Using air dry clay, paint and resin, you can give your child’s space a loving, handmade touch. The best part? You don’t need a kiln or any special tools.

Whether you’re styling a nursery, creating a personalised gift or simply looking for a relaxing craft project, this DIY is surprisingly easy to try at home. Watch the reel below or keep reading for all the materials and steps to make your own.

Related article: DIY garland bunting flags for nursery or child’s room
Related article: Make a sweet rainbow wall hanging for your child’s room or nursery

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A post shared by C H E L S E A (@joiesdechelsea)

Items you’ll need:

• Air dry clay
• Cutting board or surface to work on
• Acrylic paint
• Craft resin or mod podge
• Paintbrush
• Command velcro picture hanging strips

You may also like to print the name in your preferred font to use as a guide when shaping the letters.

Step 1: Roll out the clay

Start by cutting your block of clay into manageable pieces. Chelsea cut her slab of air dry clay into 6 equal parts. Then knead it until it becomes soft and workable.

Step 2: Create your letters

Next, roll the clay into little sausages so you can shape them into the letters you want to create. You can make these as large or small as you want. Chelsea made hers about the size of her hand but we’ve seen other DIYers make even larger letters (about the size of an A4 piece of paper).

To help you get the shape you want, you can draw the letters onto a piece of paper or use a printed template but we love the organic, free-form look.

Step 3: Smooth the edges

After shaping the letters, gently smooth any rough edges and joins with your fingers. Use a small amount of water to get a smoother finish.

Step 4: Let the clay dry

Place the letters on a flat surface and allow them to dry completely.

Air dry clay typically takes 24–48 hours to fully cure depending on the thickness of the clay and the humidity in your home. Alternatively, you can pop them into a low-heat oven for 15 minutes to speed up the process.

Step 5: Paint

Once they’ve cooled, it’s time for the fun part — adding colour! You can paint each letter a different colour, play with vibrant complementary colours, or use varying tones to create an ombre monochromatic look… the options are endless!

Acrylic paints work well for this project — it’s the most affordable and quickest to dry.

We suggest applying 2 coats of colour for best results.

Step 6: Coat in resin or mod podge

Finally, to add a gorgeous lustre to your clay letters, add a coat of resin or mod podge.

Chelsea used craft resin from Kmart but did admit it was a little fiddly to work with. In the end, she rested the letters on top of glass jars with cling wrap protecting her work surface. Elevating the letters allowed her to paint over the full top and sides at the same time.

Step 7: Mount your name art

Once everything is dry, simply add Command velcro picture hanging strips to the back and stick them onto your wall. You can place the letters horizontally or vertically, or even in a stepped layout… again, lots of options here to get creative

If you’re renting and worried about sticking them directly onto the wall, you could add them onto a timber board or canvas frame.

Tips:

• Use a minimal amount of water to smooth out the clay. Chelsea says in her first attempt at making these air dry clay letters she used too much water and they cracked
• Paint both the front and back sides of the letters as the Command strips won’t adhere directly onto the unfinished clay.

Thanks Chelsea for letting us to share this sweet DIY project! We hope it inspires you, whether you’re styling a child’s space or looking for a thoughtful handmade gift. You can follow Chelsea on Instagram to see all her latest projects. Love creative home projects like this? Subscribe to the Style Curator newsletter for more DIY ideas, styling tips and home inspiration.

More nursery DIY ideas

The post DIY air dry clay name wall art appeared first on Style Curator.

Here are 16 of the best home DIYs using rope to inspire your next project.

Related article: 20 of the coolest Kmart hacks EVER!
Related article: DIY upholstered bedhead: Make a stylish and cost effective bedhead

1. Anthropologie-inspired DIY rope mirror

Create a statement wall mirror by wrapping thick jute or sisal rope around a circular mirror. This rope mirror project is easy to make and perfect for entryways or bathrooms. We love how this Anthropologie dupe incorporates timber beads for an added textural element.

Watch the tutorial to make it here

2. Large DIY rope bowl

Believe it or not this oversized rope bowl cost just $5 in craft supplies and takes only 10 minutes to make! Costing a fraction of rope bowls you can find in stores, it’s a gorgeous way to add texture to your styling.

Watch this reel to make it

3. DIY rope basket using dollar store laundry basket

Jen from iheartorganising says this DIY rope basket tutorial is one of her most popular blog posts EVER!

Although she admits that this DIY ended up costing more than she originally anticipated (because she bought high quality rope rather than using what she had at hand) and taking a bit longer too, she’s thrilled with the results. She says this DIY still cost a fraction of the designer basket she had her eye on and loves how it ties in with the colour scheme of her home.

Check out her full tutorial here

4. DIY macrame hanging planter

We’re all for bringing greenery into the home and while the red-hot macrame hanging planter trend may have subsided, we still think it’s a beautiful way to add a pop of greenery to an otherwise dull corner of the home.

This simple DIY by chichidee is one of the easiest and most effective tutorials we’ve seen — we love that she kept it minimal so the plants can be the hero.

Find her step-by-step tutorial here

5. DIY rope trivet

Keen to try your hand at crochet? This might just be the simplest DIY tutorial to dip your toe in with.

Jess from Make and Do Crew is all about making classic crafts modern and she certainly succeeded with this sweet trivet/coaster tutorial.

Check out her tutorial here

6. DIY outdoor hanging planter/vertical garden

Another fab rope DIY for displaying plants is this outdoor hanging planter/vertical garden by the ladies at Shanty 2 Chic.

This vertical garden is a great decorating solution, especially if you’re:

• short on space and do not want to create a herb garden on the ground
• renting and want a herb garden you can take with you, or
• on a budget and looking for ways to add interest to walls for less!

Find the tutorial and video here

7. DIY rope ottoman

Staying outdoors, how stylish are these DIY rope ottomans the ladies from Style Me Pretty made?!

They upcycled old tyres using sisal rope and a glue gun to create these rope ottomans that could be used indoors or out.

Check out the tutorial here

8. DIY rope magazine holder

DIYs don’t get much easier than this magazine holder! Using just some rope, clay and a clip, Francesca came up with a clever way to display your magazines without damaging them.

