Better Homes and Gardens

I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE TWO KINDS of people in the world: those who like to keep their windows open and those who like them firmly shut. I grew up in a house in West Texas where the windows were almost never opened. Granted, dust storms blew through at certain times of the year like giant rust-color walls, and summer temperatures could go over 100 degrees. But during pleasant weather, I remember trying to pry open our 1980s metal storm windows just to catch a bit of fresh air, painfully pinching my fingers in the process. A closed window has always felt claustrophobic to me. To this day, I love having the air move around me—a light breeze, a blustery windstorm, or even the ozone-scented hot and cold air currents that…

Our digital special edition is here, and we’re spending more time with our cover star Mindy Kaling. Scan the smart code for exclusive images and video from our photo shoot as well as an online-only House Rules story where you can learn what music the stylish Hollywood star listens to while cooking, what snacks are always on hand, and the mantra her family lives by. Keep scrolling to get a glimpse of this year’s top outdoor living trends, the best grill recipes to make for dinner, summer cleaning tips, and our Testing Lab’s top picks for solar lights. For a deeper dive, tap here. Checklist Garden Upkeep Pest control, mulching, and deadheading flowers are just a few of the steps you need to maintain a garden in the hottest months of the year. Head…

1 OFF THE WALL Rather than just hanging in the background, the vines sprawl along the floor and tangle through the reclaimed stable doors, softening any hard edges. Big leafy plants, including oakleaf hydrangeas in pots propped up on tables and a Japanese maple next to the sofa, create a canopy that further envelops the space. 2 EASY DOES IT Nothing appears brand-new here; rather, everything—found objects, weathered vintage pieces, faded blue and white tones, mix-and-match rattan furniture—has an aged patina, building a style that’s decidedly casual and fuss-free. 3 BLURRED LINES Decorative accessories give the space an indoor feel while playing with the line between garden and room. A wood architectural model propped on an old bakery table (previous spread) resembles a grand garden folly that’s been shrunk. A worn baluster-turned-lamp sports a basket…

Sweet surprises to honor Juneteenth and the ordinary days of summer “MY FAMILY WALKS TO THE BEAT OF THEIR OWN DRUM IN TERMS OF WHAT WE PRIORITIZE, HOW WE CELEBRATE TOGETHER, AND WHAT WE DEEM IMPORTANT. FOOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN CENTRAL TO THAT, AND WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO CREATE DIFFERENT WAYS TO GATHER.”—JOCELYN DELK ADAMS It’s easy to think about going all out for major holidays and special occasions, but Jocelyn Delk Adams wants us to also celebrate more of life’s little moments, the tiny milestones and everyday joys that happen between the big events. “I’ve found that surprising your loved ones or friends with a mini celebration of LIFE is always more fun than expected,” she notes in the introduction to her most recent cookbook, Everyday Grand: Soulful Recipes for Celebrating…

Using a bunch of big blues doesn’t have to make a room feel heavy and dark. For proof, look no further than this converted garage in designer Richard Keith Langham’s former home in Water Mill, NY. “I turned it into a summer hideaway,” he recalls of the happy space he would leave open to the sea and air all season long. Embrace Intensity Langham had an unlikely reason for painting the ceiling a flat indigo in such a sunlit coastal locale. The “saturated color can, in a funny way, evoke a cooler response than looking at all white or all light,” he says. By nightfall, the hue “goes dark and velvety and kind of disappears.” Layer Different Shades The concrete floor was painted a playful turquoise, one shade lighter than the sofa, then topped…

1 LEMON DRESSING The monounsaturated fat in both avocados and olive oil serves as a healthy creamy base in this lemon-and-parsley blender dressing. Serve it as a dip for crudités or fruit or update that traditional potato salad. 2 AÏOLI-AVO-MAYO With garlic, lemon, mashed avocado, and a touch of mayo, this slatherable spread takes a classic BLT over the top. Beyond that, spoon liberally onto grilled steak or fish. 3 MARINATED AVOCADO Bathe avocados in olive oil, white wine vinegar, crushed red pepper, fresh garlic, and honey. Make this a star on your charcuterie board, spoon onto crispy-skin salmon, or add to a hearty grain bowl. 4 CREAMY SALSA VERDE No cooking or oil is required with this easy Mexican-inspired sauce. Avocados make it extra smooth, and fresh tomatillos add pucker. Drizzle on grilled tacos or spoon…