“When EVERYTHING in the world goes awry, we crave the comfort, familiarity and WARMTH of home.”
When I look at this month’s cover I instantly feel happy and wish I was walking through the door of that gorgeous weatherboard that opens up to so much more. So far, 2020 has dealt its fair share of bad cards in terms of catastrophic weather events and the awful knock-on effects of loss of life, livelihoods and homes. And now we are in a global pre-pandemic panic! Groceries, painkillers, toiletries and cleaning products are flying off the shelves and the one thing I am pleased to report is that magazines are too. I have a mental picture of our readers finding sanctuary in their well-stocked homes, engrossed in the pages of H&G until the viral threat has passed.
When everything in the world goes awry, we crave the comfort, familiarity and warmth of home. Fortunately the quest for the perfect abode never ceases – see page 101 for five very different renovations to inspire your personal home goals. If a decorating reboot rather than all-out transformation is more your thing take a look at our interiors editor Kate Nixon’s beautiful ideas from page 33. There’s a lot to buy too – peruse our shopping pages (page 53) for striking new surface materials and gorgeous glassware and accessories.
A positive outcome of recent months has been the advent of some rousing community initiatives. Spending time with family and friends, actually doing something together rather than going solo and giving in to the life force-draining pull of the digital device is wonderful and soul enriching. The women from the Monday Morning Cooking Club embody all that is beneficial in indulging a common passion. Natanya, Jacqui, Lisa and Merelyn are keen to preserve the delicious recipes of the Australian Jewish community and have a weekly cooking date. I love that the club is about lifelong learning too. Turn to page 171 for a sample of their recipes – I am definitely going to crank up the Kitchenaid and make the Frojalda (cheesy bread). It’s surely the ultimate comfort food!
The story of one couple’s reinvigoration of historic Musk Farm, page 151, is proof of the life-affirming benefits of a house and garden. After a life-saving kidney transplant for Mike – his wife Cathy donated hers – the pair bought the charming property on a whim. Reluctant gardeners at first, they are now fully immersed in their verdant lifestyle, even taking regular tours for visitors.
If you want to cultivate your own bed of roses you had better start planting. Read Helen Young’s rundown on fabulous, fulsome fragrant blooms to plant now on page 166. If you’re battening down the hatches and staying close to home for a little while we hope the beautiful interiors and inspiring cooking and gardening stories on the following pages provide stylish respite.