June 1981

EDITOR at large

A few pages farther along in this issue you'll discover an intriguing four-page questionnaire called "How is work affecting American families?" It was created by a cross section of the BH&G staff, and it follows by 15 months our previous survey, "Is government helping or hurting American families?"

How Is Work Affecting American Families?

For some families, work and family demands balance each other perfectly and needs on both fronts are well met. In other households, the balance is out of whack and the result is trouble either at work or at home, or more likely, at both. (You'll find our editor's comments elaborating on this in his column on page 4.)

Storage Wall Plus

GET INSTANT FLOWERS WITH Beddings Plants

You can count on a bright summer when you plant a rainbow of annual flowers. This time of year, garden centers and nurseries have blooming-size plants of alyssum, petunias, impatiens, marigolds, salvia, geraniums, pansies, and a host of other flowering favorites.

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A SMALL KITCHEN

At one time or another most of us have had to live with a small kitchen, so we know the inconveniences firsthand. Dirty pots pile up on the only counter top, precariously stacked canned goods threaten to tumble from jam-packed cupboards, and dishes are relegated to the dining room for lack of kitchen shelf space.

Quick-as-a-snip PAPER COLLAGES

When we decided to feature some light-and-breezy summertime craft projects, we turned to one of our favorite no-sew techniques-- the paper collage. You don't need any special stitchery skills or hard-to-find materials to create these imaginative works of art. By simply cutting snippets of paper and pasting them to a background, you can make distinctive wall hangings and charming cards.

Tin Ceiling Revival: What's new (and old) overhead

Take a good look upward the next time you step inside an aging warehouse, old-time hardware store, or other turn-of-the-century building. Chances are the ceiling will be covered with decorative pressed metal-- a delightfully ornate building material that was once de rigueur in all respectable establishments.

How to find and stop Auto Body Noises!

A car doesn't have to be a rattletrap to rattle... or squeak... or groan and hiss. Most cars make some of these sounds from time to time. They usually don't signal a mechanical problem, just that a part on the car's frame or body is loose or worn.

Gardener's log

If your June-bearing strawberries were just planted this spring, pinch off all flowers that form this season instead of letting them bear fruit. This lets the plants channel their energy into developing good root systems and sending out runners.

Disability Income Insurance The Hidden Gap in Family Protection

What are the chances that an accident or illness will sideline you from work for more than 90 days before you're 65? They're much higher than you might expect-- about one out of three if you're 35, for example, and the chances of your being disabled for more than a year are one out of four.

Handmade Paper How-To

Traditionally, handmade paper has required a great deal of expensive equipment, such as custom-made molds, a laboratory beater, large vats, and a professional press.

The Lowdown on Fiber Rugs

Once natural fiber rugs-- those made of grasses, rushes, vegetable fibers, and corn husks-- were confined to the solarium, but now they've moved into every room in the house.

How to Help Your Pet Beat the Heat

Summertime can signal potentially serious health problems for your pet. Dogs particularly find heat and humidity hard to handle. And while cats usually tolerate hot weather better, they're not immune to the hazards and discomforts of summer. It's up to you to help your pet beat the heat by staying alert to his hot weather needs and taking a few simple precautions.

Bathroom Spruce-Ups

Finding a Room in a European City

Touring Europe without hotel reservations, particularly in the busy summer season, is asking for trouble. But even if you've planned ahead, you may find yourself roomless in a strange city because of a transportation tie-up or a last-minute change in plans

RENTAL CARS

Instead of traveling in the family car, more and more vacationers are taking a plane, bus, or train and then renting a car once they reach their destinations. Rental cars usually offer good value, convenience, and flexibility in getting around, but rates can be confusing.

Investor's Guide to Buying Art

In January of 1979, a canvas by the 19th-century French painter Bouguereau sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet for $57,000; 20 years earlier it had been purchased for $1,500. That February the same auction house sold a Rembrandt etching, "Clement de Jonghe," for $37,000-- in 1967 it had gone unsold at $4,000.

Helpful Pastry Gear

Despite the old saying, making pie isn't always easy. But with the proper equipment, you can make short work of all your family's favorite pastries-- from apple pie to quiche Lorraine.

How to Cozy Up a Cavernous Bath

How to Choose and Use Sewing Needles

Selecting the right needle for your stitchery projects can make the difference between a so-so project and an exceptional one. Always buy a high-quality, name brand needle and make sure it's compatible with your fabric and thread. Here are some helpful pointers to help you choose right every time.

Decks Designed Around Trees

Patterns Worth Repeating

A Scenic Attic Suite

Underwater glue

Home security radar

Wallpaper aids

Portable toilet

Tiny home movie machine

SEVEN SUPER ENTRYWAY DECKS

Well, it happened again. You answered the front door and caught your visitors taking inventory of the gaping cracks and craters in your entry steps. Clearly, the only way to avoid such ego-deflating moments in the future is to shape up that shabby entry-- and we'd like to help you do just that.

Table Settings FOR A POSH BACKYARD PICNIC

A QUICK-CHANGE gazebo

FURNITURE ARRANGEMENTS THAT MAKE THE MOST OF SPACE

How well a room works for you has little to do with ample square footage or perfect proportions. What does count is the way you put your furnishings together. If you plan carefully, you can make even a small or awkwardly shaped room meet all your needs-- and look great in the bargain.

Environmental Shopping

Grocery shopping today involves much more than just filling a cart. If you're like most consumers, you already look for products that give you the best mix of quality and economy. But do you also try to help the environment by purchasing products that are packaged in recycled paper? Here's how you can do just that.

The Pacific Coast

Part VI of our earless vacation series this month spotlights the Pacific Coast. Watch next month for New England, the last of our leave-your-car-at-home vacations.

Deck-Building Basics

There are many ways to build a deck, and which approach you use probably will depend on local building regulations, the site, and your particular needs. But all of the procedures have key components in common. Here's a rundown of the basic techniques to follow.

Safe Storage for Food Processor Blades

Food processor blades are a kitchen hazard when they're stored in a drawer with the rest of your utensils. You can reduce the threat of those sharp blades by building the blade rack shown here, then mounting the unit on the back of a cabinet door. The rack holds two cutting blades and two shredding and slicing blades. Build a second rack to store extra blades, or modify the project to accommodate six blades and mount it on your backsplash or kitchen wall. The total cost of the project: under five dollars if you use scrap material.

Americana Groupings

"Antiqued" Baths

Produce Your Own Puppet Theater

Smart Use of Small Spaces

How to Cope With Hotel Overbooking

After traveling all day, you arrive at the hotel where you've made reservations-- only to find you don't have a room after all. What next? The following tips can help you avoid being left out in the cold and cope if it does happen.

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

Rosemary reports that another big tuition increase is on tap next semester at her college. Hmm-- I think I finally understand what is meant by "higher" education.