Better Homes & Gardens: Nov 17

This week on Better Homes & Gardens Graham is in the Blue Mountins, Ed is back in the Cook Islands and Juliet gets into a coffee table makeover.

Adam – The Perfect Picnic Party Table For The Perfect Picnic Party
Picnics can be casual affairs, or they can be a little fancier and more romantic. Whichever way your next picnic goes, Adam’s portable picnic table will fit the bill. It has cutouts to hold 4 wine glasses, a hole to house an ice bucket and folding legs to make it easy to store. It only requires basic DIY skills to make and using pine timber it’s cost effective as well, so the biggest problem you’ll have is finding the best spot for your picnic.

Adam – Bedside Tick Tock
What says the spirit of Christmas more than giving a gift you lovingly handcrafted yourself? But if you’re not sure what to make, why not try a beautiful bedside clock. It’s easily made with minimal tools and materials, so it’s also cost-effective.

Karen – Pistachio & Lemon Biscotti
For the person who’s really hard to buy presents for, Karen has a great gift idea; Almond and Lemon Biscotti. The pistachio gives the biscuits a deep savoury flavour while lemon juice will add a fantastic zesty element. They’re super easy to make and only require about 16 minutes to cook so you’ll be eating them…sorry… wrapping them in no time.

Fast Ed – Cook Islands: Plantain, Lemongrass & Sweet Potato Curry
There’s more to the Cook Islands than just beautiful sun-drenched beaches. Head inland, like Ed has and you’ll discover a whole different world. While in such a picturesque setting, he’s taken the opportunity to cook a local favourite dish, a green curry featuring taro, lemongrass and plantain, or green bananas. He’ll show you that making your own curry paste is easier than you think and seeing as he’s on a tropical island, how could he not make a coconut cream to go with it? Make this at home and you’ll be dreaming of the tropics.

Pete – The House With Everything
With five bedrooms, two lounge areas, a pool and a cinema room, this home truly has everything. Nestled on one of the Gold Coast’s picturesque canals, it even has access to a private pontoon, the perfect place to dock your boat. But as Pete discovers, it’s the top-level bedroom suite that might be the piece-de-resistance for any Mum and Dad who want a place to relax. It may sound pretty unattainable, but Pete will let you know how it could actually be yours!

Fast Ed – Make Peeling Eggs So Much Simpler
Peeling a hard-boiled egg can be a real art form, but it’s science that will make it easier. Preparation is key here and Ed will teach you a surefire way to keep that egg intact next time you hard boil.

Johanna – The Beginners Guide To Four-Wheel Driving
Like Johanna, you may have owned a four-wheel drive for years, but do you really know how it all works? With the help of Paul from CarExpert, Joh learns about diff locks, high and low gears, drive modes and all the tips and tricks she needs to fully utilise her 4WD, all while traversing a specially designed 4WD course.

Graham – Abundant Azaleas & Lots Of Spring Loveliness
In Spring, gardens really pop with colour and life, but it’s one of Graham’s favourite flowers that may just be the most colourful, the Azalea. At The Braes in the Blue Mountains, he’s found a garden that features an abundance of them. As Graham tours the garden and revels in their beauty, he’ll give you some tips for planting, feeding, and fertilizing your Azaleas to ensure you get a colourful Spring just like the Braes does.

Charlie – Function & Form
As time goes by, your garden changes and the amount of light and water reaching it then affects the way it grows. When this happens, it might be time to change things up. Charlie has found a garden that requires just such a change. It has a patch of grass which has become weed infested, so he’s going to turn it into an entertaining area. Whether you have a similar situation or not, Charlie has plenty of ideas on transforming an area, screening with plants and clever design tips all while keeping the budget in check.

Melissa – Seed Pops
If you’re looking to add a pop of colour to your garden, you could try Melissa’ seed pops. Making them is more like cooking than gardening, but they’re fast, easy and a great activity to do with your kids. Before long you’ll have a bright and happy garden.

Juliet – Upcycled Coffee Table Triple Treat
A few decades ago, orange-tinged pine coffee tables were the height of interior design, but if you have a coffee table that no longer goes with the rest of your décor, Juliet’s got the upcycle project for you! She’s showing you how to turn an outdated coffee table into a multi-tasking piece that serves three functions. By an adding an easy-to-DIY and totally customisable padded top, your old coffee table will become a comfy ottoman, bench seat and coffee table in one. And it’ll look super stylish, too.

Dr Harry – Around The Block Blu
Most dogs love to get out and explore far and wide, but tonight, Dr Harry’s helping a little Jack Russell named Blu, who only wants to walk around the block. It’s frustrating for his family who would love to take him further on local walks and even holidays with them. Is this just a personality trait or is there something deeper affecting Blu?

7pm Friday on Seven.