DIY

To celebrate local makers and DIY, Your Home and Garden Deputy Editor Kristina Rapley tried her hand at a candle making class and was pleasantly surprised What it’s like to make your own home made scented candle I’ve always been obsessed with candles. There’s nothing better than lighting a few scented candles on a Sunday […]

Transform this decorative floating shelf from EziBuy by adding a functional rail – perfect for paper towels, tea towels or favourite utensils Tools + Hand saw + Jig saw + Square + Pencil + Sandpaper + Wood glue + Screwdriver + Wood-coloured filler Budget + 18mm dressed pine (enough for 480mm) $32 + 1.8m pine dowel (20mm […]

Whether you have a left over roll or you’ve found a print you love but have nowhere to put it, these easy DIY projects prove wallpaper isn’t just for your walls 1. Headboard  + To make a headboard for a queen bed, you’ll need a 12mm-thick piece of MDF 80cm x 167cm (or cut it to […]

With the chunky knit trend sweeping the globe, Your Home and Garden Style Director Catherine Wilkinson decided to try out the Plump & Co knitting workshop. Here are the results… What it’s like to make your own super chunky knit blanket I had seen Plump & Co’s ‘giant knitting’ workshops all over social media and […]

Grab that old pair of jeans you’ve got stashed at the back of the wardrobe and give them a new lease on life with these clever craft projects Heart cushion + Cut the inner leg seam of a pair of jeans all the way down. + Open up the leg so the outside seam is […]

For a modern take on a bedside table that’s also a great space-saving option, practise your DIY skills on one of our floating wall shelves, each of which can be knocked out in just a few hours  Top tips for building a floating shelf There are many ways to install a floating shelf, depending on what […]

Whether you’re looking for craft projects to sell or keep, these four easy ideas with felt are sure to hit the creative spot Felt toy + Cut out 2 pieces of 30cm x 20cm felt and place on top of each other. + For the legs, cut two 30cm lengths of wide ribbon, fold in […]

This duo put their DIY skills to the test transforming their rabbit warren brick-and-tile on Auckland’s North Shore into a functional, open-plan family home  Who lives here?  Amy Rennell (project manager, Auckland Airport), Ben Rennell (commercial business manager), Isla, 3, and Poppy, 10 months, plus family pooch Jack. What were the problems with the home […]

A 1970s brick-and-tile on Auckland’s North Shore was squandering its sea views and natural light until a pair of novice DIYers set it right on a shoe-string budget Who lives here?  Amy Rennell (project manager, Auckland Airport), Ben Rennell (commercial business manager), Isla, 3, and Poppy, 10 months, plus family pooch Jack. The original home  […]

In an effort to have a space of their own without the need for a massive mortgage or many possessions Shaun and Petra Pearce decided to build a tiny home – and it fits them perfectly An obsession with tiny homes, a passion for Pinterest and despair at the cost of homes in Auckland led to […]

Previously inhabited by hoarders, this Wellington home was in need of makeover. Luckily colour, pattern and clever upcycling helped to bring it back to life Meet and greet Pip Hunter, ESOL teacher, Will Malone, builder and owner of iwillconstruct, Indy, 6, and Bella, 5, plus Marley the cat DIY skills and a dash of colour helped […]

You loved the creative way this Wellington family gave their home a bright new look, so we’ve rounded up some simple ways to steal their style Steal their style: A Wellington home gets a makeover with a colourful twist Wellington-born Pip and Brit Will met in Canada and did everything from working at ski resorts […]

Nestled in a quiet corner of Swanson, a tired cottage was crying out for a makeover. Luckily this Auckland couple was in the market for a DIY project A forlorn cottage is given a new lease of life for just $30,000 When renovation rookies Kristina Rapley and Ashton Lines-Sherwood were looking at getting into the […]

A flair for upcycling, combined with some tricks of the trade, has transformed this tired Wellington house into a light, bright family haven Meet and greet Pip Hunter, ESOL teacher, Will Malone, builder and owner of iwillconstruct, Indy, 6, and Bella, 5, plus Marley the cat. A Wellington home is renewed thanks to some skillful […]

