August 2014

Life in Color

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Love It? Get It!

Shop our favorite budget-friendly finds for the home, the kitchen, and more.

CHILL ZONE

Too hot to hang outside? Bring the patio in and host a super laid-back happy hour.

Happy ways

DIY blockbuster

Real steal

LISTEN UP!

Buying time

Insta fresh

Fry not?

SUNSET & DIVINE

EASY, FREEZY

BURLINGTON VT

Summer is the season for this pretty city on the shore of Lake Champlain.

Friends by design

On the hunt for a new dining table, Jennifer Melroy picked up something even better: a friendship with designer Leah Bailey. Now they trade texts from thrift stores, pore over swatch books together, go to birthday parties for each other's kids, and share more than a few laughs as they plan, shop, and decorate. Catch the play-by-play here to find out how a budget-savvy DIY decorator and an in-the-know pro mixed old and new to pump up the personality of an ordinary ranch.

Sea Fare

Bring on a relaxed beachy vibe with these cool, calm shades of the ocean.

Face Value

Keep the basics, but throw the blahs out with the bathwater. This smart facelift offers the perfect perk-up inspiration.

SAVE $$ INSTANT REFRESH 32 BUDGET-FRIENDLY DECORATING FINDS

Give your home a pretty refresh without spending a pretty penny. Our budget finds, tips, and DIY projects are under $52 each.

Fresh ingredients

If a recipe doesn't work as written, a few tweaks can result in a whole new dish. BHG's Eddie Ross, design pro and schooled foodie, extended this theory to updating his own kitchen. To create this cozy, crafted space, he started with a few... fresh ingredients

A TRIP TO savor

MAKE AN AMAZING JOURNEY LAST A LITTLE LONGER WITH A POST-VACATION GATHERING. SHARE THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS, SWEETS, AND SAVORIES WITH A SHOW-AND-TELL-AND-TASTE PARTY.

Come & Go

No mudroom? No problem! All you need is a few feet of wall and the right storage gear.

Fun House

A down-to-earth designer mom recasts a classic Victorian into a no-room-off-limits house for her family of five.

Small wonder

A young family make the most of every square foot of their tiny yard.

Pots of Bold

Containers with a mix of flowers and striking foliage produce high-impact, nonstop color all season.

Enormous Appeal

Elephant's ears are a big hit for the tropical punch they bring to gardens and containers.

SALVAGE INGENUITY

Give container gardens a repurposed twist. Baskets, barrels, boxes-- you name it. Potential planters are everywhere. The price? A drop in the bucket next to store-bought pots.

3 perpetual perennials

What is that?

FROM COUNTER TO COMPOSTER

THE TIES THAT (GENTLY) BIND

Garden to-do list

HARVEST HERBS Late summer is the ideal time to gather herbs such as thyme, oregano, and basil for drying and storage. Pick the leaves in early morning. Mint is the only exception-- harvest leaves at midday when the oils are at their peak.

Test garden tip

Meet us in DES MOINES!

Family time: Make helping a habit

Call the shots

Thanks a lot: Seedless watermelon

Come, sit, stay

Success story: I faced my fear of flying

A HEALTHIER WAY TO... Enjoy an ice cream sundae

STOCK A SAFETY KIT

Be prepared for bites, burns, and stings with these summer necessities.

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Letting kids help make the rules is key to teaching self-restraint. Here's an age-by-age guide to laying the groundwork for good judgment.

GAME ON!

These super engaging, sometimes educational activities transform drive time into fun time.

TASTY TRIPS

From tangy Texas barbecue to fresh New England seafood, these foodie vacations are full of rich flavor without costing a fortune.

MAKE A SPLASH

These water activities are aqua fun for the whole family.

I Did It!