October 1995

Between friends

STYLE IN THE MAKING window dressings

Give your window its own quick-change wardrobe. Start with a breezy shade or lace curtain for summer, then layer on a cozy quilt, a plaid "shirt," or a tailored "skirt" when autumn's winds blow.

Kids and Money

GIVE THEM AN ALLOWANCE AND GIVE THEM CHORES TO DO. BUT KEEP THE TWO IDEAS SEPARATE.

The Write Stuff

Most kids don't write very well. That's the grim diagnosis following a nationwide study of fourth-, eighth-, and eleventh-graders conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Treadmill Users--Swing Those Arms! It Makes A Difference

Country Classic

Country charm and historic character needn't go the way of the butter churn and the washboard. This 2,898-square-foot family home is awash in the types of features you'd expect in a century-old homestead. From the exterior, note the four stylish dormers, the varying rooflines, the columned porch, and the extensive wood detailing. Inside, the home is delightfully bright and open. The dining room, study, and great-room (complete with French doors and oversize fireplace) are open to each other, yet maintain enough partial walls and columns to remain distinct.

Cottage Corners

Relish the comfort of burrowing into your own snug little "nest" on chilly evenings this fall and winter. The ingredients are few, the pleasures many. Just take your decorating cues from these appealing examples.

Nontoxic Art

NATURE'S AIR FILTERS

RATING NEW HOMES

Mood Swings

Room Arranging Dos and Don'ts

Separate an L-shaped living room and dining room into two functional areas.

Falling leaves

Daisy crazy

TEST GARDEN TIP

Spring beauties

Plant Bulbs Now!

Plants bulbs now and enjoy multitudes of bright and colorful flowers in the spring!

Bulb weddings

Plant a promise of blooms to come by adding bulbs to your garden this fall. Bulbs blossom in every color, offering the ultimate in mix and matchability. You can aim for a bold bouquet or an elegant look, such as with the Angelique tulip and Golden Ducat daffodil, above. Use our pairings to jump-start your own springtime designs.

Housewarming

This house may be located in suburban Chicago, but its heart is firmly rooted in the country. Avid crafter and collector Linda Kramer is pulling those country-twanged heartstrings, mellowing her family's new home with cozy painted and papered backgrounds, familiar furniture, collectibles, crafts, even the wispy grace of roadside gatherings.

Northern lights

bright spots in Scandinavian design

Stylish Storage

When your treasures and trinkets threaten to take up precious space in your dresser, find them a new-- but not necessarily humble-- home. Here are some stylish ideas:

Oldworld newworld

Both of these scrumptious kitchens beckon cooks to savor finely crafted cabinetry, splendid appliances, and user-friendly work centers. They were designed for families who believe comfortable kitchens are the real living rooms of their homes. Yet they are so different.

BH&G kids weird science

Be-Witching Friends

Weird, Wild Stuff

Used Cars are HOT

Rising Customer Satisfaction

Sporty new Saturns

Safety Plus: DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS

The man next door

Garage mechanic Joel Crosby never ceases to be amazed that it takes so long to convince car owners that the handiest-- and cheapest-- gadget around to open a mistakenly locked door is an extra set of keys.