August 2016

Vacation days

I love to travel. In fact, I always have some sort of trip penciled in my calendar. My wanderlust started early: We Orrs were Texans on the move. That's us (below left) at a family reunion at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos, Texas. You can tell by the way my dad is holding me (the little scampy one) that I was eager to go see the "mermaids" who swam in the crystal clear springs drinking bottles of Coke while holding their breath underwater.

WHAT'S TRENDING ON BHG.COM

Win $10,000!

WEATHERPROOF DAFFODIL MIXTURE!

THE HORTICULT

OBSESSED WITH CLASSIC GINGHAM

Gingham never really goes out of style, but we're particularly loving it in this sophisticated palette of neutrals and soft hues that feels more English manor than cutesy country. Pastels like pale lavender and dusty teal paired with grays and black are a stylish new take on this standby pattern.

Hotels to shop

The latest hotel shops go beyond the mini-mart in the lobby concept. Check out a few of our favorites.

PEACH & MINT

Reminiscent of melting sherbet on a hot day, this lick-your-lips combo blends the warmth of peach with the coolness of mint. Try balancing pale shades of each (this photo) for a breezy summer look, or pick a soft shade for the wall countered by bolder accents of peach and mint for a modern take on this garden-fresh palette.

It's the little things

By switching out standard materials for fixtures and finishes packed with style, this Austin couple turned a small new build into their mod dream house.

Gone to the DOGS

I did it!

When this creative mom turned an old TV cabinet into a new kind of entertainment center for her sons, she thought of everything-- even the kitchen sink.

AMERICAN FAMILY ROOM

After all, we've been writing about them for more than 75 years. But as is often the case with long-lived favorites (air-conditioning, indoor plumbing, Grandma), we start taking them for granted. It was time to check in and see what's going on in everyone's much-loved but underappreciated space. We surveyed a panel of readers to find out what's new, what's the same, and what it will look like in another decade. Pull up a chaise and grab the remote(s)!

Teachable moments

To get the kitchen of their dreams, one couple did their remodeling homework, learned a few new skills, and put their DIY know-how to the test.

Play hard, work smart

Long school days are on the horizon, and rooms in these two homes reveal how dedicated spaces for hanging out or hitting the books can ease your kids' transition back to school-- and keep your home clutter-free!

CONTAIN THE RAIN

LUSH WITH MOISTURE-TOLERANT PLANTS, RAIN GARDENS CAPTURE WATER, PREVENTING RUNOFF.

Kidding around with CACTI

Meet 12-year-old Matthew Wong, a lover of succulents and cacti and just about everything else in nature around his home in California.

Shade please

Hostas are like great white shirts-- you can never have too many. In our test garden, their layers look cool even on the hottest days.

PRESS PLAY

IN HER OWN SMART AND SASSY WORDS, MOMMY SHORTS BLOGGER ILANA WILES TELLS US HOW A HOUSE ON THE WATER OPENED THE DOOR TO A DIFFERENT KIND OF DOWNTIME.

SHADES OF SUMMER

WITH BIG BLOOMS AND BUSHY STEMS, HYDRANGEAS ARE THE EASYGOING DARLINGS OF LATE-SUMMER GARDENS

INSIDE OUT

SOFAS TO SISALS, PILLOWS TO PLANTS, THIS PORCH HAS ALL THE LOVELY, COMFY LAYERS OF A GOOD LIVING ROOM. COME ON IN AND SEE HOW IT ALL WORKS TOGETHER.

PICTURE PERFECT

Park It!

HAPPY 100TH ANNIVERSARY TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE! HERE'S YOUR ALL-AGES GUIDE TO GET OUT THERE AND FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE.

BHG throwback 1956 SUMMER PICNIC

Pack a basket and chill the drinks. Then and now, meals just taste better outside.