 1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar ½ tsp sesame oil ½ tsp sea-salt flakes ½ tsp white sugar 200g firm white fish fillet, boneless, skinless, diced 4 free-range egg whites 120ml pure cream Vegetable oil, for deep frying ½ cup white sesame seeds 4 Tbsp black sesame seeds 18 slices white sourdough ciabatta, 1cm thick 3 whole shiso leaves, plus extra 3 finely sliced ½ cup Kewpie mayonnaise 4 sprigs coriander, leaves picked 1 long green chilli, finely chopped Lemon cheeks, to serve STEP 1 Cut 18 prawns horizontally, put on a plate and refrigerate. STEP 2 Finely chop remaining prawns and put in a large mixing bowl. Add shallots, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, salt and sugar. Mix ingredients well. Set aside for 10 minutes to marinate. 96 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Sausage rolls STEP 3 Place fish in bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add 1 egg white, pulse until smooth. Add cream, pulse until combined. Transfer to chopped prawn mixture and stir to combine. STEP 4 Pour oil into a medium deep saucepan until 5cm deep. Heat to 170°C on a cook’s thermometer. STEP 5 Mix together both sesame seeds on a dinner plate. Spread 1 Tbsp prawn mixture on each slice of bread. Put 2 prawn halves on top, pressing firmly to secure. STEP 6 Lightly whisk remaining egg whites in a shallow bowl until foamy. Dip underside of bread into egg white, then press into seeds. Turn bread and press prawn side into seeds. STEP 7 Deep-fry bread, prawn side down first, for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper. STEP 8 Arrange whole shiso leaves on a platter, top with toast. Drizzle with mayonnaise, then garnish with coriander, extra sliced shiso and chilli. Serve with lemon cheeks on the side.

SAUSAGE ROLLS

Preparation time 30 mins plus 30 mins cooling time Cooking time 40 mins Makes 48 1 small sweet potato (150g), peeled, roughly chopped 1 carrot (110g), coarsely grated 1 medium zucchini (200g), coarsely grated

STEP 1 Cook sweet potato in a large pan of boiling water for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain, return to pan and mash well. Set aside for 30 minutes to cool to room temperature. STEP 2 Meanwhile, combine carrot, zucchini and 1 tsp sea-salt flakes in a strainer set over a large bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes. Squeeze excess liquid from vegetables. STEP 3 Put sweet potato in a large mixing bowl and add carrot mixture. Add beef mince, sausage meat, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, oregano, allspice, pepper, 2 of the eggs and remaining salt flakes. Using clean hands, mix well until well combined. STEP 4 Preheat oven to 200°C fanforced (220ºC conventional). Line 2 large oven trays with baking paper. STEP 5 Cut pastry sheets in half to form 12 rectangles. Place ½ cup mixture along 1 long side of each pastry rectangle. Brush a little water along the opposite long edge. Roll up pastry to enclose mince. STEP 6 Cut each pastry half to make 2 sausage rolls, then cut each in half again to make 4. Put pastry on prepared trays, seam side down. Using a small sharp knife score 2-3 slashes along top of pastry crossways. Lightly beat remaining egg. Brush egg over pastry and sprinkle with sesame seeds. STEP 7 Bake for 30 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden. Serve with barbecue or tomato sauce. ■

Photography Andre Martin; styling Annette Forrest; food preparation Elle Vernon

Giant prawn toast

2 tsp sea-salt flakes 500g beef mince 350g pork and fennel sausages, skin removed 150g fresh breadcrumbs 1 small white onion, very finely diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 Tbsp dried oregano 2 tsp ground allspice Freshly ground black pepper, to season 3 free-range eggs 6 sheets ready-rolled frozen puff pastry, partially thawed 1 Tbsp sesame seeds Barbecue or tomato sauce, to serve

You won’t believe it’s frozen pizza

FOOD IN A FLASH

Hey gang! Elegant potato salad with marron If you’ve spent most of your life thinking potato salad is something best ignored at a barbecue, then this dish will really surprise. Recipe on page 104

Summer entertaining season is here. Celebrate in style with vibrant recipes loaded with flavour and full of flair. See me create these on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. ED HALMAGYI

GO TO BHG.COM.AU/FOOD FOR MORE TASTY RECIPES

SEEN ON BHG TV

From Fast Ed’s Make drool-worthy dinners, decadent desserts and party food for entertaining

FRIDAYS 7.00

kitchen

Chicken cordon bleu A classic chook recipe that deserves its place back on your dinner table. It’s unbeatable! Recipe on page 104

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 99

FOOD IN A FLASH

Sweet potato and salami fritters A picnic treat that can be made ahead of time and cooked in a kitchen or on any kind of barbecue with a flat plate.

Grapefruit chicken salad cups This light delight proves you really can have delicious party food that’s good for you, too.

Recipe on page 106

Recipe on page 106

Smoky chipotle chicken taco bowl Get on board the fast-moving trend of Mexican food, but with a healthier twist, jam-packed full of flavour.

Chocolate pot de crème with truffle honey Mmm, a baked chocolate custard that’s simple to perfect. Loving the elegant addition of truffle honey.

Recipe on page 106

Recipe on page 108

100 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI CAKE

Preparation time 20 mins plus chilling time Cooking time 10 mins Serves 10 1 store-bought 460g double unfilled sponge cake (freeze the other cake in the packet for later use) 1 cup caster sugar 2 Tbsp Cointreau 2 Tbsp white rum 400ml milk 2 free-range eggs 2 Tbsp cornflour 1 tsp vanilla paste ½ cup cream, whipped to soft peaks 500g strawberries ¼ cup icing sugar, sifted Baby mint leaves, to garnish Double cream, to serve

centre disc for another use. Heat ½ cup of the sugar in a small saucepan over a high heat, until sugar melts. Cook for 5 minutes or until mediumbrown caramel. Add ¼ cup of water, simmer for 1 minute or until liquid is smooth. Add Cointreau and rum and set aside to cool. STEP 2 Combine milk and remaining sugar in a medium saucepan. Heat over a medium heat until simmering. Meanwhile, whisk eggs, cornflour and vanilla in a medium bowl until thick and pale. Gradually whisk in the hot milk mixture until smooth. Return to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes or until

thickened. Transfer to a large bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Add whipped cream and whisk until combined. STEP 3 Brush cake base with half the liqueur mixture, then top with the custard. Brush the underside of the top cake with a little of the liqueur mixture then place on top of the custard. STEP 4 Hull and halve 6 strawberries. Hull and dice remaining berries and mix with half the icing sugar. Spoon onto custard centre, then arrange halved strawberries around. Dust with remaining icing sugar and scatter over mint leaves. Serve with remaining liqueur mixture and double cream.

STEP 1 Use a long serrated knife to cut the cake in half horizontally. Cut an 11cm hole in the top half. Reserve

Strawberry daiquiri cake Turn the traditional custard-filled sponge into a deliciously decadent adults-only dessert.

Melbourne Cup special Here's a hot tip for the day! You'll be the talk of the track with this colourful hat, not to mention the spicy duck entree

Edible Melbourne Cup hat Make a real statement this Cup day with the most delicious hat ever! Recipe on page 108 102 BHG DECEMBER 2017

FOOD IN A FLASH

SPICY DUCK POPPADUMS Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 5 mins Makes 24

24 mini poppadums 2 Tbsp chopped palm sugar 2 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp tamarind paste Juice of 1 lime 2 tsp sesame oil ½ cooked Peking duck, meat shredded ½ cup bean sprouts, trimmed 4cm piece ginger, cut into fine batons 1 green chilli, deseeded, finely diced ¼ bunch coriander, leaves picked

¼ bunch Thai basil, leaves picked 2 lebanese cucumbers, peeled into ribbons STEP 1 Cook poppadums following the packet instructions. STEP 2 Combine palm sugar, soy sauce, tamarind paste, lime juice and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat, stirring. Set aside. STEP 3 Put the shredded duck meat in a large bowl. Add the

Spicy duck poppadums Create glamorous finger food to enjoy while watching all the action at Flemington.

bean sprouts, ginger, chilli and herbs. Toss to combine. STEP 4 Roll up a ribbon of cucumber and arrange in each poppadum. Top with duck mixture, drizzle with sauce then serve.

FOOD IN A FLASH

1½ tsp celery salt 1 cup plain flour 2 free-range eggs ¼ cup milk 2 cups dried multigrain breadcrumbs 1⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cups green beans, trimmed Tomato relish, to serve Chopped mixed herbs, to serve Lemon wedges, to serve

Elegant potato salad with marron

ELEGANT POTATO SALAD WITH MARRON

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 30 mins Serves 4

1kg salad rose potatoes 3 sticks celery, with leaves attached ½ red onion, thinly sliced ½ cup brazil nuts, toasted and roughly chopped ½ cup buttermilk 1 bunch chives, finely sliced 1 bunch tarragon, finely chopped ½ bunch parsley, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 lemons, plus extra lemon wedges, to serve 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped ½ cup mayonnaise Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper 4 large marron (crayfish) Micro herbs, to garnish STEP 1 Place potatoes in a large saucepan of cold, salted water. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain well and set aside to cool. Cut into small chunks and transfer to a large bowl. STEP 2 Remove celery leaves and set aside. Thinly slice celery sticks and add to potato with onion and brazil nuts. STEP 3 Combine buttermilk, herbs, garlic, finely grated zest of 2 lemons, anchovies and mayonnaise in a blender and puree until very smooth. Season. STEP 4 Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil over a high heat. 104 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Chicken cordon bleu Chop remaining lemon and add to saucepan with juice of the zested lemons (see Cook’s tips). Season generously with sea-salt flakes. Add marron and cook for 8 minutes or until shells are bright red and meat is cooked. Scoop out and refresh in iced water. Remove tail from the head portion of marron. Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut the shell away from the underside of the tail. Cut marron meat into thick slices. STEP 5 Add buttermilk dressing to potato mixture. Toss to combine. Pile onto a serving platter. Top with torn celery leaves, marron and micro herbs. Serve with extra lemon wedges.

COOK’S TIPS

• Salad rose potatoes are a red-skinned variety with a slightly sweet flesh. You could also use red delights. • Adding lemon while cooking the marron will help produce an even colouring during cooking.

STEP 1 Slice each chicken fillet in half horizontally, leaving 1 edge intact so fillet opens flat. Working with 1 breast at a time, place between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound gently with a meat mallet to flatten slightly. Lay 2 rashers of bacon on a flat surface, overlapping slightly. Top with a cheese log and wrap bacon around cheese to enclose. Repeat with remaining cheese and bacon. Place each cheese log along centre of each breast, then fold over ends and roll into a log shape. STEP 2 Season chicken logs with celery salt. Coat with flour, shaking off excess. Whisk eggs and milk in a shallow bowl. Put breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken logs in egg mixture, then coat generously with breadcrumbs. Place on a tray and refrigerate for 10 minutes or until firm. STEP 3 Heat oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook chicken logs for 15-20 minutes, turning regularly, until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towel. Fry green beans in the oil for 1 minute or until tender. Drain on paper towel. STEP 4 Slice chicken logs thickly. Serve with beans, tomato relish, mixed herbs and lemon wedges.

CHICKEN CORDON BLEU Preparation time 20 mins plus 10 mins chilling Cooking time 20 mins Serves 4

4 chicken breast fillets 8 rashers rindless streaky bacon (see Cook’s tip) 120g tasty cheddar, cut into 4 logs

COOK’S TIP

• We used Cambray Farmhouse Gold cheese, winner of the 2017 Grand Champion Dairy Award for WA, and Chestnut Brae chestnut-fed bacon, both from the town of Nannup.

WOOLWORTHS ADVERTISING FEATURE

Mex it up!

Adios, winter! Summer’s here and it’s time to say ‘hola’ to fresh, seasonal and shareable meals the whole family will love

N

ow that the weather’s warming up, spice up your repertoire to match! Up your taco game at home with the One Night in Mexico range and some fresh, seasonal toppings from Woolies, and any night can be a fiesta!

+ MAD FOR MANGOES Gorgeous, juicy mangoes are coming into season and while they’re glorious to eat on their own, they’re also great to add into a healthy chicken salad or even a taco with a kick of fresh chilli.

SHARE THE FUN Tacos are great for both entertaining and a quick midweek meal. The One Night in Mexico varieties have been created to match with

meat, but mix and match any way you like. The Smokey Chipotle kit was made with chook in mind, but is also great with steak strips. + BRILLIANT BERRIES Nothing says summer like beautifully sweet blueberries! A family favourite, these little gems are a perfect snack any time of day, and also make a supereasy dessert with ice-cream.

VISIT WOOLWORTHS.COM.AU FOR MORE INFORMATION

+ PERFECT TO SHARE However you entertain in summer, the key is to keep it simple with fresh, seasonal ingredients for family and friends to share. Woolies makes it easy to prepare a feast everyone will love, with minimal fuss for you. + DON’T FORGET...

Plus, on Friday, October 20, BHG TV will be cooking up some fantastic new summer recipes that are perfect for the long, lazy days of summer.

FOOD IN A FLASH

Sweet potato and salami fritters

SWEET POTATO AND SALAMI FRITTERS

Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 20 mins Makes 16

1 cup self-raising flour 2 free-range eggs ¾ cup buttermilk 2 cups sweet potatoes, coarsely grated 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated 200g sliced sopressa salami, finely sliced into thins 2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ bunch mint leaves, torn 2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil Aioli, to serve Pesto, to serve Micro herbs, to garnish STEP 1 Combine the flour, eggs and buttermilk in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. In a large bowl mix together the sweet potato, zucchini, salami, garlic and herbs. Season generously. Add the egg mixture and stir until just combined. STEP 2 Heat oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook heaped tablespoons of fritter mix, in batches, for 2 minutes on each side or until they are golden and set. Drain on paper towel. Top with aioli and pesto and then serve garnished with the micro herbs. 106 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Grapefruit chicken salad cups

GRAPEFRUIT CHICKEN SALAD CUPS Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time nil Serves 4

4 pink grapefruit 2 cups shredded barbecue chicken, skin removed 1 lebanese cucumber, coarsely grated 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds, chopped 1 Tbsp dried cranberries, chopped 2 green shallots, finely sliced ½ bunch dill, finely chopped ½ bunch basil leaves, shredded ½ cup light Greek-style yoghurt 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp honey Baby herbs, to garnish STEP 1 Use a sharp knife to cut the top third off each grapefruit, then cut a small flat surface on the bottom so the grapefruits will sit upright on a plate. STEP 2 Cut around the inside of the fruit with a small or flexible knife, leaving the skin intact. Remove the connecting membranes from the grapefruit segments and dice the fruit. Place fruit into a large bowl. STEP 3 Add chicken, cucumber, sunflower seeds, cranberries, shallots and herbs to diced grapefruit. In a small bowl, mix yoghurt, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and honey until well combined. Pour over the chicken mixture and toss to combine. Spoon

Smoky chipotle chicken taco bowl

into grapefruit cups and top with baby herbs to serve.

SMOKY CHIPOTLE CHICKEN TACO BOWL Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 15 mins Serves 4

600g chicken thigh fillets, sliced 35g sachet chipotle seasoning mix 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 white corn tortillas, cut in wedges 4 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced 4 green shallots, finely sliced ½ red onion, finely diced 3 cloves garlic, minced ¼ bunch coriander, roughly chopped Sea-salt flakes and freshly-ground black pepper, to season 1 small iceberg lettuce 2 cups cooked rice 400g black beans, rinsed, drained, warmed 2 lebanese cucumbers, cut into fine batons 1 cup grated tasty cheese Sour cream, to serve Guacamole, to serve 2 Tbsp smoky chipotle aioli Lime wedges, to garnish STEP 1 Preheat oven to 200°C fanforced (220°C conventional). Line 2 large oven trays with baking paper. Place chicken and seasoning mix in large bowl. Toss to coat, then

DON’T THINK TWICE

FOOD IN A FLASH

Chocolate pot de crème with truffle honey drizzle with oil. Arrange on 1 prepared tray and bake for 12-15 minutes or until just cooked. STEP 2 Lay tortilla wedges in a single layer on remaining prepared tray. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until crisp. STEP 3 Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, shallots, onion, garlic and coriander in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. STEP 4 Separate 4 outer leaves from lettuce and place in bowls, to form a cup. Finely shred remaining lettuce. Arrange rice, beans, shredded lettuce and cucumber in the lettuce cups. Spoon over the chicken. Top with cheese, sour cream, guacamole and tomato mixture. Drizzle with smoky chipotle aioli and serve with tortilla wedges and lime wedges.

CHOCOLATE POT DE CRÈME WITH TRUFFLE HONEY

Preparation time 20 mins plus 4 hours chilling Cooking time 35 mins Serves 4 or 6

600ml cream 200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), finely chopped 6 free-range egg yolks ½ cup dark brown sugar 1 tsp natural vanilla extract Pinch sea-salt flakes 1½ Tbsp dark rum Whipped cream, to serve 2 Tbsp truffle honey Chocolate shavings, to garnish 108 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Edible Melbourne Cup hat Freeze-dried raspberries, to garnish Wafer biscuits, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 160°C fanforced (180°C conventional). Heat cream in a medium saucepan over a medium heat, until just simmering. Remove from the heat. Add chocolate, whisking until smooth and melted. Set aside to cool slightly. STEP 2 Put egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl and whisk for 5 minutes or until very pale. Stir in rum. Fold through chocolate mixture. STEP 3 Spoon mixture into four 1-cup or six ¾-cup capacity ramekins. Arrange in a deep roasting pan. Pour boiling water into pan to come halfway up the sides of ramekins. Bake for 30 minutes or until tops are just set. Carefully remove ramekins from water and chill for 4 hours, until firm. STEP 4 To serve, top chocolate pots with whipped cream. Drizzle with truffle honey, and garnish with chocolate shavings and freeze-dried raspberries. Serve with wafer biscuits.

EDIBLE MELBOURNE CUP HAT Preparation time 35 mins Cooking time 25 mins Makes 1

150g frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, partially thawed (see Cook’s tips) Cooking oil 1 free-range egg, lightly beaten 125g white chocolate, melted

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional). Lay pastry on a flat surface. Using a plate or small round tray, cut a 15cm disc. Roll with a pastry lattice cutter, then stretch gently to open lattice. Place a 20cm metal bowl upside down on an oven tray and cover with foil. Drizzle over a little cooking oil and drape the pastry over. Brush pastry with egg wash. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until deep golden and crisp. Set aside to cool completely before removing pastry from bowl. STEP 2 Dip edges of the pastry bowl in white chocolate. Sprinkle silver glitter over chocolate then decorate with small pieces of gold leaf. STEP 3 Roll fondant to 4mm thick. Cut a 12cm disc. Place fondant inside the upturned bowl. Make a tripod of the chocolate wafer tubes on the fondant and secure at the top with a small piece of gold string. STEP 4 Arrange the macarons and strawberries around the wafer tubes, reserving 1 strawberry half to decorate top of chocolate wafer tripod. Brush or sprinkle gold glitter over strawberries. To wear your edible fashion statement (before you eat it), insert a thin Alice band through the holes of the pastry. ■

COOK’S TIPS

• Be creative with your hat, using whichever edible decorations you have on hand. • We used Carême pastry, available from specialty greengrocers and delis. You can replace with 1 sheet partially thawed puff pastry. You will not need to roll it out.

Photography Andre Martin, Omid; styling Stephanie Souvlis; food preparation Mandy Sinclair

2 tsp edible silver glitter 1 sheet gold leaf 75g white rolling fondant 3 chocolate wafer tubes 4 small macarons 4 strawberries, halved 1 tsp edible gold glitter

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SEASONAL CLEAN Before

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iles of tins, bottles and bags, half-used goods and the odd unidentified or outof-date object... If this sounds like the grim state of your kitchen pantry, arm yourself with new containers, clever caddies and storage solutions to get you back on the wellorganised track. Here’s how.

Tips to make your pantry shipshape and mealtimes more efficient

larder

2 MAKE DIVIDERS

Are your baking trays and chopping boards forever sliding about your pantry? Keep them upright and well organised with DIY dividers. To make: cut a series of 16mm-dia. white rods to fit between two shelves, then buy the spring-loaded components to slot in the top and bottom of the tubes to hold them firmly in place. Easy!

1 SPIN A LAZY SUSAN

Avoid rummaging through your pantry in search of the barbie or tommy sauce for your snags. Place a lazy Susan, available from kitchen storage stores, on a shelf and load it up with bottles and jars. Tracking down your favourite condiment is just a spin away!

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FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

110 BHG DECEMBER 2017

3 ADD HANDY DRAWERS

A trip to the hardware or any kitchen storage store will uncover all kinds of space-maximising solutions that you can put to use in your pantry. These drawers from Howards Storage World are a clever idea – you just screw the bottom bracket to the base of your cabinet, then the drawer component slides in and out with ease. Load it up with your container collection and it’s always easy to retrieve items from the back of your cabinet.

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FRIDAYS 7.00

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pantry

Sort pantry items into like groups and stow them together. Transfer ingredients to clear tubs (like the Décor containers used here) as you can easily see what’s inside them. Employ baskets and containers to hold groups of items. Square or rectangular shapes make the best use of space. Position regularly used products between eye and waist level. Easy reach! Refill supplies from the back, bringing older items to the front. Put heavy products on low shelves to prevent accidents. Affix racks to doors for spices, plastic wrap and foil. Also assemble a set of ‘shelf raisers’ to create mezzanine levels. Review pantry items each season; do a total clear-out and clean once a year. Stick labels on shelves to identify where items belong; add sensor lights to make them more visible. If pantry moths or weevils appear, dispose of any spoiled goods. Clean shelves and containers. To catch moths, buy traps from Bunnings. To prevent weevils, freeze newly bought dry goods (flour, oats, rice etc) for 4–7 days to kill eggs and larvae, if present. ➤

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IDEAS FOR A TIP-TOP

SEASONAL CLEAN

see ya,

TARA DENNIS

critters!

Hello homemakers!

If you are sick and tired of pesky critters invading your kitchen, and you wish to avoid harsh chemical-based deterrents, have a go at these friendlier solutions to help send them packing.

