The best part? It was a DIY project! Bec stopped by Style Curator to share her tips, lessons and tricks in how she transformed an ugly brick wall into a luxurious stone wall.

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What started out as a structural problem turned into a DIY project that became a luxe stone statement.

“The whole project started because our existing carport was falling down,” Bec explains. “Well, that certainly snowballed!

“I’d seen the stone wall trend across the Gold Coast and fell in love with it. Like many home renovators, we were on a budget and the cost of having a professional stonemason do the work simply wasn’t an option. So the only other choice was to have a go myself! 

“I fell head over heels in love with the natural stone. I sourced it locally from Stone Style in Currumbin on the Gold Coast. It’s a limestone called Oslo and has a natural variation of cool tones paired with a sprinkle of warm earthy shades. In the sunlight it gives off a beautiful sparkle.

“For the adhesive, I spoke with the very knowledgable team at National Tiles. They were more than happy to share their knowledge, and suggested I use a very strong tile adhesive. Then for the grout I used a mix of Builders Loam, Off-White Cement and Lime in the ratios of 3:1:0.5.”

Bec is the first to admit she was a DIY novice when it came to this major luxe stone facade transformation.

“First and foremost… do your research!” says Bec with a laugh. “The type of wall you are affixing your stone to will determine what prep work you need to do beforehand.

“The stone is extremely heavy, so getting advice from a professional on whether or not your wall will stand up to the weight is super important.

“I did a lot of research into this project as I had absolutely no idea where to even start! Don’t be afraid to ask questions — there are plenty of people in the industry who know their stuff and are willing to help. In the end I just had to jump in and give it a go.

“Another tip is don’t rush it. Give yourself creative licence to take your time. Also, I’d suggest not having too many people adhering the stone. Your style and placement will probably be very different to someone else’s!

“I actually found working with stone very grounding and therapeutic.”

For those considering their own luxe stone facade project, Bec’s method offers a practical roadmap.

Step 1: Lay it out (loosely)

“When I first got the pallet of stone I laid it out, roughly how I thought it would go on the wall. I put it just in front of where I was working and looked for shapes that fit together naturally. I looked for straight edged stone for the edges of the wall so it finished nicely.

“It was helpful to see what stone I had, but in the end, it went up on the wall totally different to how I’d laid it out,” laughs Bec.

Step 2: Mix your adhesive (carefully!)

“Each time I worked on the wall, I only mixed up the amount of adhesive that I needed, as I didn’t want it to go to waste.

Step 3: Work in sections

“A great tip was that I used small off cuts of stone as chocks to hold the stone in place while it dried. I found what worked best was to work a small way up at a time. This gave the adhesive time to dry before the next layers went on.

“Be aware of what sort of gap you want between your stone that the grout will fill. And then, use a mallet to lightly tap the stone once you have pressed and wiggled it into place.”

Step 4: Cutting and corners

“To cut the stone, I used a diamond blade. The other tools I found helpful were a hammer and chisel. I would suggest getting professional advice on the right tools and safety gear you need, as all stone has different qualities and hardness,” says Bec wisely.

“I used pre-made corner pieces for the external corner, which made it super neat. For the internal corner, I just fit the stone together.

“Once all your big stones are in, you’ll find there are some gaps that you can fill with some smaller off-cut pieces.”

Step 5: Grout (aka the tedious stage)

“I won’t lie… this stage was my least favourite!” smiles Bec. “I found this part a little tedious, but thankfully my husband came on board, and we got through it together. 

“My top tips would be to push the grout all the way into the gaps. We did a small section at a time as it was quite a process. 

“Applying the grout, then allowing it to dry a bit before scraping out as much as you want to define the stone. Scraping and smoothing the grout to get the finish you want. It was tough going but the end result made it SO worth it!”

As with all DIY projects, we were keen to learn about any tips Bec picked up along the way.

“There were a few things! Firstly, look at the thickness of the stone on the wall. Do you need to put extra adhesive behind it to bring it out level? A good idea is to look at your wall from side on, to ensure it’s all sitting nice and level,” suggests Bec.

“Before choosing my stone, Stone Style gave me a few addresses that had used the stone I chose. I did a drive by to check it out on a grander scale. This was very helpful as the stone I thought I would use I quickly realised was not the right one for the look I was hoping to achieve.

“Grout (the bane of my existence!). Be careful not to get too much grout over your stone as it can leave a concrete haze. I found a steel brush the best thing in getting it off once it had dried. Just be aware this may scratch some rock types, but seemed fine on the limestone.

“Don’t try to remove much when it’s wet as it will just smear it and make it even MORE difficult to remove. I couldn’t get much advice on a product to help remove the haze from natural stone. I’d love to hear any suggestions that have worked for other people!”

From a tired and outdated exterior to a luxe stone facade, this is now a home that makes a real statement.

“The stone wall has certainly elevated the facade of our house,” says Bec proudly. “After 15 years of looking at the yellow brick, we are stoked with the outcome. 

“The whole facade project took us an entire year to complete. Between waiting on trades, waiting on materials, painting the full double storey house ourselves, and finding the time to complete the landscaping.

“But we have finally done it and couldn’t be happier! In the end, we used a combination of materials to cover the brick. 

“We used Stria weatherboards on the front porches and painted them in the beautiful colour, Oolong by Dulux. There is stone at the front door and some composite cladding and battening by NewTechWood in the colour Canadian Cedar.

“For the rest of the house, we ended up rendering and painting it. The paint colour we used was White Exchange Half by Dulux. 

“We did contemplate just painting the brick, but I’m not a huge fan. Although, we did paint our ugly brick fence, and I do love the texture its brought to the garden. All in all, we love our new home facade and the stone wall is definitely a firm favourite!”

Huge thanks to Bec for sharing this amazing DIY project with us. Has it inspired you to have a go at creating your own luxe stone facade? We hope this article has given you some tips, trick and DIY inspiration.

You can follow along with other home DIY projects and holiday adventures on Bec’s Instagram page, Riley Good Adventures.

Find more outdoor DIY projects here

The post How to cover ugly brick: A luxe stone facade makeover appeared first on Style Curator.

So keep reading as I share the best outdoor cleaning tips and tricks to have your outdoor areas looking new in no time. Whether you’re tackling the job yourself or considering the expertise of a commercial cleaning company, there are plenty of ways to get your outdoor spaces looking their best.

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1. Best way to clean driveways and concrete paths

Concrete paths can become discoloured or stained over time. Yet a simple and natural solution can get them looking like new.

The best concrete cleaning recipe I’ve used is to combine bi-carb soda, dish soap and white vinegar directly onto the concrete and scrub. I use equal amounts of dish soap and bi-carb soda and then pour vinegar over to start the bubbling action.

For large areas it pays to have a scrubbing brush that can do the hard work for you… otherwise that next day muscle soreness can be a killer!

2. Easy hack to clean cobwebs

It’s amazing the difference cleaning cobwebs can make to the look of your home. And if you believe in Feng Shui, cobwebs are symbols of the past so clearing them away can also help clear your home of stuck energy.

A cheap hack to clean cobwebs is to slip an old sock over a broom. The sock helps to catch cobwebs more easily, makes clean up a breeze and can prevent possible scratches to your home’s exterior.

3. DIY streak-free windows solutions

Get your windows sparkling with this super easy solution.

Best window cleaning recipe:

• 1 part warm water
• 1 part white vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol.