Find the magazine holder tutorial here

9. DIY indoor hanging garden

Using a similar concept as the hanging garden above, Ben from homemade-modern.com made a more refined and larger version for indoors.

You need to have a little more confidence on the power tools (or be able to call on the help of someone who is) to create this DIY but it’s another low cost, high impact way of adding a big pop of greenery into your home. We could also imagine this piece working well in a commercial space.

Find the full DIY tutorial with video here

10. DIY macrame chandelier

One of our favourite DIYers is Geneva from Collective Gen as she always finds super stylish homewares to recreate, like this DIY macrame chandelier that she spotted at a local cafe.

This chandelier would look great in a coastal, boho or eclectic home, and we could also imaging it looking super sweet in a nursery!

Find the macrame chandelier tutorial here

11. IKEA hack nursery shelf with hanging clothing rail

The best hacks are affordable, simple and stylish, and this one certainly ticks all 3 boxes!

Using a standard white IKEA floating shelf, a piece of dowel and two lengths of rope, it’s been turned into a sweet nursery clothing rail.

12. DIY woven rope door mat

This door mat is almost too pretty to wipe your feet on.

While it looks technical to make, Erin breaks down the tying technique step by step with photos along the way so you can easily follow along.

Find the full tutorial here

13. Rope box shelf

To be completely honest, this is a product that was for sale rather than a DIY tutorial buuuut we reckon most of you would be able to create your own version by simply looking at the photos (it seems it’s no longer for sale).

By creating a simple timber box with hinged front, and running rope through the top, you could make your own DIY rope box shelf. We love this idea in an entry of a coastal home as somewhere to put your keys and small trinkets.

You can view the box shelf on Remodelista here

Or for an easier floating rope shelf idea, you can check out this one on the Burkatron blog.

14. DIY giant macrame pendant lights

You’ve got to love a DIY tutorial that has huge impact but is also easy to make. Mandi from Vintage Revivals assures us that these giant DIY macrame pendant lights couldn’t be easier to make and has created the best tutorial for you to follow along.

Check out her DIY here

15. DIY rope planter

“Say hello to one of the easiest DIY projects you’ll ever come across,” says Geneva of this sweet planter.

Requiring little more than rope and a glue gun, this DIY is also super affordable.

Find the full tutorial here

16. DIY clay and rope bowl

As Francesca from Fall For DIY says, “You can never have enough pretty pots to fill with pretty things right?”. Right?!

This oh-so-pretty clay and rope bowl is a stunning example of how you can combine rope with another material. You could get as creative as you like with this tutorial, such as using gold thread instead of blue for a pop of bling, or even hand painting the clay bowl if you’d like to introduce more colour.

Find the full tutorial here

Have you seen any other fab home decor DIYs using rope? Have you tried any of these? Share them in the comments below!

Check out more DIYs

This article was first published in July 2018 and continues to be updated with the best rope DIYs

The post 16 of the best home decor DIYs using rope appeared first on Style Curator.

We love her weaving so much, we invited her to share a unique DIY just for our SC readers! Haily has created the most adorable woven planter cosy tutorial with loads of pics so you can easily follow along. Enjoy!

Related article: DIY kokedama (aka DIY hanging moss ball planter)
Related article: Make this soft and stylish pom pom throw for winter

Words by Haily Tran

When I was initially asked to contribute a tutorial, I had so many ideas running through my mind I almost didn’t know where to begin. My home and work space is almost entirely surrounded by textile art, musical instruments and plant life. So I thought I’d share with you one of my favourite woven creations that allows you to explore your creativity but to also create something practical and beautiful for your home.

Items you will need:

• Plant container and matching dish from a hardware store
• Warping yarn
• As many different coloured yarns you would like for your creation
• Sticky tape
• Yarn needle
• Crotchet hook no larger than 6.5mm
• Scissors
• Small beater/fork
• Your chosen plant that fits inside your container from above

Steps:

1. Begin by taping your warp to the bottom of the dish. Because this kind of warping is not on a traditional flat loom, you may find it difficult to warp evenly unless you tape it down.

2. Begin warping by completely covering the dish and container in a clockwise motion. Try to keep the tension as tight as you can in order for the yarn to keep its position as you progress. Unlike a loom, there is nothing holding it in place except for your tension. Keep you fingers on the bottom centre of all the yarn as you progressively warp. Continue wrapping until the container is entirely covered, tying a knot at the top centre.

3. Begin your weft with one single chosen yarn and weave through each warp individually. This is the only specific instruction I will give you in terms of what style or design you would like to create. I have suggested this because it will keep your warp tight and in shape thus allowing you to become more creative with other weaving techniques later on.

4. Let the fun begin! By working on a curved medium such as this plant container, you will need to think about how your design will have a different outcome compared to a flat surface loom. Your creative mind is limitless!

Remember, if you are doubling up your yarn, always begin with the loose ends so that you are left with a hook once you are nearing the end. That way you can simply hook another piece of yarn through it to continue with ease.

5. Reposition your warp. After a while, you will notice your warp will become uneven. It is common that some of the warp ends up bunched up and others too far from the last. Reposition them evenly so that you can continue weaving without leaving holes at the end. Repeat this step as you progress in your design.

6. Once you have completed your design. You will need to cut your warp from the top of the container. It should be relatively even as shown in the photos below. When you cut the warp, make sure you cut it at the point closest to the centre as you can. This will allow you the most length to knot with, in order to finish off your piece.

7. Now you can begin to knot the loose warping ends. Take two warp strings that are closest to each other and knot them together. Try to not make the knot too close to the weave. You want to leave approximately 5mm so that you can fit a crotchet hook through it.

8. Finishing off. This is an optional way of finishing off your planter cosy. If you are not comfortable with crochet hooks you don’t have to finish off in this way. In fact, you can leave the knots as they are and your weave will not fall apart.

Begin by using a piece of yarn approximately two arms length. Pull one end through a warp knot that you have made. Put your hook through the same hole from the right side. Wrap the yarn (that is doubled up) over the hook. Pull this piece of yarn through the hole with your hook.

