Good Housekeeping July/August 2024

Add fun flair to a small porch with charming wooden swings. Designer Grace Wagenman, who calls this summer project “one of the easiest DIY’s,” cut wooden stair treads to size, then suspended the seats using jute rope and heavy-duty rings. “When we have large groups over, people gravitate toward the swings for side chats—plus, kids love them,” she says. A tiered stand filled with potted greenery completes the cheery Nashville porch. For complete instructions, see page 100.…

PLUM-BURRATA SALAD In bowl, whisk ½ cup red wine vinegar and ½ tsp each honey and kosher salt. Toss in 1 small red onion (very thinly sliced). Arrange 2 pints Sungold cherry tomatoes (halved) and 6 black plums and 1 Fresno chile (both thinly sliced) on platter. Scatter onion and most of liquid on platter. Top with 2 balls burrata (torn). Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp olive oil, ¾ cup cilantro leaves and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. BLACK RICE SALAD In medium saucepan, bring 1 cup black rice and 1½ cups water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until tender, 30 to 32 min. In bowl, whisk 2 Tbsp each apple cider vinegar and olive oil and ½ tsp each honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt and pepper.…

I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT the places where we grow up and live, and how each has benefits and drawbacks. Like many of you, I started off in the suburbs and transitioned to the vibrant pulse of city life, and I have recently settled into the rhythm of a small town. Each move in my journey has involved a trade-off. Recently, I visited Serenbe, a wellness community outside Atlanta that encompasses the best of all these worlds. It offers the vast open spaces and trails of the country, the close-knit feel of a small town and a touch of city life with its cultural and culinary experiences. The blend was delightful, capturing the essence of each lifestyle without the usual sacrifices. This almost-throwback approach to living harmoniously with the environment, even…

In February, we lost Susanne Williams (above), a highly respected member of the GH Institute from 1962 to 2007. Her friend and coworker Carolyn Forté, current executive director of the GH Cleaning Lab, offered this remembrance. When I joined GH in 1980, Susanne had been here nearly 20 years, but we became fast friends. Susanne was friendly, kind, sincere, helpful and always calm, and she had a rare ability to effortlessly handle multiple tasks at once. She also had an unmatched memory for names, faces, events and dates. In time, she became the person everyone turned to for history of or information about GH. She was a quick learner too, moving from a manual typewriter to a computer with ease. This combination of qualities propelled her over the years from…

We partnered with the experts at Car & Driver to select dozens of vehicles for our annual Family Car Awards. Here are a few of our favorites — find the complete list at good housekeeping.com/best-new-family-cars-2024. BEST ELECTRIC SEDAN POLESTAR 2 An attractive option for EV buyers who value driving enjoyment, technology integration and a stylish yet practical interior (from $49,900). BEST BOXY SUV FORD BRONCO A top pick for those seeking adventure, it combines off-road prowess with urban drivability and distinctive style (from $39,630). BEST COMPACT CAR HYUNDAI ELANTRA Always a dependable, affordable vehicle in its class—and recent updates make it a real winner (from $21,625).…

COOL CUCUMBER Like a refreshing drink for your senses on a steamy day, this water-based spritz features a mix of airy floral notes (peony, water lily) and dewy hints of just-picked cucumber. CLEAN RESERVE H2EAU WATER LOTUS, $110, SEPHORA EARTHY SAGE The lush herb’s rich, almost musky scent brings softness and depth to these fragrances starring fruity elements like citrus and fig. JO MALONE LONDON YUZU ZEST COLOGNE, $115, JOMALONE.COM; FINE’RY MYSTIC FIG’URES EAU DE PARFUM, $37, TARGET.COM JUICY TOMATO Inspired by the slightly sweet, herbaceous aroma of sun-warmed tomato fields, this perfume melds a tomato leaf accord with tart mandarin and green moss. MAISON MARGIELA FRAGRANCES REPLICA FROM THE GARDEN EAU DE TOILETTE, $85, SEPHORA.COM CRISP PEPPER Several vegetable-garden staples, including bell pepper and basil, add an uplifting touch…