Mix the solutions together and watch how it cuts through dust and grime. White vinegar and rubbing alcohol are excellent cleaning agents and work perfectly to create a streak-free finish. Wipe on window and squeegee off.

4. Easy watermark removal hack

As another window cleaning hack, if you have any tough watermarks that just won’t budge, grab a spare toothbrush and white toothpaste. Apply the toothpaste to the watermark and gently polish it away.

5. Barbecue grill deep clean hack

With barbecue season here, it’s time to give your grill a deep clean. This is another area where I let the RYOBI power scrubber do the work, but you can accomplish the same result with a brush and muscle power.

Apply a small amount of dish soap and water and use a scrubbing brush to cut through built-up grime with ease. Finish with coat of vegetable oil to prevent rust. Now it’s ready to go when you are!

6. Easy window track cleaning tip

As well as cleaning windows, window and door tracks can benefit from a clean. Start by vacuuming up larger debris and dirt. Then wrap a damp microfibre cloth around a butter knife for the ultimate clean, getting into all those hard to reach places.

7. Natural snail and slug deterrent

There are so many clever gardening hacks out there but one of my personal favourites is this natural spray. Add 20 drops of Cedarwood oil to a spray bottle with water and spritz over your plants and outdoor areas. This essential oil will deter snails, slugs and ants and help protect your outdoor spaces. If you’re dealing with a more stubborn infestation, professional pest control services can offer a more comprehensive solution while still being mindful of your garden.

8. Easy fly screen cleaning hack

Normally a pain to clean, this hack doesn’t require you to remove fly screens from the frame to clean them. Simply vacuum the fly screen with a soft bristle brush and then wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth.

9. Expert outdoor grout joint clean

Grout joints can become extremely discoloured over time. Renew outdoor tiled areas using this effective grout cleaning solution.

Make the best grout cleaner by mixing:

• 1/2 cup of bi-carb
• 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 tsp dish soap.

Apply it onto the joints and leave for 5 minutes before scrubbing clean.

We hope these expert outdoor cleaning hacks help you make your outdoors sparkle. Have you tried any of these? Do you have any other hacks you’d like to share? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!

Find more cleaning hacks here

This post was first published in October 2022.

The post The best outdoor cleaning hacks and tips to make your home exterior look new! appeared first on Style Curator.

To keep this project budget-friendly, we bought an old door and some metal table legs from Facebook Marketplace (that had well and truly seen better days!) and gave them a whole new lease on life. Here’s how we turned them into a patterned tiled showstopper!

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

Materials you’ll need:

• Old tabletop (we used an old door) + sturdy legs
• Tiles of your choice (we used Bali Muaya from National Tiles)
• Timber trim for edging
• Spray paint suitable for metal and outdoor use
• Eco Prim Grip (or similar primer for surfaces before tiling)
• Mapei tile adhesive
• Tile spacers
• Grout
• Bucket and float
• Trowel and sponge

Steps to create your DIY patterned tile table:

1. Prep your base

Give your table legs and top a good clean. Sand back any rough edges. We cut the old door down to the exact size we wanted for the tabletop (remember to factor in grout joints when measuring). The tile legs were also a bit rusty, so I gave them a good clean using WD-40 Ez-Reach and a metal bristle brush.

2. Freshen up the legs

Spray paint the legs in your preferred colour, making sure to use a paint suitable for metal and outdoor use. This instantly updates the base and protects it from the elements.

3. Prime the tabletop

Apply a coat of Eco Prim Grip to the tabletop so the tiles will adhere properly. This is especially important if your table is smooth (like glass) or like ours, lifting a bit in areas. Allow it to dry as per the product instructions.

4. Lay the tiles

Mix up your Mapei tile glue and use a notched trowel to spread it evenly across the tabletop. Carefully lay down the tiles, using spacers to keep your grout lines even. It’s best to work in small areas at a time as the glue dries very quickly!

5. Add a timber border

To give the table a professional, clean finish, we added a timber border around the edges. This also provides a smoother edge than if we left the tiles exposed. For a perfect finish, cut the corners at a 45 degree angle and use gap filler to cover the joins.

6. Grout and finish

Once the adhesive has set, apply grout across the surface, working it into all the joints. Again, it’s best to work in small areas as the grout also dries very quickly. While the grout is still wet, wipe away the excess with a damp sponge and let it cure.

And that’s it! This gorgeous patterned tile outdoor table is perfect for summer entertaining. We love how the Bali Muaya tile brings so much character and turns this into a statement piece.

Not only is this DIY a great way to upcycle old furniture, but it’s also a budget-friendly way to create a custom outdoor table you simply can’t buy in stores.

Would you give this project a try? Let me know if you do, I’d love to see your creations! You can find more of our tiled table projects here. Each one is a little different, and I’m clearly not done experimenting yet!

More outdoor DIYs

The post DIY patterned tile outdoor table appeared first on Style Curator.

Organic pest control is safer for children, pets and our beloved pollinators. It also helps create a healthier, more balanced garden in the long term. Whether you DIY your own, or want to know the best ones to buy, here is your ultimate guide to natural pesticides and organic pest control for Australian gardens.

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Most common citrus pests and how to get rid of them

Citrus trees are a wonderful addition to your garden, but they’re also magnets for bugs. From sap-sucking aphids to citrus gall wasps, here’s how to identify and control the most comment citrus pests in your garden.

Aphids

Not all pesky bugs need to be dealt with using chemicals. For aphids, a great organic pesticides treatment is simply to knock them off with a jet of water. You can encourage ladybugs and lacewings into your garden to keep them at bay too.

A lovely alternative is to companion plants such as nasturtiums or marigolds to help keep black or green aphids away.

Bronze orange bug

Large and smelly (seriously, these bugs are stinky!), these bugs suck sap from shoots, flowers, and fruit. Early intervention is key with these little pests. Wear gloves to handpick them off your plants, or deter them with horticultural oils (keep reading for a DIY recipe below). Birds and parasitic wasps can also help keep populations down.

If they really start taking over, use an organic certified insecticide to protect the health of your tree.

Citrus bud mite

These worm-like critters are pale in colour and really, really tiny. Almost microscopic in size, they can cause big problems to citrus trees.

Predatory mites like black hunter thrips and mite midges can help get citrus bud mites under control. Pruning infested leaves and branches is the best way to stop the spread. Be sure to dispose of them carefully and do not place in compost.

Horticultural oil (check out our DIY recipe below) can be an effective treatment when applied prior to flowers and fruits blooming.

Citrus gall wasp

Gall wasps lay eggs inside young branches, causing unsightly swellings (galls) that weaken the tree. The best treatment is pruning. Remove any infested branches in late autumn or winter before larvae emerge, and dispose of them properly. Burn or bin them (be sure to place in a bag to stop them spreading). Definitely do not put them into your compost.

For stubborn infestations, try a product using petroleum oil or an organic certified insecticide. You can also try horticultural oils (you can DIY your own using a handy recipe below) to help manage infestations while keeping your garden eco-friendly.

Citrus leafminer

Leafminers are a very common pest for Australian gardeners. They tunnel inside citrus leaves, leaving behind silvery squiggly trails. These trails weaken the tree and reduce its ability to photosynthesis.

To treat them naturally, prune any infested leaves and apply neem oil or horticultural oil (DIY recipe below) to help prevent the larvae from entering the foliage. It’s best to do this during the warmer months when the pest is most active.

It’s important to note that severe infestations may require chemical intervention. So get on top of them as soon as possible!

