This month I was challenged by some blogger friends to come up with a project using dollar store items. Now our Dollar Store is pretty limited so I went there with a closed mind. But believe it or not I was able to come up with some pretty basic items to make an easy colorful fence with dollar store flowers.
At the end of this project you’ll be able to see what my friends did with their dollar store finds.
What I used for this project:
Here is one of the most basic items you can find at the dollar store. A bouquet of 12 flowers. I was feeling rich so I bought 2 bunches.
The How-To:
I found it outside and it had been out there for a few years. A good cleaning was in order. And I also needed to replace some of the wood because it had disintegrated. But all in all, it would work well for my project!
I knew this fence would be placed outdoors so I wanted to know if this was a good paint to use. Would I need to spend more money? Did I need a protective coat? Because lets be honest, I may love my projects but I’m also super thrifty. I didn’t want to have to shell out any more money for this project except for what I bought at the dollar store.
I painted one coat of it and then went over it lightly to get this weathered look you see below! I’ve alsoused oyster white on another project here.
I cannot be that renaissance lady who does it all. I am totally incompetent when it comes to flowers and gardening. In fact I have a huge brown thumb… slowly inching its way to black!
How is your green thumb? Would you consider coming over to give me some lessons?
Scroll down some more and visit with my blogger friends for more dollar store craft ideas.
If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures twice a week in your mailbox. The form is on the sidebar and on top. Your e-mail will never be shared with a third party.
Linking up to these Link Parties
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
I love it when I get your comments and I will try reply to them or visit you on your blog. Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise we cannot publish it.
Your fence looks beautiful! 🙂
Thank you so much, it really brightens up the space!
Nope – no green thumb here either. Luckily the plants in the house (spider plants) are very forgiving – first they do not get water in days (read: “more than a week”) then they’re getting drenched. They did survive so far.
Out in the garden we’ve got mostly perennials, they need not that much care. And as for the flower tubs and the rest… I’ve got the most wonderful husband in the world…
I like your easy fence very much – I’m gathering ideas for crochet highlights in the front garden and these flowery highlights on the might be perfect!
Have a lovely week,
Marjan
Marjan I am so happy to hear that I’m not alone in my brown thumb misery! Haha.
I can just see your crocheted flowers on the lattice panel. They would look amazing!
Ahhhh Mary it does look beautiful on your balcony. So bright and cheerful. The perfect way to capture a bit of nature all year around and you don’t have to remember to water them either, which means more time to create something awesome 😉
That’s the best part Michelle. the not watering them. Because I am capable of either drowning them or starving them. There is no in between!
As you may already know I don’t do well with living plants so this will be perfect for me! Great work!
I’m so glad to hear I’m not alone. And you know that is very bad for us Greeks! 😉 My mother-in-law had the midas touch with plants, sadly it didn’t rub off on me.
Leave it to you, Mary, to come up with something amazing using dollar store items! This is so pretty and what a transformation!
Thank you Gail. I may not have a green thumb but I have a happy paint brush!
Your fence looks wonderful, Mary. What a great way to use something that was left behind. The pops of red are pretty. You’re right, those flowers will last all summer! Pinning and sharing.
I hope so Beverly. It certainly looks better than just a plain balcony rail.
I will honestly admit that when I saw your first full photo of your fence I went ‘wow.’ It really is lovely, and the joy of using fake flowers, as you said, they will last all summer and not need any care. Well done, fabulous project.
Thanks Anne. I am always looking for easy solutions. And it does add some interest to the balcony.
I love the look on your balcony. The red flowers add a nice pop of color and you can change it out to suit your moods. Plus it gives you some privacy. Very nice.
Yes I was going for color in this one. If we would have placed it on another rail we would have had more privacy because this balcony is on the main road but the hubs wanted it there to admire so who am I to argue.
What a wonderful idea Mary! It really brightens up the space beautifully!
xxx
It certainly does Doreen and its pretty big about 5 feet across so it makes quite a statement!
Mary, This is so very pretty! Such a pretty idea with dollar store flowers! Cute pop of color with the yellow lantern too! Pinning.
Thanks Laurie. I liked adding that yellow lantern just to throw everyone off! 😉
What an easy way to add some color to the patio without having to plant — and easy upkeep too!
Easy and super frugal too. Thanks for your sweet comment Judy.
You are so inventive – love the look.
Thank you so much Carol!
This is just charming! I love it — and love how easy it looks and the low cost! Everything about it works.
Thank you Jeanie. I always try to be thrifty with my projects and simple too. I don;t have much fancy machinery here.
Mary, how cute your lattice is with the red roses! You will enjoy seeing that every day! Maybe you can find a protected area on your porch to display it so the sun won’t fade those pretty flowers! I love ❤️ how you’ve done it though!
Florence we had a tent in the upstairs balcony and it ripped in two this past winter. The winds are incredibly strong. So now we just switch sides. When the sun is on one side, we go to the other side of the balcony, and in the afternoon we switch sides.
