October 1986

EDITOR'S LETTER

Our decorating contest is over and the big winners appear in this issue, with another installment next month as well. More than 6,000 of you entered the contest, and although the judging about wore us out, we're very grateful that you did it. You've given us a chance to look into your lives and provided insights that all the numbers and statistics in the world could never give.

IN PURSUIT OF BEAUTY

With the opening of a new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, many people will have their first glimpse of the impact of the Aesthetic Movement.

NEW COLORS FOR CARS

Shimmer Shines in Home Fashion

AMERICAN SNAP SHOT

THE ULTIMATE PET

QUINOA: FOOD OF THE FUTURE

WIZARDRY ON THE NEAR HORIZON

GARDENER'S LOG

Late roses climbed and hung and clustered and the sunshine deepening the hue of the yellowing trees made one feel that one stood in an embowered temple of gold.

IS YOUR CHILD A VICTIM OF EDUCATION'S "DIRTY LITTLE SECRET?"

Too many schools "cure" their teacher shortages by using unqualified instructors. Here's how to tell if your child is a victim of this practice-- and what you can do about it.

TODAY'S PARENTS How Well Are They Doing?

OPINIONS FROM MORE THAN 30,000 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS READERS

FANTASYLAND CASTLE

Mysteriously towering into the heights of fantasy, here's the Better Homes and Gardens answer to the dollhouse craze-- a dollhouse castle! Designed for young and old, boys and girls alike, this castle is scaled to accommodate the great array of toys popular with kids these days.

STOWAWAY IRONING BOARD

Tired of hassling with bulky ironing boards? Our fold-down board fits neatly between the studs in your wall, then pulls down in a jiff when you're ready to iron.

DAYS-OF-THE-WEEK DESIGNS To Appliqué and Embroider

An old-time children's poem inspires our delightful days-of-the-week designs. Use the appliqué and embroidered figures on towels and linens to brighten any room.

Protecting Precious Collectibles

UPDATE YOUR WINDOWS WITH A KIT

SHEET SAVVY

A wealth of pretty patterns, styles, and sizes makes sheets a wonderful medium for the do-it-yourself decorator.

5 UNUSUAL DOGS THAT MAKE GREAT FAMILY PETS

The names of these canines probably won't be on the tip of your tongue, but like many lesser known purebreds, they're excellent family pets. Though our unusual dog breeds vary in size and personality, all are easy to care for, great with kids, and not much more expensive than many purebreds already roaming backyards in your neighborhood.

CHOOSING OPTIONS THAT IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

Even if you don't plan to match Mario Andretti's maneuvers on twisting roads, it can pay in fun, safety, and resale value to equip your car for peak performance.

EYE SURGERY: PROBLEMS EYED

A POX ON A POX

TWO CALCIUM BULLETINS

THE WINNERS!

Personal style! It's not only the look of the '80s, but also the best term to describe these winning rooms, where comfort and stylish good looks combine. Here's proof!

Forced To Be BEAUTIFUL!

Why wait until April or May to enjoy spring-flowering bulbs? You can pot up a bunch of these beauties now for blooms this winter.

MASTER SUITE BASEMENT RETREAT

"Now we spend most of our time downstairs enjoying the new sitting room, bedroom, and bath," says Gail Goldman of the remodeling that turned a musty walkout basement into this smashing master suite.

NUTRITION INFORMATION WITH EVERY RECIPE

To help you keep track of the calories, protein, fat, cholesterol, and sodium you consume each day, we include the amounts of these nutrients by gram weight per individual recipe serving for every recipe we publish.

TRAVEL TIPS

--to make those holiday plane reservations. The Air Transport Association estimates that 15 million of us will travel by air between December 20 and January 3. Some flights sell out as early as September.

THE LATEST WORD

The Wyndham Virgin Grand Beach Hotel becomes the newest resort on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, with 333 villa-style guest rooms on a hillside overlooking a private beach.

VCR QUESTIONNAIRE

As an enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer, I know how much expert advice can help with a project. That's why I've become interested in the possibility of offering you inexpensive instructional videotapes from BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS.

ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

NEW SIZES

MINI DISC PLAYER

TV ON A BIG SCALE

COLOR-COORDINATED ELECTRONICS

MINIATURE MARVEL

TV/VCR COMBO

THREE-IN-ONE BOX

DIGITAL TV

TYPEWRITER UPDATE

DO-IT-YOURSELF SECURITY

CAR CASSETTE PLAYER

QUICK COVER-UP FOR BASEMENT WALLS

Unfinished masonry walls are the bane of below-ground living areas. Civilize your basement with attractive paper-covered paneling. Readily installed and inexpensive, papered panels provide an alternative to more conventional cover-ups such as paint, wallpapered drywall, or simulated wood paneling.

HAWAII!

Pack a big smile and your spirit of adventure for the best vacation in the island state ever! Tennis and golf, luaus and mai tais are fine. But make time for an adventure in paradise. No special skills or gear required. Though the prices aren't cheap, the rewards are great: fantastic fun and memories that last a lifetime!

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

Dick Dresch suggests that today's youngsters may someday regale their grandchildren with tales of the old days when they had to make do with one-computer schoolhouses.