Fruit fly

Ugh, fruit flys are nasty little critters. They lay eggs in fruit, making it inedible. And what’s worse, they can lay up to 500 eggs at a time so infestations occur quickly — gross!

To prevent an infestation, get rid of fallen fruit quickly and use exclusion netting or bags over any ripening fruit. Exclusion netting can help prevent female flies from laying eggs on the fruit. Bags can be used to allow space for fruit to continue to grow, and tied at the stem.

Organic pesticides for fruit flys include a DIY trap. We love this idea from Gardening Australia… it uses Vegemite! If you’re not into DIY, there are plenty of organic baits on the market to help keep these nasties away. This one from Yates is our pick.

Mealybugs

Tiny but destructive, these pests can distort flowers, stunt growth, and cause sticky honeydew (see below). To get these critters under control, try neem oil, horticultural oil or introduce predatory insects like lacewings.

Did you know? ‘Honeydew’ isn’t a fruit (well, it is, but not in this instance!). It’s essentially sugary waste produced by sap-sucking insects. Honeydew attracts other insects and promotes the growth of sooty mould, a type of fungus.

Scales

There are a few different types of scales but they’re ALL annoying! Some look like little bumps on stems and leaves. They can produce sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mould.

The best control over scale insects, is horticultural oil or neem oil. Prune heavily infected areas.

How to get rid of caterpillars on plants

Caterpillars are small but mighty. They can demolish your veggies overnight if they’re not dealt with effectively. But let’s do it naturally! Here are a few ideas for organic pesticides that can help you get rid of caterpillars in your garden.

• Handpick them off your plants. Simple, yet effective.
• Use BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), an organic certified microbial control for these pesky little garden munchers.
• Create your own soap spray (DIY recipe below)
• Spray with a garlic or chilli spray — our go to recipe is below. Caterpillars are NOT big fans!
• Encourage birds and wasps into your garden to help with pest patrol.

Can you use vinegar to kill caterpillars? Well… yes, vinegar will kill caterpillars, but this comes with a warning as it can also damage your plants. We’d personally avoid this one.

How to treat scale on roses

Suffering from white scale on roses? A natural pest control to treat these plant pests is to wipe or scrape them off with a soft cloth or toothbrush and rubbing alcohol.

For bigger problems, spray the area with horticultural oil (DIY recipe below) or neem oil. Prune infested stems to reduce the spread.

Organic pesticides to control red-shouldered leaf beetles

Another annoying plant pest in Australia is the red-shouldered leaf beetle (Monolepta beetle). It may be small, but it causes a lot of issues in the garden.

The adult beetles cause holes in plant leaves, damage the plant and can stunt plant growth. Meanwhile, the larvae attacks the root of the plant so all up, they’re one destructive bug.

If left untreated, they can (and will) go to town on your plants so it’s best to treat as soon as you spot one of those yellow-orange beetles with a band of red across the shoulders.

Encourage natural predators like birds into your garden to help keep them away. If you spot some, handpick them from your plants or shake branches to dislodge them. Then place them into a soapy water mixture. Apply neem oil to deter the red-shouldered leaf beetle. If things get out of hand, organic-certified insecticide might be a necessary treatment.

Keeping pumpkin beetles out of your garden

Pumpkin beetles sound cute, but these guys can cause a lot of damage in the garden. Especially to young seedlings. They’re most common on cucumber, watermelon and pumpkin plants.

To treat, handpick them and drop into soapy water, or spray with neem oil. It’s a good idea to cover your seedlings with fine mesh netting until they’re established.

Another tip! You can also companion plant basil, marigolds, or bitter gourd to deter pumpkin beetles. 

Slater control in your garden

Slaters, also known as pillbugs or woodlice, are common garden dwellers that feed on decaying organic matter. These critters actually play an important role in the garden, breaking down organic material. However in large numbers, they can start nibbling on young plants and seedlings.

To control slaters in your garden, remove excess organic debris such as fallen leaves, mulch or decaying wood as this is where they hide and thrive. Slates loooove damp environments so a good trick is to water your garden in the morning to reduce moisture at night.

Encourage natural predators like birds, lizards and predatory beetles to snack on slaters and keep their population balanced. Another organic pesticides idea to keep slaters at bay is to sprinkle Diatomaceous earth (natural white rock powder) around vulnerable plants.

Keen for another organic pesticides solution? Trap slaters in orange peel halves or fill an empty cardboard tube with fruit and veggie scraps and leave in the garden overnight. In the morning, you should find all the slaters having a good feast and you can either relocate them to nearby bushland or to be rid of them permanently, drop them into soapy water.

How to stop grasshoppers eating plants

Surely one of the most annoying garden pests has to be the grasshopper. They can absolutely devastate your plants, especially vegetable plants and seedlings.

Keep them at bay by encouraging birds to pick them off for you. You can also use neem oil, or plant deterrents like coriander, dill, and calendula. Looks like grasshoppers are on team no coriander .

Try this… A great grasshopper control solution is to spritz your plants with a DIY garlic spray. You’ll find our fave recipe below.

Treatment and management for snails and slugs

Snails might be slow, but they can still cause a lot of damage in the home veggie patch. Here are a few garden pest control solutions to try to keep snails and slugs away.

Try a beer trap (yes, really!). Snails can’t resist the yeasty smell of beer (perhaps some humans are part snail ). Pour 2 or 3 inches of beer into a shallow container and bury so its lip is level with the soil. Once your snail-mates have had their beer-y treat, they’re unable to get out of the trap.

Not keen on intoxicated snails? Try copper tape around your pots instead. The serrated edge of the tape increases the electrical charge, meaning snails can’t cross the line.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous earth (natural white rock powder) around the plants copping the most snail-love.

Simply pick them off. It’s best to do this at night so have a torch and gardening gloves at the ready.

Cabbage moth and cabbage white butterly control in your garden

If you’re growing brassicas (think cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale) chances are you’ve encountered the cabbage moth, cabbage white butterfly and their nasty little larvae.

To keep these pests out of your veg, use fine netting to form a physical barrier around your plants. You can also grow some companion plants such as nasturtiums, dill or mustard. The egg-laying culprits aren’t big fans of these decoy plants.

Around the edges of your veggie patch, try planting strong-smelling herbs. Such as lavender, sage and rosemary. These seem to deter cabbage moths from settling and laying their eggs.

Keep an eye on your plants, particularly the underside of the leaves and into the plant hearts. Pick off any larvae you find and repeat daily to get on top of the larvae population. If touching them gives you the ick, use a light hose or garden sprayer to knock them onto the ground. You’ve just provided lunch for a bird, beetle or other predator so they should be able to help you out.

An organic pesticides spray is another solution. Find our fave homemade cabbage moth spray recipe below.

How to deter possums from eating plants

If given the chance, those cute, furry little friends (or pests, if you’re a gardener!) will gobble up your veggies in one chomping swoop. You’ve got a few options in the garden to avoid them inviting themselves in for a midnight snack.

A great way to help keep possums at bay is placing nets over your precious plants. It’s simple yet effective. You could also try using homemade garlic or chilli spray as a deterrent for possums. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can work too.

Lawn pests

From curl grubs to armyworms, our lawns face their fair share of pests. A few organic pesticides you can try include applying neem oil or beneficial nematodes.

If you encourage them into your garden, birds, parasitic wasps, ground beetles and other organisms can snack on your lawn grubs. And the best prevention for lawn pests, is keeping your lawn healthy. The healthier it is, the less appealing it is for grubs.

