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
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!