9. Once you have done this, you should have the doubled up yarn still on your hook. Leave it on the hook and stick the hook into the second knot to the left (as shown in the photo below). Repeat by wrapping the yarn over the hook and pulling the yarn through. You will have 2 x doubled yarn pieces. Using your hook, pull the left yarn through the right yarn so that you are left with a similar finish as the third pic below.

10. Repeat ‘Step 9’ working around the container anti-clockwise through your warp knots until your finished off ends look like the photo below. Tie a knot with your two loose yarn ends to secure it.

I have made 2 different cosies for you to see. The black and white one does not have the crochet finishing.

If your woven planter cosy looks anything like it — congratulations! You have completed your planter cosy!

Wow, thank you Haily for this fab woven planter cosy tutorial! Goes to show there’s a lot more involved to weaving than first meets the eye. This is a skill we’ve always wanted to learn so hopefully you’ve been inspired to give it a go too! What were your thoughts on this DIY? Let us know in the comments below.

About the author

Haily Tran founded B for Brian in 2011 to raise funds for the Lort Smith Animal Hospital. She is a creative who makes woven tapestry wall art and is inspired by her love for colour, fibre, nature and also music. Today, B FOR BRIAN has grown into a group of over 20 artists and makers to bring you a curated collection of painted artwork, handmade tapestry tools, ceramic pieces, wooden and linen homewares as well as natural body products.

Instagram: @b_for_brian_

Check out more DIYs here

This DIY was first published in August 2016 and continues to be updated with latest information and images.

The post Woven planter cosy tutorial: Make a pot plant weave appeared first on Style Curator.

We’re constantly adding to this list with the latest and best Kmart hacks and have also created separate articles with clever Kmart kitchen hacks, best Kmart home decor and furniture makeovers, outdoor Kmart hacks and Kmart hacks for kids. Phew, did we mention there have been a lot of Kmart hacks?!

Related article: Top 20 Kmart hacks of 2019
Related article: 20 of the best-ever Kmart hacks for kids

1. Curved coffee table makeover

How ah-MAZING is this Kmart coffee table makeover?! The ever so talented Zoe from the DIY Decorator gave the previously black curved coffee table a lick of white paint but not only that, she added texture… using corrugated packing card! Talk about a savvy saver!

The whole project cost less than $100 (!!). Check out how she made one of the coolest Kmart hacks we’ve ever seen over on her Instagram page.

2. Bread bins… turn bedside table (yes, really!)

Hold onto your hats people, this is without a doubt, one of the coolest Kmart hacks ever. Kristine, who goes by extra.ordinary.home on Insta, had the incredible idea to take 2 Kmart bamboo bread bins and turn them into this stylish bedside table.

You can watch her video below to see how she did it. Mind… blown!

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A post shared by Kristine Ham (@extra.ordinary.home)

3. Placemat and bath mat ottoman and cushions

Who would have thought you could get such great results from using placemats and bath mats (yes, bath mats!) to make cushions?! Renee is the clever mind behind this Kmart hack, taking 2 jute placemats and 2 bath mats and turning them into these fab looking cushions.

Plus we spied another clever maker who made an ottoman using 2 of the tufted natural bath mats and 2 Euro cushion inserts, also from Kmart (of course!) to make this fab DIY project.

4. Stylish bookcase makeover

We love this one! Simone has taken the Kmart storage bookshelf and given it a complete transformation. She has how-to instructions on her Instagram page to show you how she made this unique piece of furniture.

5. Rattan sideboard turned mudroom bench seat

This stunning boho inspired mudroom is divine, don’t you think?! And we love how Taralee used two of the Kmart rattan sideboard to create this gorgeous bench seat. What a creative way to make something stylish and completely luxe for less!

This is also a fab hack to create your own bench seat if you’re renting as it doesn’t need to be fixed into the walls. On the hunt for a new rental? Check out Rentola for all the listings in your area with smart filtering options to find your new dream home.

6. Room screen bedhead hack

Struggling to find a bedhead for her super-king size bed, Ceryce had this bright idea! She took 2 Kmart room screens, removed the ends and popped them together to create this fabulous new look! So creative and clever!

You may also like to check out this round of up the best DIY bedhead ideas!

7. Canister lid turned drawer handles

Have you ever thought about using canister lids as drawer handles?! No, us either! But the ever so clever Pheonix Project team did, and the results are brilliant!

8. Aged vase makeover

Excuse us a moment while we pick our jaws up off the floor after this one… cause it’s amazing! Vivian took the already cute Kmart terracotta handle vase and gave it an ‘aged makeover’.

Here’s a quick run down of how she did it… Spray paint in colour Flat Black (available from Bunnings). Add layer of Dixie Bell ‘Mud’ in brown, using paper towel. Next up she used 4 acrylic paint colours (Fawn, Opal, Brown and Black) and dabbed away using paper towel.

We. Are. Obsessed!

9. Candle lid turned hat hook

Here’s another use for a candle lid that we’d never considered! Alex Tyler added a 3M sticker to the back and stuck it onto the wall, making the perfect hat hook. Simple, cost effective and definitely earning its place as one of the coolest Kmart hacks ever!

10. Round hanging shelf gets an upgrade

The Kmart round hanging shelf has been around for a while now and we’ve seen it featured in plenty of clever hacks. This one from Lauren really caught our attention with her addition of a rattan backing.

Hanging in her daughters room, we think it adds a beautiful boho touch to an otherwise simple Kmart shelf. Love it!

11. Hanging pendant lights

Basket pendant lights are popping up everywhere, and along with it comes plenty of DIY hacks! Nicole has taken the base of the Kmart rattan table lamp and turned it into this fabulous hanging pendant! She shares tips, tricks and how to’s over on her Instagram page Zephyr House.

12. Dinosaur draw pulls

Stylish door pulls can cost a fortune but Erin has found an affordable solution for her dino-mad child. Some simple spray paint, a packet of Kmart dinosaur figurines and you’ve officially won the best parent of the year award!