You never cease to amaze me. This fence looks wonderful and it could be tucked anywhere you wanted a bit of privacy. I love it! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thank you Marci. Now if only I had a fairy garden like yours my balcony would be complete.
We all need more fairies in our gardens! 😉 -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
It looks great! I also have artificial flowers I my home! No maintenance! Lol.
Easy and thrifty that’s the best!
I think your balcony must be the perfect spot to while away an afternoon…and you never cease to amaze and entertain me with your thrifty projects.
I’m not sure you could be thrilled with a lattice instead of rent, but at least you were able to make something positive out of it!
Well done my friend…
Hugs…
Don’t get me started Lynn. I am just glad it is all over with.
Mary this project is breathing. However, I do have a question. What are the plans once the live leaves dry out and die?
Ivory I was waiting for someone to ask that question. I have a farm full of lemon trees so I can always replace the green leaves when they wilt. In my case it’s easier that trying to keep a plant alive. I am such a brown thumb.
Or I may add some more faux flowers and fill it up like that. We will see how it goes.
Mary, couldn’t you use artificial (faux) ivy vines instead of the lemon branches. then you wouldn’t have to keep replacing the dried out branches.
What a great idea Mary! At least using faux flowers you will be able to admire your work longer!!! I love how you added the little lantern too!
Thanks so much Sam. I wasn’t about to let my brown thumb stop me!
I love how this turned out. They look so real! That lattice fence is so beautiful! Very creative!
Thanks so much Carolann. I really wanted to use that fence somewhere in the house. It would have been a shame to have it go to waste.
Such a great way to repurpose your former’s clients lattice screen! Love the pops of red against the white and green. I don’t have much of a green thumb either but I’d be willing to learn on your balcony in Greece.
That tenant left more than just the lattice so I needed to turn these sad reminders into something positive Marie. You can come over any time but don’t take any gardening advice from me.
These flowers would be a lot easier to keep alive! The end result is so pretty!
You know what I’m talking about Carlee! No more fussing about how much water to add to the pot.
No wilting, fading, or watering required! I say this is a lovely idea and I love that snow white milk paint.
Great job Mary.
I too am glad that I painted the lattice and now it really stands out against the balcony railing.
Your fence looks great. I love to do things like this. When you get tired of it, you don’t feel bad changing it up – it didn’t cost that much. The yellow lantern is a great touch.
Hugs,
Bev
Exactly Beverly. It cost me two euros. And I believe I gained a lot for that price.
This makes a bright and colorful display for your porch. I love the yellow lantern against the greenery and the red flowers.
That little yellow pop of color makes all the difference Carol!
I love the lattice fence with the greenery and roses on your balcony. It all looks very pretty, and the red does give it a pop of color. Once the roses fade you can replace them with another dollar store flower.
I use to have a green thumb, but over the last several years I do believe that it’s turning brown. I always had a garden that provided plenty to share and can. Now I do good to even get enough to eat for one meal.
It is an easy way to add some life into a formerly boring balcony Linda. I’ve never had the gift of gardening but my father does and he produces lots of food to this day.
Adds such simple beauty…great idea Mary!!
Thanks Michelle. I am loving all that color on the balcony.
That’s very beautiful and very clever!! I like the lattice white, so fresh and bright. Lacing the roses on there is a wonderful idea! It’s beautiful Mary!!
Keri it’s the next best thing to the real flowers. Maybe I can add some perfume and make them smell nice too. But that might actually attract bees. Lol!
Very resourceful of you, Mary to come with such a charming presentation! Great job on the white lattice fence!
Poppy
Poppy if I had your gardening talents I wouldn’t have to resort to such drastic measures.
Looks gorgeous on your patio, Mary. I love when we can fool with faux, lol. They look so real!
Amy and to think they were dollar store finds. I’m pretty impressed with them.
I love the milk-painted lattice! What a gorgeous project!
Thank you Gigi. I am very happy with the outcome too. It looks so much better bright white than before.
Your fence looks so charming and beautiful! You did an awesome job Mary 🙂
Thank you Asad! Sometimes nothing but faux will do.
O MY!! This is adorable!! Love the idea!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks so much Debbie!
That is such a great idea, Mary! It’s bright, cheerful, and summery! And a perfect place for it too. Love the pop of yellow in that lantern 🙂
Jas that area needed a bit more color. This was the best way to do it. No need to kill any more plants.
How do you keep your leaves green? Don’t they turn brown in a short time?
Bes they turned brown within a week. Yes and I threw them out and replaced them with fresh branches. For someone like me it is easier to replace the branches than to kill off some real plants. I have a plenty of trees so getting branches is no problem.
Oh wow Mary! You did a great job with this “dollar” store challenge! I love the addition of the yellow tea light candle holder!
On my blog, I nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award. It’d be awesome if you joined in, but I totally understand if you can’t for whatever reason. 🙂
Thank you Mandy that is so sweet of you to nominate me. I will be over to your blog to check it out.