For this Christchurch couple, their passion and knack for DIY helped to transform a forlorn villa and get their foot on the property ladder Snapshot  Who lives here: Emmett Williams, industrial electrician, Hannah Williams, stay-at-home mum and Jed, 2, plus Sadie the Labrador. A major DIY project returns a Christchurch villa to its former glory […]

With a budget of just $30,000, DIY newbies Kristina and Ashton transformed a run down cottage with dramatic results. Here, she shares her top tips for renovating for resale Kristina Rapley’s 6 top tips for renovating for resale Your Home and Garden editor Kristina Rapley and her partner Ashton Lines-Sherwood were renovation rookies when they took on […]

Children or pets make a house a home, and if your furry friend is the king or queen of your household, they surely deserve their very own throne! Here Marty dismantles a cheap and cheerful shelf and transforms it into the cutest wee bed we ever did see Tools you will need Pencil; hand saw; […]

Discover how to transform the humble pegboard into stylish and practical pieces for your home with these four simple projects 1. Placemats Using a dinner plate as a guide, trace a circle on your pegboard sheet. Cut with a jigsaw and sand the edges back. Paint three coats of desired paint, then when dry glue […]

Parrot tulips are available early autumn to late spring and make for a unique arrangement. Here’s how to arrange them Top tips for parrot tulips Parrot tulips have multi-coloured heads and wrinkled petals, giving them a much more rustic and wild appearance compared to the popular variety. For this relaxed arrangement, ensure you wash all the […]

From style and safety, to choosing your tradie we find out the 11 top tips for building a deck from builder Joel Johns-Markham   11 things you need to know before building a new deck Builder Joel Johns-Markham knows a thing or two about decks so we get his advice on tackling a new build […]

The makeover options are endless with this pine utility shelf. Here we’ve turned it into a cute drinks trolley – or you could use it as mobile storage unit! You will need Hand saw, tape measure, pencil, hammer, heavy-duty scissors, phillips screwdriver, square Step 1 Follow flat-pack instructions to build utility shelf (it’s 800 x […]

So simple, and super stylish this canvas ottoman is the perfect, fun addition to any room. Get your creative cap on and discover how to make one at home How to make your own fun canvas ottoman at home You will need: Artist’s canvas: cut into 2 x squares (50cmx50cm) and 1x rectangle (1.58Mx40cm), ruler, […]

Discover how easy it is to transform the humble pallet into something handy and stylish with these three easy ideas for your home or garden  3 pallet furniture ideas you can easily make at home If you’re eager to have a go at a DIY furniture project but you’re lacking in carpentry skills, an easy […]

For a cosy spot to read or a place to curl up in under the stars, a hanging chair is always the best seat in the house. Discover how to create one at home You will need – Outdoor chair, $164, from The Warehouse. – Bolt cutters – 10m galvanised chain – 4 x snap clips Step 1 Cut […]

Fresh and natural, canvas is the perfect textile to add a refined rustic edge to any room. Here are four clever ways to make the most of versatile canvas in your home How to make a canvas floor cushion Cut 2 pieces of canvas 73cm square. Cut 4 strips of canvas 73cm x 15cm. (When […]

Clear the clutter at your place with these simple and practical daily tasks Day 1 Hire a skip if you need to, or at least have a trailer (if you know there are items destined for the tip), some good-sized boxes and rubbish bags. Take everything out that is restricting your car getting in there. […]

Take an inexpensive chopping board and turn it into a sturdy outdoor table that will keep all your essentials within easy reach. What you will need – Tenon saw – Square – Screwdriver – Sand block – Paintbrush Step 1 For vertical pieces: measure your chair and cut 2 lengths of pine to your desired […]

Keep flies and mosquitoes at bay without chemicals with this easy-to-make insect swatter YOU WILL NEED Makes 1 1 x 50cm length of 15mm diameter dowel 1 piece of leather or PVC [I used vegan leather] enough to make two 10cm x 15cm pieces Leather adhesive [I used Ados F2] Heavy weights [I used old […]

The resident Scotsman from TV3’s The Block NZ demonstrates how to put your own spin on budget-friendly finds. First up, an industrial cage light Materials Candle holder from Kmart Matte black spray paint 40x20mm vitex wood Pencil and square Handsaw 30mm wood screws Cordless power drill and screwdriver bit/screwdriver Light fitting (we got ours from  The […]