Pro tip: To keep lawn pests at bay, regular, deep watering and aeration is key.

DIY your own organic pest control and natural pesticides

For outdoor pest control, natural pesticides are always our first choice. Here are a few of our favourite organic pesticides treatments you can make at home.

Horticultural oil

Who is it for?

Horticultural oil works on most insect pests including scale, aphids, white fly, leaf miner, mealy bugs and mites.

What you’ll need…

• 2 cups x vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup x dish soap

How it’s done…

1. Shake together in a jar until the mixture looks milky in colour.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of your horticultural oil together with 1L of water and then it’s ready to spray.

This recipe originates from Gardening Australia.

Tip: Do not spray horticultural oil in hot weather as it can burn some plants.

DIY garlic spray

Who is it for?

Garlic spray is an organic pesticides treatment for aphids, grasshoppers, slugs, ants and caterpillars.

What you’ll need…

• 4 x garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup x water
• 2 tbsp x dish soap
• 500ml x water

How it’s done…

1. Blend the garlic together with 1/2 cup of water. Mix in the dish soap and water and pour into a spray bottle.
2. Shake well and allow to sit for 24 hours then spray directly onto foliage.

Tips: Shake well before use. Keep in the fridge between uses.

Chilli garlic spray

Who is it for?

Turns out cabbage moths don’t like spicy food…

What you’ll need…

• 500ml x boiled water
• 4 x garlic cloves
• 1 x birdeye chilli, sliced
• A few drops of non-toxic dish soap

How it’s done…

1. Place the boiled water, garlic and chilli in a glass jug and allow to steep.
2. Leave until cooled then add the dish soap and decant into a spray bottle.

Coffee spray

Who is it for?

Coffee spray is ideal for killing slugs and snails.

What you’ll need…

• 1 part espresso (not instant, looks like slugs and snails are coffee snobs too!)
• 10 parts water

How it’s done…

1. Combine the coffee and water in a spray bottle
2. Spray over the surfaces of leaves and soil where snails and slugs may crawl.

Tip: Reapply after heavy rain.

Soap spray

Who is it for?

A soap spray is a great, natural deterrent for aphids and caterpillars.

What you’ll need…

• 2 tbsp x soap flakes
• 1 L x water

How it’s done…

1. This one is pretty straightforward. Add the soap flakes to the water and stir until completely dissolved.
2. Decant into a spray bottle and use directly onto affected plants.

Tip: No need to dilute this one, it’s good to go once you’ve made it up.

Natural fly sprays

Who is it for?

The bane of our life, especially in the warmer month… the pesky house fly. We are NOT fans! If you’re interested in a chemical free solution to keeping them out of the house, try one of these DIY fly spray recipes.

Natural fly spray using citronella

What you’ll need…

• 150ml x witch hazel
• 5 drops x citronella essential oil
• 5 drops x eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 x drops x lavender essential oil

How it’s done…

Simply mix together the ingredients into a spray bottle and give it a go (see note below).

Fly repellant using hydrogen peroxide

What you’ll need…

• 1/3 cup x hydrogen peroxide
• 2/3 cup x water

How it’s done…

1. Mix together in a spray bottle and shake to combine.
2. Spray on surfaces where flies tend to hang out.

Note: These two recipes are more of a fly repellant, rather than ones that kill flies.

We hope these tips on how to get rid of common plant pests and garden bugs helps you grow a thriving and healthy garden. Do you have more organic pest control or DIY pest control tips? We’d love you to share them in the comments below!

More gardening tips and inspo

The post Organic pesticides: Keep unwanted insects out of your garden appeared first on Style Curator.

People seem more open than ever to upcycle furniture, reuse old items in new ways, and shop more consciously to be kinder to the environment and their wallet. And we’re here for it! To inspire you to join this movement, we’ve gathered our favourite eco-friendly home styling ideas.

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1. Give old furniture a refresh with paint

Possibly one of the most popular ways to upcycle an old piece of furniture is with paint. But what many people don’t know is just how easy it is to do this! From chalk paint that doesn’t need primer to spray cans that cut the time down to minutes, this quick upcycle hack will have you looking at old furniture with new eyes.

Over the years, Gina has painted plenty of furniture including a thrift store dresser and old timber coffee table in a tile-effect.

Tip: You can be so creative with paint. Consider using two colours to do a stripe or checkered pattern. Or channel your inner artist and try a floral or other pattern. Did you know it’s not just timber and metal that can be painted but upholstery too?!

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A post shared by Jaharn Quinn (@jaharnquinn)

2. Reimagine dated photo frames

We love how photo frames can personalise your home by displaying your favourite memories but they’re typically pretty boring! This clever thrifter picked up a range of old photo frames and gave them a cohesive glow-up using paint, timber beads and stain. Not only are the results fab but this video is too cute not to watch!

3. Old towel becomes cement vase

Some people are just so creative! Before you throw away your old towels, consider making your own concrete fluted vase like Shannen of @ourperthreno did! Essentially she dipped an old towel in cement and allowed it to dry over a PVC pipe to create this luxe-looking fluted vase.

Find all our favourite concrete DIYs here.

4. Turn old bedsheets into wall art

There are sooo many ideas out there on how you can turn old bedsheets into wall art. Many of them are questionable, haha.

This understated one we found on TikTok was one of the best, achieving a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Whether you have old frames you don’t like any more or bedsheets that have seen better days — or both! — you can use this DIY tutorial to repurpose those materials. Consider putting your own spin on this art, perhaps incorporating colours you like or playing with different forms.

@kaelimaee trust the process LOL i love how they turned out #fyp #foryoupage #aesthetic #home #decor #diy #wallart #diywallart #texturedwallart #satisfying #minimalist #inspo ♬ Black Out Days – Sped Up – Phantogram & Speed Radio & Esteve

5. Left over pavers becomes side table

If you’ve got left over pavers, why not turn them into a stylish side table? Gina used left over terrazzo tiles to make this curved side table. But if you can’t cut the pavers down to size, you can simply place 3 pavers in the same T design to achieve a similar design. Follow our DIY tutorial to make your own side table.

6. Dated vases get a clay makeover

It was hard to miss the ‘Trash to terracotta’ trend a few years ago! While the ultra-organic aesthetic has tempered down, there’s no denying this is still a fabulous way to give old objects a completely new look and feel.

To create the clay-effect paint, all you need to do is add a teaspoon or two of baking powder to regular paint. Whether you have an old vase or perhaps a table lamp with an unsightly base, this painting trick will have it looking like a contemporary, clay piece in no time.

7. Turn a plastic bottle into a pendant light

Want to add ambience to your home with softer lighting? This DIY pendant light using an old plastic bottle looks fab, especially when several are clustered together.

@curiguay Magnifica Lámparas Colgantes con Botellas plásticas #diyproject #diy #homedecor #reciclagem #lampara #lamparacolgante ♬ I'm Good (Blue) – Cupido

8. Reuse old jars as pantry storage

You don’t have to spend hundreds on beautifully matching plastic or glass canisters for your pantry when you can reuse jars and tins. We love this mix of jars below and the use of a white chalk pen to give them that whole foods aesthetic.

9. Make a coffee table out of cardboard and paper

Won’t lie, we were super sceptical about how this would turn out but shut our mouths when we saw the final result. Seriously!!!

No one would know this organic looking table is made from cardboard and paper mache!