13. Serving board side table

Using a wooden serving tray and readjusting the legs to fit your couch arm, and voila! You have the perfect side table for coffee, tea, chocolate, or wine .

14. On trend timber wall sconce

The talent behind some of the coolest Kmart hacks really does astound us sometimes! Like this one from Dina, who took the Kmart timber table lamp and turned it into these 2 incredible, on trend wall sconces. And all up, it cost her just $38!

Watch the video below to see how she pulled off this fabulous hack.

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A post shared by Home styling with dina (@dina.sweethome.style_)

15. Total sideboard transformation

Taking two Kmart sideboards and doing some serious hacking (pun totally intended) Clare has created a custom piece of furniture. If this look is your vibe, she’s even created a handy how-to YouTube video.

16. Room divider to on-trend bedhead

Curved, rattan-style bedheads are everywhere at the moment, and some come with quite the price tag. If this is your dream style, why not take a tip from Janika who took the Kmart room divider, and simply placed it behind a bed to create a stylish new bedhead!

17. Hessian table runner pendant light

Who knew a hessian table runner could create something this cool?! Interiors lover Natalie got handy with her plain black pendant light and turned it into a real statement piece using the Kmart hessian table runner. A clever and very cost effective hack!

18. Sideboard turned kitchen cabinets

Wow! There are some seriously creative thinkers out there! We love this idea of using the already fabulous Kmart rattan sideboard, and using them as cabinetry for the kitchen! A great way to breathe a bit of new life into a tired space with this on-trend look.

19. Bowls turn to art

We’re not sure about you, but we would never have thought to turn plain old everyday Kmart bowls into decor art pieces! But seriously, how good do these look?! Just a simple coat of paint and some glue has given these bowls a whole new lease on life.

20. Rattan planter becomes a dolls bed

The boho style is more popular than ever — and this extends to children’s bedrooms. Chantelle, the talent behind Olive and Miles, has created a sweet boho-inspired doll bed using the Kmart planter. Too cute (and she has an Etsy store, too!)

Have you spotted any other Kmart hacks that should make our list of the coolest Kmart hacks? Share a link to them in the comments below so we can all check them out!

Check out all of the coolest Kmart hacks here

Disclaimer: This post was first published in May 2017. It contains some affiliate links. This means that when you click on a link and purchase something from that site, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The post 20 of the coolest Kmart hacks EVER! appeared first on Style Curator.

We spied her DIY drift wood wall hanging a couple of weeks ago and knew it would make for a fabulous tutorial — and she kindly agreed! Get ready to get crafting, here’s how you can make your own drift wood wall art.

Related article: The intricate wood mosaic art from Studio Sarai
Related article: Fun and affordable felt: DIY ideas to make with felt

By Andrea Lovett

Items you will need:

• A piece of driftwood
• Air dry clay (I’ve used the Staedtler FIMO Air in flesh colour available from Officeworks)
• Beading wire
• Wooden / gold tone beads (available from Kmart)
• Tassels (available from Kmart)
• Crimp beads
• Cookie cutters
• Baking paper
• Rolling pin
• A toothpick
• Seed beads (optional)
• Flat nose pliers

Steps:

1. Roll out your airdry clay on a sheet of baking paper so that it’s a consistent thickness (around 3-4mm thickness is good). Then use your cookie cutters to create some shapes. I used a 60mm and 75mm circle and cut some of these in half using a ruler to create semi circles. I also incorporated a 60mm star shape.

Once you’ve stamped out some shapes you can remove any excess clay and re-roll to repeat the process and avoid waste.

Use a toothpick and create a small hole at the top and base of each shape, considering how the shape will sit when threaded for hanging. As an option, you can also gently press some seed beads into some or all of your shapes to add texture. Using your fingertips, gently smooth the sides of your shapes so it dries with a nice clean finish. Leave to dry for 24 hours.

2. Once your shapes are dry, take your piece of driftwood and place on a large surface area to create your design. Lay out the shapes in your desired pattern, opting for the longest strand to sit in the middle. I had a long piece of driftwood so my design features 5 strands with only the two outermost stands being symmetrical.

Once you’re happy and you feel that your design is balanced, snap a photo for reference. 

3. Time to rock and roll! Using your beading wire, cut a length to secure your first shape, starting with the middle strand. Loop the wire around the middle of the driftwood and back through a crimp bead, then use your flat nose pliers to squeeze the crimp bead as close to the top of the driftwood as possible. This ensures the strand will be safe, secure and won’t move around.

Now you can add some beads, a crimp bead and then thread your wire through the first clay shape and back up through the crimp bead. Again, use your flat nose pliers to secure these so that you have the first section of your strand ready. You will continue this process to secure the remaining shapes until you reach the end.

4. Repeat step three with each of the strands, then trim any excess wire so you have a neat and tidy finish. I also like to finish each strand with a tassel.

5. Finally, to hang the driftwood wall art I used a long piece of beading wire and crimps. Trim the wire to your desired length depending on how high or low you’d like your wall hanging to sit.

Thank you so much Andrea for sharing this detailed tutorial on how to create driftwood wall art. We hope it inspires you to also make one of your own. How will you put your spin on it? Different shapes, colours or materials? Be sure to tag us when you share it socials or email a photo to us!

More DIYs for the home

About the author

Andrea Lovett has over 15 years experience working in the interiors industry and has a love for photography. She shares home styling tips, DIY projects and more from her period style terrace in Sydney. Follow Andrea on Instagram at @my.green.sofa to be inspired and take delight in the pretty spaces she captures.

Instagram: @my.green.sofa

This article was first published in September 2021.

The post DIY driftwood wall art: Make your own drift wood wall hanging appeared first on Style Curator.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money — all you need is imagination and elbow grease to create a gorgeous, personalised piece for your nursery, playroom or kid’s bedroom.

Related article: 20 of the coolest Kmart hacks EVER!
Related article: Creative ways to display kids’ art as canvas prints

1. Glam doll mansion

Check out this mega doll mansion Renee created for her two-year old. She joined two Kmart dollhouses together and jazzed up the included furniture, plus added some extra bits and pieces. Add some Kmart contact paper to act as wall paper and tiles, and voila! A doll mansion fit for a queen. The best part? It cost her about $150 all up.

