Bowl everyone over with your creativity and keep things tidy with these hand-crafted clay containers These sweet, little rustic pinch bowls are easy to make and come in handy for holding all kinds of things. I love their forgiving, imperfect form and the many possibilities for creativity. I also find the making process to be […]

Crafting stylish accessories with soft, luxurious suede is a cinch. Let our guide to four ways with suede show you just how easy it is  How to make a suede tablet case First measure your tablet, then double it and mark a rectangle to these measurements on your suede, adding an extra 10mm or so […]

Stylist Sam Smith shows you four clever ways to re-purpose baskets to add a chic, rustic edge to any room How to make a dip-dyed planter Using masking tape, tape around the centre of the basket where you want the paint to finish. Paint the bottom half of the basket. Once dry, carefully remove tape. […]

Soft and subtle, dusty pink tones add feminine warmth to a room For more of the latest interior trends check out the winter issue of Simply You Living on sale now. [related_articles post1=”47441″ post2=”47398″] Behind the scenes of a Simply You Living cover shoot

Get your creative juices flowing with this stylish way to display photos, favourite sayings and things you aspire to. Whether it’s for your home office or bedroom, this wooden moodboard can be whipped up in no time You will need -Das Exhibition 18”x24” hardboard panel, $44.95 -Photos printed at the Print and Copy Centre, from $0.19c each -Rosies Studio Everyday Black […]

Create your own napkins, throws, cushions and tea towels with the most beautiful natural fabric – linen! 1. Napkins Cut linen into 48cm squares, then hem with a sewing machine so you have 45cm squares, forming your napkins. Mix chosen fabric dye in a bowl with hot water. Wet napkins in water, then dip about […]

Looking for creative ways to display your favourite photos? If it’s a statement piece for your wall or something small enough to keep in your pocket, these four ideas have got you covered How to get the look: Initial photo collage Renew Barwood 16×22” black frame $13.99 | A2 white linen Kascard sheet of card $2.89 | […]

How do you use your bedroom? For some it’s just a place to sleep and doesn’t need much more than a bed and some clothing storage. For others, it’s their sanctuary and might include a couch or chaise and even a desk. Do what you can with the space you have. The master bed Make […]

When renovating your home, there are generally two rooms that come to mind: kitchen and bathroom. These rooms make a statement about the age, style, standard and functionality of your house. Here’s how to get the most out of your kitchen renovation. With so many choices in fittings and cabinetry (and such a variance in price), […]

Bathrooms are one of the smallest rooms of the house yet they have to fit so much. To achieve a great bathroom, be very practical when it comes to planning and look for options that make the room streamlined and simple. Choose one thing to be the hero – the tiles, bath or even just some […]

This gorgeous scheme for a girl’s room allows plenty of scope for growth This room cleverly combines soft pink with a wall of metallic gold stripes to create a girl’s haven that can grow with her. Rather than opting for an overwhelmingly pink theme – which has a limited life span – soft dusty pinks […]

Make your own modern decorations and gifts with these easy ideas for washi tape Custom gift tags Keep costs down this Christmas by making your own gift tags. Using washi tape, make your own designs on plain white gift tags. Be as creative as possible and have some fun. Get the kids in on the […]

Forgo a traditional pine or artificial Christmas tree for these creative alternatives Getting twiggy with it Arrange twisted willow (or similar) in a large jar. Twist battery-operated seed lights around branches. Thread on dried or fresh flowers (we used ‘Chinese Snowball’ viburnum). Add decorations. Get the look: White stool, $85, from Flotsam & Jetsam; hanging […]

Use easy-to-find foliage to create a lush Christmas wonderland Hanging plant basket You will need  A hanging basket (large enough to hold 2-3 pots) Cellophane to line the basket Moss (Spanish and standard) Hanging and trailing plants How to Line the basket with green moss. Don’t worry if some is poking out. Line the moss […]

Give Christmas classics a fresh twist with these easy updates Up date Create an event-filled Christmas calendar using mini envelopes and wooden pegs, and get creative with stickers and card. Write a fun little Christmas note for each day. Circle of life Pull out the old family albums and display your vintage photos and memorabilia. […]

Get to work on your home office with these simple and practical daily tasks Day 1 Throw away old documents you don’t need – tax-related documents and supporting financial statements need to be kept for seven tax years; general bank documents for one year. Day 2 Change to the ‘receive by email’ option many utility companies […]

These easy fabric bags have a multitude of uses: here they make super-cute plant holders You will need Sewing machine Scissors Cotton Iron 2 pieces of fabric 40cm x 50cm (use two different fabrics if you want a contrasting fold-down top). 2 pieces of fabric for the base, approx 16cm in diameter. These need to […]

Clear the clutter at your place with these simple and practical daily tasks How to organise your home and clear the clutter Set a goal for how you want your home to look and feel, and make decisions with that goal in mind. Don’t bring anything into the house that doesn’t fit with that goal. It’s […]

The Block NZ host and editor of Your Home and Garden, Shelley Ferguson, shares her top tips for achieving a creative kid’s room that’s full of individuality and personality. From encouraging sleep to adding fun zones and a sense of adventure, these tricks will have children falling in love with their bedrooms in no time.

Professional organiser Steph Knight of Less Mess tells how to tackle the kitchen and garage. lessmess.co.nz Day 1 Take everything out of cupboards and drawers – not all at once or you won’t be able to move. Assess each item, and have a rubbish bag handy, plus a bag or box for items to donate. […]

Rather than pull down an old bach which is often a waste of perfectly good materials, think about how the existing structure can be reworked to suit your holiday needs. Use readily available cost-effective materials for walls and furniture such as the poplar ply Bonnifait + Giesen has used in the house. Good design can […]

Vanessa Nouwens shows you how to create a coaster, a cushion cover, a stool cover and a tasselled wall hanging – all from an old t-shirt. Coasting along Cut 2cm-wide strips from a large white T-shirt. Machine sew three strips of fabric together at the ends to make one long piece of fabric. Repeat this […]