July 2019

I did it!

Where others saw only a screen-door accent, this clever thinker pictured a style-statement desk. Now she has plenty of space for taking care of business.

1961 TIME TO HIT THE ROAD

A well-stocked car goes a long way when you're going ... a long way.

Chill out

During the dog days of summer, our pets can be as uncomfortable in the heat and humidify as we are. What you need to know to help them keep cool.

NO sweat

PERSPIRATION IS A GOOD THING. WITHOUT IT, YOUR BODY WOULD BE IN TROUBLE. FOUR TRUTHS ABOUT SWEATING'S SUPERPOWER.

BACKYARD JUNGLE

Bold, dramatic foliage makes tropical plants natural stars in container plantings. The bonus: They turn your patio into an exotic getaway.

GREEK-ISLE BLUE

Judging by color trends, it seems we're all dreaming of an island escape these days. Splashed on walls, textiles, and furnishings, Mediterranean-inspired hues are usurping indigo as the blue of the moment. In a room, these shades are at once peaceful and energizing--a little like a day on the water.

HAPPY hideaway

Roll out the welcome mat. A clever storage wall and smart furnishings make one room function as both an overnight guest getaway and a spot for parties.

Goal ORIENTED

With a tight timeline and a big renovation wish list, designer MA Allen focused Phase One of reimagining her family's home on what mattered most to them: open spaces and vivid colors.

A grown-up PLAY SPACE

Some empty nesters turn a bedroom into a home gym. Emily and Skip Janson focused on their backyard. Goodbye, swing set Hello, outdoor lounge.

OBSESSED WITH ART DECO

With all the pomp of a Gatsby soiree, this iconic 1920s and '30s movement-- recognizable for its repetition of geometric shapes and stylized fan motifs-- is back in the spotlight.

NO-COOK RECIPES

MUCH ADO

The previous editor in chief of this magazine, Gayle Butler, gave me some wise advice when I took over in the role. She told me how she kept a fix-it list of all the issues she was trying to remedy as a way to handle the stress of managing a large organization. Once you see problems spelled out, they merely become items waiting to be solved. From my first day at BH&G, I've done the same thing.

AMERICA'S BEST FRONT YARD

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BH&G FOR YOUR EARS

Summer Crush Hydrangea

HIGHER GROUND

Gardeners everywhere are embracing raised beds. But are they for you?

Southern Comforts

This lucky Colonial in Alabama got the transformation of a lifetime when a young couple decided to take it on. The challenge: Do everything themselves.

Fourth of July Blowout

THE PATRIOTIC PARTY IS RED, WHITE, AND BLUE ALL OVER. SPARK BIG-TIME FUN WITH A TOP-YOUR-OWN HOT DOG BAR AND A HANDFUL OF SIMPLE FIREWORKS-INSPIRED DECORATIONS MAKE FROM RECYCLABLE MATERIALS.

GRANDES DAMES of the Garden

GRACEFUL, FRAGRANT, AND SURPRISINGLY TOUGH, ANTIQUE ROSES PROVE THEIR STAYING POWER IN MODERN-DAY GARDENS.