10. Drawers become a hanging planter

There are so many ways you can repurpose timber drawers around your home. Just google ‘drawer upcycle’ and you’ll find ideas ranging from magazine storage boxes to hanging planters! It’s a clever idea to salvage what you can from an old piece of furniture that can’t be restored.

11. Turn a plastic cleaning bottle into a vase

If you’re in need of a vase, this inexpensive hack is sustainable and stylish! We’d probably leave the jute twine and consider using a coloured paint or the clay-effect paint trick we mentioned earlier. How would you put your own spin on it?

@iza.mariano.diy Oi, genteee! Tudo bem por aí? Que tal reciclar e criar uma peça linda para decorar? Olha só esse vaso boho feito com pote de amaciante! Me conta aqui nos comentários, você também amou essa ideia? Para fazer esse DIY, usei: Um pote de amaciante vazio Cola quente Fio de juta Tinta acrílica branca (misturada com bicarbonato para dar textura) Uma esponjinha para pintura —– Hey everyone! How about recycling and creating a beautiful decor piece? Check out this boho vase made from a fabric softener bottle! Tell me in the comments, do you love this idea too? For this DIY, I used: An empty fabric softener bottle Hot glue Jute twine White acrylic paint (mixed with baking soda for texture) A sponge for painting . . . . . #DIY #vasoboho #reciclagemcriativa #decoracaoboho #facavocemesmo #decoracaosustentavel #bohodecor #bohostyle #handmadedecor #upcycling #homedecor #artesanato #craftideas #decoracionboho #reciclagem #passoapasso #tutorial #tipsandtricks #casacriativa #criandoedecorando #artesanatocriativo ♬ Anxiety – Doechii

12. Plastic bottles become floor lamp

Talk about looking at rubbish in a whole new way! Gen took a bunch of old plastic bottles and turned them into this contemporary floor lamp! Find out how on her blog.

13. Keep pretty tins and turn them into a lamp

Turns out almost anything can become a lamp — including cute food tins! Loads of people commented on this video saying how much they loved all the creative ideas, and that the most creative thing they’ve done with old tins is use it as storage for their coffee pods. Hey, that’s still repurposing and reusing!

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14. Turn your old tyre into an ottoman

If you’ve got any old tyres around the place, why not put them to good use and turn them into an ottoman or side table? Simply wrap them in rope and you’ve got a durable, weather resistant piece of furniture — perfect for your outdoor area.

Find all our favourite rope DIYs here.

15. Make an unusual floor lamp with paper mache

Never have we seen this — not made from new materials or recycled ones! Innovative and unusual, this lamp inspires many creative ideas… What would you make out of paper mache?

16. Tile an old table

If your outdoor table is looking worse for wear (or perhaps just a bit dated!), why not give it a stylish makeover with tiles?! Tiles can add pattern and colour, are highly durable and will transform any table into a long-lasting furniture piece.

Get the tiled table tutorial here.

What is sustainable home decor?

Sustainable home decor is all about creating beautiful spaces while keeping our environmental footprint as light as possible. Instead of chasing fast trends that lead to more waste, it’s about choosing mindful ways to decorate by reimagining old items, repurposing everyday objects or extending the life of what we already have. For example, we can give old objects and furniture a makeover by going thrifting, salvaging and using one of the upcycle techniques in this article to give them new life. Alternatively, repurposing everyday items like cardboard and plastic bottles and turning them into creative home accents leans into the trash to treasure movement.

Equally important is caring for the things we already own. Repairing instead of replacing, maintaining quality pieces, and appreciating their longevity are some of the most sustainable design choices we can make. By embracing these practices, sustainable home decor not only reduces waste but also adds character and uniqueness to our homes.

What’s your favourite sustainable home decorating idea in this round up? Or perhaps you’ve spotted something else you think should make the list? Chat with us in the comments.

More DIY ideas

The post 16 sustainable home decorating ideas: Hacks to reuse + repurpose appeared first on Style Curator.

Whether you’ve got a tired old table sitting in your backyard or you love hunting for bargains, I’ll take you through all the steps in this guide so you can do it too.

Related article: DIY outdoor dining table with tiled pillar legs
Related article: 7 ways to design an outdoor space that exudes resort-level luxury

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Why DIY a tiled table?

Outdoor furniture can cost a small fortune so when shopping on a budget you typically have to sacrifice either size, quality or style. By tiling over an old table, you can create a custom piece you’ll love, all while saving money and reducing waste.

You can have lots of fun choosing your own colours and design, like stripe, checker or a random mix of colours. Or you can use coloured grout to give your table an unexpected pop of colour.

Tiled tables are also durable, easy to clean and won’t get as hot as aluminium tables.

Materials you’ll need:

• Old metal frame and glass top outdoor table (mine was salvaged from the side of the road)
• WD-40 EZ-Reach (to clean and remove rust)
• Metal bristle brush
• Eco Prim Grip (primer to help tiles stick to glass)
• White spray paint (all-in-one, no primer needed)
• White square mosaic tiles (I bought these from Bunnings. Tip: calculate the surface area of your table to work out how many sheets you’ll need and allow for 5-10% wastage. I used 24 sheets.)
• Tile glue
• White grout
• White silicone
• Notched trowel (for tile glue)
• Tile float (to spread grout)
• Bucket, sponge, wooden spoon, paint brush

Step 1: Prep your table

Start by giving your old table a thorough clean. For rust and hard-to-reach spots on the metal frame, spray WD-40 EZ-Reach, wait 5 minutes, then scrub with a metal bristle brush. This removes grime and protects against future rust.

Step 2: Paint the frame

Once clean, spray paint the frame with two coats of all-in-one spray paint. This instantly refreshes the look and protects the metal from weather damage.

Step 3: Prime the glass top

Before tiling, apply Eco Prim Grip to the glass top. This gives the surface a gritty texture so the tile glue can adhere properly. Let it dry completely before laying your tiles.

Step 4: Lay your tiles

Spread a layer of tile glue using a notched trowel, then press the mosaic tile sheets into place. If you don’t have tile spacers, you can improvise — I used paddle pop sticks and they worked fine!

Tip: If your table is an odd size, you might need to cut tiles. I avoided this by allowing a 3–5mm overhang, which achieved a neat look and saved so much time.

Step 5: Grout your tiles

After the glue dries (24 hours), mix your white grout according to the instructions — it’s important to follow the exact water ratio to avoid cracks later. Work quickly to press grout into the joints, then wipe away the excess with a damp sponge before it sets.

Tip: It’s best to use 2 buckets when wiping away grout — use one with clean water to refresh your sponge and use the second bucket to squeeze out the dirty water. This will save you so much time and minimise grout haze.

Step 6: Finish with silicone

For a clean edge, apply white silicone around the perimeter of the table. This seals any gaps and gives the table a polished finish.

Design ideas

I went all-white for a fresh, minimalist look, but you could get as creative as you like.

Creative tiled table ideas:

• mix two tile colours for a checkerboard or stripe tile effect
• create patterns with contrasting mosaics
• use bold or pastel hues for a playful touch
• use handmade Moroccan tiles for an earthy, luxe aesthetic.

Cost and time

This project cost me around $250 (noting I already had tools like buckets and trowels). Considering new tiled tables can cost upwards of $1,000, I was thrilled with that! Plus, I saved this piece from landfill — a win for the environment and my wallet.

I completed the project over a weekend as I needed to allow drying time. All up, it probably took about 2-3 hours.

