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Camp Gilmore
"Happiness depends on leisure," said Aristotle, and this Connecticut family took the philosopher's words to heart. They removed their home's rear barriers and revealed the idyllic pond where their best moments now take place.
Read ArticlePages: 26, 28, 31
Call to order
Life coaches tell us not to sweat the small stuff, but in truth it's the small stuff that often keeps our lives-- and our households-- from running smoothly. Here are some simple ideas for regaining control over the little things.
Read ArticlePages: 34, 36, 38, 40
Summer's last hurrah
Your late-season garden may be a bit beaten down, but it's not out. Rally the last wave of flowers into lush and lovely bouquets.
Read ArticlePages: 42, 44, 46
Make it yours
Today's take on the historic crafting technique of decoupage has gone modern with bold, graphic images and the use of photocopiers and scanners.
Read ArticlePages: 50, 52, 54
Trellises from trimmings
Every vine needs a place to twine its tendrils. This rustic tepee is a stylish structure designed to lift the beauty of your garden to eye level. Build it in an afternoon from garden prunings, then use it to showcase all sorts of upwardly mobile plants.
Read ArticlePages: 58, 60, 62, 64
More than making do
As far as Laura and Mike Fischer are concerned, the Joneses can have their big houses. "We don't live in the world of 'keep-up,'" says Mike, who appreciates beauty but values his dollars. The couple works with what they have (a few good pieces mixed with some more generic ones), and uses bold-color paint to provide maximum impact for minimum cost.
Read ArticlePages: 66, 68, 71
Hide and Sleek Kitchen
Often it's what you don't see in a kitchen that gives it a look and feel of streamlined efficiency. Superior storage-- places for everything at the points where they will be used-- clears the decks for culinary chores. When combined with generous countertop space and appliances suited to your cooking needs, well-planned storage makes it easy for family members and friends to pitch in at mealtimes.
Read ArticlePages: 74, 76
Set a place
Your prized plates deserve more attention than being stored away until a holiday. Instead, use your collection to create a wall arrangement everyone will notice.
Read ArticlePages: 78, 80
Learning from Homeschool Families
Shauna Pearson has always loved art. Unfortunately, her favorite subject was taught for just one hour a day in her public elementary school. What's worse, Shauna once told her art teacher that she wanted to be an artist when she grew up, to which the teacher replied, "Artists are poor," while several classmates laughed.
Read ArticlePages: 82, 84
Friends for life
Your child's friends matter more than you may think. Help your kids find the best friends for future success and happiness.
Read ArticlePages: 86, 88
Movin' on Up
Volkswagen's Passat W8 becomes the only midsize family sedan or wagon with a muscular eight-cylinder engine. But the extra power pushes the price into a posh new neighborhood.
Read ArticlePage: 92
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Small Yards Big Show
Despite their size, these two backyards offer lessons in thinking big.
Read ArticlePages: 106, 107
Accents for Outdoors
Made especially with our feathered friends in mind and introduced this season by Woodstock Percussion, these Birdhouse Chimes (above, left) are tuned to the first five notes of Louise, a carefree melody written in 1929. The chimes feature five bronze tubes suspended from a handcrafted, hardwood birdhouse perfectly suited for a wren or a warbler. The wood parts have a soft gray washed finish for a charming weathered look.
Read ArticlePage: 108
That Old Black Magic
As the pastels of the cottage garden style continue to give way to the hot tropical looks, elephant's-ears become more and more a part of the home landscape. And why not? Come summer, almost all of the nation exists in a tropical or subtropical state, where huge leaves and eye-popping colors feel right at home.
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Urban oasis
Step across the wooden footbridge, over a narrow wet-weather creek, and between the guardian tetrapanaxes to enter the unexpectedly secluded garden of Christine Baukus and Irv Coats. From inside, worldly distractions disappear behind a wall of leaves. Enter and unwind.
Read ArticlePages: 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130
Family-friendly style
family-friendly style Faced with a black hole of a kitchen and a bear cave of a family room, the Gil family won our home improvement contest-- and our kudos-- for transforming a suit of particularly unpleasant 1970s rooms into light, bright, stylish spaces.
Read ArticlePages: 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142
Giving the ranch a hand
Clean lines and convenience popularized the ranch house plan in the 1940s. But the chic style of the mid-century modern home had vanished by the time Susan and Ed Clarke's ranch was built in 1975. So they gave the house a second chance.
Read ArticlePages: 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154
Remaking a classic
Philip Mittell makes his living representing people who design movies. When it came time to do a little set dressing of his own-- turning a 1916 house in the Hollywood Hills into the Mediterranean villa of his dreams-- he wanted more than celluloid magic. A deliberate process integrating modern designs with antiques created a refined look that will last long after the credits roll.
Read ArticlePage: 180
Picnic eggs
Postponing summer's itchy chores in favor of an afternoon enjoying the cool breezes off a lake doesn't mean that you have to do your basking on an empty stomach.
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It's your birthday
Everyone loves friendly little ladybugs. The French adore them so much that they call them les betes du bon Dieu, or creatures of the good God. So it comes as no surprise that hearts flutter over a pretty-in-pink "Ladybug Bash." This birthday party will have everyone seeing spots-- polka dots adorn everything from the cups to the cupcakes. It's a party no fan of beetles (the bugs, not the band) would miss.
Read ArticlePage: 214
The Shopper's Mart
Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order with comfort and convenience from your own home.
Read ArticlePage: 216