2 BYE-BYE BUGS AND MOTHS In a spray bottle, make a 50:50 white vinegar and water solution. Add about 15 drops of eucalyptus, 5 drops of peppermint and 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil. Mix well. Use the solution to spray and wipe the surfaces of your pantry. 3 ANTS, BEGONE! Put undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle and squirt it wherever ants commonly appear. Also try wiping peppermint essential oil or sprinkling ground black or cayenne pepper in the path of ants.

GO TO BHG.COM.AU FOR MORE DECO TIPS AND TRICKS.

4 COMBAT COCKROACHES Place a few drops of citronella essential oil on cotton balls. You can also try adding peppermint essential oil to the same or separate cotton balls. Position the cotton balls in trouble areas, such as inside cupboards, under the sink or behind the fridge. Also adjust your cleaning routine to include a DIY spray solution. To make: mix 120ml of water with 5 drops of cypress essential oil and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe the solution on surfaces wherever cockroaches appear.

SAY ‘BUG OFF’ WITH OILS Here are more essential oils you can try using to repel creepycrawlies from your kitchen: citronella, clove, lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree, cedar, catnip, lavender, basil, rose geranium, cinnamon, thyme, lemon, orange and pine.

i 112 BHG DECEMBER 2017

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

CONTAIN YOUR CANS Keep canned food in neat order – and on rotation – by using a can holder, where you feed the cans in from the top and retrieve them from the bottom. You can buy these units from kitchen storage stores or have a go at building one yourself. If making, use the dimensions of the cans as your guide to build a pine box with two sides, a middle shelf that gently slopes back and a bottom shelf that gently slopes forward. The middle shelf is shorter than the length of the box so cans drop down to the bottom shelf. Glue and nail a stop rail at the front to prevent tins from tumbling out. ■

Photography Chris Jones, Getty Images; projects and styling Hannah St John

1 MOVE OUT MICE Drench a cotton ball with several drops of peppermint, eucalyptus or spearmint essential oil. Place them wherever you suspect mice are entering your home, plus behind the fridge, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. You can also put them in the roof space or garage. This may deter mice, but you will need to take further measures if the infestation is more serious.

Forever trying to partner plastic container lids with their bases? Buy a set with components matched by colour. It’s a timesaver! See me tackle this pantry clean-up on BHG TV. Check your local guide for more info.

KEWPIE ADVERTISING FEATURE

CHANGE IT UP WITH OTHER VEGGIES OR BEEF, CHICKEN AND SALMON

Udon Noodle Bowl ADD SOME TEXTURE AND FLAVOUR TO YOUR NOODLES WITH KEWPIE ROASTED SESAME DRESSING

270g package Udon noodles prepared according to package directions 2 tbsp sesame oil 250g firm tofu, cut into large cubes ½ tbsp toasted white sesame seeds ½ tbsp black sesame seeds 3 radishes, sliced thinly 1 carrot sliced into matchsticks 30-40 edamame, thawed and shell removed Generous handful of thinly sliced red cabbage

1 avocado, sliced thinly 1 cucumber, sliced into ribbons 1 bunch of broccolini, trimmed and blanched FOR GARNISH 5 tbsp Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing (reserve 2 tbsp to toss with cooked Udon noodles) Zest of 1 lemon ½ cup toasted cashews, roughly chopped

Prepare noodles according to package directions and toss with 2 tbsp of Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing. Set aside. Heat sesame oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the tofu cubes and brown on all sides until golden. Sprinkle with the black and white sesame seeds, set aside. Begin slicing up all of your veggies. Once you have all of the elements prepared, begin placing all of your ingredients into 1 large share bowl or 4 individual bowls. Start with the noodles and then add the other elements in sections as you like. Sprinkle with toasted cashews and a small pile of lemon zest. Generously drizzle with remaining Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing.

WWW.ORIENTAL.COM.AU

21 updates style

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hristmas is on the horizon, so there’s no time like the present to ready your home for the arrival of guests galore, or make the place a stylish sanctuary for your own chilled-out holiday period. Big and small, with varying degrees of time invested and money spent, be inspired by this collection of impressive ideas to instantly overhaul the look and feel of your home. After all, you deserve it!

1

SET THE SCENE

With an equal dose of comfort and style, you can create a living room that’s worthy of oohs and ahhs. The recipe for success begins with a succinct colour scheme (shades of white and black make for good beginnings). Then for hints of warmth, add a tan leather easy chair and similarly toned timber credenza. Plus, you can’t forget a dive-in-me sofa, styled for the summer with cool blue cushions.

Treat your home to a sprinkling of love and attention with one or more of these inspiring ideas

ns ma ub Ta anic Tit

Photography timeincukcontent.com Due to the printing process, colour reproduction is a guide only

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Taubmans City Lights

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BE READY TO ENTERTAIN

If you’ve fallen head over heels with the idea of a custom-made dining nook, design yours to include builtin wine storage, a cushion-clad banquette seat and lighting. Oh, and you know that artwork you love? Use it to guide your colour palette. ➤ DECEMBER 2017 BHG 115

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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OPEN A CAN OF PAINT

Change the look of your bedroom by painting a preloved chest of drawers. It’s hands-down one of the quickest, high-impact jobs you can do, with little-to-no skill required. Especially when you use chalk paint – it’s so forgiving! Nice idea to note: contrast light blue paint with a restored timber top and handles.

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MAKE A STUNNER

Who says a chandelier has to twinkle with lights? A suspended piece made from bendy wire, garden edging or an upturned basket is just as striking, even more so when trimmed with flower-filled bottles. No sparky needed!

REPURPOSE YOUR CURIOS

5

Spare a sec to revisit that collection you have hidden away – could it become a series of intriguing caddies? Take your lead from this idea where timber clogs are screwed to the wall above a work desk (just the trick for art and stationery supplies!). PS, they’re not dust collectors when they’re in use – and so loved by you.

116 BHG DECEMBER 2017

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BECOME A COOL CAT!

Screw castor wheels to the underside of any old trunk or crate and clever you has just knocked together a one-of-a-kind coffee table. Shuffle your sofas in close and you’re all set for hours of conversation. As far as soft furnishings go, drift towards the cooler hues to bring seaside bliss to an all-white interior. And for a vivid dose of colour, you can count on hot pink hydrangeas. ➤

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Whether it’s to host a fabulous display or something far more practical, shelving solves loads of dilemmas around the house. Install a storebought duo or perhaps rejig a timber pallet for a custom solution, as here.

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START A NEW SCHEME

Pretty in pink? More like punchy in pink! No longer reserved for little girls’ bedrooms, pink-painted walls (and matching bedding) smack of contemporary sophistication. Pair this colour with near-black window frames, flooring and accessories to boot.

The key to style success? Offset pastel pink with timber tones or clean, crisp whites LIGHTEN UP

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If the state of your furniture has you close to tearing your hair out, perhaps it’s time to splurge on updating the lot. Hot tip? Look for furniture package deals that include everything you need in the styles that you love. Perhaps a sofa and armchair combo from one store, and a table and shelving package from another – both unified by a single colour. Here, all white is the perfect foundation for a sprinkling of seasonal shades.

118 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Photography timeincukcontent.com Due to the printing process, colour reproduction is a guide only

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RECLAIM A SHELF

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SHOW OFF YOUR STYLE

A room that draws the eye to beautiful things in every direction is a thrilling space to inhabit. And if you’re a bit of a collector, well, now is your moment to shine! Go layer tribal print cushions on the sofa, hang interesting artwork at sitting eye-height and anchor your scheme with a rug that speaks the same colour language. Psst... Prep yourself to spill the beans on where you sourced that bamboo lamp shade (tell ’em to find similar at IKEA!). ➤

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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ADD PATTERN WITH PAPER

Never fear! You can ditch dreary walls with graphic patterned wallpaper – it’s so easy to apply! PS, contemporary bedroom furniture with a subtle nod to industrial styling fits the bill for a Scandinavian scheme.

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SHINE THE LIGHT

Don’t be shy! Soft pink is cool, contemporary and oh-so playful, too COVER IT!

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If the kids have pushed the fabric on your lounge setting to the point of no return, and you’re a wiz on the sewing machine, stitch up loose covers to fit over each piece. Also consider updating your coffee table and rug – it’s the small changes that make massive impact. Since we’re talking, take note of the colour scheme: soft pink, bright white and warm timber floors... heavenly!

120 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Photography timeincukcontent.com Due to the printing process, colour reproduction is a guide only

Reading lamps at each end of your sofa, a task light on the desk and standard lamps by your sideboard... Plug-in lighting options are the simplest way to introduce ambience to a room. Just shop for designs to suit your homemaker style.

There’s no denying that the star of this bedroom is the wall ling. And the gorgeous bed. Ooh, and the drop-down pendant lamps are pretty. Hang on, the linen bedding is divine too! You’ll take the lot, right? The good news is, you can clad just one or all of your bedroom walls with similar tongue-and-groove s then paint it dusty pink. As for the rest, take a snap of this page and scour the shops for similar. ➤

Du Te lux ch no Gr ey

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MAKE YOUR SANCTUARY

Dulux Bunny Pink Quarter

HOME IMPROVEMENTS ns ma ub a Ta cind Ja rple Pu Taubmans Split Lime

LOVE THE LITTLE SPACES

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Transform your courtyard or the unused spot down the side of your house into a charming sitting area and you’ve just created the place to be all season long. Put down pavers and install lighting, then hit up Bunnings for similar vertical gardening systems. And get a shade sail while you’re there.

DINE IN STYLE

Now swing open your windows and doors. Hello, summer entertaining!

17 122 BHG DECEMBER 2017

GET INTO THE GROOVE

If your kitchen, dining and outdoor area is a bit of a blank canvas, you’ll easily fall into the habit of mixing up the styling every other season. What’s hot? Colour is always in, especially when surrounded by plenty of neutral finishes. Here, lime bar stools make a visual connection with similarly punchy outdoor furniture.

Photography timeincukcontent.com Due to the printing process, colour reproduction is a guide only

Forget about getting rid of unloved dining chairs. If they’re perfectly comfy, cover them with loose fabric slips – made by you. Also set the date for your electrician to suspend a show-stopping feature light above your table.

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WELCOME THE WOW

Ever thought about hiring a chippie to swap out that wall with a series of glass sliding doors? You’ll love the experience of opening up your home to your garden oasis. Bliss! But if that’s too much too soon, start by inviting the outdoors in with a nature-inspired artwork and use it to inform an all-new, zingy living room scene. ➤

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

19 20 21

PICK A BUNCH (OR TWO!)

The range of flowers on offer at the shops or perhaps blooming in your own yard make this time of the year positively joyous. Whether it’s a single variety or a mix of a few, arrange your haul in a vase for a smile-inducing display. ■ 124 BHG DECEMBER 2017

LAYER UP LOVELINESS

You can quickly reinvent the appeal of your living room by updating cushions, throws, artwork, reading lamps or accessories. That’s the easy bit! But have you considered investing in reupholstering that handme-down ottoman, sofa or armchair? You’ll love them for so many more years if you do! For the eagle eyes, also note how two rugs are better than one, even when layered in a carpeted room.

FACE THE LIGHT

Keen for a style update without spending a cent? Easy! Unlock the post-winter arrangement of your living room furniture by opening up your setting towards the windows. It’s more receptive to casual Christmas gatherings, too.

DESIGNER HOME

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126 BHG DECEMBER 2017

A central feature of the main living zone is the two-way fireplace that faces both the dining room and 25m lap pool off the main entertaining area.

SEEN ON BHG TV

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bove the banks of Burraneer Bay, just south of Sydney, sits a modernist mega mansion. Called Nautilus, the home nestles respectfully amongst its neighbours. It was named for the nautilus shell, which also inspired the sensual curves of the main entrance stairs. Take a look and find ideas to inspire you! ➤

FRIDAYS 7.00

The staircase curves like a nautilus shell.

nautilus This home is a masterclass in how you, too, can create a multi-level home for resort-style living

VIBES

DESIGNER HOME

Check out the balance between architecture on a grand scale and gardens that would do Babylon proud PETER COLQUHOUN

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White marble caps the dark ery in the open-plan sitting area.

2 The entertaining level features a commercial bar, sunken lounge, jacuzzi and two-lane competition bowling alley.

4 Note how the dark ‘roasted’ American oak floor helps ground the light-filled interiors. The contrast just works!

DREAM ON! Mid-century modernism is the prevailing architectural style of this home with its open plan, deep eaves and emphasis on the horizontal. The materials used range from natural sandstone, recycled brick, zinc and concrete to an American oak floor. Built over six levels, the home terraces its way down a steep west-facing site linked by three internal lifts. Other eye-watering statistics include an underground 20-car garage entered via a tunnel, eight living areas serving seven bedrooms, and two separate guest pavilions. Amazing!

5 A home of this size can often seem overwhelming in its grandeur, however the living areas are intimate and on a family scale, built for comfort as opposed to opulence. The original brief called for a home to ‘make you feel as though you would never need to go on holidays again’ – a nice idea for you to borrow! In reply, the architect and interior design team included a day spa, gym and cinema, as well as a 2000-bottle cellar and tasting room. The success of this design relied on extensive excavation, which allowed the home to nestle below the natural ridge line, allowing a series of pavilions to then terrace down the site, each facing the view. Although the home is layered in state-of-the-art gadgetry, it is also steeped in history. On the water a 1930s boathouse has been exquisitely restored, behind which a tunnel has been carved from the natural stone leading to a bronze statue of the owner’s great grandfather, a veteran of Fromelles in World War I.

DESIGN IDEAS FOR YOU

• Use different floor surfaces to define your various living zones in open-plan living spaces. • ‘Modern design’ often features sandstone, as it helps to anchor a space. Achieve the same effect with stone veneers over another solid surface.

• Natural light is the key to all good design. You can protect large expanses of glass with deep eaves or consider using ‘low-E’ glass for better thermal control and to reduce glare. Retro-fit glazing film over your windows for a similar result. • When using multiple finishes, separate them with a band of white. ➤

6 The split kitchen benches look out to a jacuzzi and teppanyaki bar. Oh, just imagine! DECEMBER 2017 BHG 129

DESIGNER HOME

Note how the scale of the landscaping is a perfect match for a home this size

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7 A celebration of shape, texture and colour, the plantings include an amazing buxus cloud tree and spiky Dracaena draco. 8 The wraparound pool is bordered by its own mini-rainforest. 9 Hard surfaces are given a fringe of greenery, to soften without obscuring the structure of the house.

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9 JOHANNA GRIGGS

G’day there! Pete, Jason and me as we explore this amazing home on BHG TV, Friday, October 20, at 7pm on Channel 7.

Apologies, may be subject to change

GO TO BHG.COM.AU FOR MORE DECO INSPIRATION.

130 BHG DECEMBER 2017

LOVE THE LANDSCAPE Nautilus is a wonderful example of a simple plant palette and the use of common materials to great effect. With the luxury of space, the gardens have been broken up into different areas or rooms, including the long boardwalk lined with ‘Teddy Bear’ magnolias and gardenias – the perfume would be sublime when they’re in flower! Courtyards and level changes create interest, and a rolling lawn of Nullarbor Couch could easily accommodate large crowds for parties, or be the home ground for a summer full of cricket. The plant selection is uncomplicated. Lilly pillies line all the boundary fences as hedging, providing hardy evergreen structure. Gymea lilies also feature prominently in the garden, which is a nice touch as they aren’t just Australian natives, but are endemic to the southern shire of Sydney. Buxus hedging provides privacy and direction around the garden. Buxus balls, planted en masse, provide real punch and draw your eye, but my favourite plant in this entire garden is a buxus cloud tree that’s over 50 years old and adds real wow factor. Planted in a prominent spot, you can ire it from every angle and look through it to the water views. Nautilus is a credit to all involved.

Words Peter Colquhoun, Jason Hodges, Johanna Griggs; photography Prue Roscoe, Keith McInnes;.Nautilus by architect Cameron Jones

JASON HODGES

TURN TO HELP ADVERTISING FEATURE

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WHAT IS CODEINE DEPENDENCE? Codeine is an opioid, like morphine. If used regularly, your body builds up a tolerance to it, which means you need a stronger dose

to have the same effect.2 If this cycle continues, eventually you will feel withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it, which can be like withdrawal from stronger opioids.2

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

If taken at high doses or for long periods of time, some codeine-containing medicines can damage your liver and kidneys, and can cause gastrointestinal perforations, stomach ulcers, or a heart attack.2 When it’s in the body, codeine is converted to morphine, so high doses taken by someone who has built up a tolerance can lead to respiratory depression (dangerously slow breathing) and even death in the most severe cases.2

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND VISIT TURNTOHELP.COM.AU Reference: 1. Codeine Information hub, Therapeutic Goods istration. Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/ community-qa/codeine-information-hub. Accessed May 2017. 2. Update of codeine safety and efficacy review. Therapeutic Goods istration. Version 1.0, December 2016.

YOUR DOCTOR CAN HELP YOU BREAK FREE FROM CODEINE DEPENDENCE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Visit turntohelp.com.au, a great online resource that explains codeine dependence and can assist you to find help.

TAKE A SCREENING TEST Take a screening test: a confidential online assessment to see if you might have signs of dependence.

TALK TO A DOCTOR

Talk to a doctor or health provider, or search for one near you at turntohelp.com.au.

Lie back, relax, grab your chilled drink and bask in the warm rays of...

m r e m Su chic

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Visit domayne.com.au to browse our full range of furniture, bedding and homewares.

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Visit domayne.com.au to browse our full range of furniture, bedding and homewares.

THIS PAGE: Amara Outdoor Extension Table (W220-340xH76xD106) $2999; Amara Outdoor Padded Textilene Dining Chair $259ea (Available in Charcoal or White); S&P Dipped Round Serving Paddle $99.95; Melamine Jug $29.95; Potty Planter In Grey $24.95; Woven Wire Lantern Small $34.95. All other props are stylist’s own. LEFT: Koa 3-Piece Outdoor Modular Lounge Setting (Includes 2 x 2-Seater 1-Arm Sofas and 1 x Ottoman) $2299; Koa Outdoor Coffee Table $249ea. PREVIOUS PAGE: Haven Outdoor Modular (As Pictured) $3599, (Includes 2 x 2-Seater 1-Arm Sofas, 1 x Corner Piece and 1 x Armless Piece). Pieces available to purchase separately – Haven Outdoor Armchair $699. Haven Outdoor Coffee Table $459; Zed Set of 2 Outdoor Cubes (Available in Taupe, Apple or Azure) $229; Shady Cushion (45x45cm) in Black/White $39.95; Foliage Cushion in Black/White $39.95; Plain Outdoor Cushion in Cement $44.95ea. All other props are stylist's own.

THIS PAGE: Nangalo 3-Piece Outdoor Lounge Setting (Includes 1 x 3-Seater Lounge and 2 x Armchairs) $2999; Coral Reef Coffee Table Large $299, Small $199; Como Cushion Pebble $49.95; Bark Cushion Pebble $59.95. All other props are stylist's own.

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Visit domayne.com.au to browse our full range of furniture, bedding and homewares.

BUILDING IDEAS

Bathroom

Kitchen

Laundry Robe 1 Robe 2

Bed 1

Living/dining

Bed 2 Porch

Granny flat floor plan

Main

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GRAN design! Tos whether to erect a granny flat? Be inspired by this owner-builder reno

1 Adopt an open plan for your flat to allow for a good-sized dining table, here comfortably seating up to six guests.

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ot just used to house the old folks, granny flats are becoming more popular options for accommodating other relatives. They’re also a means of generating rental income, or are handy as a home office. Plus, in most cases, the addition of a fab flat will boost the value of your property, too. The BHG TV team followed the construction of this owner-builder flat to show the amazing possibilities you can achieve at your place. Take a look! 138 BHG DECEMBER 2017

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2 The floor plan positions the front door by the living room and the back door directly opposite (see floor plan, above left). Add fresh and fab homewares to make this place feel like a holiday retreat!

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

HOW TO BE AN

owner-builder If you’re building or renovating, you can make big savings by doing the job as an owner-builder. Here are the basics you need to know. What is an owner-builder? An owner-builder takes on all the legal responsibilities and management tasks usually completed by a builder. It doesn’t necessarily mean doing all the work (although you can save even more if you do!), but making sure the work is done correctly and by qualified tradespeople.

3 Choose a colour scheme for your new dwelling that’s in harmony with its surrounds. You can even make small container gardens! See page 144 for instructions.

How do you save? The major savings are made because you’re not paying for a builder’s time to coordinate the work. What’s more, you don’t pay their profit margin, which can be about 20 per cent of the cost of the job. You can also shop around for the best deals on materials and competitive quotes from trades. Where do you begin? You will need to get an owner-builder licence or permit. The requirements for this vary between states, so check with your state’s builder licensing authority. Most require an education course to be completed and proof of land ownership as a minimum.

2

What do you need to know? Apart from making sure the work will meet relevant building codes and Australian Standards, important knowledge is the business side of the process – obtaining required certificates and approvals; having the correct insurances; knowledge of contracts; and being aware of the risks you are taking by being the builder.

BUILDING IDEAS

4

4 If you’re worried about reduced storage, hit the shops in search of a bed with hidden storage underneath (yep, they’re drawers under there to hold loads of stuff!). Allow for built-in robes, too. Then continue the holiday vibe with a framed tropical print above the bed, and accessories.

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5 You might like to use the second bedroom for hosting visitors, or – if you’re expecting – the baby’s nursery. Whatever the bedroom furniture you choose, ensure that the space feels light and airy during the daytime with white-painted walls. Also allow full control of natural light with white shutters, curtains or blinds.

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6 Wanting a simple, fresh and modern look in the bathroom? Specify stone-coloured tiles for the floor and white for walls. You can save on the installation costs in this room by fitting the glass shower s, vanity cabinet and mirror yourself. Tool time!

