October 2008

Between friends

Standing in an airport line last summer, I began talking with the woman next to me, who turned out to be a longtime Better Homes and Gardens reader from Columbia, Tennessee.

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Gourd-geous!

Gourd-geous! Make arrangements for some fresh fall decorating with a collection of gourds-- by themselves or with richly hued flowers.

Screen Stars

Case in multiple roles, folding screens take the spotlight as a must-have accessory.

Spice

Spice tones naturally season rooms with warmth. Combine these savory hues for a flavorful harvest palette.

STYLEMAKER

Carter Bolick's "embrace change" attitude about life translates to her line of textiles, tabletop, and home accessories. Bold color and pattern combinations are the signature of her designs, which she creates largely on instinct.

Triple Play

A three-color theme simplifies decorating (and redecorating) by moving effortlessly from room to room.

Café Culture

Want light and views up top, privacy and prettiness down below? Café curtains fill the bill. Here are four no-sew options.

Blah to Beautiful

Boring, boxy rooms with zero personality-- raise your hand if you've got one. Our decorating editor, Amy Panos, did. Take a peek at how she and remodeling coach Meredith Ladik turned a 1970s suburban room into something special.

French Tex

A little Texan attitude and a lot of French sophistication make this family room livable and polished.

Sweet Repose

Guests will rest easy in a bedroom decorated with their comfort in mind

The Fun Zone

Using stock cabinets, contributing editor Stephen Saint-Onge turns a boxy suburban basement into a crafts and project room for the entire family.

Sneak Peak

A Dallas couple blend new and old by tucking a high-pitched kitchen and family room behind the modest roofline of their cottage-style home.

SEASONAL WARMTH

How do you add warmth to a room? We asked designers nationwide for their secrets.

Shades of Pink

HIGH WATER MARKS

BEGGARS' DELIGHT

"Halloween seems wasteful. Are there ways to make it more green?"

ONE SPLASHY BATH

It's critical to look at how lone a product is likely to last, as the longer a product is made to last, the more eco-friendly it really is...

TALKING TRASH

KITCHEN HOTSHOTS

Made from recycled bottles, this ¼-inch-thick countertop offers heat resistance up to 600°F. It's also sun-resistant, so have your fabricator turn leftovers into garden pavers. Charisma Blue, $110-$160/square foot, installed; vetrazzo.com

Hole in One

Knock out a fun jack-o'-lantern in no time with our easy technique.

Fun for the Border

A fusion of fuss-free plants offers year-round beauty without year-round work.

Bulb Planting NOTEBOOK

Follow these planting and design tips for your best-ever display of daffodils, tulips, crocus, and other bulbs come spring.

New Angle

A creative design brings a new twist to standard easy-care plantings.

By Contrast

JUST ADD WATER

WAS HE FUZZY?

EASY-GRIP SNIPPER

SPACE-MAKER

THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

SOUND SYSTEM

'Gardeners are helping to keep tons of horticultural plastic out of landfills through recycling programs all over the country...

IT'S A KEEPER

Autumn Alfresco

Every October, Janna Lufkin gears up for her favorite holiday, Halloween. All month long she collects the prettiest leaves and the perfect pumpkins, then lets nature supply the final touch-- the cold snap that signals the season has truly arrived.

Closet Companions

Recession-Proof Your Life

When financial times are tough, don't just throw in the towel. Stick to your money goals and ride out the bumpy economy.

Color Where It Counts

BOLD STROKES OF COLOR TRANSFORM A BUNGALOW FROM HUMDRUM TO POSITIVELY HUMMING.

Fully Booked

A FRESH-FACED COTTAGE REFLECTS ITS OWNER'S URGE TO LIGHTEN UP, FLOP DOWN, AND DIG IN TO A FAVORITE READ.

Peak Performance

Layers of vibrant color, arranged in a purposeful design, decorate a fall garden.

RADICCHIO

ENLIGHTENED PIZZA

TOPS IN CORN BREAD

Citizen Kids

The advantage of the excitement of this year's presidential race--and teach your kids lifelong lessons about citizenship and the importance of their future vote.

Tracking Your Teen

With all the tools available to keep tabs on kids, how can parents draw the line between monitoring-- and spying?

I Did It!