If you thought chopping boards were just for cutting vegetables, you thought wrong! Here are four creative ways for re-purposing this common household item… Look sharp Paint stripes onto boards; let dry. Place a mirror tile on each board and use a pencil to mark where it will sit. Turn mirror over and apply Liquid […]

From Christmas crackers to personalised place settings, work your DIY magic this year and try our affordable and fun table toppers How to create your own Christmas table toppers We love a traditional Christmas Day table setting with all the finest silverware but it’s also a great time of year to get creative and draw […]

A long weekend is the perfect opportunity to flex your creative muscles! Check out our top 8 ideas for getting stuck into some seriously cool DIY projects this long weekend  1 Make a statement in the bedroom Bored of your headboard? Check out these creative takes on bedheads from on-trend geometrics to a pair of […]

Two planks of wood and four plastic troughs is all it takes to create your own vertical garden for a visual statement, indoors or out Tools you will need  Fine-blade hacksaw; square; 600mm level; pencil; Phillips screwdriver; measuring tape; sanding block, hand saw. This project uses plastic troughs from Bunnings (pictured below) as the basis for this vertical garden. […]

Storage is a key part of any well-functioning home, and a shelving unit can be both beautiful and useful without costing the earth. Here’s how… Tools you will need  Hand saw; Ruler; Pencil; Sandpaper; Paintbrush (for varnish). This project uses a shelving unit from Bunnings (pictured below) as the basis for this shelf. How to build a storage shelf […]

Both functional and beautiful, this DIY bench seat is the perfect piece to bring your entryway to life – it’s ideal for storing shoes, jackets and bags Tools you will need  Ruler; screwdriver; square; handsaw; hammer; electric sander; drop cloths; paint brush. This project uses a Sort It cabinet from The Warehouse (pictured below) as […]

Even the most enthusiastic DIY’er needs to know when to get the professionals in. Here are builder Gary Rimmer’s dos and don’ts… DO DO plan Before going ahead and ripping walls out or spending half your budget on the wrong paint colour. Put pen to paper and write down some important points about the project. […]

It’s hard not to let the winter blues creep in sometimes. Here at Homes to Love we like to use that extra time indoors hiding from the cold to work on creative DIY projects or potting a new indoor plant. Here are 10 reasons to love winter…. 1 Do some DIY Being stuck indoors is the ideal tie to try out some […]

This clever DIY project combines storage, a building platform and – when the masterpiece is complete – a display area, all in one Tools you will need: Measuring tape; pencil; handsaw; square; hammer; drill; sandpaper; paint brush; drop sheet; screwdriver. How to Buy a piece of 1800 x 600 x 18mm dressed pine. Cut out 2 […]

Homes to Love caught up with Dawn Bannister of As Eliza Slept to find out how she made the super cool day bed in her daughter Eliza’s room Dawn, who designed the day bed? I sketched a rough concept then we researched plans via the internet. Who actually made the day bed? It was made […]

The wait is over Block-a-holics! The Block NZ is officially back with 4 new teams ready to take on 10 weeks of game-changing renovations. After meeting the teams tonight, who are you backing to win? The Block NZ: Girls v Boys screens Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday, 7.30pm on TV3. [related_articles post1=”46655″ post2=”46652″]

Save on artwork for your home and make your own with images that are dear to your heart. Your treasured photos can be turned into statement pieces with some creative printing ideas How to get the look Gallery wall See below for pricing of Bus Blind, Faux Canvas Prints and Hanging Clip Boards. Ply Board – […]

Follow these simple instructions to create a banner adorned with your favourite statement! You will need ½ metre of glazed linen (ours was from Martha’s) Pencil and pen Scissors Sewing machine (or hand sew) Cotton thread 9mm wooden dowel about 50cm long (ours was from Spotlight) Computer and printer, or letter stencils Piece of thin […]

Try these four projects with plywood – a lovely warm material that has become an essential home trend 1.How to make a plant hanger Buy your pots (ones with a band or lip are best). On the plywood, draw 3 squares with a circle in each the circumference of the pot at the point where […]

Time to crack open your cool colour-coordinated notepads and pencil cases – school’s back for yet another year And while studying for maths exams and weekend homework sessions, well, kind of suck, the good part is that organising your desk at home for the year ahead can be straight-up fun.  The problem?  A total refurb […]