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TIPS FOR

OWNER-

builders

If you’re planning on going ahead with being the boss on the site, here are the tips you need to make the process easier and more successful. • Do your research Apart from getting the best prices on materials and trades, know the regulations and requirements for the project you’re doing. Ask lots of questions! • Be available Don’t think you can be the builder by leaving notes or being at the end of a phone. Be around to answer questions, make decisions and find out what will be needed next. This will avoid mistakes or delays, which will all end up costing money – your money. • Stay ahead of the game An efficient building project is a carefully choreographed dance. Be aware of what will be required when and how long it will take to get there. If you didn’t order the windows in time for work to proceed, then everything grinds to a halt, meaning more work for you to rearrange everything you had already carefully planned. • Know the value of your time Sometimes it’s better to do your regular job to earn the money to pay the pros. They’ll probably do it in less than half the time and with better quality, too. • Get advice It might be worthwhile to hire a builder who can act as a consultant or project manager. Their wisdom and knowledge may end up saving you more than they cost, in both time and money.

7 Need a quick table display? Arrange a trio of vases on a tray and fill the tallest vessel with garden cuttings. Divine!

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8 Lean towards the contemporary, styling with a wellcurated collection anchored by your favourite framed holiday snap. 9 Keep a few pots of succulents on rotation – inside then out – and you’ll always have a plant to show off.

8

10 You don’t need to overlook little luxuries, so make arrangements for a gas stove, dishwasher and microwave nook. Also take a minute to soak in the palette used here – bright white cabinetry, charcoal benchtops (both from Kaboodle Kitchen) and timber-look floors. It’s your formula for colour scheme success!

10

11 Make your flat feel like a well-loved home with homemade touches, just like this clever vertical garden, mounted above the kitchen bench.

9

See page 142 for instructions.

11 DECEMBER 2017 BHG 141

BUILDING IDEAS PROJECT 1

make this

VERTICAL GARDEN

Create a living artwork at your place!

Gather your supplies

• 1.2m long bearers from recycled pallets (2) • Preserving jars (8) • 78-102mm stainless-steel hose clamp (8)

STEPS

You’ll also need

STEP 2

STEP 6

Drill with 5, 8 and 9mm drill bits; 9mm hollow wall anchors and setting tool; 20mm galvanised button head screws; river sand; decorative pebbles; screwdriver

Here’s how

STEP 4

STEP 7

STEP 5

STEP 8

12

i 142 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Plant up the preserving jars with a range of succulents, pushing the cuttings straight into the sand. They won’t need much water – a light splash every couple of weeks will do.

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

STEP 1 Drill 5 holes, 5mm wide, through bearer, evenly spaced along its length. Place bearer against wall in its final position and drill through holes to mark wall. Drill holes at each marked point with a 9mm drill bit. STEP 2 Place hollow wall anchor into setting tool and insert into hole. Pull trigger on tool to set anchor into wall. Remove screw from anchor and retain. STEP 3 Through holes in bearer, use an 8mm drill bit to countersink for heads of screws from wall anchors. Stop countersink holes 20mm from full depth of timber. STEP 4 Reposition bearer and insert screws from wall anchors through countersink holes and into anchors. Tighten to hold bearer against wall. STEP 5 Repeat Steps 1 to 4 to attach second bearer to wall. STEP 6 Drill 2 holes through centre of hose clamp. Attach to bearer with 20mm button head screws. Repeat to attach all hose clamps, spacing them about 250mm apart. STEP 7 Pop out centre ring and screw lid onto jar. Fill to three-quarters full with paving sand. Place succulent cutting in sand then fill remainder of jar with decorative pebbles. STEP 8 Close clamps to form a loop. Place jar in clamp and use screwdriver to tighten. Repeat for all jars.

I N S P I R AT I O N TO C R E AT E

Get the look day spa Emulate a resort setting with open shelving.

02

01

Immerse yourself in a freestanding bath.

outdoor 04

Organic shapes inspired by nature create a soothing feeling.

03

Enjoy the benefits of fresh air with an outdoor shower zone.

traditional Intricate, heritage details transport you to a time gone by.

06

05

Elevate your vanity for the illusion of more space.

01 Posh Solus 1200 Wall Hung Vanity | 02 Roca Virginia 1700 Freestanding Bath | 03 LAUFEN ILBAGNOALESSI One 450 Counter Basin 04 Milli Inox 300 Overhead Freestanding Rail Shower | 05 Kado Era 1700 Freestanding Bath | 06 Kado Era 1200 Wall Hung Vanity Unit with Basin

Find more bathroom inspiration at reece.com.au/bathrooms/inspiration

build these

PROJECT 2 RUSTIC BARREL PLANTERS Make planters for next to nothing!

Gather your supplies (makes 1 planter)

• Recycled 220L plastic drum • 35cm planter trolley • Recycled timber pallets

You’ll also need

Drill with 3 and 10mm drill bits; jigsaw; 25mm galvanised hex-head screws for metal; tape measure; power saw; metal strapping; 15mm galvanised button head screws; polystyrene (old fruit boxes); shadecloth; potting mix; selected plants; mulch

Plant a mix of edible and ornamental plants – here, kale with lobelia.

For you to note

Check online trading sites like Gumtree for pallets and plastic drums.

Here’s how

STEP 1 To remove top section of drum, drill a 10mm hole at the desired height for planter. Insert jigsaw into hole and cut around drum. STEP 2 With the drum upside down, put the plant trolley on centre of bottom. Drill through trolley and into drum with 3mm bit. STEP 3 Drill numerous drainage holes around base of drum using 10mm bit. STEP 4 Place drum on its side on workbench and put plant trolley back on base so holes in trolley and drum align. With a helper to hold

drum and trolley, attach the trolley to the drum, screwing from the inside using 25mm screws for metal. STEP 5 Remove slats from recycled pallets and de-nail. Measure height of drum from ground and add 25mm to find minimum length of slats for sides. Cut slats to random heights with power saw, with the tallest about 50mm longer than the minimum. STEP 6 Measure diameter of drum. Randomly lay slats on bench so combined width of slats match this measurement. Align 1 end of slats. STEP 7 Place metal strapping across all slats towards 1 end. Screw through holes in strapping into slats using 15mm button head screws. Use 2 screws per slat. Repeat to attach strapping to slats towards other end. STEP 8 Wrap ed slats around side of drum, sitting them on an offcut of slats to provide clearance to ground. Screw through inside of drum into slats to hold them. Do a row of screws around top of drum and also towards bottom. STEP 9 For tall planters, fill bottom half of drum with polystyrene to reduce weight and amount of potting mix required. STEP 10 Put shadecloth on polystyrene to hold soil and provide drainage. STEP 11 Fill remainder of planter with potting mix until it’s about 10cm below top of drum. Fill with selected plants then mulch.

6 FREE ISSUES

when you subscribe SEE PAGE 218

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

STEP 7 144 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STEP 8

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 4

STEP 9

STEP 10

STEP 11

Photography Chris Jones, Brent Wilson; styling Vanessa Tidy (magazine), Jo Greenwood (TV); projects Greg Sparke, Vivien Kappos, Hannah St John, Kylie Sams; diagrams Lorenzo Lucia

BUILDING IDEAS

easycraft.com.au

FRONT YARD FIX

f

irst impressions count, so overhaul your place to ramp up your street appeal. It’s easier than you think to turn an unloved front yard into an attractive space. Say goodbye to scrappy grass, empty garden beds and bare concrete with easy DIY solutions.

It’s time to….

PAVE THE VERANDAH

PROJECT 1

If your front porch is dated and showing signs of wear and tear, but the surface is intact, give it a face lift by paving over the existing surface.

Gather your supplies

• 10 bags Sydney sand (tiling or sandpit sand) • 4 bags off-white cement • 400 x 400 x 40mm pavers • 600 x 400 x 40mm pavers • 400 x 400 x 40mm bullnose pavers (we used Adbri Eurostone in Riverina, Prague and Zurich) • Mortar mix • Powerloc ting sand

You’ll also need

Broom; shovel; screed; spirit level; steel float; sponge; trowel; rubber mallet; brick saw (hired); wheelbarrow

Here’s how

STEP 1 Sweep existing pavers to remove loose material or weeds. STEP 2 Thoroughly mix dry sand and cement with shovel to achieve an even colour. Level dry mix with screed, starting at wall of house and working backwards. Use spirit

level to check level as you go. Use steel float to level under doors. STEP 3 At front edge of verandah, remove a strip of dry mix about 10cm wide. Mix mortar in wheelbarrow following product instructions. Lay a bed of mortar with trowel along this strip slightly higher than the level of the dry mix. Wet bullnose pavers with sponge to ensure good adhesion to mortar. STEP 4 Lay pavers on mortar. Check level with spirit level and tap with rubber mallet to adjust if necessary. STEP 5 Continue laying pavers on dry mix using different sizes and colours in a random pattern. Cut pavers with brick saw as required. STEP 6 Sweep Powerloc ting sand into gaps, making sure there is no sand left on surface of pavers. Spray lightly with hose to activate sand’s polymer binding agent. (You can also use fine, kiln-dried sand.)

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

STEPS

STEP 2 146 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

Surface updates are the secret to transforming your front of house. Stick to a neutral colour scheme, using paving and paint to revamp the driveway and verandah, and lay new turf for an instant lawn. Green up with a few well-chosen plants and add a simple outdoor setting. Done! ➤

flaunt

Before

YOUR FACADE Take your front yard from faded to fabulous with a few simple landscaping projects

FRONT YARD FIX

GARDEN TIP

For a lush green lawn without waiting for grass to grow, lay turf rolls. Remove old grass and level the area, spread a layer of turf underlay soil and rake to level. Roll out the turf, using a sharp spade to trim the edges, then water in well.

STEPS

PROJECT 2

Now it’s time to

PAVE A PATHWAY

Lay pavers from the street to the verandah to create an entrance path, then paint the driveway to match.

Gather your supplies STEP 1

STEP 6

STEP 2

STEP 7

• Road base • Paving sand • 400 x 400 x 40mm pavers • 600 x 400 x 40mm pavers (we used Adbri Eurostone in Riverina, Prague and Zurich) • Mortar mix • Powerloc ting sand

You’ll also need

Shovel; straightedge; black marking pen; demolition saw (hired); rake; plate compactor (hired); stringline; screed rails; spirit level; timber float; brick saw (hired) rubber mallet; broom; wheelbarrow; small trowel STEP 3

STEP 4

148 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STEP 8

STEP 9

Here’s how

STEP 1 Using shovel (we used a mini tractor) remove turf and excavate soil so depth is 140mm below finished height of pavers. STEP 2 Using straightedge and marking pen, draw a straight line on uneven edge of existing concrete driveway. Cut off edge using demolition saw and remove.

STEP 3 Spread out 80mm thick layer of road base slightly wider than paved area. Use plate compactor to compact down to a depth of 70mm. STEP 4 Spread 30mm thick layer of paving sand over road base. Set up a stringline to set straight line for pavers at grass edge. STEP 5 Use paver against driveway to set level of paving sand. Do as required to suit length of screed rails. Make tracks in sand between these points with straightedge. Lay screed rails in tracks flush with level of paving sand. Repeat to set screed rails on other side of path level with the first. STEP 6 Run straightedge along screed rails to make paving sand the correct level, removing excess. At ends and edges of path, use timber float to level sand. Remove screed rails. STEP 7 Lay a few pavers along grass edge with stringline, leaving a 2-3mm gap between them. Fill in between these pavers and driveway, laying in a random pattern of colours and sizes. Use brick saw to cut pavers against driveway as required. Use spirit level and rubber mallet to bed pavers and make level. Continue laying pavers in this way along whole path. STEP 8 Remove excess roadbase and paving sand along edge of pavers. Mix mortar in wheelbarrow following product instructions. Haunch edges with trowel, spreading mortar outwards at a 45° angle. STEP 9 Sweep ting sand over pavers to fill gaps, removing excess from top of pavers. Spray lightly to activate polymer binding agent in sand. (You can also use fine, kiln-dried sand.) ➤

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

First Ever

“Thomas Kinkade White Christmas” Masterpiece Edition Snowman Three holiday treasures in one... exclusively from The Bradford Exchange! Never was a snowman more filled with holiday spirit! The “Thomas Kinkade White Christmas” Masterpiece Edition Glass Snowman features shimmering, handcrafted multi-faceted glass, illuminated village sculpture and a nostalgic, moving holiday train ... for the first time ever! This snowman stands an impressive 25cm high to let his cheerful personality come shining through. A hand-painted, 3-D Thomas Kinkade village, tucked within the glass outer shell, makes this snowman a holiday treasure inside and out.

Each intricately sculpted building illuminates from within Certificate of Authenticity and 365-day Guarantee Shown smaller than its impressive actual size of approx. 25cm high. Powered by AC adapter (included) or 2 “AA” batteries (not included).

An outstanding value; reserve your snowman now for only $199.95, payable in five instalments of $39.99 each, plus $19.99 postage and handling. You need send no money now. Our unconditional 365-day guarantee assures your 100% satisfaction. You risk nothing! Don’t wait, return your coupon or go online today at www.bradford.com.au/kinkade

s! It Move

15-00764-001A ©2017 Thomas Kinkade ©2017 The Bradford Exchange Ltd. A.B.N. 13 003 159 617

Just flick the switch to see the Thomas Kinkade miniature train circle the base

For quickest delievey, order online:

www.bradford.com.au/kinkade Quoting promotion code: 94484

THE BRADFORD EXCHANGE

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White Christmas” Masterpiece Edition Glass Snowman for me as described in this ment. I ________________________________ Postcode: ______ understand I need pay nothing now. Email: _________________________________________ Please allow up to 10 business days for delivery. All sales subject to product availability and reservation acceptance. Credit criteria may apply. Our is available online at www.bradford.com.au. You must be over 18 years old to apply. From time to time, we may allow carefully screened companies to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box.

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PAY NOTHING NOW 1. ONLINE at www.bradford.com.au/kinkade quoting promotion code: 94484 2. MAIL no stamp required, to: The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 86369 Parramatta NSW 2124 3. PHONE: Toll-Free 1300 725 103 8am-5pm E.S.T Mon – Fri

And to finish...

PROJECT 3

BUILD A PLANTER BOX

A raised garden bed makes a great border for a verandah and is a bricklaying job you can DIY. Finish with render and paint.

Gather your supplies

• 2 bags mortar mix • Common bricks (we used 78 bricks for the box) • 2 bags acrylic render • Dulux Weathershield exterior acrylic (we used Shetland Lace to match the house)

You’ll also need

STEPS

Stiff broom; tape measure; spirit level; black marking pen; wheelbarrow; trowel; bolster; lump hammer; safety glasses; screwdriver; power drill; mixing paddle; plasterer’s hawk; steel float; sponge float; plastic bucket

Here’s how

STEP 1 Sweep existing concrete with stiff broom. Measure and mark the outside line of planter box using spirit level and black marking pen. STEP 2 Mix mortar in wheelbarrow following product instructions. It should be firm enough to hold a brick, but not too hard that you can’t easily push the brick down into it. Lay a bed of mortar on the inside of the marked line with a trowel. STEP 3 With point of trowel, make a furrow in mortar bed. Lay a brick at one end, gently tapping down with trowel. Butter one end of another brick and lay next to the first. Repeat to lay first course. STEP 4 Use spirit level to make first course of bricks level and straight. Tap bricks down into mortar as required.

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

150 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STEP 2

STEP 8

STEP 3

STEP 9

STEP 4

STEP 10

STEP 5 Spread mortar then lay next course of bricks in a stretcher bond pattern, where the bricks are offset by half a brick from the course below. To cut a brick where required, use a bolster and lump hammer (wear safety glasses). Repeat to lay bricks up to the required height, checking wall for level and plumb as you go. STEP 6 At the base of planter, use a screwdriver to scrape mortar out of 3 vertical ts between bricks to create weep holes for drainage. STEP 7 Wait 24 hours for mortar to dry. Mix acrylic render in a bucket following product instructions. Use a power drill fitted with a mixing paddle for best results. STEP 8 Load render onto plasterer’s hawk. Working close to wall, scoop up render with steel float and apply to wall. Work from the base with an upwards sweeping motion. A 4–6mm thick coat is ideal. STEP 9 Wait for render to be firm to the touch (times vary due to temperature and thickness of render, usually 30 minutes). Using a circular motion, smooth render with a sponge float. If render is too hard, apply a little water with a brush or sponge. STEP 10 Allow render to cure for 4 weeks before painting. Use stiff broom to remove any loose particles from the surface of the render. Apply 2 coats of exterior acrylic. ■

G’day DIYers!

Want to give your place more street appeal? Watch me make over this front garden and check out my other landscaping projects on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. STEP 5

JASON HODGES

GO TO BHG.COM.AU FOR MORE LANDSCAPING IDEAS

Photography Brent Wilson; styling Joanna Greenwood (TV)

FRONT YARD FIX

THE BEAUTY & ELEGANCE OF AUSTRALIAN HARDWOOD

1300 CARPET CARPETCOURT.COM.AU

SEASONAL SOLUTIONS

1

Super cool and quiet! The AE2 two-blade 126cm ceiling fan in Light Pine/Woodgrain, $525, Aeratron.

2

Cut your running costs as you beat the heat with the Nordic 142cm Fan in Grey, $429, Beacon Lighting.

IVE COOLING

• Aim for shade around windows, walls and your roof. Think trees, thick shrubs, vines, awnings, outdoor shutters and even tinted window film. • Insulate, insulate, insulate… not just your ceiling but your walls. • Allow for cross breezes by opening windows on both sides of the house.

3

With three speed settings, a powerful motor and a 2.5L water tank, stay comfy with this Goldair Misting Fan GCMF220, $229, Harvey Norman.

4

Help reduce glare and heat coming through your windows with the affordable Nisse Folding Arm Awning, POA, Luxaflex.

COOL fa ctor THE

t

Surviving the heat in summer just became a lot easier

rying to stay comfortable in our blistering heat is a fact of life for most of us. Thankfully, there is a multitude of ways to help you find sweet relief, from ive cooling to the latest products on the market. Take a look at these ideas and be inspired! DECEMBER 2017 BHG 153

SEASONAL SOLUTIONS

AIR CON AND SAVING ENERGY

• Set your air conditioner between a comfortable 22°C and 24°C. • If you have a zoned system, only cool the rooms people are using. • Ensure regular maintenance of your air conditioner by cleaning and/or replacing its filter. • Curtains and blinds can reduce solar heat gain.

5 Building from scratch? Invest in a ducted air-conditioning system you can zone for maximum comfort throughout your home. With the indoor unit concealed in a confined space, air is ducted through a vent in the ceiling or wall. For more information, toshiba- aircon.com.au

7 6

11

10 8

12

9

6 Entertaining alfresco? Your guests will love this Goldair Misting Fan (GSMF110), $139, Harvey Norman. 7 Shoot the breeze with an oscillating fan with timer. Arctic 77cm Tower Fan with remote control $69.95, Kambrook. 8, 9 Stay cool with the Dyson TP03 Pure Cool Link Tower Fan, $699, or DP02 Pure Cool Link Desk Fan 154 BHG DECEMBER 2017

(308037-01), $549, The Good Guys. 10 Just tilt and adjust the wind direction to suit with the Goldair Triple Tower Fan (GCMT300), $199. Harvey Norman. 11, 12 Go delightfully retro. Goldair 30cm Wood Finish Desk Fan (GCDF300LW), $99, and Tripod Pedestal Fan (GCHV450W), $199, both

available from Harvey Norman and The Good Guys. 13 Take control of your indoor climate with Toshiba’s Inverter Split System range of air conditioners.

i

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

Prices are approximate and a guide only.

13

OZITO ADVERTISING FEATURE

Get on board! YOU’LL BE THE HOST WITH THE MOST WHEN YOU OFFER AROUND A BEAUTIFUL TIMBER CHEESE BOARD YOU MADE YOURSELF!

MAKE IT! THIS GOURMET CHEESE BOARD TAKES LESS THAN AN HOUR TO MAKE, AND WILL LAST A LIFETIME

FREE

PROJECT SHEET

R

elaxing with friends, enjoying a cold beverage and some delicious nibbles is the perfect way to a summer’s afternoon. So why not add a personal touch by making your own cheese board? This beauty is a cinch

to make, but be warned; once your friends see yours they’ll be putting in orders! It also makes a fantastic gift for family and friends and beats a boring gift card, hands down. Head to the website for free step-by-step instructions.

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

Ozito 18V Brushless Drill Driver

Ozito 18V Circular Saw

Ozito 18V Detail Sander

FIND YOUR FREE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS AT BHG.COM.AU/OZITO FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OZITO.COM.AU

TOOL TIPS SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

THE HANDY TOOLBOX

Jigsaw A versatile tool for use on a wide range of materials. Particularly useful for making curved cuts.

Belt Sander A powerful tool used for removing and shaping timber rather than smoothing it.

Hole Saw Used in a drill, the hole saw is used for cutting large holes in material.

Router This device is used to create decorative edges and shapes on timber. The type of router bit determines the shape that's cut.

TOOL school

TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNERS Cut your carpentry teeth with these handy tips and put another feather in your cap.

Orbital sander Used to remove woodworking marks from the timber and to smooth a surface prior to finishing.

t

here’s nothing like working with wood. Taking raw timber and cutting, shaping and sanding it into something else is a wonderful skill to master. If you're a woodworking novice, a kitchen cutting board is the perfect project to get you started. You'll need a range of power tools to make it and gain vital practice before moving on to more complicated projects. ➤

ADAM DOVILE

G’day there!

Power tools are great fun, but don't forget to look after yourself! Depending on the tool, always wear safety glasses, ear muffs or plugs, and a dust mask. Catch more tool tips and tricks on BHG TV, 7pm Fridays on Channel 7. GO TO BHG.COM.AU FOR MORE DIY TIPS AND TRICKS.

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 157

TOOL TIPS STEPS • Place the timber you’re drilling through on a scrap piece to avoid blowing out the back of the timber when the saw breaks through.

MAKE YOUR BOARD

Bring the beauty of recycled Australian hardwood to your next soiree with this simple project.

Gather your supplies

• 300 x 400 x 40mm (approx) recycled Australian hardwood

You’ll also need STEP 2

STEP 3

Builder's crayon; jigsaw; drill; hole saw; belt sander; router fitted with 6mm rounding-over bit; random orbital sander; sandpaper; orange oil; cloths

For you to note

When using power tools, wear all safety gear required. See product instructions.

