April 1981

EDITOR at large

Not so many years ago but in what now seems like a distant age-- when gasoline was abundant and cheap and Americans zipped around at 70 mph or faster-- our BH&G travel features were very car-oriented. I was writing travel pieces myself in that era, and I remember one article, "The Magnificent Northwest," in which I recommended a 4,500-mile auto tour.

CONDOMINIUMS: Pros and Cons for Your Family

Condominiums have become a crucial factor in the U.S. housing market. The Federal National Mortgage Association estimates there are now over two million condominium dwellings in the country, and real estate experts fully expect the number to grow.

Worry-Free DECORATING WITH COORDINATED FABRICS

Fabric is one of the most versatile and effective tools you can use to give a tired room scheme new vitality. And today you don't have to be a pro to get smashing results every time. The new coordinated fabric collections let you mix or match as you please without fear of clashing mistakes. To inspire you, here's a real-life success story.

SMART NEW LOOKS for shabby old furniture

With a little imagination and some elbow grease, you can turn a down-and-out piece of furniture into a unique and inexpensive addition to your home.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR BASEMENT REMODELING

You probably know that finishing off an unused basement is an economical way to gain new living space that will stay comfortably cool all summer. But did you know you can make that space doubly enjoyable for warm-weather gatherings by opening it onto a walk-out patio-- even if your basement is completely underground? Here's how to do just that.

Lifting tool

Nifty tape-storage boxes

Heat-storing can

Garden shredder

Gardener's helper

What to Know Before Your Car Is Towed

Unless you're really unlucky, your car will only have to be towed every couple of years or so-- after an accident or breakdown on the road, or simply when your car won't budge out of your driveway. That's hardly enough experience to acquaint you with the ins and outs of the towing business. In fact, tow truck operators sometimes find it's relatively easy to do a sloppy job and charge any amount they please because they're dealing with uninformed and distraught drivers.

A Simple Fireplace Face-Lift

Why Co-Op College Makes Sense

Is inflation deflating your family's college nest egg? Do your college-bound youngsters need workplace experience as well as classroom learning? If the answer to either or both of those questions is yes, cooperative education may be the smart college strategy for your son or daughter. Co-op programs are booming on-- and off-- campuses nationwide; about a third of U.S. colleges and universities now offer their students the co-op option.

Energy-Smart Landscaping

You can take some sizzle out of your summer and put some warmth in your winters through wise landscaping. No need for a complete revamping-- just a few well-placed trees and shrubs can trim heating and cooling bills significantly. The first step is to decide where your problems are and which to solve first. If too much sun on the south and east of your house makes your air conditioner work overtime, a shade tree can be the answer.

Gardener's log

Now's a good time to divide and replant your phlox, chrysanthemums, Shasta daisies, hollyhocks, primroses, and any other perennials that have been blooming less each year because they have become crowded. Lift each clump gently with a spading fork, and divide the clump into smaller sections (if you can't pull it apart, use a sharp knife).

Egg-Beating Basics

Have you ever been let down by a sunken soufflé, an angel food cake that refused to rise, or a meringue pie that was flat as a pancake? You can banish those problems by mastering the basics of egg beating.

Roll-Up Shade Instructions

Easy-to-Make Chair Cover

The snazzy slipcovers shown on page 37 are a great way to dress up drab chairs or disguise timeworn ones. And the simple construction of the slipcovers makes them a snap to put together.

Make-It-Yoursclf Mirror and Shelf

Director's chair cover-up

Exotic wall coverings

Yesteryear toys

Expert appraisals

Young consumers' magazine

Designer gardens

TIPS, TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

This feature is written by you. It's a wide-ranging collection of shop hints, installation tips, and repair shortcuts that you-- along with millions like you-- have picked up from your experience as a do-it-yourselfer. We pay $25 for each problem solver we publish.

Flower Gardening for Glorious Color

Every gardener visualizes his or her lot ablaze with glorious flower color from earliest spring until killing frost, or even year round in mild winter areas. The trouble is, no plant blooms at its best for a full 12 months. However, you can plan and plant combinations of flowers that will take turns providing color. You can utilize two or three kinds of plants this way even if you have only a tiny corner or strip of earth that doesn't provide enough room for a more conventional flower border.

WOODEN WALKWAYS YOU CAN BUILD

When it's time to give your house a new walk, you'll have a choice of construction materials including brick, railroad ties, patio blocks, concrete, and wood. After you compare the costs of the materials and figure in the fee a professional would charge for labor, you'll probably lean toward a do-it-yourself wooden walkway. One of these attractive designs might suit your situation and your skills.

IRISH CROCHET

If you're lucky you might discover an exquisite piece of Irish crochet lace in an antique shop or gallery or at an estate sale or auction. But such lovely vintage lace is apt to be costly-- and the price is going up each year because the ultrafine threads used to create such intricate work are no longer being manufactured. Now here's the good news: using modern-day materials and our step-by-step instructions, you can create crochet laces that capture the delicate beauty of the old-world originals.

SMALL ADDITIONS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

How many times have you wished that the rooms in your house were just a few feet wider? The thought probably crosses your mind every time you rearrange the furniture in the living room, run out of counter space in the kitchen, or bump into the wall when you make the bed. Adding just a few feet of space can make a world of difference in one of those squeezed-in rooms; check out these room-expanding examples for ways to open up close quarters at your house.

Choosing a Campground

Whether you plan to camp in a recreational vehicle or a tent, selecting the right campground is crucial. These pointers can help you choose.

Refreezing Guidelines

Did you ever thaw food for dinner, then eat out on the spur of the moment? Or have you tossed out food that thawed due to a power failure? Often there's no need to waste thawed items. Here are some helpful guidelines.

Tips for Driving in Fog

Dense fog can be a major driving hazard, especially when it suddenly rolls over your car as you're traveling at highway speeds.

TRACK LIGHTING TIPS

If you're looking for a lighting system that strikes a happy medium between glare and gloom, track lighting may be the answer. Rather than spotlighting a room as single lamps do, track lighting illuminates entire surfaces. This has the effect of visually expanding the size of the room.

Joining Needlepoint Canvas

If you've needlepointed your share of pillows and chair covers, you're probably ready for a bigger project. And whatever it is, it will probably require piecing. Here are a few tips.

National Organizations for Needlework Buffs

Would you like to join an organization that supports your interest in needlework? Here are four well-established national associations that are worth looking into. All four organizations promote the art of fine needlework through classes, seminars, workshops, and exhibits

Creative Headboard Treatments

A Rejuvenated Addition

The Southwest

You can enjoy a delightful vacation without the family car in almost any area of the country. This month, we explore two likely regions for car-free adventures, the Southwest and the Deep South, in Parts II and III of our seven-part Leave-Your-Car-at-Home series (see Better Homes and Gardens July, 1980, for Part I: The Midwest).

The Deep South

Carless vacationing down South allows you to sample treasures from the past in an area blessed with two sea- kissed coasts and some of the country's most affable springtime weather. Options range from sight-seeing in historic cities to renewing your spirits at beach resorts.

Can a Pet Be a Threat to Your Family's Health?

Lots of companionship and affection is what most families get from their pets. But occasionally pets pass along certain ailments, too. Here's a rundown of the most common ones. Just remember there's little chance of your contracting any of these ailments.

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The Man Next Door

The post office says eliminating Saturday mail would help its budget. It would help our budget if the post office would suspend deliveries for the first week of the month.