Every issue here at Better Homes, there's a whole bunch of us who go into a mild tailspin about what should go on our cover. You'd think by now we'd have it down pat - but no, each month we meet, debate, panic, come up with an idea, enthuse, go for it and hope you love it.

And I thought, this issue, I'd take you through the latest cover, to show you how we brought the main features into one picture to give you a view of what's inside. We wanted to shoot at a location where the TV show gardeners had performed one of their miracle makeovers, to inspire you up-front. And it gave us this fabulous finish, ruby reds and all, for an exquisite setting.

The reds were perfect to play host to our ‘bloomin' marvellous' arrangement which nestled in perfectly beside the seat. And the rich browns let us highlight two cushions and our irresistibly lovely blanket, all of which star in the feature showing you how to decorate using your old winter clothes.

A delectable cheese platter, which was intended to feature on the little side table, was eaten in no time by our photographer, so it didn't make it! But you can read all about cheese in a new section on page 116 of the June issue.

The lovely dappled sunlight was being controlled by our decorating gal Dora with a big sheet up a ladder. And as it was April 1st, it gave us a perfect ruse for a great April Fool's Day joke on the whole office. So I rang them to say Dora fell and broke her leg! And while they panicked we went to lunch in the hope you'd love the cover.

Shooting the cover: behind-the-scenes gallery

Check out the projects on this issue's cover: 

Can't bear to part with your old woollen and tweed clothes? Use them to make rugs like the one here, see page 34 of the June issue.

You can make amazing plant arrangements just like these with our instructions, see page 60.

Turn your dull backdoor area into a sleek family living zone with the latest materials, see page 52.