April 2013

Refresh, renew, improve

Like most people with a love for home, I keep a running to-do list of projects I hope to accomplish, ranging from the smallest refreshes-- let's find a new lamp for the entry table-- to my dreamiest ambitions. While it's mostly weekend endeavors that I check off the list, I can't imagine being without a few "someday" projects on my horizons.

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TEA TIME

The old-fashioned tea party gets a modern makeover with an elegant table, a simple menu, and an unfussy attitude. Turn the page to see how to brew up your own casual get-together.

Seize the spring

Warm sun, pretty petals, and green grass beckon. Get out and enjoy the season we've all been waiting for!

Shell game

Appearing on stationery, jewelry, clothing, and more, scallops get edgy in every sense of the word.

Small wonders

Mini tablets let you check e-mail, read books, and watch movies in the palm of your hand.

Well-Blended

Modern practicality meets vintage charm in this remodeled Atlanta cottage.

Pink Blossom

You already know petal pinks are bright pick-me-ups. Now for the news: They can also be surprisingly sophisticated and easy to live with.

Social Hours

These homeowners dig into their dated kitchen (bricks and all) and end up with a room where everyone loves to linger.

Outside Interests

These three remakes show how to gain a great look and better function using architectural solutions and cosmetic fix-ups.

5 Ways to Wake Up a Bedroom

Give overnight guests a warm welcome with these budget-smart refreshes.

Beyond the Basics

A smart shuffle plus new fixtures and surfaces (from a one-stop shopping source) puts this bath in a special class.

Smart spring cleaning

Spend a few minutes organizing-- and updating-- your cleaning routine, and you'll gain more than a fresh house. Try these tricks to make cleanup faster, easier, and even less expensive.

Household helpers

More than 77,500 consumers voted for our fifth annual Best New Product Awards, sharing favorites in the fields of food, household, health, and beauty. And the winners are in! Improve your daily routine with these products-- the best in household care.

Family Plan

Parents and kids find the perfect sport to play, laugh, and linger in this do-it-all backyard.

Irresistible Irises

Elegant and easygoing, bearded irises shower spring gardens with a rainbow of colorful blooms.

Raise your veggies

Elevate expectations! When you grow crops in a raised bed, roots sink deep in loose, never-tromped-on soil. The result: Healthy, productive plants that make efficient use of a small space.

Soil probe

3 new annuals we love

Spice up a pot

First-class climber

GREEN LIVING

Snap to it

Crunchy, colorful, and subtly sweet, sugar snap peas are delicious both raw and cooked. Try these ideas to enjoy them three ways: roasted, grilled, and straight from the farmer's market.

Best new products

More than 77,500 consumers voted for the fifth annual Best New Product Awards, sharing favorites in the fields of food, household, health, and beauty. Stock your pantry with these user-approved kitchen favorites. Visit BHG.com/BestNewProductAwards to see a full list of the winning products.

What we're loving

1. GOOD (FOR YOU) READ Up your fruit and veggie intake with this new cookbook from Melissa's Produce. It tells how to buy, store, and cook the most nutrient-rich produce.

Sleep relief

Ask our expert

Q I've always eaten a pretty balanced diet, and I regularly take walks for exercise. But over the past year or two I've been putting on weight. Is there a way to reverse this trend?

86% Portion of drivers and front-seat passengers who wear seat belts-an all-time high, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration...

Fret-free fiscal formula

Puzzle your guzzler

Picture of health

Magical history tour

From a historic battlefield to ancient cliff dwellings, the nation's past offers a unique, intriguing family vacation.

I Did It!