Here’s how

STEP 4

STEP 5

158 BHG DECEMBER 2017

STEP 6

STEP 1 Draw the shape of your cutting board on the hardwood with a crayon. Cut out using a jigsaw. TIPS • There are different jigsaw blades to suit different materials and the whether it's a curved or straight cut. Always use the right blade for a quicker, cleaner finish. • Grip the tool with both hands for more control and let the saw do the work. Don’t force a jigsaw, or you’ll bend the blade which means your cut won't be vertical. STEP 2 Cut out the hole in the handle of your board using a hole saw in your drill. TIPS • Raise and lower the hole saw as you drill to clear the sawdust, otherwise you’ll burn the timber and blunt the hole saw.

STEP 4 To round the edges of the board, use a router fitted with a 6mm rounding-over bit. TIPS • When routing the outside edge of a board, go in an anticlockwise direction to suit the rotation of the router bit and make cutting easier. Start your cut on a side of the board with end grain. • If removing a lot of material, do it in a number of es, taking off a bit more each time. This will be easier and less stressful on the machine. STEP 5 Use a random orbital sander to remove cutting marks and make the timber smooth. Hand sand any hard-to-reach spots, like the inside of the hole in the handle. TIPS • Always sand with the grain of the timber, not across it. • Start with the coarsest sandpaper that will do the job, then switch to finer grades to remove any sanding scratches and smooth the timber. • Don’t force the sander or you’ll create gouges and deep scratches in the timber. STEP 6 Remove all dust then coat with a food-safe product such as orange oil. Apply with a damp cloth and polish using a soft dry cloth. ■

i

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

Photography Phil Aynsley, Greg Fahey, Getty Images; styling Jo Greenwood; project Greg Sparke

STEP 1

STEP 3 Sand the cut edges of the board using a belt sander. TIPS • Avoid wearing loose, long-sleeved clothing as it can get caught in the belt. • Always keep the sander moving. Holding it in one spot will quickly gouge the timber.

AIR WICK ADVERTISING FEATURE

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by

DISCOVER THE COMPLETE HOME SIGNATURE FRAGRANCE RANGE AT WOOLWORTHS

AUSTRALIANS HAVE DIABETES* *Source: Diabetes Australia

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HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE BLOOD VESSEL DAMAGE PHYSICAL INACTIVITY

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presents

BRIGHTEN UP

OU R REV IEWCREW © D I S C O V E RS T H E E AS I E ST WAY T O M AKE THE MOST OF TH E I R B E ST AC C E S S O RY , A WH I T E R S M I L E BEAUTYcrew, Australia’s number one online beauty destination, is happy to introduce you to the REVIEWcrew© — a group of the most trusted advisors, made up of beauty addicts just like you.

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BETTER YOU

Photography Getty Images, Adobe Stock

Say goodbye clutter, hello tidy house and, with your extra time, work on the make-up, try a faux sun-kissed glow and eat your way to a flat belly

better

you

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 163

TIP A self-tanner gives

the lustre of a tan, but you will still need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.

glow the faux with

Kickstart your summer with sun-kissed skin from head to toe

Photography Adobe Stock, Getty Images

g

etting away to a tropical island and returning with a post-holiday glow doesn’t happen often enough, but giving your skin a faux glow, whenever you fancy, is easy. Take your pick from the following DIY bronzers, tints and self-tanners to start glowing today.

BETTER BEAUTY

body enhancers

FAUX TAN

tips

• The key to smooth, glowing skin is to use an exfoliant or body scrub between applications on the face and body. • Unless you’re wearing gloves, wash your hands after applying self tan to your legs, including between your fingers, to stop them from staining. Finish applying, then wash your hands again. • After washing hands, run the back of each hand across the under side of the opposite arm to avoid having telltale untanned backs of hands.

changing faces When the heat is really on, you could try one of our suggestions below. 1 Dust bronzer over your cheeks, temples and jaw line to create a subtle sun-kissed look, Luminous Matt Bronzing Powder, $6.15, essence. 2 Give your face and décolleté a flattering tan, Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint, $40, Clarins. 3 Achieve a radiant glow for days, Great Face Tan Without Sun, $38, Ella Baché. 4 Go for instant brightening, Sheer Radiance Tinted Gel Moisturiser in Light Medium or Medium Dark, $14.99, Designer Brands. 5 Add subtle colour while also protecting your skin, Photoderm BB Cream in Light or Golden Colour, SPF50+, $36.99, Bioderma. 6 Enhance your complexion with a combination of bronzer and skin illuminating highlighter, Bricks Bronzer, $21.95, Maybelline.

Whether it’s wash-off or wear-off, self-tanning products will make your body more beautiful. 1 Tan organically with a luxurious fragrant mousse, Cacao Tanning Mousse, $34.95, Eco Tan. 2 Treat fair skin to a subtle faux tan, Bronze by La Mav® Gradual Tanning Moisturiser in Light, $39.95, La Mav. 3 Illuminate your body with a summer glow for a single day or night, Ambre Solaire No Streaks Wash Off Instant Bronzer, $9.95, Garnier. 4 Look sunkissed from your head to toe in next to no time, All Over Bronzing Gel SPF15, $52, Bobbi Brown. 5 Give any part of your face or body a flush of beautiful colour, Mineral Bronzer, $39.95, Nude By Nature. 6 Turn any regular face or body moisturiser into a self-tanner, Sun 365 Self Tanning Concentrate, $26, Paula’s Choice.

i

TIP Prolong your

faux tan and keep your skin looking and feeling fabulous by applying this product to wet or dry skin every day. It will help to firm, even skin tone, reduce the appearance of stretch marks and intensely nourish your skin, 4 in 1 Firming Body Oil, $14.95, Nivea

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE DECEMBER 2017 BHG 165

BETTER BEAUTY

HAIR TODAY,

gone tomorrow WAXING RULES

HOT OR COLD WAX

DIY treatments are now simpler to use and less messy. Cold wax strips are gentler on the skin and safer to use than hot wax. • Facial waxing is not advisable if you use Retin-A, as your skin could peel. To remove hair from the face, underarms or small areas,

Apply wax strips in the same direction as the hair grows. To remove, pull the strips back in the opposite direction, or against the hair growth, quickly.

BLADE RUNNERS

• Face shaving by women has become more popular, and rest assured the hair does not grow back thicker. Perfect for the face and delicate parts of your body such as the bikini line and underarms, try Sensitive Precision Beauty Styler, $49.99, Veet. • Body shaving works efficiently when you use a clean, sharp razor and don’t have a lot of hair. It’s ideal for underarms and legs. When wet, this razor’s built-in lather is activated to help glide the flexible head over your curves. Try Venus ComfortGlide White Tea, $14.99, Gillette.

i 166 BHG DECEMBER 2017

use ready-to-go products. Try Easiwax Wax Strips, 20 mini strips, $9.19, Nair. • Body waxing is not recommended if you’re sunburnt. To remove hair from legs, body and bikini area, try Wax Strips, 30 pack, $13.95, Sally Hansen, or Sensitive Wax Strips, 40 pack, $15.95, Nair.

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

SMOOTH OPERATOR

• Epilators pull hair out as you move the unit over the skin. The discomfort level is low and results last for three to four weeks. Consider this a long-term beauty investment. Try Silk-epil 9 SkinSpa, $299, Braun.

DISAPPEARING ACTS

• Depilatory creams dissolve hair at the base. Apply and leave for the specified time, then remove. Safe on face, bikini line and underarms. Try Sensitive Hair Removal Lotion, $8.99, or Hair Removal Cream for legs and body, $8.49, both Marzena.

Photography Adobe Stock, Getty Images. Prices are approximate and a guide only

m

ost therapists agree laser hair removal is best for permanent results, but the method is not cheap — or possible if you have fair hair. Salon waxing is a great option, but it’s not permanent, and monthly visits add up. Here’s a selection of affordable DIY treatments.

Your head-to-toe guide to smooth, bare skin

The product most recommended by GPs for scars & stretch marks.* *ACA Research H Study, Jan 2017, n=1554

“I have only started using Bio-Oil in the last couple of months and the difference to my skin is remarkable. Due to gaining and then losing a lot of weight over the last 10 years, I have quite a lot of stretch marks across my hips, stomach, thighs and butt. They have all faded noticeably and my skin tone improved after using Bio-Oil morning and night for about 6-8 weeks. My self-esteem has improved because I’m now much happier with what I see in the mirror... and no other product has ever helped with that. So, sincerely, thanks.” Shirley Graham

BETTER BEAUTY

i

f you’re a finger painter, when it comes to make-up, your world is about to change for the better. There’s a small investment, but setting yourself up with brushes will save you time and give you better results.

the 5 you need

There are many different shapes and sizes of make-up brushes and each one is designed for a specific purpose. But, if you're just after a fresh, healthy look these are the top five – blusher, foundation, eye shadow, lip and powder brush.

BRUSH SETS

Travel friendly Small and compact, this kit is ideal for taking on holidays, $13.99, Manicare.

Love your bristles Wash your brushes every few weeks to prolong their life. Try to wash the bristles only in order to preserve the internal glue. 1 Run the bristles only under lukewarm water to rinse out residue make-up. 2 Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and a squirt of mild shampoo. Gently press down on the bristles to work through the shampoo. 3 Rinse bristles under lukewarm water. Press out the excess water and lay them flat on paper towel overnight. 4 Store brushes upright in a container to finish air-drying and to retain their shape.

i

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

getting the

Rosy cheeks To apply and blend powder blusher consider a Blusher Brush, $12.95, Natio. Flawless complexion Perfect cream foundation by applying it with a Foundation Brush, $39 Benefit. Eye catching Blend eye shadows and create different looks using an Eye Shadow Brush, $16.95, Nude by Nature. Perfect pout Put on your lippy and touch up your colour on the go with a Retractable Lip Brush, $15.99, Real Techniques. No more shine Matte down shine and set foundation with the help of a Powder Brush, $12.99, Designer Brands.

brush off

Set yourself up with the right tools for applying make-up to achieve pro-like results 168 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Photography Adobe Stock. Prices are approximate and a guide only

The full monty You'll work like a pro with the 10 brushes in the 'Make Me Up' set $29.99, Designer Brands.

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DISCOVER V NIVEA’S NV NEWEST N W T NG REVOLUTION VO UM FILLING VOLUME VO U ON

HYALURONIC ACID AND COLLA A AGEN BOOSTER PEARLS FRESHLY ACTIV VATED B V FOR FULLER,, FIRMER,, YOUNGER R LOOKING FOR BEST USE N SKIN. N FO S RESULT SU TS US CELLULAR DAY AND NIGHT CR REAM. WITH CELLUL N N R M

Visit NIVE EA.com.au/CellularPearls to o read reviews

BETTER HEALTH

Belly got you feeling blah? Here’s how to beat that bothersome bloat

flat belly

a

bloated belly is uncomfortable and, frankly, unacceptable! It can happen for all kinds of reasons, but to avoid it, or get it gone in a hurry, try some of the following simple diet tweaks and handy tips. , if belly troubles persist, don’t be embarrassed to seek professional help. A painful, distended stomach can be a sign of an underlying condition such as irritable bowel syndrome or a lactose or gluten intolerance. If you have nausea, pain, cramps or diarrhoea that won’t quit, your doc can run diagnostic tests to get to the root of the problem.

EXERCISE IT OUT

Physical activity can help gas quickly through the digestive system, so get up and get moving! Even a brisk 10-minute walk will help you feel better fast. 170 BHG DECEMBER 2017

GO PRO

Probiotic yoghurts with live cultures may help rebalance gut flora and settle the tummy. A good serving is about 200g; ideally, choose low- or no-fat varieties with less than 12g sugar per 100g.

foods and fixes THE POTASSIUM

To help flush excess fluid naturally, reach for potassium-rich foods. These include bananas, mangoes, rockmelon, watermelon, papaya, raw tomatoes, carrots, salmon, oats, sweet potatoes, unsalted almonds, avocado and pistachios.

soiree, avoid refined carbs. White bread, pasta and rice, along with pizza, pancakes, pretzels, bagels and chips, can act as instant tummy expanders in sensitive people. Choose wholegrains instead and add a little protein (such as egg or grilled chicken) to go with it.

GO SALT-FREE

HOLD THAT THOUGHT

Limit the amount of sodium in your diet. We’re not just talking about the salt shaker at the table; many packaged and processed foods, canned goods and takeaways contain ridiculous amounts of sodium that can unwittingly lead to water retention and bloat.

VISIT THE CHEMIST

Over-the-counter preparations can offer relief by absorbing excess gas in your belly. Look for activated charcoal tablets or tummy taming products containing the active ingredient simethicone. Ask your chemist if these can help you.

Photography Getty Images

BEWARE ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

Watch out for low-carb, sugar-free foods and drinks. They may contain sugar alcohols such as maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol and erithrytol that are poorly digested in the large intestine. These can linger and ferment in your belly and lead to painful gas and bouts of diarrhoea.

FLUIDS UP

Sip, sip and sip some more. Water is best and it’s free and easy. Aim for the proverbial eight glasses per day, more if you’re super active or it’s sizzling outside. Other liquids such as tea, coffee and juice also count towards your total fluid intake. Not so fast on the margaritas though, as alcohol dehydrates.

BEAN CAREFUL!

Although legumes such as beans, lentils and chickpeas are inherently good nutritional choices, they can lead to a puffy belly, especially if you’re an infrequent consumer. Steer clear of them leading up to a big event where looking five months’ pregnant isn’t part of your plan! Same goes for cruciferous vegies such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale and broccoli.

BE CARB CONSCIOUS

If you’re hoping to slip into something slinky for a seasonal

Resist the urge to talk with a mouthful of food; this can cause you to swallow air that may lead to discomfort. Unless you’re in a race to see who can down the most food in the least amount of time, eat slowly with your mouth closed (manners!), chew your food until it’s apple-sauce mushy, avoid carbonated drinks, drinking with a straw, chewing gum, blowing bubbles and sucking on hard lollies. Smoking is a no-go as well.

PUT THE KETTLE ON

To settle an already gassed-up belly, sip on peppermint, ginger or fennel tea; they contain compounds that help relax the gastrointestinal tract. Munching on a handful of fennel seeds may also help.

BETTER WELLBEING

OPERATION

clutter control Whether it’s your undies drawer or your whole dang house, getting possessions under control frees precious time and energy and helps restore your sanity!

o

ne of the quickest ways to create a sense of calm and order in your frenetic world is to clear out clutter. Room by room, carefully sorting, organising and just plain tossing out stuff that no longer brings you comfort and joy will give you much needed breathing space.

SPACE CONTROL There’s everyday clutter that results from failure to tidy as you go; the laundry that never makes it from basket to closet, stacks of magazines you’ll get around to reading one day, junk mail you’ll sort when you get a sec. But it’s also excessive possessions, or too much stuff in too little space. As

modern consumers, we love to gather ‘things’ . Whether it’s clothes, shoes, handbags, kitchen gadgets and small appliances, electronic devices or toys for the kids, we’re a ‘see it, love it, gotta have it’ society.

ENJOY THE FEELING Unwittingly though, allowing clutter to creep in and slowly take over can trigger a low hum of anxiety. Maybe you feel it when you can never find what you’re looking for or when you’ve literally run out of places to put stuff. Perhaps there’s that one room you walk into only to turn heel and walk right back out because you just can’t face it. (You know that room or closet, it’s the one where you shove stuff in, close the door and hope for the best!) A bad case of clutter doesn’t mean you’re lazy or disorganised, it more likely says you’re busy with priorities. However, it’s a promise that when you get on top of clutter, you’ll be more in control of so much else!

SENTIMENTAL YOU?

Some of us tote our past around in the form of old love letters, ticket stubs, airline tickets and every piece of artwork by the kids. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, but keep it together in a couple of beautiful storage boxes or get creative and display your favourite cards, pics or tickets in an artsy frame.

• Target problem areas. You’ll need a plan. Work out which spaces need attention then decide how to tackle each one. Decide what to keep, donate/ recycle or bin. Be ready with storage boxes, containers and garbage bags. Heck, you may even have to rent a skip! • Commit to the 10-minute tidy-up. Devoting 10 minutes a day to picking up and putting away is an effective way to avoid returning to the clutter trap. 172 BHG DECEMBER 2017

• Get storage savvy. Be creative. Tubs, baskets, stackable cubes, hanging organisers for shoes, bags, jumpers or just about anything else can create instant extra space. • Start small. Attack one space at a time and stick at it until it’s done. Resolve not to be distracted by shiny objects! • Designate. Unless you live solo, the load should be shared. Call a family meeting to whip lazy butts into shape!

Photography Getty Images

YOUR PLAN OF attack

10

things to

TOSS OUT NOW

• Keep it simple. Choose a single colour for all of your linens and towels. White, for example, is crisp and clean and creates that uncluttered, minimalist feel. • Inbox me. Designate a central ‘inbox’ where all mail, flyers and other assorted papers land to minimise the amount of paper laying around the house. • Think twice before buying the latest kitchen whatsit. Do you really need it? Do you have space for it? Will it help or hinder your quest for a clutter-free life?

1 Clothes you haven’t worn in years. Even ‘new with tags’ clothes you thought you’d wear. Do you really need 17 black tops or 47 old bras that don’t fit? Pack them off with love to a new home. (Not the bras. Ew!) 2 Old shoes. Who are you kidding? You’re never wearing those stilettos again. Ditto old thongs, trainers and tap shoes. Keep wedding heels for memory’s sake. 3 Wire coat hangers from the dry cleaners. Because they’re awful. 4 Socks without partners. Undies with no elastic. Earrings without a twin. 5 Make-up you’ve had under your sink since 1992. Ditto old nail polish, shampoos, and the stinky body creams Aunt Sally gave you. 6 Toys your kids have not touched in years. 7 Expired medicines and supplements. 8 Herbs, spices, tin cans past their use-by date. 9 Plastic food storage containers with lost lids. 10 Pens without ink, keys to locks unknown, chargers to ancient electronics and random batteries.

BETTER HABITS

beingbetter

g

ive yourself the gift of good health one small choice at a time. Listen to your body, be kind to yourself, stay on top of important health checks and screenings, and you’ll be gold!

HAVE YOU BEEN CHECKED?

About half a million Aussies have type 2 diabetes but don’t realise it. Complications from poorly managed diabetes include vision loss, kidney damage, heart attacks and limb amputation. See your doctor if you experience symptoms which include: • Excessive thirst and hunger • Going to the loo a lot • Crazy tiredness • Weight gain • Itchy skin, blurry vision and dizziness.

80

%

… the number of women in one study who said they experienced little to no ‘change’ when they hit menopause. In the same survey, 75 per cent said they felt just as attractive post as they did pre-menopause. Take that, hormones! 174 BHG DECEMBER 2017

undertaking regular checks

PLUMPED AND PRETTY

You can’t stop the clock but you can give it a good go! We love Nivea’s new Cellular Anti-Age Volume Filling Pearls, $32.99. This clever serum contains a super collagen booster and high levels of hyaluronic acid to stimulate cell renewal and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

ease into the day Resist the temptation to check your email, social media and state of the world before your feet even hit the floor. Doing so can unwittingly elevate stress levels before you’ve even put the kettle on!

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT…

Add more dark leafy greens to salads and sammies to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Kale, spinach, cos and redleaf lettuce are all high in vitamin K, which helps improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Iceberg? It’s another option.

CALL TO ACTION

Priceline Pharmacies have diabetes advisers in store this October to discuss your type 1 diabetes management plan or give you a free type 2 diabetes screening to assess your risk of developing type 2 or pre-diabetes. Head instore or book at priceline.com.au/mission-health.

Photography Getty Images, Adobe Stock. Prices are approximate and a guide only

Stay well with smarter habits and

HEALTH NEWS

better health Eat well, waste not, find and trust your intuition Key to wellbeing

LOW-WASTE LIVING

Replens Long Lasting Vaginal Moisturiser Helps replenish internal vaginal moisture Oestrogen and hormone free Soothing relief for up to 3 days

Relieve. Rekindle. Replens.

Selected Pharmacies Nationally

www.replens.com.au Always read the label. Use only as directed.

Reducing the household’s reliance on plastic and cutting back on waste is now easier and more achievable. Switching to sustainable, reusable products is a big step in the right direction, as is the use of glass jars rather than plastic for storage. Reusable bags, lunch boxes, coffee mugs and storage containers are just a few of the things available on littleearthnest. com.au. Reusable Produce Bags, $14.95/8 pack and Coffee Cup, $25.95.

gut

reactions

Intuition plays a vital part in how we make decisions, but many people don’t know how to tap into it. This book shows how to make big decisions instantly, trust and love yourself, make positive changes and more. Intuitive, by Craigh Wilson (Michael Hanrahan Publishing, $34.95).

crystal clear When does wearing a gorgeous handmade ring offer added benefits? When it’s part of the new Everyday Cocktail Collection by UberKate. Each ring has a precious or semiprecious gemstone chosen for its ability to your emotional wellbeing. Why not gift yourself or a loved one. Rings are from $195. Visit uberkate.com.au.

Photography Getty Images. Prices are approximate and a guide only

Available In:

Gut health is important and the role nutrition plays in maintaining it is a hot topic. It is suggested people need 85 per cent vegetables and grains in their diet and only 5 per cent meat. Daily exercise is also important. So the key message to note is: everything in moderation except for laughter, sex, vegies and fish.

Experience the wonder of China

ME IN EXPLORING SOME OF THE WONDERS THAT CHINA HAS TO OFFER

Great Wall of China

15-DAYS

FULLY INCLUSIVE

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS EDITOR JULIA ZAETTA FOR AN EXCLUSIVE 15-DAY TOUR OF CAPTIVATING CHINA

• International economy

class flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane flying Cathay Pacific Airways*

• All domestic

transportation in China

• Deluxe accommodation and four night Yangtze River cruise on board the five-star Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

• All meals (from

dinner on day two to breakfast on day 14)

EXCLUSIVE ITINERARY

DEPARTS

Thursday 3 May, 2018

Twin share From: $8,699 per person

Single supplement From $2,800 per person

Cruise suite upgrade From $1,200 per person, twin share

Ask us about our willing to share option.