I couldn’t be happier with how this DIY outdoor tiled table turned out. It’s such a large and sturdy outdoor table, ready for summer barbecues and family gatherings. Plus I love the contemporary look!

Are you inspired to tackle your own tiled table project? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

More DIY ideas

The post DIY tiled outdoor table: White grid tile table top 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.

Here’s how I made my very own DIY outdoor dining table with tiled legs. I’d love to know what you think of it

Related article: From drab to fab: The easy budget alfresco makeover DIY that will transform your outdoor living space
Related article: 5 easy ways to achieve a Hamptons outdoor space

Items you’ll need:

• 4 x Kmart oak look side tables (sold as a set of 2 — I’ll be using the smaller table size for another DIY table)
• MDF board 2400mm long x 1200mm wide
• White kitkat mosaics
• 2 x 1000mm PVC pipe and end caps (used to give the side tables extra sturdiness)
• Cushioned rubber floor protectors (to lift the table off the ground)
• T-Rex glue
• Waterproof (I used Gripset Fast Cure)
• White grout (and measuring jug, bucket and stirrer to mix)
• Feather finish
• White oxide
• Sealer (I used Stain-Stop by Lithofin)
• Jigsaw
• Drill and hole drill bit (large enough for the PVC pipe)
• Sander
• Trowel
• Tile float
• Paint brush
• Measuring tape
• Pencil

Steps:

1. Come up with a design for your table. I designed a pill-shaped outdoor dining table with two large tiled pillar legs inspired by a similar ripple curved outdoor dining table I’d seen. You can get as creative as you like, designing a shape to suit your space.

2. I started by making the pillar legs. To do this, I found the centre point in each of the 4 side tables and cut out a hole large enough to feed through my PVC pipe. This is because these side tables are not designed to hold a large weight and I wanted to give the table more sturdiness by reinforcing the centre with pipe.

Then I glued 2 side tables on top of each other, fed through the pipe that I cut to size and glued it all in place. I repeated these steps for the second pillar leg.

I also added rubber furniture protectors to the base of the 2 pillar legs to lift the table off the ground.

3. Then I glued my MDF board on top. Take your time to get the position right. You want your pillar legs to be in the centre and equal distance apart.

Next I drew out the curved edges. To do this, I found the centre point in the board and used a level as a guide (much like a giant ruler) to draw the curves.

Use a jigsaw to cut out your pill shape tabletop.

4. Then I sanded the edges to smooth out my cuts. This was my first time using a jigsaw so my lines were a bit bumpy.

5. I cleaned the table and then used a paint brush to apply waterproof all over (tabletop and legs). You won’t need to do this if your table is indoors. But this one is semi-exposed in an alfresco area.

6. Then I tiled the pillar legs. To do this, I applied T-Rex glue using a trowel and placed the kitkat mosaic tiles on top. I used 1mm tile spacers to get an equal distance between the mosaic sheets.

You can find kitkat tiles (also called finger tiles) in many sizes, colours and finishes, including natural stone, so you could get really creative!

7. The next day, once the glue was dry, I grouted the pillar legs. You could use a different coloured grout to emphasise the tile shape but my tiling job isn’t perfect so I chose white grout. Mix up the grout following the instructions on the packet and use a tile float to get it in between all the tiles. Sponge off excess grout using a damp sponge.

8. Then I worked on the table top. I wanted to give this table a stone look top so I used Feather Finish (concrete render) and mixed in white oxide. I used a ratio of about 85% feather finish and 15% white oxide.

Once I mixed it well with water, I used a trowel to apply it evenly over the table top. You want to achieve a ‘cake batter consistency’ so it’s easy to apply but not runny. As you can see in the pics, I also used my hands to apply it onto the sides of the table.

9. Allow the table top to dry fully before using a sander to smooth it out. Depending on the coverage you achieved with the feather finish mix, you may need to repeat step 8 and apply a second coat.

10. Finally, I cleaned the table and applied one coat of sealer with an old rag. I did this by pouring the sealer directly onto the table and using the rag to rub it in using quick circular motions.

I won’t lie, this is one of the most complex DIYs I’ve made. But as someone with zero woodwork or tiling skills, I was able to make this table by myself and am thrilled with the results. My biggest tip would be to have patience, as you need to allow for a lot of drying time!

Do you have any questions about this DIY? Pop it in the comments below and I’ll get back to you asap. Or have you been inspired to make your own DIY outdoor dining table? I’d love to know what you decide to create!

More DIYs for the home

This article was first published in May 2022

The post DIY outdoor dining table with tiled pillar legs appeared first on Style Curator.

I don’t know about you, but a sea of weeds has taken over my outdoor area. And not just in the garden, but in between paving and popping up in footpath cracks. It’s almost impossible to pull it all out by hand which is why I turned to a weed killer.

Many store bought weed killers contain toxic chemicals you’d rather not use around pets or children. So I was thrilled when my neighbour shared a natural weed killer recipe — which actually works! Of course, I had to share it with you!

Related article: In the garden: Summer gardening guide
Related article: How to choose the right mulch for your garden

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

Items you will need:

• 1L white vinegar
• 3/4 cup salt
• 3 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid
• Jug to combine ingredients
• Watering can or spray bottle to apply onto weeds

Steps:

1. Combine 3/4 cup of salt, 3 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid (also called dish soap) and 1 litre of white vinegar. Stir well to dissolve the salt.

2. Once mixed well, transfer into a watering can or spray bottle so you can apply it directly onto weeds.

3. Spray weeds with your natural weed killer and within days they will shrivel up and die.

It’s that easy (and cheap!) to make your own home made natural weed killer. Just be aware, it also works on plants and lawn so only apply it directly onto weeds. If you don’t have the time to tackle those stubborn weeds yourself, consider looking for professional gardening services to keep your outdoor space in pristine condition while still using eco-friendly solutions like this natural weed killer.

Will you give this natural weed killer a try? Or do you know any other natural ways to care for the garden? We’d love you to share your tips and tricks in the comments so everyone can benefit!

More outdoor inspo

This article was first published in January 2022.

The post How to make a natural weed killer with just 3 household ingredients appeared first on Style Curator.

Yes, really! Our round up includes stylish lights, gorgeous pendants and cool floor lamps that you can actually make yourself.

Related article: HACK your own wall light… without HACKing into your walls!
Related article: Home interior lighting: 5 strategies for ambience and functionality

1. Designer jute pendant light dupe

There are loads of natural fibre pendant lights on the market right now and some of them are NOT cheap! We love this designer jute pendant light dupe created by Cuckoo 4 Design.

She uses a wireframe light fixture and wraps it with jute yarn. Her step-by-step how to guide is super simple to follow too.

2. Curved wall-mounted floor lamp with side table

This curved wall-mounted floor lamp from German DIYer, Easy Alex, is just the coolest! Watch him make it in the video below.

We love the cute little shelf he’s created along with his DIY wall lamp. It’s the perfect spot for a glass of wine… or a coffee, if it’s not yet wine o’clock!

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A post shared by Alexander Johnson (@easyalex)

3. White concrete wall sconce

Round wall lights are still a hot trend in interiors. Like this white concrete wall sconce Gina created. But do you want to know the best parts? It requires no electrician to wire it in, it’s affordable to make, AND it’s temporary!

See how she made it here.

4. Paper palm frond light fixture

Sooo… we did a double-take when we first saw this DIY light. Mostly because we didn’t believe it was a DIY project!

