June 1983

EDITOR at large

The first time I saw the old house, it was a mess. Interior walls had been turned into rubble. One stairway was merely a raw hole in the ceiling. Makeshift floorboards sagged beneath our weight as we tried to pick our way around large piles of lumber.

Space-Saving Projects YOU CAN BUILD YOURSELF

One way to optimize your living space is to make your walls work harder. Wherever you're short on space, you can line the walls with multipurpose units that flip down or fold out for special activities. An amazing amount of versatility can be packed into a single cleverly designed unit, and if you're handy with tools, you can build exactly what you need in a weekend or two. To get you started, and to illustrate some of the intriguing design possibilities, here are a few space-stretchers we whipped up ourselves in our photo studio.

Best Buys In Outdoor Furniture

Ah, summertime at last! Among the best things about this time of year are the quiet times outdoors enjoying a favorite view from your deck, porch, or patio, a good book, or conversation with family and friends. Such mellow moments call for comfortable, no-fuss furnishings, and we've assembled our pick of some of the best easy-care pieces for you to enjoy this summer and for years to come.

OUTDOOR LIVING

You can better your outdoor living right on the home front. If you plan carefully, you'll gain good-looking improvements that offer maximum use and minimum maintenance. Explore with us your options for a gate, a gazebo, a play structure, and other great outdoor living possibilities from one structure to a complete redo. One or more of these can head you and your family into a pleasure-filled summer.

Tips, Tools, and 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. See the box below for submission details.

TWIN BABY BUGGY

QUICK GRILL

PORTABLE WATER HEATER

HANDS-FREE LUGGAGE

MINI-FRIDGE

NIFTY BIKE

BATH FURNITURE

LEARN AT HOME IDEAS FOR HELPING CHILDREN

The summertime question in many homes is the age-old "What can we do now?" Fortunately, there are plenty of ways parents can keep their elementary school and preschool-aged youngsters busy and learning this summer. The experts at the Home and School Institute (HSI) helped us devise a list of entertaining and educational projects to do at home now and throughout the year. Here are 35 easy, enriching activities that can take a few minutes or a few hours to do. They require only a little of your supervision time and some inexpensive materials, most of which can be found around the house.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT DOME HOME

Though geodesic domes have been around for 30 years, they're just now beginning to pop up in typical conventional neighborhoods, right among the colonial and ranch houses.

"THIS OLD HOUSE" Better Than New

Old houses, valued for their gracious interiors and distinctive architectural detailing, are looking better than ever these days. Freshened up by energetic homeowners, these recycled homes combine the best of the new with an old-fashioned charm that only time can render.

A Cat Owner's Guide To Feline Diseases

There are certain life-threatening illnesses that strike only cats, and other less serious ailments to which felines particularly are prone. All cat-owning families should be acquainted with these health problems and the best methods of protection. It's also important to familiarize yourself with early symptoms of trouble and likely treatment if your cat becomes a victim.

Gardener's log

And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.

Is Your Estate Planning Up To Date?

Do you and your spouse own property together? Joint ownership may seem sensible now but could prove costly to your family should you both die.

Low-Cost Charm for a Child's Room

You can fill your youngster's room with charm and character by using inexpensive pattern and paint-- and some of your child's own prized possessions. Here, floral wallpaper, crisp gingham fabric, and painted woodwork set the scene for a young lady's treasured doll collection.

A Money-Saving Checkup Schedule

Brief, frequent checkups of your car's general condition are a good investment. If you ignore minor problems, they can lead to major repairs, and neglected parts can cut the car's fuel economy. Our breakout of weekly, monthly, and occasional inspections for your car can save you money and help keep your car running well.

A FAMILY TOUR of EUROPE

Europe holds a special place in the dreams of most families. It's usually the destination for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation planned with anticipation, then remembered forever. Families are lured abroad with images of castles, villages, and famous cities.

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

Summer, says Midge Filkins, is when you and your neighbor cross paths on the way to each other's back porches, each toting a "surprise" basketful of tomatoes to share.