April 2024

Hands-On Learning

I REALIZED LONG AGO that, when it conies to creativity, I perform best with a little structure. I am not. the sort, of person who does well with a blank slate. In college I majored in painting, then somewhere along the way, it. dawned on me that I wasn't, a very good painter. So I shifted to graphic design, particularly magazine design. Looking back, I knew that. I would be creatively happier with some guidelines, in this case, the format, of a magazine: the columns, the grids, etc.

Treat Yourself... Well

Our editors share the habits that make us feel like we're taking the best care of ourselves.

Green Routine

Welcome Pollinators

Truth or Myth?

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Wild at HEART

We're ready to cast off restraint and embrace a loose, exuberant planting style.

In Full Bloom

Because spring has finally sprung, and flowers make everything sunnier

Specialty WALL Finishes

If you want to transform a white box of a room into a space with depth and character, nothing does the trick better than a wall treatment. Eco-friendly products ranging from thin emulsions to thick clays that contain natural ingredients like lime, ground marble, and even milk protein have become a favorite among interior designers for their organic look and feel.

Living Sculpture

Topiary may call to mind grand estate gardens. But the horticultural art form looks fresh in a casual backyard too-- and requires less fuss than you may think.

Fido Goes Green

In honor of Earth Day, we've corralled our new favorite eco pet products made with sustainable materials and smart packaging.

Better Homes & Gardens CLEAN HOUSE AWARDS

The average American spends about 300 hours cleaning each year-- yowza! We want to help, so we spritzed, sprayed, vacuumed, mopped, and washed a mountain of laundry to find the 50 best new products for our fourth annual cleaning awards. They'll super-shine your home and rescue you from drudgery.

Rhythm & FLOW

This small coastal lot turned horticultural paradise packs in the flowers but has an underlying order that makes it sing.

The Forgotten Bulb

Over hundreds of years, the hyacinth a fragrant bulb originating in the Eastern Mediterranean, became the height of fashion in Europe and America. But today, few people grow it in their gardens. We'd like to change that.

Ever Green

IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ONE COUPLE REIMAGINED A CENTURY-OLD COTTAGE AS AN INDOOR-OUTDOOR OASIS WHERE HOME AND GARDEN ARE ONE AND THE SAME-- AND COLOR IS THE TIE THAT BINDS THEM.

Garden GETAWAYS

These plant-happy cities are like Disneyland for garden-lovers. Spend a few days in any of them and come home with a camera roll full of ideas for your own backyard.

In the Know

APRIL 24 It's National Stop Food Waste Day. Research shows that each year, about 80 million tons of food-- 149 billion meals-- are thrown away in the United States, adding to landfills; that's about $1,500 of food per American household.

Head Start

Your scalp is where great hair starts. Treating it with specialized care can help your hair grow fuller, shinier, and healthier.

The HEALING POWER of Nature

Landscape architect David Kamp details what he's learned from designing gardens and green spaces to foster well-being and how we can bring those lessons to our own yards.

Jane Kim

An artist known for her epic wildlife paintings talks about connecting with nature-- and our creative side.