And don’t think the doll house is just for girls — with a bit of creativity, it can be turned into just about anything! Take a look at this cool Dinosaur world Hayley created for dino-obsessed god son.

2. Boho kids stools

Chasing some unique kids chairs that didn’t cost a small fortune, Mandy headed into Kmart and spied these rattan pot plant stands and inspiration struck. The perfect height for little kids stools and they even have a foot rest! Best used on carpet or a rug to avoid slipping, though. Super cute idea!

3. Floral bed canopy

It’s every girl’s dream to be surrounded by flowers (or maybe that’s just us!) so we loved this sweet DIY project that Nicola did for her tween daughter’s bedroom. Using Kmart flowers, she weaved them on to the ring and tied with wire to create a beautiful floral bed canopy.

4. Kitchen made over to grey and gold

There are a few Kmart kitchen hacks floating around at the moment but this dreamy grey and gold version created by Alicia is just divine. Not to mention her gorgeous styling!

Just as the doll house can be given a more boyish makeover, so too can the kitchen. Taay recently transformed the Kmart kitchen into a construction station, featuring pressed metal door insert, tool hanging bar, LED lights and construction tape accents. What young boy wouldn’t love this?!

5. Peg board turned play wall

We’re all for space saving, and Sarah has come up with a brilliant way to turn the Kmart peg board into a vertical play board! With all those gorgeous natural, tactile elements, this one not only keeps clutter off the floor, it looks beautiful too.

6. Dinosaur draw pulls

Stylish door pulls can cost a fortune but Erin has found an affordable solution for her dino-mad child. Some simple spray paint, a packet of Kmart dinosaur figurines and you’ve officially won the best parent of the year award!

7. Round shelf upgrad

One of our all-time favourite Kmart hacks for kids is this moon shelf! By simply adding a ply timber moon cutout to the face of the shelf and a sleepy eye decal, this affordable Kmart shelf has been given a designer makeover. Such a simple way to create beautiful shelves for your little one!

More recently, we discovered this fabulous boho version by Lauren with a rattan backing. It totally elevates the look of this affordable hanging shelf… and is a bit of an easier hack to pull off for those of us who aren’t a pro on the jigsaw!

8. Personalised instrument set

What young child doesn’t love making as much noise on musical instruments as possible? While we may not be able to do much for their musical talents, we can certainly improve the look of the instruments without spending a fortune! Shan stripped brightly coloured instruments back and painted them to give them a totally new look — and yes, she hand painted the fauna and flora herself! For those of us who aren’t quite so artsy, using decals or mod podge to adhere cut out images is another idea.

9. Funky stamped floor rug

Jess made this unique rug by taking a faux cowhide, flipping it over and hand stamping it with acrylic paint, using potatoes and cardboard. This zigzag and dot print is a little bit tribal, a little eclectic and a lot cool!

10. Circular photo frame as figurine display

Is there anything more painful than stepping on teeny tiny figurines? Ouch! Kathleen came up with a funky solution, repurposing a circular photo frame to host more than 70 teeny characters. The best part is she literally thought outside the box, by using lego tape around the edges! Genius.

11. T-Rex lamp

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. We love how Jessica and her partner improvised when they couldn’t find the perfect lamp for their son. They turned a bland white lamp into a super cute T-Rex lamp, using a black texta and a dinosaur design from his favourite t-shirt.

12. Toned down rainbow

It’s no secret that kid’s toys can be jarringly bright. By repainting this wooden rainbow in gorgeous soft pastels, Brooke created a soft, sweet rainbow just perfect for a nursery.

We also love this sweet little baby keepsake made by Michelle. She painted the rainbow to suit the nursery colour palette and added bubs details using vinyl decals. She shows how she did it here.

13. Custom cubby house

We couldn’t possibly leave out the most popular kid’s hack of all — customised cubby houses! Kmart outdid themselves when they released this cubby house and although there have been a few design iterations (the latest is a bit more ‘barn’ like with a half door), they’re all totally magical and an opportunity for parents to get a bit creative.

Gina shows you how she created a Kmart hack cubby for her son Patrick in a fresh pastel blue, grey and white colour scheme and included a kitchen inside. Then, in true Style Curator style, she revamped it again! This time using a gorgeous magnolia green and her two boys love it!

For those of us who have kids obsessed with firefighters, we love how Prue turned the cubby into a fire station — so cool! Another super stylish idea is the garden house cubby hack Chantel created for her two boys or that impressive horse stable Amanda hacked for her daughter.

14. Sand or water play table

Using the timber storage bench and underbed storage container, Tegan had this great idea to make a sand or water play table for her little person.

The perfect height for kids, this one is a terrific hack for loads of outdoor fun!

15. Bedside table with booksling

Repurposing the Kmart step stool into a bedside table with book sling, we think this hack is just awesome! Angela, the creative behind this hack, even used Kmart tea towels for the book sling! Such a clever idea.

16. Shoe rack as kids grocery store

One of the most popular toys for young children is a play kitchen and/or grocery shop but with most store-bought play sets costing several hundred, it can be a large investment to make — plus the cost of all the play foods and accessories! Clever mum of five made an epic playroom for her children, including a DIY grocery store using the Kmart shoe rack!

17. Personalised name signs

This idea from Jessica saw her use everything Kmart to create a name sign for her son’s bedroom. A wooden placemat, wooden alphabet letters and a hot glue gun were all she needed and we think it looks great.

Or, this one from Bec, who used the wooden collage frame and added fun, colourful contact for extra personalisation to her kids’ name signs. So creative!

18. Rattan magazine rack turned wall pocket

If you’re loving the rattan trend right now, take a look at how Sezen used the rattan-look magazine holders as wall pockets in her daughter’s playroom! This is a great idea for kid’s bedrooms too, especially for creating a stylish craft station or desk space.