• Touring with an expert National Escort and local English-speaking guides

Beijing (3N) Overnight Flight

• Sightseeing and entrance fees

• Visa fees for Australian port holders

Xian (2N)

Chengdu (1N)

Chongqing

Wuhan

Yangtze Yichang River Cruise (4N)

Shanghai (2N) Overnight Flight

DAYS 1-2 Australia to Shanghai, 3-4 May. Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific Airways to Shanghai, China’s great metropolis for two nights. After transferring to your hotel, your tour begins with a welcome briefing by your National Escort^. DAY 3 Explore Shanghai, May 5. Explore the classic Yu Gardens and the old town with traditional shops lining the cobbled streets. Discover the fine arts and antiquities at the Shanghai Museum. Visit the new agricultural district, Sunqiao Shanghai with its vertical farms and seed libraries. View the lights of Pudong from a Huangpu River cruise, and dine on Shanghainese cuisine.

DAY 4 Embark Sanctuary Cruises on the Yangtze, May 6. Fly to Wuhan. Transfer to Yichang to embark on your four-night cruise through the Three Gorges on board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer. DAY 5 Xiling Gorge & Three Gorges Dam, May 7. Start the day with Tai Chi cruising through Xiling Gorge. After lunch, visit the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre. Learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine. DAY 6 Shennong Stream, Qutang Gorge & Wu Gorge, May 8. Explore Shennong Stream by sampan, a traditional longboat rowed by local Tujia

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WENDYWUTOURS.COM.AU OR CALL 1300 852 958

SPECIAL READER PROMOTION

EXCLUSIVE

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Pandas, Chengdu

boatmen. Surrounded by forest, see early settlements’ hanging coffins high within the cliff walls. Cruise through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. DAY 7 Fengdu, May 9. Discover ancient Fengdu. Wander through the Ghost City’s temples and monasteries or meet the people of modern Fengdu at a local market. Delight in a sumptuous farewell dinner. DAY 8 Disembark cruise & Chengdu, May 10. Disembark in Chongqing and head to Ciqikou, an ancient porcelain town, to wander old alleyways dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Travel to Chengdu, to enjoy Sichuan cuisine and a performance of Sichuan Opera. DAY 9 Meet the Pandas & Fly to Xian, May 11. Meet the pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Visit the Chengdu Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum, to learn about Shu brocade hand weaving and embroidery. Fly to Xian, China’s ancient imperial capital and once the starting point of the famous ‘Silk Road’. This evening features a cultural performance dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Learn to make dumplings and feast on a Shui Jiao dumpling dinner, a specialty of the region.

Terracotta Warriors, Xian

DAY 10 Terracotta Warriors, May 12. Discover the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. A life-sized terracotta army of over 7,000 soldiers, horses and chariots created by Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s workers, the ancient army served to defend him in the afterlife. Wander the pits and observe the unique faces of each soldier. Return to Xian and walk atop the city wall. DAY 11 Fly to Beijing, May 13. Explore the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the lively Muslim Quarter. Fly to China’s capital city, Beijing, which for millenia has served as the centre for many different ruling empires and cultures of China. DAY 12 Imperial Beijing, May 14. Stroll Tiananmen Square, ing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. through the gates of the Forbidden City, the sacred centre of the Chinese Empire and home to

• Sample traditional both Ming and Qing dynasties. Explore the Forbidden City, the 15th-century Temple of Heaven, a stunning example of Ming Dynasty architecture. This evening, relax and watch a gravity-defying acrobatics performance.

cuisine and regional specialities such as Shanghainese and Sichuan dishes, Shui Jiao dumplings and Peking Duck

• Wander through

Shanghai’s atmospheric old town

DAY 13 Champagne at the Great Wall, May 15. Stretching from the Shanhaiguan on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west, the Great Wall is more than 5,000km long. Walk along the wall, ire the panoramic views and toast your journey with a glass of champagne. Return to Beijing and unwind with a picnic lunch in the grounds of the Summer Palace, a retreat for emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. For a farewell dinner this evening, sample the renowned local delicacy, Peking Duck.

• Cruise for four nights

DAYS 14-15 Depart Beijing for Australia, May 16-17. Transfer to the airport and fly overnight to Australia, arriving home the following day.

with the Terracotta Warriors

on the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges

• Visit Ciqikou, a

porcelain village that dates back to the Ming Dynasty

• Walk through the

Chengdu Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum

• Watch a dynamic performance of Sichuan Opera

• Encounter Chengdu’s

most famous residents – the giant pandas

• Stand face-to-face • Explore imperial

Beijing at Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace

• Take part in a Tai Chi class with an expert

• Gaze in awe at the Deluxe Cabin, Yangzi Explorer

Yu Garden Shanghai

Conditions: Prices are per person twin share. Airline fuel surcharge included and subject to change. Local tipping is customary. Approx RMB700/AUD140 per person, paid locally. Subject to availability. Visit wendywutours.com.au for full and conditions. *Please us for pricing ex Adelaide and Perth. ^Brisbane engers may depart on Day 2.

enormity of the Great Wall and enjoy a glass of champagne

1TO5WIN!

Summer’s almost here!

Win the ultimate beach pack thanks to Beachkit Australia and Hollie and Harrie, Australia’s premier and largest beach shade, beach chairs and beach gear specialists.

We have 15 packs to win, each containing a Hollie and Harrie Sombrilla (Australian designed), four Rio Wearever Navy Back Pack Chairs, a Beachkit 24Ocm Masquerade Citrus Beach Shade Umbrella, a Wonder Wheeler Beach Cart and two Ostrich Low Sand Chairs Navy. To see more summer essentials visit www.beachkit.com.au and www.hollieandharrie.com.au

TAKE ONLY THE BEST TO THE BEACH

HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit bhg.com.au/win 2. Complete the entry form 3. Tell us in 25 words or less where your favourite Australian beach is and what makes it your favourite?

Visit www.bhg.com.au for full & conditions. Competition opens 12/10/17 09:00 AEDT & closes 08/11/17 17:00 AEDT. Winners judged at Promoter’s premises on 14/11/17 at 11:00 AEDT. Winners will be notified by email 17/11/17. Total prize pool value is (up to) $17,655.00. The Promoter is Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd 8 Central Ave, Eveleigh NSW 2015 (ABN 16 097 410 896).

BETTER TRAVEL Fiji Marriott Momi Bay

better travel

Photography Marriott International, Getty Images

Choose your next adventure! Fun-seeking water babies will love Fiji and foodies won't be able to resist taking a bite out of the Big Apple, while history buffs can tour famous battlefields

New York

Normandy DECEMBER 2017 BHG 181

BETTER TRAVEL

Sparkle in the

South Pacific t

ouch down in fabulous Fiji and, within moments of disembarking, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear. That's a guarantee! The spirit of the locals is so refreshingly upbeat, soulsoothing and utterly infectious – it's impossible not to be spellbound. A stone’s throw from the east coast of Australia, Fiji is so close that you’re there in a flash (a chat, a glass of wine and a film). Plus, you can make your visit super easy and stay on the main island, Viti Levu, to avoid ongoing transfers. But where to rest your head and what to do while you’re in paradise? Here’s your plan of relaxation...

HOLIDAY IN PARADISE Wherever you choose to stay in Fiji, you’re going to fall in love. With the food, the culture, the hospitality, the natural beauty – the whole lot! Stay on the main island and you’re a quick trip from Nadi to beachside bliss. Where to stay? Fiji Marriott Momi Bay is about a 45-minute drive from

the airport. Perched on the sapphirecoloured waters of the bay, this five-star resort is the ultimate island escape. Featuring an array of luxury facilities, including three on-site restaurants and a well-equipped fitness centre and spa, this resort is impressive to say the least. The clever planning of the resort grounds means you have plenty of zones to experience in your own time, no matter if you’re travelling alone, as a duo, in a small group or with the whole clan. On one side of the resort you’ll discover the family area – utopia for mums, dads and kids! On the ocean side, you’ll quickly settle into ‘Fiji time’, reclining by the infinity pool with widesweeping ocean views, surrounded by the resort’s signature shingleclad bures. The tidal lagoon is ideal for a refreshing dip and sets the Instagram-worthy backdrop for most venues in the resort.

Designed purely for adults-only vacations (read romantic getaways), the lagoon boasts overwater bures, the jewel of the Fiji Marriott’s accommodation offering and heaven for luxury-seeking holidaymakers. Find out more marriott.com.au SPEEDBOAT AND SNORKEL Look out to the horizon and you’ll just spot the world-renowned surfers' paradise, Cloudbreak. Book a speedboat tour through the resort to get up-close to the break, where you can watch surfers tackle whopping tubes and take in the magnificent colours of the waters. Double your fun with a guided snorkelling experience on the nearby coral reefs. GO BIRDSEYE BY CHOPPER One of the most exhilarating ways to experience the islands is from the

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For a family holiday, romantic getaway or group trip, the Fiji islands can't be beat. Explore this tropical paradise where culture, nature and adventure collide

Bo

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g helicopter tou r

Photography Marriott International, Tracy Wong; words Gavin Kirk

azin

air. If that idea triggers your thrillseeking side, you have to book a helicopter tour to take you high above Fiji’s pristine waters. Departing from Momi Bay, you’re in close range to hover over the breathtaking islands featured in the Tom Hanks film Cast Away and TV’s Survivor, and spectacular stretches of coral reef. Here’s a thought – make it a oneway flight. Hop off at the Sheraton Resort & Spa Tokoriki Island for lunch, then hitch a speedboat ride back to Momi Bay before dusk. How very James Bond of you! Book your trip islandhoppersfiji.com

HIKE AND ZIPLINE If you’re all about ticking adventure activities off your list, you live for a kick of adrenaline and you’re not afraid of heights, add an afternoon of ziplining to your itinerary. A 20-minute drive from Momi Bay, the Zip Fiji course includes 16 heart-racing zips, each sending you zooming through the jungle. As a bonus, the zipline platforms offer stunning views so, as well as feeling like you can fly, you’ll be

rewarded with a 360° aspect across the bay to the Mamanuca Islands and Plantation Island. Allow 2-3 hours to complete the course. Find out more zip-fiji.com For your next get-away-from-it-all holiday, you really can’t up the beauty and fun of Fiji. DECEMBER 2017 BHG 183

Little Italy Root & Bone

TOP APP

Redeye Grill

Looking for even more New York restaurants? the free Yelp app. Used by more than 100 million Americans each month, Yelp pinpoints your location, providing ideas for top eateries nearby. Chelsea Market

Katz's Deli

Sardi's

BETTER TRAVEL

big apple bites Devour the sights, sounds and tastes of the mouth-watering mecca that is Manhattan

n

ew Yorkers like to think of their city as being the centre of the universe. While such a claim seems grand for those outside the daily orbit of the Big Apple, New York food is certainly out of this world.

Photography Getty Images

1 ALPHABET CITY Root & Bone serves some of the best country food you’ll find north of the Mason-Dixon Line. With its fresh local ingredients and garden to table focus, the lemon-dusted fried chicken, spiked with Tabasco honey, will blow your mind. 200 East 3rd Street 2 EAST VILLAGE New York has a proud Jewish heritage, and the delicatessen offers some of the most traditional New York foods. Katz’s Deli is part of the fabric of New York; a place

5 TIMES SQUARE The quintessential Broadway dining experience, Sardi’s is known for its classic fare and celebrity caricature wall hangings. Some ticket vendors even offer a Sardi’s dinner and Broadway show package to create a full evening of fun. 234 West 44th St

as iconic as any historic landmark. Order a pastrami on rye, or brisket with horseradish, and soak in the classic New York ambience. 205 East Houston St 3 LITTLE ITALY More tourist trap than true food destination, there are still great finds in Little Italy. For the best produce, head to Di Palo’s Fine Foods – many of the top Italian restaurants source their meats and cheeses from this iconic grocer. 200 Grand Street

6 CHELSEA For that favourite Mexican serving of tacos and guac, there may be no better spot than Los Tacos No. 1. Located in Chelsea Market and in Times Square, diners don’t have to go far for authentic Mexican flavour. 75 9th Ave and 229 West 43rd St

4 CENTRAL PARK SOUTH Redeye Grill is just blocks from Times Square and the Broadway theatre district, and directly across from Carnegie Hall at the southern end of Central Park. If you’re looking for a hip spot for a great steak and seafood that is open late, then this is your place. 890 7th Ave

Don’t miss Try a New York food tour. From cocktails and dessert to pizza and knishes, there’s literally a tour for every taste. Find out more nycgo.com and iloveny.com Locations are approximate

1

2

3 6 5

4

BETTER TRAVEL

Anzacs in the footsteps of our

Tour the battlefields of wars gone past and pay homage to the heroes of our history

f

The World War I, World War II and Vietnam sites are today remembrance fields, where history played out on the battlefield. From western Europe, Crete, Malta and Gallipoli to Guadalcanal, Long Tan and dozens of other solemnly marked places, battlefield tours are an excellent way to take part in a commemoration ceremony, or to learn about the important events that took place there. Tours of the Western Front explore some of the most important battle sites of WWI. From the Somme

and Flanders in northern , to Ypres Salient in Belgium, the quaint villages and peaceful fields of today were once the centre of great conflict. and Belgium, especially, offer countless historic sites to explore, as both countries were heavily involved in both world wars. Take a tour through the rolling hills of Normandy and northern to relive the events of D-day. See the beaches, now peaceful and pristine, where Allied soldiers began their final push into enemy territory. See the bunkers from

Photography Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, Getty Images

rom food and wine to music, architecture and faith-based holidays, themed tours are the ideal way to delve into the things we want to know more about. Choosing a tour that reflects a personal interest, whether it be a topic of study or a hobby, can be highly rewarding. Of particular interest these days, and not just for history buffs, are battlefield tours. And while they aren’t restricted to sites where our brave Anzacs fought, those tours are understandably the most soughtafter by travelling Australians.

186 BHG DECEMBER 2017

where German soldiers defended their position, and the beachheads and bluffs, still scarred from falling bombs and ordnance. Closer to home, in the Solomon Islands, Australian soldiers fought on Guadalcanal. This lush tropical island is filled with wartime relics, monuments and famous battlefield sites. Just off the coast in Iron Bottom Sound is where HMAS Canberra was sunk. Divers can explore some of the sunken World War II ships in shallower waters. In Sydney you can visit beautiful Macarthur Park, home to Camden’s WWI memorial and heritage rose gardens, used as a film location for Foxtel’s A Place to Call Home. The World War I battlefield at Gallipoli, however, is what resonates most with Australians. While the site is most popular during Anzac Day commemoration ceremonies, it is still possible to explore year-round. Find out more Check out the great selection of Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours at welltravelled. com.au/tours or call 1300 041 781.

Tyne Cot, in Belgium, is the largest Commonwealth military cemetery in the world

WWII shipwreck in the Solomon Islands Statue of Turkish and Allied soldiers in Anzac Cove

HISTORY TIPS

Take a map of the region for a full overview, and don’t be afraid to explore on your own. Organised tours offer great perspective, but for peaceful reflection, walk a battlefield site alone. Old bullets from Guadalcanal

An aircraft at the open-air Vilu War Museum, Guadalcanal

READER OFFER

For those who have served or are currently serving in our defence forces…

spirit of

IN THE

EXCLUSIVE KIT OFFER!

Acrylic throw kit $60 Wool throw kit $130 Limited-release kits to knit or crochet

remembrance

ACRYLIC KIT $60 CODE: PY7056.002 WOOL KIT $130 CODE: CY7056.002

SHORES OF BRAVERY The colours of these throws were inspired by the foreign shores visited by our brave defence personnel over the last century.

Knit or crochet these beautiful throws to commemorate 100 years

c

ommemorating just over a century of service, from 1914 to 2018, these utterly exquisite throws can be knitted or crocheted then trimmed with vivid red poppies, synonymous with remembrance. They have been designed exclusively for Better Homes and Gardens readers to purchase as a kit in two symbolic colourways. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Legacy to help its vital work with the families of those who have served our country so gallantly.

FIELDS OF POPPIES AT SUNSET Drawing its inspiration from the vivid red poppies and the setting of the sun over the fields of Flanders is this beautiful striped design. A salute to all our servicemen and women, both past and present.

ACRYLIC KIT $60 CODE: PY7056.001

since our nation’s involvement in WWI

WOOL KIT $130 CODE: CY7056.001

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 189

READER OFFER

Order your throw kits Available in two symbolic

colourways to knit or crochet in acrylic or wool

Shores of bravery

Shores of bravery

CODE: PY7056.002

CODE: CY7056.002

( ACRYLIC THROW)

(WOOL THROW)

KNIT

KNIT

SIZE IS EVERYTHING Knit throw measures about 115 x 125cm. Crochet throw measures about 95 x 110cm.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE CROCHET

CROCHET

Fields of poppies at sunset

Fields of poppies at sunset

CODE: PY7056.001

CODE: CY7056.001

( ACRYLIC THROW)

(WOOL THROW)

KNIT

CROCHET

KNIT

Each commemorative throw kit you buy includes a donation to Legacy to help the vital work of this organisation. Since the end of WWI, Legacy has kept its promise to care for the families of those who served our country. The comionate men and women who assist about 65,000 widow(er)s, as well as 1800 children and dependants with disabilities, are known as Legatees. If you are keen to help or to donate, visit legacy.com.au

CROCHET

See page 192 to order your throw kit ➤ 190 BHG DECEMBER 2017

ELEGANT & TIMELESS Enjoy high energy ratings and low running costs with the new range of residential air conditioners from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Avanti™. Favoured by Interior Designer and Television Presenter Tara Dennis, this sophisticated Italian design is the perfect addition to your home.

mhiaa.com.au

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ORDER FORM: BHG 2017 THROW KIT OFFER bhgshop.com.au

Call to buy 1300 745 898

Exclusive knitting kits!

These 2017 limited-release throw kits are available in two symbolic colourways, which you can buy to keep or to gift. The colours differ slightly between wool and acrylic yarns. Wool kits include 100 per cent Australian wool made by the Wangaratta Woollen Mills, which began production shortly after WWI.

BHG Knit Kit Offer, Reply Paid 4983, Sydney NSW 2001

Ordering is simple! Below are the throw kit offers. Simply fill in the quantity you require, then calculate the total cost. DESCRIPTION

PRICE QTY

CY7056.002

CODE

Shores of bravery 28 balls Australian wool

$130

PY7056.002

Shores of bravery 13 balls acrylic

$60

CY7056.001

Fields of poppies at sunset 28 balls Australian wool

$130

PY7056.001

Fields of poppies at sunset 13 balls acrylic

$60

SUBTOTAL

Choose your kit: SHORES OF BRAVERY

SHORES OF BRAVERY

13

28

(100% acrylic)

PLUS P&H

(100% Australian wool)

balls Panda Thorobred 8 ply 100g balls

balls Cleckheaton Country 8 ply 50g balls

$9.95

TOTAL COST

FIELDS OF POPPIES AT SUNSET

MY DETAILS

(100% acrylic) balls Panda Thorobred 8 ply 100g balls

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms: First name

or

13

Surname

Address:

FIELDS OF POPPIES AT SUNSET

(100% Australian wool) balls Cleckheaton Country 8 ply 50g balls

28

Postcode: Daytime phone: (

)

Email: _____________________________________________________________ (Please complete relevant payment method)

1. Please charge my ❏ MasterCard

❏ Visa

Everything you need is here:

Card no.

Name of cardholder: ________________________________________________ Signature: ______________________________ Expiry date: ________________ 2. Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_____________ made payable to Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Offer ends 6 December, 2017, or while stocks last. A back order list available, if kits sold out. Please allow up to 14 business days for delivery. While every endeavour will be made to deliver within the specified time frame, if your parcel does not arrive on time, phone 1300 745 898. Offer only available within Australia. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return within 30 days to receive a refund. Postage and handling is only refundable if goods are faulty or not as ordered.

✂

Pacific Magazines Pty Ltd is collecting your personal information for the purpose of processing your order. As a subsidiary of Seven West Media Limited, Pacific will handle your personal information in accordance with Seven’s , which is available on subscribetoday.com.au/privacypolicy. By providing your personal information, you agree to the of the Policy. Without limiting the foregoing, Pacific may disclose your personal information to its related entities and service providers for research and profiling purposes as well as processing your order. Pacific may also use your personal information for the purpose of Pacific and its related entities, sending you information regarding programs, products and services available through them and/or through their business partners, and to Pacific from time to time sharing your personal information with carefully selected business partners for the purpose of them sending you such information directly. We will always provide you with the ability to opt out of those communications.

192 BHG DECEMBER 2017

28 balls wool yarn 8 ply 50g or 13 balls acrylic yarn 8 ply 100g

●

plus

5mm circular knitting needle ● 5mm crochet hook ● Remembrance woven label ● Wool needle for sewing up ● 4-page knitting and crochet instruction leaflet ●

(woven label not to scale)

Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. While every endeavour will be made to deliver within the specified time frame, if your parcel does not arrive on time, phone 1300 745 898. Offer ends 6 December, 2017 or while stocks last. Back order list available, if kits sold out.

Order your commemorative throw kit today! Visit bhgshop.com.au or phone 1300 745 898

Photography Andre Martin and Pablo Martin; styling Lisa Hilton

MY PAYMENT DETAILS

QUIET & POWERFUL Ideal for contemporary living. The new range of residential air conditioners from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Bronte® - uses jet air technology to maximise the airflow across the whole space. Favoured by Interior Designer and Television Presenter Tara Dennis, this powerful air conditioner is the perfect addition to large spaces in your home.

mhiaa.com.au

MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR-CONDITIONERS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD. *Powerful 18m airflow, from 7.1kW in cooling conditions.

BEDROOM MAKEOVER

1

Paint a feature wall to brighten up the room and make your handiwork stand out.

Before

now

FOR THE Take your bedroom furniture to the next level 194 BHG DECEMBER 2017

KIDS

m

ake the most of your kid’s bedroom by building this clever loft bed. Raise the bed to free up the floor for a cosy chill-out nook. Double the benefits with loads of storage included in the design.

