March 2008

Between friends

I'd like to nominate March as the official Makeover Month. Think of this lion-to-lamb month as a natural reality show with a big reveal at the end: the world made new and vibrant in a few short bursts of warmth.

GETTING STARTED

This month on BHG.com... Win a $50,000 dream vacation!

Pep Squad

Bright blooms and pretty eggs are instant uplifts.

Table Lamps

Light up an ordinary side table and sofa combo with a distinctive table lamp. Here are some stylish choices to instantly-- and affordably-- rejuvenate a living room.

STYLEMAKER

WHERE Maison Rêve in Mill Valley, north of San Francisco.

Mixed Greens

Lettuce leaf hues ranging from dark olive to bright apple inspired these greens. Try them in combinations that can either soothe or energize a room.

Past Perfect

Taking down walls and repurposing rooms made a character-filled old house just right for a young family.

Quick Change

Simply rearranging the furniture can revitalize a room. Contributing editor Stephen Saint-Onge tackles a boring family room and its oversize sectional-- changing the mood with a few fast moves.

Second Sitting

Try these easy ideas for turning a thrift market chair into the best seat in the house.

Vanity Fair

Does a cluttered bath cabinet give you a sinking feeling? With a few easy moves, you can transform it into a useful space.

Seeing the Light

Helen Norman transforms an under-used garden room into a fresh-face sitting room with little more than paint, fabric, and some friendly advice.

Natural Growth

These new parents took an earth-friendly and family-friendly approach to enlarging and updating their kitchen.

Southern Hospitality

A classic Charleston-style garden takes root over a filled-in swimming pool.

Short & Sweet

Carpet your garden beds with low-growing perennial blooms.

NO WAITING

THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

ORGANIC OPTIONS

PRETTY IN PINK

PINT-SIZE CLIPPERS

BACKYARD NEIGHBORS

Trees and shrubs handle transplanting with much less stress if you move them while they're dormant...

Stylish Storage

Colorful decor and inexpensive ideas turn a standard utility shed into a fashion statement for the garden.

Girl Thyme

Seize this fine spring day and celebrate the new growing season. Round up your friends for an afternoon of buying and bonding at the garden center.

Growing Up

KIDS' NEEDS CAME FIRST WHEN BARBARA AND DAVID RUCCI REVAMPED THEIR HOME.

5 Lessons for Living

WHO SAYS A FORMAL LIVING ROOM IS ONLY FOR GUESTS? Not Janice Battle, whose living room is relaxed enough for everyday use-- playing a game of Scrabble or reading the newspaper-- yet buttoned up for guests. "A living room isn't a museum," says the Massachusetts homeowner. Here's how she created the best of both worlds.

Blooming Large

A tiny yard delivers super-size impact with year-round blooms.

HEY, BABY!

GET CRACKIN'

PLACES, PLEASE!

TWO-BITE BURGERS

PESTO

ANYDAY PROSCIUTTO

When should I swap my athletic shoes for new ones?

Returning to the Nest

More adult kids are boomeranging home than ever before. Learn how you can cope with the homecoming and empty the nest again-- without causing a squawk.

Choose Your Adventure

Set off on close-to-home quests that are tailored to your family's interests, and build moments that will last.

I Did It!