March 1988

EDITOR'S LETTER

In this issue, you'll find "Adding On," a feature beginning on page 107. It shows three great remodeling projects, beautifully pictured and full of ideas-- just the sort of story you'd expect in this magazine. But, you get a bonus with this story because these remodelings were done by three of the folks here at Better Homes and Gardens: Editorial Director Doris Eby, Associate Art Director Brad Hong, and Building Ideas Editor Greg Cook.

FOR HOME AND FAMILY

PERSONALITY PROFILE

Personality decorating means putting yourself in the picture. So states Better Homes and Gardens Decorating with Personal Style, and the engaging volume proves the point with page after page of charismatic interiors. This home and others show you how to get personal with your rooms.

GOURMET CROPS

There's a baby boom in my backyard! It started last summer when I grew a bunch of little vegetables in my garden. Often called miniatures or babies, this new generation of tiny, gourmet vegetable varieties is bound to charm you, too.

SMART SHOPPING STRATEGIES

Electronics products are probably the hottest bargains around-- IF you know what you're doing.

TRAMP ART

Tramp art carves its way forward as a hot item of collectible folk art! Notch and layer these contemporary examples from soft wood, then top them off with a special aged-paint finish for added charm.

TROUBLE ON THE ROAD

When a warning light glares on your dash or a needle suddenly swings out of line, should you pull over immediately? What do unusual noises or smells mean? Not all warning signals mean disaster. But don't ignore them, either. Here's a chart to help.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO AMERICAN FAMILIES?

As the '80s begin to give way to the '90s, American families face awesome new challenges. We'd like to hear how your family is coping, how you're doing.

THE PERFECT TIME FOR ANOTHER BABY

Will your older child be ready for the arrival of a new baby in the house? Proper spacing can help, and so can our problem-solving techniques.

GROW YOUR OWN BRIGHT BEGONIAS

GIVE PEAS A HEAD START

SWEET ALYSSUM FOR SUMMER COLOR

READER MAILBOX

NEW SENIOR COMMUNITIES

As the choices among special-service communities for the elderly grow, so do the potential problems. Here's advice for anyone in your family who is considering this lifestyle option.

TEACHING FITNESS

Today's children are flabbier than those of a generation ago. A noted expert explains what's wrong and what you can do about it.

CHICKEN CHECKLIST

BREAKING WITH TRADITION

For Charles and Janet Leavitt, their bookish family room represents a compromise in tastes: He likes the dignity of traditional design; she prefers the kick of contemporary. Here's how the couple arrived at the best of both worlds:

COUNTDOWN TO COLLEGE

Savvy students start planning for college in eighth grade. Here's how to make sure your child gets into those hallowed halls.

CONVERTIBLE MORTGAGES

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) that allow you to convert later to a fixed-rate loan were hot last spring, when rates spiked up sharply. But even with rates relatively flat, such convertible mortgages are worth considering. Up to half of all lenders now offer these loans.

9 TO 5: IT'S A DOG'S LIFE

Chances are your dog finds the Monday-through-Friday workweek a real drag, and a discontented canine can display displeasure at being left home alone in a variety of unsavory ways. What can you do to satisfy Rex from 9 to 5?

ADDING ON!

THE COOKS: "We bought our little split-foyer for the neighborhood. The house itself was barely big enough for a family of five, and we knew from the start we'd have to add on."

Q&A

QUESTION: What can I do with big bare walls? I'm tired of my old picture arrangement.

GARAGE WALL WORKSHOP

"Our two-car garage is really quite narrow, so we organized it with storage and workbenches squeezed against the walls. There's no dead space with slim, adjustable shelving, and Peg-Board makes efficient use of space."

THE ULTIMATE BATH

Enter the private refuge of our master bath and leave daily cares and hassles behind. Inside, you will find a bevy of ideas-- both practical and pretty.

MIX & MATCH

Break the rules! Today's hot table setters mix old with new, florals with geometries, and plain with fancy. Use our guidelines and see how simple it is.

FAT FACTS

TILE WITH STYLE

New finishes and textures in ceramic tile make it easy to bring color and pattern to any room in the house. With a little imagination, you can create your own unique look.

STEP-BY-STEP BUILDING COUNTRY WORKTABLE

HOW TO ORDER

CANADA!

Canada's parklands embrace a wonderful diversity of vacation worlds, from whale-watching sites on coastal promontories to wilderness trails on some of our continent's most dramatic mountain ranges. There are vast lake parks for canoeing, ocean parks for beachcombing, family parks with pools and golf courses.

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

Our town's Young Business Leader of the Year, Barb Newton, was pleased that her parents, who live in another state, could attend the award dinner. Her father, she said, enjoyed hearing all the nice things that were said about Barb, and her mother believed every one of them.