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00 Gather your supplies (Entire project)

For you to note

• 2400 x 1200 x 15mm CD plywood (5) • 90 x 45mm x 2.7m dressed pine (7) • 184 x 19mm x 2.4m dressed pine (2) • 89 x 19mm x 3m dressed pine (5) • 42 x 19mm x 3m dressed pine (1) • 2400 x 1200 x 7mm CD plywood (1)

You’ll also need

Tape measure; pencil; straightedge; clamps; power saw; sandpaper; square; drill; 4, 5 and 6.5mm drill bits; PVA glue; 50 and 25mm wood screws; countersink bit; pine wood putty; acrylic undercoat; Dulux Wash & Wear Low Sheen Acrylic in Sir Edmund (blue), Cuticle Pink and Solution (wall); painting equipment; satin water-based and oil-based polyurethane; 100mm batten screws; 50mm stainless-steel decking screws; sliding bevel; combination square; 57mm hole saw; jigsaw; trimmer fitted with 6mm rounding-over bit

BOOKCASES

A Bookcase sides (4) 253 x 1600 x 15mm CD plywood B Bookcase shelves (10) 235 x 1000 x15mm CD plywood C Kickboard (2) 50 x 1000 x 15mm CD plywood D Full back 1030 x 1600 x 15mm CD plywood E Part back 400 x 1600 x 15mm CD plywood STEP 1 Measure and mark bookcase side (A) with positions of shelves (B). Make 1 shelf flush with top end then space following shelves 369mm apart. Make bottom shelf 50mm from other end. Drill 4mm clearance holes through centre of each shelf Repeat for other bookcase side. STEP 2 Butt shelves into bookcase side and with 50mm screws. Butt kickboard (C) into underside of

• Cut plywood using straightedge clamped to plywood as a guide for your saw, with the blade on the cutting line. • Sand components prior to assembly. All s glued and screwed. Predrill and countersink all screws. Fill screw holes and sand smooth prior to clear coating. • Undercoat and paint coloured components prior to assembly. Coat all units with clear polyurethane after assembly. On units with a back, clear coat prior to installing back.

Safety first

To prevent serious injury, there are a few rules: • There must be a rail all around the bed. Distance from mattress to top of rail should be at least 260mm. • Any gaps in the bed must not fall within the following ranges: between 30 and 50mm, 95 and 230mm or greater than 400mm. • No parts must stick out more than 8mm as they can become snag points.

bottom shelf 50mm from front edge. Screw through shelf and bookcase side into kickboard. Place second bookcase side against open end of shelves and screw together. STEP 3 On bookcase side that is painted, spot prime putty then touch up paintwork prior to clear coating. STEP 4 Lay bookcase with face down and position full back (D) on bookcase, with coated face down. Align edges with outside of bookcase to make it square and screw together. STEP 5 Repeat Steps 1–4 for second bookcase. Use part back (E) on this unit to make part of it open shelving.

2

3 2, 3 Add storage and save space in one go! Built-in bookcases give you plenty of shelf space without having extra furniture cluttering the room.

STEPS

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 5

BEDROOM MAKEOVER

BED FRAME AND BEDHEAD

STEPS

STEP 6

STEP 7

STEP 8

STEP 9

STEP 11

196 BHG DECEMBER 2017

F Cross rails (7) 90 x 45 x 940mm dressed pine G Side rails (2) 90 x 45 x 2400mm dressed pine H Bed rail uprights (8) 90 x 45 x 470mm dressed pine I Bedhead shelves (2) 910 x 235 x 15mm CD plywood J Bedhead sides (2) 600 x 235 x 15mm CD plywood K Bedhead front 910 x 140 x 15mm CD plywood L Bedhead back 940 x 600 x 15mm CD plywood

STEP 6 Mark positions of cross rails (F) on side rails (G). Cross rails nearest each end sit across side rails and 205mm from ends. Other cross rails sit along them flush with 1 edge. Make 2 of these meet each end cross rail and space remaining ones evenly. Drill 6.5mm clearance holes at each cross rail position. STEP 7 Assemble bed frame using 100mm batten screws. STEP 8 At 1 end of bed rail uprights (H), cut 89mm long and 25mm deep rebate across wide face. At opposite end, cut off top corner on opposite face to rebate. Place rebate over outside of 1 side rail on bed frame. Using 50mm decking screws, fix an upright about 250mm from each end, ensuring the screws won’t hit batten screws in bed frame. Attach 2 more uprights equally spaced between those at ends. STEP 9 Place bookcases in position. Lift bed frame onto bookcases so side with rail uprights is against wall. Make ends of frame flush with backs of bookcases, clamp and screw together. STEP 10 Assemble bedhead. Make 1 bedhead shelf (I) flush with top end of bedhead sides (J) and space next shelf so they are 340mm apart. At bottom ends of bedhead sides, cut a 90mm high x 45mm deep rebate in front corners. Install bedhead front (K) between this rebate and bottom shelf flush with front edge. Screw bedhead back (L) to this assembly. STEP 11 Slot bedhead into end of frame on top of bookcase with full back.

STORAGE UNIT

M Long side 400 x 1600 x 15mm CD plywood N Top side 400 x 766 x 15mm CD plywood O Bottom side 400 x 834 x 15mm CD plywood P Kickboard 50 x 370 x 15mm CD plywood Q Long shelves (3) 370 x 400 x 15mm CD plywood R Short shelves (2) 170 x 400 x 15mm CD plywood S Storage back 400 x 1600 x 15mm CD plywood STEP 12 Assemble storage unit (parts M-R) the same way as Bookcases (see Steps 1-4). Screw up through long shelf (Q) into top side (N) where they meet. Cut storage back (S) to suit dimensions of unit, position and screw together. STEP 13 Place storage unit against bookcase with part back so front edge of storage unit is flush with side of bookcase. Clamp together to hold. Screw through part back of bookcase into side of storage unit using 25mm screws.

STEPS

STEP 12

STEP 13

Odette Swan wall art, $39.99, Adairs.

get the look

4 Coordinate your colour scheme to create a luxurious haven for your little princess.

Lion Snuggle cushion and Smartie cushion, both $89. Kido Store. Hemlingby two-seat in Grey, $179, IKEA.

STEPS Bouclair Sweet Origami string lights in White, $30.99, Spotlight.

STEP 14

BED RAILS AND END BOX

T Painted rails (2) 89 x 19 x 2400mm dressed pine U Front rails (2) 89 x 19 x 2110mm dressed pine V Bed base 1907 x 937 x 7mm plywood W Box top 235 x 340 x 15mm CD plywood X Box sides (2) 235 x 470 x 15mm CD plywood Y Box back 370 x 470 x 15mm CD plywood

STEP 14 Slide painted rails (T) behind bedhead and against uprights on bed frame. Screw rails to the uprights with decking screws. Make 1 rail flush with top of uprights and make gap between them 90mm.

Malmo linen cushion, $59.99, Adairs. STEP 15

STEP 15 Fix rest of bed rail uprights (H) to other side rail. Fix front rails (U) to these, so they overhang end uprights evenly. STEP 16 Place bed base (V) on cross rails of bed frame. STEP 17 For end box, butt box top (W) into box sides (X). Screw back (Y) to these. At front bottom corners of box sides, cut a 90mm high x 45mm deep rebate to fit over bed frame.

Medium Rattan Basket in Blue Petrol and Candy, $79, Kido Store.

Cloud storage boxes, 2 for $5, Kmart.

Sitting Rabbit Lamp in Mint, $89, Kido Store.

i

FOR SHOPPING AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

BEDROOM MAKEOVER

LADDER

Step 19 as the centre of each hole. STEP 21 Use a jigsaw to cut out ladder stile between pairs of holes. STEP 22 Using a trimmer fitted with a 6mm rounding-over bit, round edges of holes. STEP 23 To secure ladder to bookcase, cut a slot from edge of stile on line of underside of top tread. Make slot 21mm long and 19mm deep. STEP 24 Repeat Steps 18-23 to create second ladder stile. STEP 25 To construct ladder steps, fix ladder riser (BB) into ladder tread 5mm from edge of tread. STEP 26 Align steps with marked positions on 1 ladder stile (see Step 18) and screw together. Repeat to attach other stile to open ends of steps. STEP 27 Undercoat and paint ladder. For a more durable finish, apply 2 coats of oil-based flooring polyurethane. STEP 28 To attach ladder, make slots cut in Step 23 slide over top shelf of the bookcase. Screw on an angle through the top of bookcase into the stile.

Z Stiles (2) 184 x 19 x 2127mm CD plywood AA Step treads (6) 89 x 19 x 530mm dressed pine BB Step risers (6) 42 x 19 x 530mm dressed pine

STEPS

STEP 18

STEP 18 Cut ends of 1 stile (Z) at a 10° angle. Working from long side of angled cut, mark positions of step treads (AA). Make top of first tread 455mm from end and remaining treads at 275mm centres. Use a sliding bevel set at 10° to mark tread thickness. Edge of tread is 16mm from edge of stile. Drill 4mm clearance holes through centre of each tread. STEP 19 To mark hand holes in stile, use combination square to draw a line 50mm from edge of stile opposite to treads. Measuring from the same end as in Step 18, mark along this line at 150, 375, 550, 650, 825, 925, 1100, 1200, 1375, 1475, 1650 and 1750mm. STEP 20 Using a 57mm hole saw, drill holes with the positions marked in

STEP 20

I

W L Y

X

J K

Loft bed diagram

Bed frame and bedhead

T

U

STEP 21

Bed rails and end box

D

F B

H

A

BB

S

R

G

AA

B

Ladder

STEP 22 N A C

Bookcases

E

M O

STEP 28 198 BHG DECEMBER 2017

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

Z

Q P

Storage unit

Photography Andy Lewis, Greg Fahey; styling Vanessa Tidy (magazine), Jo Greenwood (TV); project John Rae; diagram Stephen Pollitt. Prices are approximate and a guide only

V

David and Lydia Hill, Clarke Creek, QLD

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HALLOWEEN IDEAS

now it’s time to... Freaky decos and tricked-up treats for a haunting All Hallows’ Eve at your place

h

alloween is the one night of the year when hordes of folk dressed as ghosts, ghouls, zombies, wolves and witches make their way through your neighbourhood. Not to mention a good deal of princesses, superheroes, rock stars and Hogwarts wizards too – all on the hunt for tricks or treats! Welcome the whole motley crew to your neck of the woods with these spooky decorations and spine-tingling delights.

1

It's witching hour for BHG TV's Tara Dennis

2 1 A bunch of hocus pocus Dress up for the night in your costume of choice (mums and dads included), then freak-up your front porch with spider webs, broomsticks, flying bats and ghastly ghouls.

2 Carve a cackling Jack You can skip carving a pumpkin and make a miniature instead. Just follow the same steps for making a jack-o'-lantern (see page 202), but use a yellow capsicum as your spooky subject.

spook ’em!

SEEN ON BHG TV

FRIDAYS 7.00

4 4 Witches brew In the cauldron you can brew, a delicious potion, yes it’s true! Just mix any cordial flavour the kids love into bottles or cups. Cut and stick cardboard witch silhouettes to the containers with doublesided tape. Stripy straws make these bevvies all the more bewitching.

3

As night-time falls, flick the lights on your frightening front-ofhouse Halloween makeover. With spider webs, bats, lanterns and more, just cue the haunting soundtrack for added freak factor.

5

6

5 Down the chimney! Creep out visitors to your home by creating witches legs that dangle down the chimney or poke out from underneath your house, just like the Wicked Witch of the West! A pair of sockstuffed striped leggings and black shoes with buckles will do the trick. 6 Night howler Don't forget to give your pooch a haunted doghouse makeover, too! Use decorative paper to dress the outside, add a scary spider deco and surround the hut with pumpkins. DECEMBER 2017 BHG 201

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

5

simple steps to making a jack-o'-lantern

STEP 1 Cover table with newspaper. Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut a circle-shaped ‘lid’ from the top or bottom of pumpkin. This is a job for adults! Keep the lid intact and reserve for later. STEP 2 Use a large metal spoon to scrape out the inside flesh of the pumpkin. You may need to use your hand to remove some of the flesh. STEP 3 Use a fine marker pen to draw a face on one side of the pumpkin (for eye, nose and mouth inspiration, take a look at the completed pumpkins, right). STEP 4 Use knife to carefully cut out face shapes. Make cuts on outside of marker lines. STEP 5 If the hole is cut at the top, place batterypowered candles inside carved pumpkin then plug the hole with the lid removed in Step 1. If hole is at the bottom, place candle on the lid, then place the carved pumpkin over the top.

Halloween is the night of October 31, the eve of All Hallows’ Day – a festival celebrating the dead, including the saints (the hallows), martyrs and the faithful departed. It is broadly believed that Halloween customs originated from Celtic harvest festivals, many with pagan roots, then later spread to spookier translations in North America and other parts of the world. Today, Halloween is celebrated by wearing costumes, trick-ortreating, carving jacko'-lanterns and all kinds of haunting behaviour.

7 Gang of friendly ghosts Dangle some white fabriccovered paper lanterns by your front door. Just add ghostly faces with a black fabric marker or stitch on fabric shapes, to suit.

8 Mad-faced mandarins In addition to sweet treats, welcome visitors with haunting, but healthy, snacks. To make, use food-safe puffy paint pens to draw frightening faces on a bunch of mandarins or tangerines.

Double,double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble; fillet of a fenny snake; in the cauldron boil and bake...

MACBETH, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

HALLOWEEN IDEAS

TERIYAKI MEATBALLS, WITH A DELICIOUS HALLOWEEN TWIST

Photography Terry Coxe (TV), Getty Images; styling Joanna Greenwood (TV); projects Karenza Jewell (TV) Food photography Andre Martin; food styling Stephanie Souvlis; food preparation Mandy Sinclair

Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 10 mins Makes 18

A simple dish that you can serve to adults, or trick up for the kids as a healthy but spinetingling Halloween meal. Boo!

FAST ED SAYS

Fill the bellies of little trick-or-treaters with this wholesome dinner before you take them around the haunted 'hood.

500g beef mince 1 free-range egg ½ cup panko breadcrumbs 6cm piece ginger, finely grated 6 cloves garlic, minced Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil ½ cup soy sauce ¼ cup Chinese cooking wine 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar 2 tsp cornflour Sliced green shallots and toasted sesame seeds, to garnish Thinly sliced green capsicum, hummus and cooked peas, to make spiders STEP 1 Combine the mince, egg and breadcrumbs with half the ginger and half the garlic in a large bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, then knead until smooth. Form into 18 balls. STEP 2 Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium and cook, turning, until meatballs are

browned all over and cooked through, about 10 minutes. STEP 3 Meanwhile, combine the soy sauce, cooking wine and brown sugar with the remaining ginger and garlic in a small saucepan on medium high heat. Bring to a boil, and cook until reduced by half. Dissolve the cornflour in 1 Tbsp of water, then mixture into the soy and simmer until thickened. Add to the meatballs, toss to coat and remove from the heat. Serve garnished with green shallots and sesame seeds. STEP 4 To make Halloween spiders for the kids, insert green capsicum slices into the sides of the meatballs to make legs, then pipe 2 small drops of hummus on top of each. Press peas into the hummus to make eyes.

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 203

ANIMAL ADVICE

better pets Feed your pooch eggs, and what to do for

venomous bites

eggs for health

w

hen reptiles are more active in summer, snake bites are a common pet emergency. The survival of your pet depends on the snake type, bite location, amount of venom injected and how quickly the antivenom is istered. Signs of a bite include shaking or twitching of the victim’s muscles, difficulty blinking and breathing, hind limb weakness followed by collapse, loss of bladder and bowel control, vomiting, paralysis, salivation and 204 BHG DECEMBER 2017

BITES enlarged pupils. If your dog or cat shows signs of a bite, keep it calm, and get to the vet immediately. The animal has a better chance of survival the earlier it receives anti-venom treatment. Recovery can take two days or longer, depending on the severity of the bite. To help prevent snake bites and an expensive anti-venom treatment, keep your dog on a lead and your cat indoors. Stay away from high grass and rocks where snakes like to rest, and remove piles of wood where they love to hide. Be ready with a list of local vets that stock antivenom.

BOOK ’EM!

Woah! Can you hear that? It’s the sound of a stampede and it’s heading your way! These Zuny Handmade Animal Bookends & Paperweights come in two sizes – Baby and Large, and prices start at $39.99 each. They make a great toy for children as well as being practical and decorative for your home. Available from bhgshop.com.au.

BUY NOW FROM

Photography Adobe Stock, Getty Images

snake PETS AND

Eggs are nature’s ‘perfect food’, not just for human health, but for pets too. Bird eggs are one of the most complete and nutritious additions to your dog’s meal, and they are cheap! Eggs are highly digestible, delicious and healthy – not to mention low in calories. Besides containing a full range of essential amino acids, eggs are full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, riboflavin (vitamin B), vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, iron, selenium and fatty acids. They are also good for your pup’s bones and teeth. Adding eggs to your pet’s diet improves the coat, strengthens the hair, helps build muscle and repairs tissue. Need recipe ideas? Try cutting hard-boiled egg into chunks and mix into your pet’s food. Try tossing in eggshells into the bowl to provide an additional source of calcium. Yummy, your pet would egg-ree!

CHRISTMAS MAKES

everything you need to know

to make the projects

Make these gorgeous ornaments and mix with bought decorations for an extra-special look! Overlap previous rows of chips as you work up the roof. Finish last row even with rooftop. Let glue set. STEP 3 Working with 1 gable at a time, apply a scallop-like thick line of glue at bottom of each branch chip. Allow glue to tack off slightly then, working over tray, sprinkle glitter on top and shake off excess. Apply glue on fascia and base of house. Sprinkle with glitter and shake off excess.

Felt tree Gather your supplies

Make it rustic LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW Rustic house Gather your supplies

House with LED lights; gold glitter cardstock; Helmar Super-Tac Glue; small oval branch chips; paintbrush; aluminium foil baking tray; white glitter

Here’s how

STEP 1 Trace then transfer star of house onto glitter card. Cut out star and glue it in place. STEP 2 Starting at bottom of each gable, and allowing for an overhang at bottom edge, glue rows of branch chips across roof.

Scrap cardstock; scissors; washable fabric marker; stiff felt in greens and brown; Arbee wooden dowel rods; Helmar Super-Tac Glue; branch offcuts (discs), about 7mmH x 35mmdia.; drill; drill bit to suit rod dia.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Photocopy Felt tree diagram; stick to card; cut shape along outline. STEP 2 Use marker and trace this tree template 12 times on felt. Cut trees. STEP 3 Cut dowel to desired tree height. Working around dowel, glue straight edge of each felt tree to dowel.

Aim for no visible gap between each. NOTE: Allow tree tip to extend beyond dowel end, about 8mm. Let glue set. STEP 4 Drill hole through centre of branch disc. Slip dowel into hole.

DASHER AND DANCER Bark deer Gather your supplies

Melaleuca bark; raw standing reindeer, in wood or cork; all-purpose sealer; paintbrushes; artist’s acrylic to match bark; tacky white glue; old scissors

Here’s how

NOTES: 1. Before you begin, strip a few sheets of bark (about A4 size) peeling from trunk of a melaleuca tree. 2. Melaleuca bark is made up of many layers. As you glue, top layers of bark may lift. Glue them together as you go. STEP 1 Seal then paint reindeer (front, back and stand); let dry after each coat. STEP 2 It’s easier to work in sections, cutting bark into manageable sizes then butting pieces together. Apply glue to reindeer front then press bark on top, letting it extend beyond edges. Repeat until entire reindeer front

STITCH GUIDE

Backstitch

BEFORE The chalet before its amazing makeover!

206 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Blanket stitch

Straight stitch Stem stitch

Whip stitch

is covered. Let glue set. Trim away excess bark to reveal reindeer shape. Repeat this step for reindeer back. STEP 3 Cut sufficient bark strips to thickness of reindeer to glue around shape. When set, trim to neaten finish.

ENCHANTED WOOD Gather your supplies

Kaisercraft 12 x 12in cardstock in Fern (green) and Ivory; scalpel or Brother ScanNCut and Standard Tack Adhesive Mat (see Note); cutting board; hammer; pin; tapestry needle; stranded cotton in green or ecru

Here’s how

NOTE: You can hand-cut your trees or use the Brother ScanNCut. Using ivory with green gives trees a snowy effect. STEP 1 Photocopy to enlarge tree diagram to size (or as desired). STEP 2 If cutting by hand, trace design onto card; use scalpel to cut design. Or, scan and save diagram into your ScanNCut, following manufacturer’s instructions. Once diagram is saved, you can create multiple trees within the cutting area. Cut 3 trees in total. STEP 3 Stack cut trees then fold trees in half (foldline is the stitching line). STEP 4 Place tree stack onto cutting board and, using hammer and pin, carefully punch holes along foldline through all 3 trees. Stitch trees together with 6 strands of cotton. Fan out ‘tree’ and stand it.

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS Gather your supplies

Pine cones, medium and small; branch offcuts (discs), about 35mm dia.; flat beads, 15mm dia. (toddler/ baby feet); round wood beads, 35mm, 20mm and 15mm (adult/ toddler/baby); hot-glue gun and glue sticks; artist’s acrylic paints in brown and white; small liner brush; felt in cream, grey and blues; Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive; Cotton Perle embroidery cotton; general sewing supplies; small pompoms or 10mm gold folley bells; decorative sequins, stars, flowers and cups

Here’s how

STEP 1 Hot-glue pointy end of each pine cone to centre of an offcut disc so pine cone stands upright. For toddler and baby feet, centre and hotglue pine cone base to 2 flat beads. For head, hot-glue a bead on top. STEP 2 Using our image as a guide, paint a face on each bead. When dry, dot a speck of white paint in each eye. STEP 3 Photocopy to enlarge Santa’s helpers’ coats and hats. Note: You may need to adjust pattern sizes to suit pine cone size. Cut paper pattern of coat and hat. Pin patterns on felt then cut felt. For each adult scarf, cut felt to measure 2W x 30cmL, 1W x 25cmL (toddler) and 1W x 15cmL (baby). Snip a 15mm long fringe across each end. STEP 4 Test wrap coat around each pine cone. Coat can cross at the ‘neck’ or the edges can meet. When happy with placement, use adhesive glue to attach it around neck. Conceal by tying scarf around neck. STEP 5 Note: Before adhering, testfit hat on head; adjust if needed. To make, whip stitch straight edges of each hat together. For brim, roll up bottom edge or make a separate felt roll and adhere. Hot-glue pompom or folley bell to tip of each hat. Ensuring hat is at centre back, add 5 or 6 evenly-spaced sequins down centre front or as desired. Attach a ‘button’ sequin where front edges meet.

