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
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.