The exceptionally talented Flavie from Flavie Peartree will feature a lot in this DIY lights and lamps round up. Because she makes some ah-MAZING creations and shares all the how to’s on her blog. Sure, it’s in French, but Google will happily translate it all for you, so you can easily get your DIY on!

This paper palm frond light fixture stole our hearts. It’s so unique and would look beautiful in a boho, coastal or even modern style home.

5. Raffia floor lamp

This DIY floor lamp is a total winner. Raffia floor lamps are trending hard right now, but they can come with a high price tag.

Using a cheap find off Facebook Marketplace, Rose from azumiihome DIY’ed her own! Check it out below.

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A post shared by Rose Chauhan | Interior & Styling (@azumiihome)

6. Globe side table

If ‘make your own light’ is on your DIY wish list, you can’t go past this beauty from one of our fave ever DIYers, Geneva from Collective Gen.

We have featured projects from Gen countless times on Style Curator because she’s so creative! This DIY uses an IKEA light fitting too, so it’s an affordable project you might like to try at home.

7. Brass hoop pendant light

A statement light can bring a room to life. And this project from Vintage Revivals does just that. A simple, easy to follow project, Mandi shares her guide on how to make your own pendant light.

This timber and brass hoop pendant light looks great as an individual light, or in a cluster.

8. Gold mesh statement light

For a truly unique pendant light, this gold mesh number is a must have. Made using a sheet of perforated aluminium, it’s not like any other DIY light we’ve seen before.

And by the looks of it, this is a DIY light pendant that’s pretty easy to replicate. See how it’s done here.

9. Bamboo pendant light

If you’re chasing a DIY light fitting that’s a little bit quirky, we reckon you’ll love this one from Amanda at Ruffled. It’s giving beachy / Mexican / fun fiesta vibes!

10. Fringed chandeliers

During our search for the best DIY lights, we came across a lot of fringed chandeliers. They’re pretty simple to create, make a serious statement and above all, look gorgeous. Here are a few of our faves…

This coral number from DIY Danie.

Another light from Flavie Peartree, this fringed chandelier uses macrame rope to create a DIY light shade with a bit of a boho feel.

And then this cute as a button fringed light is just the sweetest! We can see this one being the perfect addition to a nursery, play room or even in a living or sitting room. Love it!

11. Sunburst mirror light

If you’re wondering how to make your own ceiling light fixture, this sunburst mirror DIY is genius. Ruthie from miracleonthirtyfourth had the clever idea to simply remove the mirror and use the rest as a ceiling medallion. She then mounted a basic, LED mushroom light in the centre to create this ceiling light with a real wow factor.

Best of all, the mirror was sourced from Amazon, making it a really affordable statement piece.

12. Flower floor lamp

This timber flower light shade is oh si belle! Our French DIY light queen, Flavie from Flavie Peartree has done it again with this beautiful floor lamp! See how she made it here.

13. Timber batten chandelier

Another DIY light shade that caught our eye was this timber batten chandelier from home decorator, Jessica from fromgrittopearl.

We love how the timber complements her dining table and rattan dining chairs, and brings a nice dose of warmth into her dining space.

14. Glass brick side table lamp

Giving off that Palm Springs / 70s vibe, our next DIY light is this cool as glass brick side table lamp.

Another creative project from CollectiveGen, if you manage to get your hands on a glass brick, we definitely recommend making this DIY lamp base! So, so cool!

15. Sun light

Simple is often the best. And if you want to make your own wall light, this sun light from DIY Danie might be just what you’re searching for. You can find lots of her tutorials on her YouTube channel.

16. Mesh pendant light

When we first saw this DIY pendant light, we thought it was another fringe chandelier. But on closer inspection, we noticed it was made from… a rug pad! Yes, that fabric you put under your rugs to stop them slipping… THAT is what this pendant light is made from! Mind. BLOWN!

You can see how Amber made this creative masterpiece on her Instagram highlights.

17. Eggcup lamp

If you’re looking for a bit of a smaller DIY light project, how about this eggcup lamp? It’s another from Flavie Peartree and she shares the how to on her Instagram. So clever!

18. Boho bamboo pendant light shades

DIY enthusiast Justin Wray uses cheap and cheerful items from US discount store Dollar Tree to create these boho bamboo pendant light shades. The Aussie equivalent is probably The Reject Shop.

He made these lights from bamboo skewers! Seriously! Check out the full step-by step how to video here.

19. Plywood chandelier

Would you believe that DIYer Crystal made this plywood chandelier for under $40?! How impressive is that?! By using offcuts she already had at home, and the existing light fitting, Crystal from woodcollaborative made this two-tier DIY light shade. It looks even more beautiful when it’s lit up too.

She shares more on how she made it on her Instagram highlights reel.

20. Woven wicker chandelier

Inspired to DIY her own woven wicker chandelier, Nina from balkanina came up with this gem of a light. She used a pre-made basket to make this super affordable, easy lampshade DIY project.

21. Rattan ball light

If you’re chasing a bit more of a rustic style, this DIY rattan pendant light could be the project for you. Flavie shares another of her fabulous DIY light shade and gives you the step-by-step instructions with photos to follow along.

22. Industrial style outdoor chandelier

Tasha created this cool industrial style outdoor chandelier using baskets. We love seeing how creative some people are, and basket pendant lights have been on the hot interiors trend for a while now.

She goes into all the nitty gritty details on her blog, or you can watch it in video from on her Instagram.

23. White driftwood pendant

We feel like this white driftwood pendant light would be right at home in a holiday home by the beach! Self-confessed DIY lover, Danie, made this DIY light shade along with loads of other light projects you can see on her YouTube channel.

24. IKEA hack pendant light

If you’ve ever taken a wander through IKEA, you will have seen their fabulous array of woven baskets. What hadn’t crossed our minds, was using said basket to make a pendant light!

This DIY pendant light IKEA hack from Jennifer is a great project if you want to try and make your own pendant light, but don’t want the hassle of calling in an electrician! She shows how she created this rattan basket pendant for her living room on her blog.

25. Reclaimed wood beam chandelier

Taking out the last spot in our DIY light and lamps round up is this winning wow factor. Why not make your own light?! Danie shares how to make your own light fixture with this reclaimed timber beam chandelier. We love the exposed bulbs hanging at different lengths to create a real showstopper of a piece.

We hope this article has been a light bulb moment of inspiration for you ! Has it made you want to create your own DIY light or lamp? Do you have a favourite idea from our round up, or perhaps you’ve spied one you think we need to add to our list! Let us know in the comments below!

More DIY projects here

The post DIY lights and lamps: Stylish lighting you can make yourself appeared first on Style Curator.

So keep scrolling for plenty of affordable ideas for all things table styling, party foods, themes, decorating and more!

Related article: How to create a gorgeous grazing board
Related article: 20 of the coolest Kmart hacks EVER!

Party platters, grazing tables and grazing boards

Feeding a crowd can be a bit of a headache… which is where grazing boards are an absolute lifesaver. Lots of options to suit all dietary restrictions, great for a big group, no need to slave away in the kitchen for hours. Plus they look great!

Using a few raised serving boards, chalkboard signs and jars from Kmart and laying out a jute table runner was the key to success for this stunning engagement party set up by Nikita. Laying it directly on the table means less fuss and clean up — no need for all the individual plates, platters and bowls — and gives you ample space to spread out your feast.

You can find our resident experts top tips on how to style the most gorgeous grazing board right here.