19. School bag station

Back to school is in full swing, so this Kmart hack really got our attention. Maricar took the 8-cube storage shelf and made a few adjustments to create this brilliant school bag station.

Paired next to the Kmart book shelf to store all the other school bits and pieces, this makes a great storage system for keeping everything neat and tidy. Ahh, organised bliss and an absolute winner in our best-ever Kmart hacks for kids list!

20. Mud kitchen

Nicole absolutely nailed her hack, showing yet another use for the timber storage bench. Using a roasting tray (from Kmart) kids kitchen sink (also Kmart) and lots of other fun accessories (you guessed it, all Kmart!) she created this fabulous outdoor mud kitchen.

She’s also included helpful step-by-step build instructions here.

21. Kmart shelf also becomes hanging clothing rail

Using the Kmart hanging shelf, macrame string, timber beads and a piece of dowel, Tanja added a hanging rail for her daughter’s favourite clothes. So sweet and stylish and definitely one of our fave ways to keep your home organised with clever Kmart hacks.

22. Lego storage table

Kids and Lego go hand-in-hand. It’s something super fun to play with, encourages creativity and can be hours (or perhaps just minutes!) of entertainment. But it gets EVERYWHERE!

So, when we saw this clever hack by Laura who took 2 Kmart entertainment units and added Lego bases to the top — including baskets for storage underneath, because storage is life — we were super impressed.

The perfect way to round out our best-ever Kmart hacks for kids, don’t you think?!

23. Toy wooden camera makeover

Not so much a hack as a makeover, but this is one we really loved. This toy wooden camera is cute already, but just look how great Lucia has made it for her little man, Luca?! We love the neutral boho tones!

24. Toy box upgrade

Carlie took this simple Kmart toy box and made it loads more fun with a padded top and personalised name. She even used a Kmart single bed underlay to create the padding and the Kmart hot glue gun to fix it all in place!

25. Flower wall decor

Shon took the Kmart paper flowers from the party section and added them to her daughter’s bedroom wall. We love this simple but sweet (and super cost effective!) wall art idea!

26. Rattan planter becomes a dolls bed

The boho style is more popular than ever — and this extends to children’s bedrooms. Chantelle, the talent behind Olive and Miles, has created a sweet boho-inspired doll bed using the Kmart planter. Too cute (and she has an Etsy store, too!)

27. Hula hoop as dreamy bedroom canopy

Bedroom canopies are trending in nurseries, but the price tag can be off-putting! Clever Jemma picked up a super cheap hula hoop and some artificial flowers from her local Kmart, and combined the two, along with some netting to create this whimsical canopy for her daughter’s bedroom at a bargain price.

28. Outdoor bench becomes ride-on fire truck

Talk about creative genius! This ride-on fire truck that Ellie made using the Kmart outdoor bench is one of the coolest Kmart hacks we’ve ever seen. Read all about it on Kidspot here.

29. Bench seat as kids toy box

Struggling to contain kids toys in your house? Here’s another idea for using the outdoor bench from Alana. She gave it a stylish makeover by painting it a soft grey and applying timber letters to the face. “It fits so many toys in,” she says.

30. Kids kitchen hacks

Last year it was all about the Kmart cubby and this year parents are wowing us with how they’ve personalised the basic Kmart kitchen! One of our favourites has got to be this earthy and boho inspired kitchen by Sarah Grover.

31. Wall hanging unicorn head gets a stylish makeover

This one isn’t a hack per se, rather a freakin’ amazing makeover! The clever mama behind Emily Mae Maree Instagram says her daughter is unicorn obsessed and couldn’t resist giving the Kmart unicorn head an upgrade wrapping darker wool around the horn, attaching a cluster of faux flowers and hand stitching darker fabric down the mane. “A fun little arvo craft project,” says Samantha.

32. Bright baby play gym as stylish Nordic play gym

Another great makeover is this play baby play gym that went from glaring to gorgeous! Play gyms are a life saver in the early months but my goodness are most of them hideous, ha ha! That is unless you give it a makeover by painting the unsightly bright colours in muted tones and replace the cheap plastic toys with on-trend wooden beads.

33. Boho dolls house

This little dolls house was cute before, but after Jessica was done with it, it turned utterly beautiful. We’re getting all the boho vibes, with those soft colours and pops of rattan.

34. Sweet art for a kid’s room

This quilt cover is a firm fave of ours (team member Dan’s daughter has it on her bed!) but we love how Angelina has turned it into matching artwork. Simple, sweet and definitely deserves being included as one of the best-ever kmart hacks for kids.

35. Planter turned book storage

Keeping books neat and tidy for little ones can be a challenge. We love this super simple idea of using the Kmart rattan planter as book storage. Stylish and organised — two of our favourite things, ever!

Have you spotted any other creative Kmart hacks for kids? Share a link to them in the comments below so we can take a look and add even MORE ideas to our best-ever Kmart hacks for kids!

Check out more Kmart hacks here

Disclaimer: This article was first published in February 2018 and continues to be updated with the latest and best Kmart hacks for kids. It contains some affiliate links. This means that when you click on a link and purchase something from that site, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The post 35 of the best-ever Kmart hacks for kids appeared first on Style Curator.

This DIY minimalist growth chart is incredibly easy to make and you could easily personalise it to suit your space, such as painting the face or decoupaging paper or objects onto it. You could get as creative as you like!

Related article: DIY ply bear shelf
Related article: 20 of the best-ever Kmart hacks for kids

Items you will need:

• Piece of wood (our is 140cm high x 18.5cm wide from Bunnings)
• Black whiteboard marker
• Stencil
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Ruler
• Eraser

Steps:

1. Decide which side of the timber you will make the face of your growth chart (i.e. the nice side) and lay it down on a clean surface.

2. Use a pencil to make small marks along one edge of timber at every 1cm point. I made the lines more prominent at 5cm and 10cm as I knew I would make these lines longer.

3. This growth chart uses 3mm dashes at every 1cm, 4mm dashes at every 5cm and 6mm dashes at every 10cm. To ensure these lined up properly, I measured these distances from the edge of the timber and made faint guide lines in pencil.

