Make an Easy Colorful Fence with Dollar Store Flowers
DIY lattice flower wall. If you don’t have a green thumb this lattice project is a great alternative, using items from the dollar store.
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 lattice flower wall with dollar store flowers.
In my town we have one little Dollar Store. Actually it’s called the Spanish Store. Because there are no dollars here in Greece. But everything sells for one Euro. So I would say it is the equivalent.
At the end of this project you’ll be able to see what my friends did with their dollar store finds.
What I Used to Make a Lattice Flower Wall:
Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product. However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers.
- 2 bouquets of faux red roses from the dollar store
- An old lattice fence panel
- Old Fashioned Milk Paint in Oyster White
- Thin wire
- Branches cut from a lemon tree
- Pair of pliers or thick scissors
- Small tea light lantern also from the dollar store
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.
How to Make a Lattice Flower Wall
This old lattice fence panel was left behind when my tenant left and neglected to pay the rent. Instead of rent I got this! As you know, I am a positive person so I took a bad situation and turned it around. I would use this in my lattice flower project and make it awesome!
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!
Because the wood was in very bad shape, I painted it using Old Fashioned Milk Paint in Oyster White. I always use the Safe Paint version which does not chip. Maybe one day I’ll be brave and try the regular milk paint! 😉
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.
It turns out the Safe Paint is wonderful for outdoors. The wonderful folks at the Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company were a big help in answering my questions. This light color once painted onto the porous wood was able to cure and bond like concrete! And because it’s white I don’t have to worry about water spots when it rains. That’s just what I wanted to hear!
I painted one coat of it and then went over it lightly to get this weathered look you see below! I’ve also used oyster white on a mirror makeover project.
Here it is the lattice all painted! Next to it are lemon tree branches that I picked up on my recent visit to the farm.
Using some thin wire I attached the top of the lattice flower panel to the top of the balcony rail.
Then I cut the branches into clumps and randomly inserted them into the lattice flower panel slots.
So now because you know I’m a big spender I took out my faux flowers and pulled them apart. I used pliers because they were stubborn but you can also cut them off. And yes, I’m showing you a scissor in the photo, but it didn’t work for me. The plastic holding the wire stems together was really tough.
The stem of the flowers is made of wire which I just bent into the shape of a hook and hung them up. Sort of like a backwards “C”.
And for the final touch! A yellow tea light lantern that I had bought from the same dollar store last year! I hung it to the lattice flower wall with a piece of wire.
This is the entire lattice flower wall! Isn’t it beautiful?
Now you’re probably scratching your heads wondering why not put real flowers in there or have them grow from a pot and climb up? This is where I have to hang my head in shame.
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! That’s why this lattice flower wall is the perfect compromise.
In fact the only things that grows on my balcony are succulents and aloe vera plants. Oh and those weird pointy plants, the yuccas. You can see all of that here. They have all managed to survive despite my best efforts to do away with them. Oh yes, I know my limitations!
Sadly this is as good as it’s gonna get for my balcony! But you have to admit those pops of red look pretty fantastic against the white and green! And they’ll last all summer and maybe more which real roses don’t do!
Here is a shot of my rose fence with the tea light lit.
I believe if you are not paying close attention that you might actually be fooled into thinking they are not fake. For a dollar I’m pretty impressed with them myself!
And that was my easy colorful lattice flower wall made with dollar store flowers. I hope I have inspired and given you ideas for your summer outdoor space. And remember, aside from the dollar store, Old Fashioned Milk Paint is my best friend.
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.
Make sure to hop on over and visit my blogging friends to see what they have come up with for this dollar store craft challenge.
Across The Boulevard
My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
Purple Hues and Me
Stone Cottage Adventures
More Balcony ideas
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.