Personalised picnic

Posh picnics are a bit of a thing at the moment and we totally get why. While professionally organised picnics can be a bit pricey, you can totally create your own fancy DIY picnic — perfect for a girls catch up, a baby shower, birthday party, anniversary… any occasion really! Check out all our tips on how to put together the perfect picnic.

A picnic basket is a must, and we love how Kate personalised the insulted rattan picnic basket from Kmart. This would make a stunning gift too!

Backyard wedding on a budget

This small but sweet backyard wedding set up is elegance pared back. We all know weddings can cost a fortune so we love this idea for a sweet and personalised at-home wedding. But if you are looking to have your special day elsewhere, you could explore a wedding venue in Sydney that offers affordable packages while still creating a magical atmosphere. Otherwise, you can elevate your at-home wedding with personalised alcohol boxes from The Neighbours Cellar. Their premium wines and spirits with custom labels will impress guests and double as a memorable keepsake from the special occasion.

This backyard styling concept would work just as well for a birthday, hen’s party, engagement, or just-because party. Hiring large furniture items is a great idea so you don’t fork out for pieces you won’t use after the event. Then adding in small decor details from places like The Reject Shop, Big W, Kmart, Target and craft stores will ensure you and your guests have a beautiful party… on a budget! Our top tip, embrace soft lighting through candles and fairy lights for that magical ambience!

Other ways you can save on your wedding costs without compromising on the celebration is to rent attire, consider DIY catering, and leveraging technology by creating a wedding website instead of traditional paper invitations.

Foraging is your friend

By using glassware, vases or old jars you already have around the home, why not turn these into centrepieces with gorgeous foraged displays for your next party?

From greenery in the backyard to twigs and branches you pick up on a walk around your local area, foraged beauties can be a great and cost effective (aka free!) way to style on a budget.

Stylish on a budget

When planning a party on a budget, not everything has to be pricey. We love the idea of mixing a few luxe pieces with more affordable options like glass bottles as vases and faux flowers, foraged greenery, fronds or feathers for decor.

This beyond gorgeous engagement party looks top-level lush, but the cake stand is from Kmart and has been filled with cheap and cheerful florals to give it that rustic boho look.

Keep your party stylish but on budget! And who would know that half the decor from this party was from our fave high street bargain store?! Not us, that’s for sure!

Remember for important celebrations, it’s better to splurge on the items that will be with you forever and save on smaller details. For example, for a wedding party we suggest spending more only on items that will be with you forever such as men’s wedding bands, quality photography and videography to treasure the memories.

DIY invites

Printed invitations are lovely, but for many occasions, parties and events, you can usually get away with an electronic invite. Not a whizz on photoshop? No matter! FREE programs like Canva make it effortless.

There are hundreds of amazing designs to choose from for every type of party. Many of them are free and you can personalise and customise them with ease. If you’re organising a group event, consider using services like Group Together to easily collect contributions for group gifts or special expenses — making party planning even simpler.

Pretty in pink

Call it Barbie fever but who doesn’t love a pink party?! Perfect for a hens brunch or romantic Valentine’s celebration, a pink theme is always a good idea. Fact.

Have fun with pink tableware and accessories to emulate a specific style. For example boho luxe, modern, or for a kids party perhaps fairies. We adore this fabulous pink set up Kristine created… and yep, everything pictured is from Kmart!

You don’t have to use a pink theme though. Select any colour from the spectrum and base your party decor around that colour scheme.

Twinkle on the cheap

If in doubt, just add fairy lights! Using a hula-hoop, some spray paint, and twinkly fairy lights, you can make these gorgeous hanging light features for next to nothing. We love how they look at night and take this outdoor wedding to the next level.

Spooktacular fun

Of course one of the biggest nights of the year for a party is Halloween! From DIY decorations like paper cut out bats to DIY costumes, there are plenty of ways you can create a spooky yet stylish event on a budget. Get all our Halloween tips and tricks.

Shop your home

Boho picnic parties are still trending and it’s not hard to see why. We adore this sweet but simple (and stylish) set up for this cute kids party.

Our fave part is that it’s pared back (this is party planning on a budget after all!) and it’s not all perfectly matchy-matchy. The cushions (Kmart, we suspect) don’t all match. And while these may have been purchased new, it gave us the idea that for any party, you could (and should) shop your home before you rush to the shops to spend up big.

Use cushions you already have. The strips of hanging paper look fab and could be scraps of paper or fabric you have in the kids craft box. Keep it simple, we guarantee whoever the birthday girl (or boy) is, they will love the effort you’ve gone to. And you will love saving money while you’re at it!

DIY cake stand or food platter

Elevate your table styling by literally elevating some of your foods. Using platters at different heights instantly creates a more luxe look and you can easily DIY your own.

This one from Dina is super simple and uses a Kmart bowl, plate and super glue. Yep, that’s it. It looks great and adds height and interest to her Christmas tablescape. You can check out exactly how she did it on her Instagram page.

Floral centrepieces without the hefty price tag

Using faux flowers, a round rattan tray and twinkly fairy lights, Peta created this focal centrepiece using all products from Kmart. This would be perfect for a party or even as wedding table centrepieces.

Pamper your pet

Why should humans have all fun?! This is a cute party planning on a budget for your furry (or feathered!) friend. They honestly don’t need much to keep them happy. Mostly food and attention will do! But we love the raised platter (Kmart!) full of puppy treats and the sparkly backdrop (try Kmart, Big W, Spotlight) for that perfect pooch pic.

DIY floral centrepiece or wedding bouquet

The secret to creating a great floral arrangement for less is having good inspo, like this stunning bouquet from Three Birds Renovations. Then hit up stores like Kmart and Big W for artificial flowers and mix in a few real foraged stems. Presto, a stunning floral centrepiece or wedding bouquet!

Unicorn magic

From the bowls and plates to platters and backdrop, this magical unicorn kids party set up was done on a budget. Using much of what she already had at home and adding extra bits in from the affordable range at Kmart, Bec made a unicorn garden party that her daughter is sure to remember forever.

When party planning on a budget, shop your home first. Guests won’t mind (or even notice) if things don’t match perfectly. Use what you already have, borrow from friends and family, and check out thrift store to snatch up a few bargains.

Teepee boho party

Long tables are ideal for celebrations, creating a sense of togetherness and looking fabulous! Plus, when you can simply use a few timber palettes or large timber board as a table, it can be a cost effective way to host your guests.

Marian created this teddy bear picnic for her little one using items purchased from Kmart. What we love about this setup is that the teepee can double as a present for the birthday girl once the party is over. Smart, stylish and savvy.

Pamper party

Ok, so we know this is meant to be a kids party, but… can we come?! How much fun does this budget friendly party look?!

A stunning pamper party set up for her little girl’s 8th birthday, this looks like the party of dreams! We love the stunning centrepiece and pieces of fabric draped romantically across the table. The little pamper party bags (Kmart, of course!) are the best!

DIY photo booth fun

Capture the memories of the day with a fun photo booth. Sure, you could hire one, but we’re talking party planning on a budget here! So why not steal this great idea, using a ring light and a phone (or tablet) with some cute Kmart costume props to make it a real party!

We hope this has given you some inspiration for your own party planning on a budget. Perhaps you’ve got some great ideas, or even pics you’d like us to include in this blog post! Drop us an email or comment below — we’d love to see them!

More Kmart hacks here

The post Party planning on a budget: Ideas, tips and inspiration appeared first on Style Curator.