4. Next to each 10cm line, use your stencil to write the number (try your hardest to line up the numbers and keep a similar distance between the digits). Once you’re happy with the pencil outlines, use your whiteboard marker to write over the top.

5. Once you’ve marked all the lines in pencil and you’re confident you haven’t miscounted, take the white board maker and go over the pencil guides with a quick, confident hand. If you hesitate or take too long, you may find too much ink comes out and it begins to bleed through the timber.

6. Now all that’s left to do is tidy any visible pencil lines using an eraser and secure the growth chart onto the wall. You may just like to use double sided tape but my timber was a tad warped so I screwed it into the wall.

Do you think you’ll make this DIY growth chart? Save this image to your Pinterest account so you can easily find it later.

Check out more DIYs

Photography of completed growth chart by Thorson Photography

This article was first published in March 2019

The post DIY minimalist growth chart, make your own growth chart appeared first on Style Curator.

Felt is an affordable product that’s easy to get your hands on and comes in so many colours. It’s also nice and easy to work with which is great if you’re a DIY novice.

And trust us, this list contains loads of fabulous DIY ideas, some of which you’d never think could be made with felt!

Related article: 14 of the best home decor DIYs using rope
Related article: 20 things to do at home to keep busy during isolation

1. Felt dip-dyed vase

You can’t really blame us for kicking off our round-up with one of our own DIYs, can you?! This dip-dyed felt vase is super affordable to make (under $15!) and looks just like the expensive ones we’ve seen in homeware stores. We love that you can make this one in any colour to perfectly to suit your home.

Find the DIY instructions here

2. Felt bunting

This sweet little project would look gorgeous in a nursery or big kids bedroom. You could also use it as a party decoration and skip the single use plastic or paper version! We also love the idea of cutting out arch shapes instead of triangles for something a bit different.

Get the full DIY tutorial here

3. Coffee sleeve

Here’s another of our fave DIY ideas to make with felt… a coffee sleeve! The simplicity of this design means one piece of felt goes a really long way. These would make perfect stocking stuffers, thank you presents, or even teacher gifts.

Get the how to instructions here

4. Felt play boards for kids

One for the little people — a felt play board! Simply wrap large sheets of felt around a frame and cut out fun shapes, letters and numbers. Now you’ve got yourself a super fun activity to keep the kids busy for hours (exact time of children’s entertainment is not guaranteed ).

Find the felt play board instructions here

5. Felt storage / gift basket

You can never have too much storage, so this felt DIY project is perfect! Make yourself a lovely storage basket or use it to present your own beautiful handmade gift hampers. Such a clever idea that would make a lovely gift, made with love by you!

Get the great DIY instructions here

6. Felt coasters

One of the best things about working with felt is that it doesn’t fray so you can cut it into whatever shape you like without having to hem edges. It means you can create DIYs in a flash and get super creative with shapes. Elsa whipped up these festive star coasters for her Christmas festivities but theres no limit to the type of felt coaster you could create!

Find the tutorial here

7. Trinket boxes

Small boxes and baskets are ideal for keeping smaller and loose items organised. Whether it’s in a kids room, home office or bedroom, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect use for these felt trinket boxes! Find the easy-to-follow instructions and template by clicking the link below.

Make your own felt trinket box here

8. Balloon and cloud mobile

Another of the fabulous DIY ideas to make with felt for the little ones is this sweet balloon and cloud mobile. While this design does require some sewing skills, you could take inspiration from the idea to create a simplified version that you could make with a glue gun instead.

However, if you’re ready for a challenge, Craftiness is not Optional has put together super detailed instructions to achieve the gorgeous mobile shown below.

Get the full tutorial here

9. Leather and felt keyring

Who knew you could make something so great with scraps?! That’s pretty much all you’ll need to make this fab little leather and felt keyring. So clever, and the perfect gift for Dad, Grandparents, teachers, friends or yourself!

Find the DIY instructions here

10. Oversized pinboard

One of our fave DIY projects (and most popular with you guys too!) is the oversized pinboard Gina made for her son Patrick. If you don’t have the budget for a piece of acoustic board, we’ve seen loads of clever DIYers using other materials.

You could try covering a piece of cardboard and wadding in felt or even a piece of styrofoam! Use our DIY oversized pinboard instructions for inspiration and get creative!

Check out the full tutorial here

11. Sunset banner

Is this not one of the sweetest (and most on-trend!) DIY felt projects ever?! Create this beautiful rainbow sunset wall art using felt and a few other crafty bits and pieces.

We love the idea of hanging it in a child’s bedroom, but could see it styled in any room of the house. Too cute!

Find out more here

12. iPad / tablet cover

The Crafty Gentleman has loads of DIY ideas to make with felt, and this one is great! Mike makes a zip-close iPad / tablet cover and his instructions are simple and easy to follow.

Get the how to instructions here

13. Garland for gift wrapping

We are always looking for new and clever ideas for wrapping gifts. In our search for DIY ideas to make with felt, we came across this great little felt garland. Perfect for wrapping around gifts, or maybe even to adorn a dolls house, wall, or book shelf — it’s a winner in our eyes.

Find the DIY mini felt garland tutorial here

14. Cloud cushion

Saving the cutest for last! We adore this hand sewn felt cloud pillow from the talented team at Lia Griffith. By joining their membership, you will be able to make all their beautiful creations and there are SO many to choose from. It’s a great idea if you’re a keen crafter and looking for some fabulous projects.

We’ve also got a simple felt cushion DIY project here.

Check it out here

Have we inspired you to give any of these DIY projects a go? Or tell us if you’ve seen any other DIY ideas to make with felt that we need to add to our list. Share them in the comments below!

Fine more DIY projects here

The post Fun and affordable felt: DIY ideas to make with felt appeared first on Style Curator.

This tutorial is a great, inexpensive way to pick up on a colour palette in a child’s bedroom. It’s also a stylish DIY to decorate a party, such as a baby shower or engagement party. This is an easy sewing tutorial that anyone with a sewing machine can do. Here’s how I made these whimsical DIY garland bunting flags.