A pegboard storage system encourages you to be a little bit tidier while looking ever so stylish Entrance/hallway Although the entrance is one of the busiest places in the home, it should ideally give visitors a feel for what your home is all about – and this is where a pegboard becomes your secret anti-clutter […]

These stylish leather loops will turn cluttered work areas into hubs of efficiency To make one strap, you will need 1 metre x 25mm vegetable leather (ours came from Lapco Leather) Ruler Craft knife Power drill or screwdriver 1 copper nail or screw (ours came from Bunnings) 100mm steel ring (optional) Etch primer (optional) Spray […]

Spin a fine yarn with these four projects using tried-and-trusty yarn, reinterpreted for today 1. Wall hanging Cut yarn into 2-metre lengths. Fold the yarn in half and loop onto a metal ring by passing the free ends through the looped end. Repeat the process until you have the desired amount of yarn. Trim the […]

Stylist Samantha Totty presents four simple projects using wool. Any colour will do! 1. Pom pom twigs Secure the end of a strip of wool in your palm using your thumb. With your other hand, wrap the wool around three joined fingers 100 times. Slide the wool off your fingers. Tie an 8-inch piece of […]

Versatile washi tape adds creative colour to anything it touches. Here are four easy projects to try How to get the look Washi tape from etsy.com; cake stand from Redcurrent; cupcakes from Petal; elephant ornament from Allium; vase, necklace, flowers and lollies stylist’s own. Wall painted in Resene ‘Vanilla Ice’. Buy your washi tape and cardboard […]

Copper adds a warm glow to any interior. Try these four projects using copper paint by stylist Catherine Wilkinson to get the look at your place. Project 1 / Copper-dipped chair legs Project 2 / Painted ceramics Project 3 / Polka dot table linen Project 4 / Personalised candles Projects by: Catherine Wilkinson. Photos by: Wendy Fenwick @ Flash […]

We’ve got four clever DIY projects using beach towels by stylist Vanessa Nouwens Beach towel linen If you love the pattern of your beach towels, why not turn them into a bath mat, facecloth and hand towels? One beach towel should get you all these items. Use your existing bathroom towels as a cutting guide. […]

Wall hangings are bang on-trend – what better way to get festive this Christmas? How to Get three pieces of brass tubing in different lengths (or use wooden dowels spray-painted to suit your colour theme). Fold lengths of wool in half and cut to your desired hanging length, then loop onto each rod by passing the […]

Homes to Love caught up with florist Eden Kersten, aka The Botanist, to find out how to make a fresh green wreath What greenery have you used for this wreath? I’ve used Holly, eucalyptus, protea leaves, moss, scabiosa, and poppy heads. What equipment do I need? – Oasis (wet floral foam) wreath – Greenery and flowers […]

It’s possible to give a shared bedroom an individual feel using cool and contemporary paint effects Designing for two Decorating a shared children’s room can be tricky, as the occupants are bound to have different ideas about how it should look. Search for some common ground between the two – a theme, colour or object […]

Looking for a Christmas wreath? Browse this gallery of floral wreaths made from a mix of native and exotic flora with added festive bling in the form of baubles, deer and stars Photography by: Bridget Webber Wreaths created by: students from Manukau Institute of Technology Floral School Flowers and fauna from: Flowers Work Wonders

Get creative with the kids and add simple Scandinavian charm to your home this holiday season with these cute clay decorations These DIY cut-out Christmas decorations are a perfect project for the kids These cute little clay cutouts are simple, stylish and so easy to make. Grab the kids, throw on some Michael Bublé and […]

We step inside the homes of two creative Kiwi mums to talk tree styles Vanessa Nouwens: “I’m a big lover of Christmas (my friends call me Mrs Christmas) and I try to keep things interesting with a new theme every year. This year’s sorbet and metallic theme is definitely new, and the colours aren’t what you […]

Interiors expert Alex Fulton shares her tips for DIY decorations, shopping on a budget and how to add Christmas cheer to your home Alex, how can readers shop to a budget, but still find great pressies? Magic! No, not really… It comes down to the three G’s. Good planning, good management and good execution. The challenge […]