Better Homes and Gardens November 2022

IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY LIKE MINE, inevitably the question of “What are you watching?” enters the conversation about halfway through a party or dinner. As we go around the table in a sharing session of everyone’s favorite streaming programs, the options may seem endless, but I always come away with a list ranging from big hits like Yellowstone or Ted Lasso to niche offerings such as a Danish murder mystery. Our modern lives are blessed with an embarrassment of media options on every platform imaginable (though keeping track of those passwords is a pesky challenge). Some of you might remember back in the day when we had only three channels to choose from: CBS, NBC, and ABC. Those networks, plus newspapers, were where we got our news. Then along…

Write Your Own House Rules Shoes on or shoes off? Toilet paper roll over or under? Taken together, the way we do things around the house changes how our homes make us—and our guests—feel. Our new online series, House Rules, asks tastemakers these questions and so, so many more. Get the scoop on how HGTV host Carmeon Hamilton, above, feels about houseplants (more is more), linen sheets (a must), and paper plates (hard pass), among other topics. BHG.com/HouseRules 100 Years of Feasting Our first Thanksgiving table was set with a simple brown basket piled high with nuts (ribbon optional). Since then, we’ve printed 24 turkey roasting guides, claimed at least four recipes as the “perfect” pumpkin pie—and riffed on that stalwart more times than we can count (including the “two-tone” pumpkin and mincemeat…

The Dream List 1 NEUTRAL PATTERN A Roman shade in a windowpane pattern is a counterpoint to the more ornate tub and wall treatment. The trim is one of several black accents that unite the room. 2 MODERN MODESTY A frosted-glass shower door is a good choice if you share a bath or have a household prone to “walk-ins,” Haneen says. The mirrored pocket door hides the water closet. 3 DOOR TO THE PAST Haneen found doors on eBay with arched glass panes that echo the wainscoting, but they were blue. So she painted them Sherwin-Williams Palm Leaf, a green she pulled from the tapestry over the tub. 4 WARM GLOW Touches of matte brass give a sense of age to new faucets and vanity hardware. Even the towel rack near the claw-foot tub has an arched brass…

DATE NIGHT Pear & Allspice Martinis On a small plate combine 2 Tbsp. sugar with ½ tsp. ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp. ground ginger, and ¼ tsp. ground allspice; stir. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of two chilled martini glasses. Dip the rim of each glass in the spiced sugar. In a cocktail shaker combine ½ cup pear vodka or brandy, 2 tsp. pimento (allspice) dram or spiced rum, 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, and 1 Tbsp. simple syrup. Add 2 cups ice cubes; cover and shake until very cold. Strain into prepared glasses and garnish with thin slices of pear. Makes 2. ZERO PROOF Cranberry-Lime Mules In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass combine ½ cup whole cranberries (fresh or frozen), 2 lime wedges, and 2 tsp. sugar. Muddle until cranberries have released…

1 Coasters Deep gray marble and warm wood make a welcome addition to the bar or coffee table. Acacia Wood and Marble Coasters (four-pack), $6. 2 Bar Tools The gunmetal-chrome set includes a strainer, jigger, bottle opener, spoon, and acacia wood stand (not shown). Granville 5-Piece Bar Tool Set, $15. 3 Cocktail Shaker A must-have for mixologists, this glass option shows off the magic happening inside. Granville Glass Cocktail Shaker with Gunmetal Lid, $9. 4 Muddler The polished wood finish is simple to clean and gently mashes herbs, fruits, and sugars. Acacia Wood Muddler, $2. 5 Glassware Mad Men-approved, timeless cut-glass tumblers work for whiskey, cocktails, water, or wine. Sylvan glassware, $7 for six shot glasses; $9 for four tumblers. 6 Corkscrew No frills necessary. This classic winged corkscrew gets the job done quickly and smoothly. Granville Gunmetal Winged Corkscrew, $5. 7…

1 BRAIDED YARN Entwine strands of yarn to create this braided napkin ring. Hemp cord wraps around the rubber band that holds the braid’s start and finish. 2 CORK PAPER This ring is an easy trace-and-cut project. Choose a cork paper that suits your palette and secure the ring by sliding one end into the other via slits. 3 MILLINERY Inspired by hat decor, prewired faux flowers make lovely bouquets. Use paper stem wire to form a ring, add blooms and leaves, and wrap with florists tape to secure. 4 BAKED CLAY Use cut-glass or textured drinkware to make stylish impressions in oven-bake clay. Cut the clay into strips, use a round spice jar to help form into rings, and bake. 5 PAINTED & WAXED PAPER With a wash of craft paint, melted wax, and some creative folding, a…