Related article: DIY kids teepee clothing rack
Related article: DIY ply bear shelf

Items you will need:

• 3 x 40cm fabrics of your choice for the flags (I used cheesecloth fabric in various colours)
• 40cm of fabric for the top ribbon (I used a linen gingham print from Spotlight)
• Print out of a flag template (download ours here)
• Sewing machine
• Piece of cardboard (to create your bunting template)
• Scissors
• Pins

Steps:

1. Start by making a cardboard stencil for your flags. Simply print out the free download above and trace it onto a piece of cardboard.

Then use this cardboard template to cut out 4 flags in each of your 3 fabric colours. Be sure to double over the fabric before you start cutting.

2. Next it’s time to make each flag and this involves a few steps. Firstly, sew down the two longer sides of each triangle. Important: if your fabric has a ‘good’ side, you would place the good sides together and sew the flag with the ‘bad’ sides facing outwards.

3. Then turn the flag inside out so the good sides are facing outwards. Repeat these steps for each flag.

4. Now that you’ve got all your flags, you can attach them together. For this I cut 4 strips of gingham fabric that are 7cm wide and the length of the fabric.

5. Once I cut out all of my strips, I began creating the top ribbon that would hold all of the flags. So that I could tie the bunting around Alexander’s bed, I allowed 40cm on either end of the bunting without flags.

Firstly, I folded a 1cm edge inwards on either side of the strip (to prevent fraying) and then folded the ribbon in half. Pin the ribbon in place and then start sewing closely along the open edge (see picture below).

6. Once you’ve sewn approximately 40cm of ribbon, you can start slotting your flags inside the ribbon. Use pins to hold them in place and continue sewing along that same edge line.

7. Continue sewing until all your flags are attached and then finish off the bunting the same way you started by allowing 40cm of plain fabric ribbon.

I decided on a simple bunting pattern of 11 flags in various colours. You may prefer to use all the same coloured fabric for a minimalist look, or make every piece different for a whimsical aesthetic. You can also use different bunting shapes, such as stars, hearts or dinosaurs! As well as mixing up bunting shapes, you can play with bunting size. For example, mini bunting can look especially sweet in a nursery. If you want, you could also add decorative elements to the flags, such as a bell or tassel to each tip. Essentially, let this tutorial on how to make bunting offer inspiration but get creative and make your bunting your own!

All that’s left to do is string up your garland! These flag garlands are a great way to enhance any child’s space and also make a sweet gift idea.

We hope this sewing tutorial on how to make bunting helps you for your next decorating project. Will you give this DIY garland bunting flags tutorial a go? I’d love to see how you put your own spin on them. Share your photos with me by tagging @stylecuratorau when you share them online or email them to hello@stylecurator.com.au!

More nursery and kids room DIYs

Disclaimer: This post was first published in November 2020 and has been remade in a new colour palette.

The post DIY garland bunting flags for nursery or child’s room appeared first on Style Curator.

Here’s how I made a rainbow wall hanging for my brother and sister-in-law who are expecting their first child in a couple of months!

Related article: DIY nursery canopy with eucalyptus garland
Related article: DIY baby play gym: Make a stylish timber play gym for your baby

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A post shared by Gina Ciancio | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

Items you will need:

• Rope (I bought this rope from Spotlight)
• 4 x balls of yarn in your preferred colours (look for yarn with natural fibres for a more beautiful result)
• Scissors
• Glue gun

Steps:

1. Cut your rope into 4 pieces. Each piece will be a different length so that you can achieve the rainbow shape. The lengths will vary depending on the thickness of your rope but a good tip is to start with the smallest length, around 25cm is a good size, and work upwards to ensure you don’t run short.

2. Begin wrapping each piece of rope in your preferred yarn colour. Start 4-5 cm from the end of the rope as you want to keep some of the rope visible to achieve those frayed edges. And remember, the idea of the rainbow is to create a beautiful gradient of colours so plan ahead what colour each of your arches should be.

3. Continue wrapping each piece of rope until you reach 4-5cm from the other end and secure with your hot glue gun.

4. Once you have wrapped each piece of rope in yarn, it’s time to glue them together using your glue gun. Tip: run the glue along the inside edge so it isn’t visible.

5. The last step is to brush out the rope ends to achieve that frayed finish. You may also need to trim the ends to achieve an even edge.

It’s easy to display this lightweight rainbow wall hanging in your child’s room or nursery. I simply used a fine nail from a picture hook set.

I’d love to see your take on this DIY if you make one for your child! Be sure to tag me when you share pics online @stylecuratorau or email them to hello@stylecurator.com.au!

More kids and nursery inspo here

Reader DIY

We love seeing your versions of our DIYs and May created an all-white rainbow wall hanging, suiting her minimalist style to a T! It’s the perfect addition to her newborn’s nursery!

The post Make a sweet rainbow wall hanging for your child’s room or nursery appeared first on Style Curator.

You’ve never met a child more obsessed with nature, being outdoors, and most of all, spending time at the farm than Alexander. I knew the stump side table would be perfect in his room and decided to personalise it with a message on top.

Here’s how to make a sweet personalised stump side table…

Related article: Alexander’s Australian themed boys room
Related article: DIY ply bear shelf

Items you will need:

• Stump
• Soldering iron
• Print out of your quote or message
• Pencil
• Timber wax and old cloth

Steps:

1. Clean up your stump until you’re happy. If it isn’t level or has a rough top, you may need to sand it back. Mine just needed a good wipe down with sugar soap and water.

2. Use the trick of placing your paper with quote or message against a window to trace the letters onto the reverse side with pencil.

3. Now place your paper onto the stump in the desired spot and use a pencil to scratch over the whole message. This will leave a faint impression of the words on the stump that you can then write over with the soldering iron.

4. Use your soldering iron to carefully burn the message onto your stump. This was my first time using a soldering iron and I was pretty impressed with how easy it was to use.

5. The last step is adding a protective coat of wax or varnish to the side table.

What do you think of this personalised stump side table? Has it sparked any DIY ideas of your own? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

More DIY ideas here

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