Santa’s Little Helpers hat (enlarge outer cone to 400%, adult; inner cone to 350%, toddler, 290%, baby, or to suit bead)

Santa’s Little Helpers coats, adult and toddler, (enlarge to 270% or to suit pine cone)

Felt Tree (enlarge to 230%)

SEASON’S GREETINGS Gather your supplies

Tim Holtz woodland trees die; diecutting machine; Quill gold foil cardstock; Kaisercraft 12 x 12in cardstock in Ivory; POW Glitter Paper 12 x 12in in Ocean; Helmar Super-Tac Glue; double-sided tape; plain cards in kraft and ivory 10.5 x 14.5cm and 14.8 x 14.8cm; mounting squares; Kaisercraft mini seasonal wood flourishes

Here’s how

Die-cut your choice of trees in gold or ivory cardstock. Reserve remaining cardstock for use also.

Enchanted Wood tree (enlarge to 170%)

CHRISTMAS MAKES

For gold/ivory card: Cut gold foil card 5mm less all around than ivory card, centre and tape or glue it onto card front. Using reserved ivory cardstock (with tree cut from centre), trim it to measure 1cm less all around than ivory card, then centre and stick in place. Using mini mounting squares for a 3D effect, mount a gold tree to left of card. Position tree a little higher than cut-out tree and so branches of both ‘trees’ overlap slightly and extend beyond gold border. For kraft card: Cut Ivory cardstock 5mm less all around than kraft card, centre and tape or glue it to card front. Cut kraft cardstock 1cm less all around than kraft card, centre and glue it onto ivory cardstock. Glue ivory die-cut tree in centre of kraft card. Embellish with a wood flourish in bottom right-hand corner. For ivory/blue glitter card: Cut glitter card 5mm less all around than square ivory card, centre then tape or glue in place. Using a reserved ivory cardstock (with tree cut from centre), trim to measure 10 x 13cm. Stick it to glitter card with an even border around 3 sides and a wide border at left. Embellish with a wood flourish in bottom left-hand corner.

WALL WREATH Gather your supplies

Twisted vine wreath: faux green owlet bunches (2); brown or green florist wire; long pine cones; faux

Wall Wreath flowers (enlarge to 240% and 170% )

gumnuts (2) and berry cluster sprays (4); craft knife; pins; felt sheets in brown and 2 shades of blue; wool felt balls in olive and apple green; hot-glue gun and glue sticks; eucalyptus foliage stems, fresh

Make it merry in mauve

Here’s how

STEP 1 Starting halfway along 1 side of wreath and working down toward its centre, wire an owlet bunch to wreath. To begin layering your wreath, wire 2 pine cones, 1 slightly lower than the other. Start about 7cm down from top of owlet and wire first pine cone directly on top of vine, the other alongside it, spilling inward. STEP 2 Next, trim gumnut spray to 17cm. Angling it slightly outward, wire it on top of 1st pine cone, about 12cm down from pine cone tip. STEP 3 Refer to Steps 1 and 2 to work opposite side of wreath. STEP 4 Photocopy to enlarge wavy flower diagrams (below left). Cut a paper pattern for each, pin to felt then cut 2 large and 1 small felt flower. Centring, stack flowers together, from large to small. Before gluing together, swivel flowers so petals appear ruffled. Cut then glue a 3.5cm felt circle in centre. Slice through middle of a felt ball and glue one-half in centre of brown circle. Make a total of 3 felt flowers in this way. Facing them in different directions, glue flowers to wreath between branch and gumnut spray ends, concealing them. STEP 5 Trim stem of berry sprays short. Working out from centre, glue 2 berry sprays either side of flowers on outer edge of wreath. Hot-glue snippets of fresh eucalyptus leaves, here and there, filling any obvious gaps.

Wall Wreath centre circle (enlarge to 240%)

FLOWER SHOWER Gather your supplies

Polystyrene wreath flat base (outer dia. 35cm, inner 21cm); utility knife; artist’s acrylic in deep purple; paintbrush; faux flowers and foliage: hydrangeas (2 pink/lavender; 2 blue/lavender), lilac roses (4), berry spray cluster blue (2); Helmar Super-Tac Glue; small pine cones (18); green florist wire; wire cutters; eucalyptus foliage; frosty silver grey foliage (2); spanish moss; clear glass hurricane vase (about 18 x 30cm tall); candle

Here’s how

NOTE: To secure flowers and foliage to wreath, first decide placement of each flower. As you work with each stem, first poke a small hole into wreath, fill with glue then push in stem. STEP 1 Use utility knife to shave a 2cm bevel around wreath’s outer upper edge, rounding it off. STEP 2 Paint wreath with 2 coats of paint, allowing it to dry after each coat. STEP 3 Cut down stems of hydrangeas, leaving a short stem. Evenly space and glue the flower heads around wreath. Angle flower heads slightly so they don’t all face directly upward. Allowing for longer stems (up to 15cm long), snip rose stems then evenly space and glue them around wreath so they face

outward and stand slightly taller than hydrangeas. Positioning it at side of wreath, angle a single rose slightly and push stem in almost completely. The different heights and angles of flowers ensures centrepiece looks less rigid and more natural. STEP 4 Wire 6 sets of 3 pine cones together. Using sets of pine cones, berry sprays and foliage snippets, space them around top and outer side of wreath, filling in gaps. Cover any leftover gaps by tucking then gluing Spanish moss onto wreath base and outer edge. Aim for a wreath that sits flat but is covered so base isn’t visible at top or around outer edge. Let leaves and moss spill slightly into wreath centre but leave it clear for the hurricane vase and candle.

FELT FLOWER GIFT TOPPERS Gather your supplies Felt sheets in desired colours (2 for each topper); Kaisercraft Nesting Circles Decorative Die Cuts (optional); die-cutting machine (optional); general sewing supplies; 10mm diam. transparent buttons in desired colours

Here’s how

NOTES: 1. You can hand cut circles or use circle dies and a die-cutting machine. 2. If using die-cutting machine: onto bottom die cutting plate, place a sheet of cardstock, then felt, then the die (face down), then the top plate, before running it all through the machine. STEP 1 Cut 12 felt circles, 6 measuring 53mm dia. and 6 measuring 35mm dia. in contrasting or toning felt colours. Thread a needle with matching sewing thread and securely knot end. STEP 2 For each double petal, place a small circle on top of a large circle, positioning it about 5mm from ‘bottom’ edge of large circle. Fold stacked circles in half, ensuring outer edges of both small and large circles are even. needle and thread through the folded ‘double petal’, about 7mm up from bottom of fold. Ensure you catch both sides of folded circles. Repeat until you have a total of

6 double petals on the one thread. Pull thread ends together tightly to create a circle of double petals then knot the ends securely. Do not cut thread. STEP 3 Arrange petals to your satisfaction, gently separating inner petal from outer petal by lifting it and pulling it toward you slightly. Securely stitch a button at flower centre. Cut thread.

COUNTDOWN JOY ADVENT CALENDAR Gather your supplies

Fiskars scalloped circle, and flower (or similar) punches; POW Glitter Card, colours to suit; Kaisercraft cardstock, colours to suit; number stamps, stencils or stickers; artist’s acrylic paints in deeper tones than glitter card; paintbrush; Kaisercraft Christmas flourishes (laser-cut wooden shapes); 24 mini envelopes, 100 x 70mm; tacky white glue; 3mm single hole punch; gold paper fasteners (stationery split pins); gold cord; tree branch; faux berry garland; washi tape

Here’s how

STEP 1 Punch out 24 scalloped circles and flowers from assorted glitter card. Make 24 squares from cardstock, each measuring 35 x 35mm. Number squares 1 to 25 either by stamping, stencilling or sticking them in the square, ensuring they are centred. Set aside. STEP 2 Paint 24 assorted wooden shapes in coordinating colours to glitter card. Let dry. STEP 3 Glue pairs of scalloped circles and numbered squares to each envelope front. Placement can be a bit random but generally the 2 shapes are on opposite sides of vertical centre. Let scalloped circles hang over envelope edges, slightly, every now and again. Refer to main photograph for guidance. Embellish circle further with a painted flourish, glued part on/part off. STEP 4 Raise flap of each envelope and glue punched flower in place, just down from tip of flap. Punch

a hole in centre of each flower. Thread split pin through each hole to envelope wrong side and open out. STEP 5 Use gold cord to hang envelopes in 4 x 6 grid from a branch decorated with berry garland. Attach 1 vertical row at a time, running cord behind envelopes and wrapping it once around each open split pin. Secure cord against back of each envelope with a strip of washi tape.

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS Gather your supplies

Quill Foil Board in Gold 250gsm; Fiskars Paper Trimmer; cutting mat; steel ruler; bone folder (for scoring); pencil; Fiskars Circle Hand Punch (hole punch), 3mm; fine gold cord; long needle with large eye; Fiskars Large Circle Punch, 1.5in; bamboo skewers; hot-glue gun and glue sticks; scrap cardstock; Fiskars Thick Floral Frenzy Punch (or similar for neck ruffles); turquoise tissue paper (10pk); Brother ScanNCut and Standard Tack Adhesive Mat (optional)

Here’s how

NOTE: Photocopy to enlarge wings (below). Transfer wings to wrong side of foil board then cut. If making several angels and using the ScanNCut, scan enlarged diagram, follow instructions to save it, then cut 1 or multiple wings. STEP 1 Using paper trimmer, cut strip of foil to measure 7.5 x 48cm (small angel), 10 x 48cm (medium) or 11 x 48cm (large angel).

Hark The Herald Angels wings (enlarge to 180% small, 220% large)

DECEMBER 2017 BHG 209

CHRISTMAS MAKES

STEP 2 Mark 1cm intervals across top and bottom of foil board strip. Matching marks, rule vertical lines across board. STEP 3 Working on cutting mat, place steel ruler against each marked line and score it with bone folder. Scoring the lines makes it easier to concertina fold board. STEP 4 Make concertina folds across board. Punch small holes across 1 long edge, about 2cm from edge. STEP 5 Thread gold cord onto needle. Overlap short ends of folded board (this will be back of angel). Starting at overlapped ends and leaving a long tail, cord through all holes until back to where you started. Leaving a longish tail, snip cord. Pull cord tails tightly, gathering concertina folds close together at top with angel skirt splaying out. Tie off securely and trim ends. STEP 6 Punch 2 gold circles from board. With bamboo skewer centred, hot-glue pointy end to wrong side of a circle. Matching top half of circle edges, hot-glue remaining circle to first circle to conceal skewer. Trim skewer to about 3–5cm long. STEP 7 Place scrap card on top of several folded sheets of tissue paper, then punch through, using flower punch. Using scrap card makes it easier to punch through tissue paper. Holding flower layers as 1, punch

a small hole in centre. Discarding the scrap card, feed the skewer through hole and then blow tissue flower to create ruffles. Run hot glue around the angel’s ‘neck’, then push the skewer into the centre of the neck until ruffles rest on it. Let glue set. STEP 8 Make a single snip into ruffles at centre back. Fold wings in half. Run a line of hot glue partway down centre back of neck and skirt. Press fold of wings between skirt folds and ruffles at centre back. The snipped ruffles will rest either side of wings.

STARRY STARRY NIGHT Gather your supplies

12 x 12in sheets of Glitter Card or scrapbook cardstock (2); ruler; pencil; scissors; double-sided adhesive papercraft tape; tacky white glue; paintbrush (for applying glue); fine cord or fishing wire (optional) to hang

Here’s how

NOTE: For a medium star, trim card to measure 10 x 10in, follow instructions as for large star except in Step 5, mark, then cut rectangular fold lines 5.2mm from edge of card. Folding STEP 1 Fold card in half to make a rectangle. Run your thumbnail or edge of your ruler along the fold line. Open out card. STEP 2 Swivel the card so the fold line is now lying vertical to you. Fold the card again to make a rectangle, as you did before. Open out the card. Folds will now divide the paper into 4 squares. STEP 3 With card face down and arranged as a diamond in front of you, fold in half to make a triangle. Open out card. STEP 4 Rotate card so fold made in Step 3 is vertical. Fold card in half again to make a triangle. Open out card. The folds now divide card into 8 triangles. STEP 5 On each side (on the rectangle folds), mark 6.2cm in from the edge. Cutting on each of these fold lines, snip into card up to 6.2cm marks.

Making star shape STEP 6 Raise a cut edge and fold it over so cut edge is even with its corresponding diagonal fold, making a triangular ‘flap’. Repeat to make its partner flap. Working your way around card, repeat this step 3 more times, until 4 sets of star flaps are completed. STEP 7 With ‘star’ wrong side up, stick double-sided tape along left-side outer fold of a set of flaps. Peel away tape backing paper. Matching edges, stick right flap on top of left flap to complete a 3D star point. Repeat this step to complete remaining 3 star points. STEP 8 Repeat Steps 1–7 to make another 4-point-star. Finishing STEP 9 Bring wrong side of 2 stars together and swivel until you have an 8-point star. Mark where these stars . Apply tacky glue inside marked lines of 1 star only. Let glue tack off but not set. Matching the marks, bring the stars together and hold until glue has a firm grip. Once the glue grips, balance the star on a bowl until glue sets completely. Then hang the stars with cord.

GILDED GLASS BAUBLES Gather your supplies

Clear glass baubles, large and small; DecoArt Americana Satin artist’s acrylics in Coastal Waters, Blue Lagoon and Lavender Fields; paper towel; plastic cups; 30mm plastic shot glasses; paintbrush; soft bristle brush; gold size; gold leaf; stencil brush

Here’s how

NOTE: Collect and re-use excess paint. STEP 1 Remove bauble hangers and set aside. Working with 1 bauble at a time, pour a little paint in desired colour into it. Pressing paper towel over opening, shake bauble until inner surface is covered with paint. Rest bauble on a plastic cup (or shot glass for the small baubles) with open end facing down so paint drains into cup. Allow paint to dry completely.

Starring Hearts heart (enlarge to 240%)

Make it folksy and bright

Felt Reindeer and antlers (enlarge to 250%)

STEP 2 Brush the gold size randomly onto a small section of the bauble’s exterior. Let the size become tacky before then pressing gold leaf onto sized sections. Use bristle brush to tamp down gold leaf and then burnish with the stencil brush.

Starring Hearts elongated heart (enlarge to 200%)

FELT DECORATIONS Gather your supplies

Felt sheets in desired colours; DMC Cotton Perle in toning variegated shades or colour to suit; DMC stranded embroidery cottons; felt heart embellishments, 3cm (colour to suit (for heart); general sewing supplies; pearl beads, colour to suit (for heart); toy fill; vanishing fabric marker pen (optional); seed beads, gold or colours to suit (for elongated heart); small button, colour to suit (for elongated heart); gold spacer beads (for felt star); sequins and seed beads (2 each for reindeer eyes); yellow seed beads (reindeer details) and purple (pear detail); gold bell (reindeer); gold cord or matching sparkly yarn (for hanger)

Starring Hearts flower embellishments (enlarge to 130%, flower left; 200%, 180%, flower below

What A Pair pear (enlarge 190%) Wreaths and Starmen hat, left, and body, below left, (enlarge to 230%)

Here’s how

STEP 1 Photocopy to enlarge heart, star, flowers, pear or reindeer diagrams (right) then cut out. STEP 2 Pin or trace around paper pattern onto felt and then cut out your desired felt shape. Repeat the process. You will need 2 felt shapes for each decoration. Refer to your preferred decoration to complete.

Starring Hearts star (enlarge to 270%) DECEMBER 2017 BHG 211

CHRISTMAS MAKES

Variation 1

Starring hearts

Refer to main photograph and stitch a heart embellishment to centre of 1 heart. Then, using variegated thread, work lazy daisy stitches, as pictured, around central heart, about 12mm out from heart embellishment. Hand-sew a pearl bead just in from tip of each lazy daisy stitch. Securing hanging thread or cord at dip of heart, blanket stitch 2 felt hearts together, leaving a gap at 1 side for stuffing with toy fill. When filled, finish blanket stitching around edge. Variation 2

Starring hearts – elongated

Refer to Steps 1 and 2 to cut 2 hearts. Using paper patterns of flowers in each size, pin to felt and cut out 3 flowers. Centre flowers and stack together, large to small, bottom up. Secure stack with 2 or 3 stitches through centre to make ‘flower’. Place them on heart at top left then, working out from underneath flower, freehand-draw tendrils on felt with marker. Stem stitch along marked lines with variegated thread. Stitch 2 staggered rows of seed beads (10 and 15mm from outside edge) of a heart. Towards dip and tip of heart, you only need to stitch a single bead. With a button as flower centre, stitch through button’s holes to attach flower in place. Complete as for Heart. Variation 3

Starring hearts – star

See Steps 1 and 2 to cut 2 elongated hearts. Then using paper patterns, cut out 3 flowers in each size. Cut out shapes, centre and stack them together, large to small from bottom up. Secure this stack with 2 or 3 stitches through centre to make a ‘flower’. Place and stitch them in centre of a felt star. Decorate each star ray with 5 seed beads to form a + shape. Securing hanging thread or cord at tip of each star, blanket stitch front and back of 2 felt stars together. When you’ve stitched around 4 star rays, stuff with toy fill, pushing it into tips. Continue blanket stitching and stuffing until star 212 BHG DECEMBER 2017

is done. Working back to front, and leaving a thread tail, bring threaded needle up through flower centre, 3 gold beads onto thread then take needle back down and through to back of the star. Pull loose ends taut and tie off securely. Snip off excess thread. Variation 4

Felt reindeer

Refer Steps 1 and 2 then, using paper patterns, cut antlers and muzzle. Cut a 12mm-dia. circle and 20 x 30mmL teardrop shape. Stitch seed beads to form a star or snowflake pattern on teardrop. Use blanket stitch to attach the teardrop to reindeer body, as shown. Blanket stitch top of muzzle across the top only – leave thread tail loose. Stitch a sequin/ bead combination for each eye just above muzzle. Backstitch a mouth and eyebrows above ‘eyes’. Using loose tail of thread, blanket stitch reindeer front to back piece with antlers between ears. As you work, stuff with toy fill. Adhere circle ‘nose’ to muzzle. String seed beads with a bell at one end and stitch around reindeer neck. Stitch cord hanging loop at back between ear and neck junction. Variation 5

What a pair

Refer to Steps 1 and 2 then, using paper patterns, cut 3 felt pear shapes, 2 off-white and 1 mauve. Cut an aqua felt leaf to scale. Centring it, stitch mauve pear to 1 white pear. Transfer embroidery outline onto mauve pear and, using a deep pink stranded cotton, backstitch along outlines. Embellish design with purple seed beads, as shown. Work running stitch around embroidered pear 15mm from edge in mid-pink stranded cotton. Use a deep mauve to backstitch leaf ‘veins’. Roll and secure 4 x 3cm strip of mauve for a ‘twig’. Using matching stranded cotton, whip stitch front and back of pear together, stuffing with toy fill as you go and inserting felt twig at the top. Stitch leaf in place.

THREE WISE MEN Gather your supplies

35mm-dia. wood dowel (or similar); handsaw; 35mm round wood beads, (3); hot-glue gun and glue sticks; felt sheets in desired colours; Helmar 450 Quick-Dry Adhesive; general sewing supplies; DMC Cotton Perle in contrasting colour to felt; fur fabric in white; gold beads (3)

Here’s how

STEP 1 For each piece, cut dowel to measure 25mm high. Hot-glue round bead on top. STEP 2 Clothing: allowing for overlap at 1 end, cut a felt strip to measure circumference by combined height of dowel and bead. Wrap felt around ‘body/head’, overlap ends and adhere. This will be the centre back of each piece. When has set, slip clothing off and blanket stitch around bottom edge. Dress each piece, gluing it in place around top of head. STEP 3 Glue 7W x 8cmL of fur fabric to front of bead head. If necessary, trim fur to resemble a beard. STEP 4 Photocopy to enlarge hat diagram; test fit on ‘head’; adjust. Adhere straight edges together with an overlap or whip stitch edges together. When set, blanket stitch around bottom edge. Glue hat onto bead, covering clothing and top of

Three Wise Men hat, above, (enlarge to 310%), beard, below, (enlarge to 280%)

HELP YOUR PET LOOK GOOD FROM THE INSIDE OUT ®

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PETHUB-ROYALCANIN.COM

CHRISTMAS MAKES

NOTE: 1 ball of each of these 5 shades will make more than 15 baubles.

WREATHS AND STARMEN Gather your supplies

Tension: 16tr to 10cm over treble fabric, using 4mm hook. Correct tension is not essential, however finished fit is based on this tension.

Felt sheets, in desired colours; toy fill; stranded embroidery cotton in colours to suit; general sewing supplies; Helmar Super-Tac Glue; raw wood beads, about 25mm- and 8mm-dia.; coloured folley bells, small; artist’s acrylic paints in brown and white; artist’s paintbrush; glitter ribbon, colour to suit; green foliage wreath; green florist’s wire

Here’s how

STEP 1 Photocopy, as directed, then cut paper patterns of Starmen and hat diagrams. Cut 2 felt starmen ‘bodies’ and 1 hat for each ornament. STEP 2 Stuffing each ‘body’ with toy fill, whip stitch front and back together, leaving ‘neck’ opening for bead ‘head’. Dab glue on star tips then thread each tip through a small bead (beads represent hands and feet). Test fit hat, adapt to fit, whip stitch straight edges together, then stitch a bell at tip. Glue head to body at neck opening. Then glue hat to head, and dot on 2 brown circles for eyes by dipping end of paintbrush in paint then, with brush perpendicular to bead, dot bead with paint. Finish with a speck of white in each eye. Glue glittery ribbon scarf around neck. Attach starmen to wreath with loose ends of florist wire wrapped twice around and directly above each hand.

