Welcome

YEAR IN YEAR OUT gardens demand our attention… Not everyone who works at House Beautiful has a garden of their own, but we all enjoy the spectacular images and reader stories that make up our series of summer garden makeovers – this month Early Bloomers on p154 is a real visual treat and shows how much can be achieved when you’re working on a tight budget. So much so that this month we’re launching Glorious Gardens, a competition to encourage more of you to send us stories of your own horticultural struggles and successes. Turn to p164 to see how to enter and you could win £2,500 worth of garden products from Forest Garden. And you don’t have to have a huge outdoor space to take part – there are categories for patio gardens and windowboxes too!

Now’s also the time to take on decorating projects inside and out – and Do It In A Day on p76 is packed with simple and stylish ideas to help you update your home when time is short. Whether you want to revamp a chair, brighten the stairs, upcycle furniture or install shutters, you’ll find plenty of practical inspiration.

Dreaming of upping sticks away from the stresses and strains of the nine to five? Down on the Farm, p44, is a story of a couple who did just that. Wendy and Steve Newman were busy professionals when a smallholding in East Sussex caught their attention, beckoning a complete life change. Now a flock of sheep keeps the grass down and the couple enjoy wonderful rural views.

That may be a step too far for many of us but this month’s HB project, Small Space Revamps, p99, is full of suggestions to help make the most of the home you already have. Whatever you hope to achieve, you’ll find plenty to entertain and inspire you in this May issue.