February 1998

Between friends

My life might be filled with a lot more accomplishments if I didn't go off on compulsive bursts of curiosity that send me to the bookshelves for hours of information gathering.

Home Improvements

STYLE IN THE MAKING

Go to the head of the bed with art that really makes the grade. Posters, prints, and even wallpaper pack a visual wallop and give a room personality when they're used to highlight-- or replace-- a headboard. Here, blue-sky wallpaper and a beachy-keen border create the perfect backdrop for sailing off to sleep.

Rounding up more room

Once a working stable, the downtrodden shed behind Bill and Linda Casey's Arizona home wasn't even fit for horses anymore: The corrals were bent and broken, the doors dilapidated, and the water troughs had sprung leaks. But the Caseys had a plan. They enlisted the aid of some hardworking high school students and turned the old barn into a charming one-bedroom guest cottage. The couple's space-saving techniques and clever decorating tactics can help you transform any small space into one that fives large.

Sneaky Storage Spaces

It's a common complaint: No matter how much storage you have, it's never enough. The good news is, today's manufacturers are getting the message and are building storage into some pretty sneaky places.

A Shade Better

A self-adhesive shade lets you customize any lamp. This shade is wrapped with a wall covering, but fabric and other decorative papers also get the job done.

Learning Styles at Home

My 12-year-old daughter packs her suitcase for camp, checking off a week's inventory of T-shirts and bug repellent with the precision of a tax accountant.

Garden-savvy shopping

Brand-spanking-new flowers are no bargains if they're soon pushing up daisies. As you tour garden centers this spring, keep in mind a few tricks of the trade-- little tips (with large implications) that can ensure your flowers will have a future. Time spent shopping can save you time rebuying and replanting.

TEST GARDEN TIP

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Better and Brighter

PERFECT PAIRS

New looks in two-way front yards

The two-way trend is taking hold. More and more homeowners are putting a waist-high patch of flowers out front to give themselves more privacy, letting them use this formerly exposed site almost as much as they use their backyard. Valerie Perry's garden (left and above) in Keizer, Oregon, is a classic two-way.

Bringing improvements home

The kids are bigger, the house has shrunk, the neighborhood's gone "citified," and the family's wish list has outstripped its budget. Time to move on? No way, say many Americans. Change is good, but so is hanging onto what's comfortable and familiar. Dealing with change by adapting their existing homes to new needs and lifestyles is paying off big-time for these creative, hardworking families, including the Inglises top left), the Mariuccis (top right), and the Broughtons (bottom right), who each netted top honors in our Home Improvement Contest.

Starting over with Style

No matter what the divas of daytime talk shows say, starting over after a divorce is daunting for anyone. But Claudia Rowan turned daunting into daring, finding a cozy home for herself and her children, Hamilton, 7, and Savannah, 5, and filling it with her spirit-lifting style.

Family friendly additions

No floor plan can create family unity, but building an inviting space that becomes everyone's favorite hangout can help. That's what Wendy and Randy Nash discovered when they added a family room and reconfigured their kitchen and casual eating space to make the three rooms function as one.

SPECIAL SLICER OFFER

The clever cook

Nutrition Information

With each recipe, we give important nutrition information. The calorie count of each serving and the amount, in grams, of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, and protein will help you keep tabs on what you eat.

My Funny Valentine

Valentine's Day--it's the most fun day of the year to let people know you care for them. Cupids-to-be can get that loving message across with our heartwarming projects. Kids, make special cards for Mom or Dad, create your own funny rebus valentines (by using our fun pictures and letters), and build a castle for your cards. And parents, don't miss the great valentine ideas on page 190.

Star Light, Star Bright

Crafts for All Seasons

The Shopper's Mart

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order with comfort and convenience from your own home.

The man next door

Banker Helen Newsome says the young couple that recently moved in on her block is already trying to keep up with their neighbors and they haven't even introduced themselves yet.