CROCHET BAUBLES

Easy crochet Finished size To fit 75mm dia. polystyrene ball

Gather your supplies

Patons Cotton Blend 8 ply (50g): 1 ball each Aqua Shade 17, Mauve Shade 38, Flamingo Shade 25, Orchid Shade 28 and Pineapple Shade 40; 4mm crochet hook; 75mm polystyrene balls; artist’s acrylic paints in dark pink; paintbrush; yarn needle

Here’s how

Abbreviations (Australian/UK terminology used throughout) beg = beginning; ch = chain; cont = continue; dc = double crochet; lp/ lps = loop/s; rep = repeat; sl st = slip stitch; sp/sps = space/s; st/s = stitch/es; yoh = yarn over hook Special abbreviations trdec = (yoh, insert hook in next st and draw lp through, yoh and draw through 2 lps) twice, yarn over hook and draw through all 3 lps on hook. dcdec = (insert hook in back lp only of next st and draw lp through) twice, yarn over hook and draw through all 3 lps on hook.

Bauble (see table for colours)

Note: pre-paint balls in 2 coats dark pink, let dry after each coat. Set aside. Using 4mm hook and leaving a long end of 1st colour, make 4ch and with a sl st in first ch to form a ring. 1st round: 3ch, working over long end 11tr in ring, using 2nd colour sl st in back lp of 3rd ch at beg. Note: To reduce centre hole, pull firmly on long end before sewing in ends. 2nd round: 1ch, 2dc in same lp as sl st, 2dc in back lps only of each of next 11tr, using 3rd colour sl st in first dc … 24dc. 3rd round: 3ch, (2tr in next dc, 1tr in each of next 3dc) 5 times, 2tr in next dc, 1tr in each of last 2dc, using 4th colour sl st in back lp of 3rd ch at beg. 4th round: 1ch, 1dc in same lp as sl st, 1dc in back lp only of each of next 29tr, using 5th colour sl st in first dc … 30dc. 5th round: 3ch, (2tr in next dc, 1tr in each of next 4dc) 5 times, 2tr in next dc, 1tr in each of last 3dc, using 6th colour sl st in back lp of 3rd ch at beg. 6th round: 1ch, 1dc in same lp as sl st,

1dc in back lp only of each of next 35tr, using 7th colour sl st in first dc … 36dc. 7th round: 3ch, 1tr in each of next 35dc, using 8th colour sl st in back lp of 3rd ch at beg. 8th round: 1ch, 1dc in same lp as sl st, 1dc in back lp only of each of next 35tr, using 9th colour sl st in first dc. 9th round: 3ch, (trdec, 1tr in each of next 4dc) 5 times, trdec, 1tr in each of last 3dc, using 10th colour sl st in back lp of 3rd ch at beg … 30 sts. 10th round: 1ch, 1dc in same lp as sl st, 1dc in back lp only of each of next 29 sts, using 11th colour sl st in first dc. 11th round: 3ch, (trdec, 1tr in each of next 3dc) 5 times, trdec, 1tr in each of last 2dc, insert foam ball then using 12th colour sl st in back lp of 3rd ch at beg. Working around foam ball, cont as follows: 12th round: 1ch, insert hook in back lp only of same st as sl st and draw lp through, insert hook in back lp only of next st and draw lp through, yarn over hook and draw through all 3 lps on hook, (dcdec) 11 times, using 13th colour sl st in first dc. 13th round: 2ch, 1tr in next dc, (trdec) 5 times, sl st in first tr at beg, make 20ch, sl st in st on opposite side of final round. Fasten off, leaving a long end.

Table of colours Ball A

Ball B

1st colour

Orchid

Orchid

2nd colour

Flamingo

Pineapple

3rd colour

Aqua

Mauve

4th colour

Mauve

Aqua

5th colour

Flamingo

Mauve

6th colour

Aqua

Flamingo

7th colour

Orchid

Orchid

8th colour

Pineapple

Aqua

9th colour

Flamingo

Flamingo

10th colour

Mauve

Orchid

11th colour

Aqua

Mauve

12th colour

Orchid

Orchid

13th colour

Flamingo

Pineapple

To make up

Using long end, gather top edge and draw up tightly. Fasten off securely.

For yarn stockists, pattern and crochet techniques enquiries, visit patonsyarns.com.au

214 BHG DECEMBER 2017

Photography Andre Martin, Benito Martin, Pablo Martin; styling Lisa Hilton, Annette Forrest; projects Kim Davies, Kim Pynsent, Dora Papas; diagrams Stephen Pollitt

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BAKE A LI’L MAGIC, P28 • Wiltshire: 40 x 27.5 x 2.5cm cookie sheet, POA. White bamboo and silicone spatula, POA. White bamboo and silicone whisk, POA. WELCOME TO YOUR CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND, P44 • Make it rustic Let it snow, Let it snow (rustic house and felt trees): • Spotlight: Helmar Super-Tac Glue; white glitter, gold glitter card; gold EMP LED 4m 40 bud lights, $8.39; stiff felt; Arbee wooden dowel rods (for tree trunk); cork and raw MDF wood reindeer; feather tree; Kaisercraft 12 x 12in cardstock; Brother ScanNCut and Standard Tack Adhesive Mat; tapestry needle; stranded cottons. • Cleverpatch: Branch chips (oval) 250g/pk assorted sizes about 2.5 x 1 x 0.2cm (rustic house); branch chips 250g/pk assorted sizes about 2.5 x 1 x 0.2cm (for felt tree stand). • Early Settler: Salu side table, $299. • Koch & Co: House decoration with LED Natural 25W x 24.5cmH (3300601NA); Natural Wood Slice oval 36 x14 x 2.5cmH, $5.95. • Montmartre: Star glitter garland, $49. • Swing Gifts: Burlap Green 91cm pine tree, $99.95. • Stylist’s own: Reindeer. Dasher & Dancer (bark reindeer): Freedom: Astra medium lantern $29.95 and Lasalle decorative tray, $89. • Pillow Talk: Moss deer, $19.95. Enchanted wood (paper trees): • Koch & Co: Glass Bell terrarium 15D x 23cmH (cloche); Round Natural Wood Slices 25 x 3cmH, $7.95, and 30 x 4cmH, $9.95, wrapping paper (as background). • Montmartre: Glitter Star garland, $49. • Ruby Star Traders: Matt papier mache decoration in Natural/White (set of 12 assorted), $105. Santa’s little helpers: • Spotlight: Arbee

224 BHG DECEMBER 2017

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Chin Chin wine glasses in Rose Gold, $14.95 each; Gold jug. • Early Settler: Provincial Cross Back dining chair in Vintage White, $169, and Montreux mantel, $399. • Koch & Co: Berry spray cluster blue; Dusty Miller Spray Frosted Grey foliage; Supermoss Spanish moss preserved in Grass Green 55g bag; polystyrene wreath flat base (outer dia. 35cm, inner 21cm); Glass Hurricane Vase CSB061-30 (18 x 30cm). • Ruby Star Traders: Papier mache droplet in blue, $8.95. • Vandoros: Wrapping. Felt gift toppers: • Spotlight: Stiff felt sheets in desired colours; Kaisercraft Nesting Circle dies; die-cutting machine; 10mm dia. transparent buttons in desired colours; satin ribbons. pink/gold bauble pack. • Adairs: Home Republic Inca oval platter, $49.99. • Papaya: Pagan 45cm tray, $19.95. • Porter’s Paints: Maharani wallpaper in Verdigris. • Swing Gifts: Burlap Green 91cm Pine Tree, $99.95. • Vandoros: Wrapping paper and 70mm-wide organza ribbons. Hark the herald angels: • Spotlight: Gold foil board; Fundamentals bone folder; Fiskars Paper Trimmer; Fiskars Large Circle Punch, 1.5in; Fiskars Thick Floral Frenzy Punch (or similar for tissue ruffles at neck); Fiskars Circle Hand Punch (hole punch), 3mm; fine gold cord; hot glue gun; glue sticks; steel ruler; craft or cutting mat. • Ruby Star Traders: Papier Mache droplet in blue $8.95. Scalloped napkin ring: • Spotlight: Fiskars Circle Scalloped Squeeze Punch; 12 x 12in POW Glitter Paper; Fiskars 3mm Circle Hand Punch; Vivaldi rayon tassel in Sapphire Blue/pk4; 22mm-wide pink satin ribbon. • Bed Bath N’ Table: Miss Manor plate in Mint, $19.95; Mayfair dinner plate in Light Blue, $12.95; Morgan & Finch Royal tumbler in Ice, $6.95;

Prices are approximate and a guide only

Adairs adairs.com.au Aeratron aeratronaustralia.com.au ANL anlscape.com.au Australian Country Spinners auspinners.com.au Beacon Lighting beaconlighting.com.au Bed Bath N’ Table bedbathntable.com.au Better Homes and Gardens Shop bhgshop.com.au Big W bigw.com.au Bioderma adorebeauty.com.au Bobbi Brown bobbibrown.com.au Bosch Australia bosch-pt.com.au Brother brother.com.au Braun braun.com Bunnings Warehouse bunnings.com.au Cabot’s cabots.com.au Clarins clarins.com.au Cleverpatch cleverpatch.com.au Cotton On cottonon.com/au Country Road countryroad.com.au DATS Skip Bins dats.net.au Décor decor.com.au Designer Brands dbcosmetics.com.au Domayne domayneonline.com.au

Baltimore table runner in Mint, $19.95. • Domayne: Chin Chin wine glass in Rose Gold, $14.95, glass, $14.95. • Pillow Talk: Preston stainless-steel 16-piece cutlery set in Gold, $79.95. What a pear: • Spotlight: Fiskars Tag Maker with Built-in Eyelet Setter; felt; seed beads; stranded embroidery thread; candles. • Bed Bath N’ Table: Morgan & Finch Royale ice cream bowl, $7.95; Positano Chevron vase, $24.95. • Swing Gifts: Kane ceramic pink gold edged oval dish, $27.95. • Vandoros: Gift wrapping. ‘Tis the season (Noel): • Spotlight: N, O, E, L Kaisercraft letters; American Crafts POW Glitter Cardstock 12 x 12in, Aqua; Deco Art Americana Satin artist’s acrylic paints. • Early Settler: Florence glass dome with Duck Egg ceramic base, $34.50 each. • Koch & Co: Hanging Tree decoration bauble Pink, $5.95/ pk12 assorted. • No Chintz: ‘Ruff’ fabric 100% cotton in Tourmaline, $60/m. • Swing Gifts: Champagne Beaded wreath, $69.95. Countdown joy (advent calendar): • Spotlight: Kaisercraft Traditional Christmas Flourish Pack FL608; Fancy Christmas Flourish Pack FL606; POW Glitter Card; artist’s acrylic paints; Fiskars Circle Scalloped Squeeze Punch; washi tape; gold reindeer; satin ribbons. • Early Settler: Lux stool in Olive, $129, on Flora hand woven rug in Blush, $149. • Koch & Co: Artificial Berry Garland Green 150cm, $8.95, Signature gift boxes in Pink, Lavender and Mint Square, $11.95/pk3. • Taubmans: Endure Interior, Heaven Forbid. • Vandoros: Gift wrap and ribbons (including organza). Starry starry night (paper stars and JOY): • Spotlight: POW Glitter Paper 12 x 12in; 18mm Papercraft double-sided adhesive tape; tacky white glue; Shamrock 20cm paper mache letters; all-purpose sealer; Semco Acrylic and DecoArt Americana Satin artist’s acrylic paints. Gilded glass baubles: • Spotlight: Clear glass baubles, large and small; DecoArt Americana Satin artist’s acrylic paints; stencil brush. • Art supply stores: Gold size; gold leaf.• Domayne: Robert Gordon Swatch Lilac glazed bowl, $24.95; Glow Hardware Lane plate, $36.95. • Pillow Talk: Carousel vase, $29.95. • Make it folksy and bright Starring hearts, felt hearts, stars, reindeer, starmen: • Spotlight: Felt sheets; DMC stranded cottons; Variegated DMC Cotton Perle; Arbee felt heart embellishments, 3cm assorted colours/pk12; seed beads; buttons; gold cord or matching sparkly yarn (for hanger); toy fill; gold bell. Three wise men: • Spotlight: Arbee 35mm round wood beads/pk4; hot-glue gun and glue sticks; Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive; white fur fabric; felt sheets; DMC Cotton Perle; gold beads. • Bed Bath N’ Table: Morgan & Finch Souk lantern, $29.95. • Early Settler: Montreux mantel, $399, and Frieze carved mirror, $149. • Koch & Co: Needle Pine Swag Green, $18.85. • Ruby Star Traders: Small Ombre drop in Turquoise, $3.95. • Taubmans: Endure Interior in Luxury Holiday (wall colour). • Vandoros: Presents. Crochet baubles: • Australian Country Spinners (also available at Spotlight): Patons Cotton Blend 8 ply yarn. LOVE YOUR LARDER, P110 Project supplies: • Bunnings Warehouse: Arlec USB rechargeable battery 13 LED sensor bar light, $29. Assorted hardware and pantry storage supplies. • Décor: Assorted

containers from Match-Ups range. • Howards Storage World: PSI1120 cabinet organiser 50cm, $149. PSI1118 cabinet organiser 22cm, $109. • Spotlight: 16mm metal curtain pole in white, POA. Tribeca 16mm conduit spring fit (used on ends of rods to make shelf dividers), $5.99 each. Made Smart shelf organiser, $29.99. BUILD A GRAN DESIGN, P138 Project supplies: • ANL: Herb and veg potting mix, $8.50/30L. • Big W: Preserving jars, $25/pk4. • Bosch Australia: Power tools. • Bunnings Warehouse: 35cm heavy duty planter trolley, $11.98. 20mm galvanised hex head screws, $4.20/pk20. 25mm punched metal strapping, $5.40/6m. 15mm galvanised button head screws, $6.85/pk100. Green shadecloth, $7.15/m. 9mm hollow wall anchor, $13.95/pk10. Hollow wall anchor setting tool, $34. 20mm galvanised button head screws, $7.85/pk100. 78-102mm stainless-steel hose clamps, $7.59 each. Cream pebbles, $25.50/20kg. River sand, $5.85/20kg. • DATS Skip Bins: Rubbish removal. • Dulux: 1 Step Acrylic Primer, Sealer & Undercoat. Metalshield All Surface Primer. Weathershield low sheen in Dune and Woodland Grey. Ceiling white. +Plus Kitchen & Bathroom low sheen in White On White. Wash & Wear low sheen in White On White. Aquanamel semi gloss in White On White. • Quality Kit Homes: 2-bedroom granny flat, POA. Shopping information: • Adairs: Vintage washed linen European pillowcases, $69.99 each. Belgian vintage washed cushion in Sage, $69.99. Santona knit cushion in Sea Glass, $39.99. Malmo linen cushion in Teal, $59.99. Brixton leather tan cushion, $119.99. Arlo baby spot blanket in Pale Blue, $59.99. Arlo spot cushion in Grey/ White, $39.99. Blue whale cushion, $39.99. Keepsake toy whale, $39.99. Annika black vase, $49.99. Plush fox animal door stop in Grey, $29.99. • Cotton On: Bergen canvas, 78 x 110cm in Multi, $169. • Country Road: Kara large vase in White, $49.95. Kara small vase in Grey, $29.95. Gilli tall vase, $49.95. Gilli wide vase, $39.95. Etta large vessel in White, $29.95. Etta small vessel in Charcoal, $19.95. Temm sphere, $19.95. Leim cushion, $59.95. Orre cushion in Black, $49.95. Evie cushions in Pale Blue and in Soft Yellow, $69.95 each. Khord cushion in White, $69.95. A3 Kidstruck poster, $29.95. Bade soap pump, $39.95. Bade dish, $19.95. Otis hand towel in Arctic Blue, $19.95. Otis bath towel in Steel Blue, $39.95. Aila rectangular platter, $49.95. Tiro salad bowl, $44.95. Trio jug, $39.95. Lume jug, $39.95. Lume highball glasses set of 4, $49.95. Flynn salad servers, $29.95. • Fantastic Furniture: Jazz 3-seater chaise in Standard Cippi Silver, $799. Large denim rug 150 x 220cm, $99. Toto round white coffee table, $79. Retro 6-seater dining table, $349. Pop chair in White, $79 each. Retro 3-drawer buffet, $499. Como queen deluxe storage bed, $549. Como L shaped bedside drawer in White, $90. Klyne reclining armchair in Standard Global Yellow, $469. Paradise cushion in Green, $34.95. • Freedom: Ocean View print 115 x 85cm, $299. Jetty Beach print 57 x 67cm, $159. Three Palms print 46 x 79cm, $179. Otto basket large in Natural/White, $89. Woven waffle blanket 180 x 180cm, $299. Laborne vessel in blue, $34.95. Hunley bowl in Greystone, $9.95. • IKEA: HEKTAR work lamp, $75. SOCKERART white vase, $16.99.

TANUM flat woven rug 70 x 180cm in Denim, $19.99. KYSING braided seagrass rug, $19.99. ORMKAKTUS cushion cover in Medium Blue, $4.99. • Kmart: Cove jute rug 1.8 x 1.33m, $45. Oval platter in Blue, $5. Grey cake stand, $7. Lucia 2-seater rattan lounge, $79. Lucia rattan chair, $49. Metal tray table, $15. • Spotlight: Hamish jute rug, $79.99. Koo Soho linen queen quilt cover set, $119.99. Bonclair sweet origami string lights in White, $30.99. FLAUNT YOUR FACADE, P146 Project supplies: • ANL: Road base. Offwhite cement. Sydney sand. Turf underlay soil. • Bunnings Warehouse: Dunlop acrylic render, $12.16/20kg. Adbri Eurostone pavers, 400 x 400 x 40mm, $10.89 each. Eurostone pavers, 600 x 400 x 400mm, $22.80 each. Powerloc ting sand. Mortar mix. Tools and equipment. • DATS Skip Bins: Rubbish removal. Shopping details: • Adairs: Vida plant stand, large, in White, $59.99. Vida plant stand, small, in White, $49.99. Stark pot, medium, in White, $34.99. • Bunnings Warehouse: Marquee Zozo iron wire bistro table in White, $49. Marquee iron wire chair in White, $39. Tuscan path glazed pot, 15 x 12cm in Maria Green, $10.55. Tuscan path glazed pot, 22 x 16cm in Maria Green, $15.85. • Country Road: Conna medium pot in Quartz, $79.95. Mem mugs set of two, $24.95. Alna platter in Natural, $59.95. • H&M: Large storage basket, $39.99. Soft blanket in Dusky Green, $44.99. • Steal the Limelight: Linwood Aesop velvet cushion 45 x 45cm, $145. TOOL SCHOOL, P157 • Bosch Australia: Power tools. • Bunnings: Tool accessories and safety equipment. • Feast Watson: Mastertouch Orange Oil, $22.30/250ml. • Ironwood: Recycled Hardwood Blocks, $60. LOFTY BED, P194 Project supplies: • Bosch Australia: Power Tools. • Bunnings Warehouse: 2400 x 1200 x 15mm CD plywood, $58. 2400 x 1200 x 7mm CD plywood, $32.50. 90 x 45mm laminated structural pine, $10.80/2.7m. 184 x 19mm dressed pine, $22.50/2.4m. 89 x 19mm dressed pine, $14.50/3m. 42 x 19mm dressed pine, $8/3m. 50mm wood screws, $11.80/pk50; Timbermate wood putty, $9.76/250g. 100mm batten screws, $14.60/pk20. 50mm stainless-steel decking screws, $14.80/pk50. • Cabot’s: CFP Cabothane polyurethane, $36.80/1L. Cabothane clear, $76/4L. Dulux: 1 Step Primer, Sealer & Undercoat, $43.90/1L. Wash&Wear low sheen, $46.90/1L. Shopping details: • Adairs: Daisy table in White, $159.99. Llama Wall art, $29.99. ‘Cherry Good Friends’ artwork, $39.99. Rabbit wall art, $49.99. Glitter canvas ‘Sweet Dreams’, $39.99. Casbah cushion in Sea Mist, $59.95. Pompom baskets in Grey, $39.99. Kennedy knit throw in Aqua, $149.99. • IKEA: ADUM high pile shag rug 195 x 133cm in Light Brown/Pink, $79. • Kido Store: Star cushion in Baobab Rose, $64. Star velvet cushion in White, $55. Moon mobile, $59. Medium toadstool lamp in Pink, $129. Small toadstool lamp in Yellow, $119. Mega bunny ballerina, $150. Velvet penny round cushion in Dusty Blue, $79. • Kmart: Coloured Trilby kids hat, $6. Low top shoes in Chambray, $8. Tall rain boots, $12. Street high tops shoes in Pink, $10. All kids books from $8.99 each. Kmart concrete base lamp, $10.

BUY NOW FROM

&

festive bake decorating offers!

GET READY FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH THESE GREAT DEALS

MONSTER COOKIE PANS

SNOWFLAKE

FESTIVE PANS

2 pans in our festive snowflake design for $19.95

2 monster cookie pans PLUS a copy of our Cookie Bookie recipe book for $19.95

FESTIVE CAKELET PANS 2 pans, one in each Christmas colour, for $19.95

CHRISTMAS

DECO PEGS

24 Christmas decorating pegs, 10 sheets of wrapping paper and 4 metres of twine for $19.95

to buy yours today, visit bhgshop.com.au Offers available while stocks last. Please allow up to 14 business days for delivery. While every endeavour will be made to deliver within the specified time frame, if your parcel does not arrive on time, phone 1300 745 898. Offer only available within Australia. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return within 30 days to receive a refund. Postage and handling is only refundable if goods are faulty or not as ordered.

All I want for DECEMBER 2017

AUST $9.99 (inc GST)

ONLY

$9.99

218 fabulous FESTIVE IDEAS

feasts • gifts • sweet treats decorating • celebrating • entertaining � more ON SALE NOW IN SELECTED NEWSAGENTS AND SUPERMARKETS OR BUY ONLINE TODAY AT BHGSHOP.COM.AU

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Orange & apricot loaf cake

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