Mary,
I think your blooming fence turned out great! It’s perfect for summers where it’s hot and doesn’t require water, so it’s good for drought areas. 🙂 I’m finding that Texas heat where we are at is a killer of plants unless watered daily and sometimes twice to three times per day (new friend warned me about this).
Happy just about summer!
Barb 🙂
That;s how it is here too Barbara. But I never seem to get the watering right. Either they don’t get enough or they get too much and turn mushy and brown. I have raised my hands in defeat!
This is one of my favorite DIY that you have created, its bold beautiful and beachy.
Maria
Thanks so much Maria. Sometimes you start out with a vague idea of what you want to do and it slowly comes together till it all fits in. I am really happy with how it turned out.
I love it. I stay in a camp ground over the summer in Maine. I would love to do this on my little back deck. I’ve been known to stick a faux flower in my gardens here and there.
Any why not Peg, a bit of color never hurt anyone. And it’s easier than having to water them.
Oh, now see—I could keep these plants alive!! Great project, Mary!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Haha! Jodie if we kill these plants then we really are in deep trouble!
Mary, judging just by the picture and before I read the post, I thought those flowers were real 🙂
A great idea! I love white fences – and coupled with vivid colored flowers they really stand out and make any yard / garden beautiful!
Maya if you thought they were real then I’ve done my job right.
Mary, I don’t have a green thumb either and I am all for cheating when it comes to DIY. Fabulous!
Haha! We can start a secret cheater’s club Kim and we’ll promise not to tell.
You could have fooled me, Mary! I thought your red roses were real! The pop of color is lovely. Enjoy! Cynthia
I am so happy to hear that Cynthia. I was aiming for a bit of color but if I can fool you in the process then all the better. Lol!
The challenge sounds so fun Mary! And you did a great job. I love the fence, and that little light fits perfectly!
Yes Cristina that little light is my favorite piece of all.
I love your pretty trellis update. It reminds me of those pretty pictures of English cottages with red roses growing over the front door.
Not everyone can be a gardening genius, some times a little cheating is required!
Oh I know what you mean. I watch a lot of English period dramas. Lots of Jane Austen in my house. Lol!! I probably got this idea subconsiously from those.
Mary, this turned out so pretty. It looks great on your balcony, and I could sit there and admire the scenery and attempt to sniff the roses! The Dollar Store really does have amazing finds, especially if you have a talent for looking at the items with a creative mind for repurposing. You are the queen of taking a dollar and making it into a Priceless piece!
You know I could spray them with perfume so that when you do get here you can actually sniff something besides the cloth! 😉
Thanks so much Nikki! You know what they say, Necessity is the mother of invention!
In Spain, we call the Dollar Stores “Chinos”, regardless of who owns and operates them.
I think the yellow lantern is the crowning touch of your project. It really looks nice and it will be easy to swap the flowers and greenery depending on the season. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg 🙂
Thanks Lydia. I too love that touch of yellow! And thank goodness for those dollar stores!!
I have to say it looks fab Mary and at least you don’t have to worry about Greenfly !!
No Greenfly and no green thumb either! Lol!!
Mary, this is the sweetest fence I’ve ever seen, how genius to use those dollar store flowers in it, they look real and so so pretty! Great upcycle!
Thank you Katrin. You know how I’m always talking about my brown thumb! Well here is the proof!
This is such a fun and cheerful project! A great idea for spaces that don’t grow plants well!
Or for someone who is incapable of growing them. Lol!
They look awesome, Mary! I should do the same for my from my front windows, where is the sunniest side of the house and no flower would resist too well… Lovely, project, as usual! 🙂
Thanks so much Gabi. I had no other way to bring some bright color to the balcony.
I think your lattice panel is beautiful. You did a great job,& as long as you love it that’s all that matters anyway.
I have a lot of “luck” with growing green things. I’d be happy to help your brown thumb out – and was I right reading that you’re in Greece? Beautiful country!
Thank you Laura. I suspect because of the heat I tend to over water them, thinking that they are like me and need lots of liquids Haha!
This is beautiful! what a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing!
It is a great way to get flowers when you can’t grow them.
You created a lovely alternative to fresh flowers that looks quite realistic! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thanks so much Cecilia.
This is such a clever DIY project! I love the way it came out and those flowers do not look like they came from a dollar store! Great job!
I’d like to invite you to share this project with me over at my party, Make Life Pretty Monday. You can join over at http://www.theorganizeddream.com
I got lucky to be able to find those flowers Kate.
Your fence looks very impressive. They are the type of roses that I would use too.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
The easiest kind Kathleen!
Very pretty. I love the lantern.
They yellow is a nice contrast to all that red and green.
Gotta love dollar store flowers–great upcycle! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thank you Cecilia they sure do add a pop of color!
What a great way to add color to the yard! This will be one of my features this Saturday at the Snickerdoodle link party!
Thank you so much Roseann! I’ll see you Saturday!
This is such a pretty project, Mary, and perfect for breathing new life into a garden! Thank you for sharing, and for your support of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope to see you again this week. I hope your week is off to a good start!
Thank you for hosting such a wonderful party April.