Becoming a Nana inspired this DIY Koala Nursery Shelf—a sweet, space-saving feature that fits my grandson’s Australian native animal theme. I couldn’t find a shelf that matched the look we wanted, so I repurposed a toddler play table and used my Cricut to add layered koala details. It’s budget-friendly, sturdy enough for books and décor, and the faux-leather backing adds cosy texture you’ll love.
I am a huge fan of steampunk and never miss an opportunity to combine its industrial beauty with my DIY projects. With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to create something different—a wooden steampunk Christmas tree made from recycled materials. Steampunk is not a style often associated with Christmas, but its metallic colours, gears, and industrial vibe create an amazing contrast with festive décor. By blending woodwork with mixed media assemblage art, I was able to design a tree that is both unusual and stunning, while keeping true to my love of upcycling.
Have you ever regretted a purchase the moment you saw it in place? That’s exactly what happened to me with these barstools. A few months ago, I built my son a rustic outdoor bar table using recycled decking planks and fencing posts. It turned out beautifully, but I didn’t have enough wood left for stools. Wanting to complete the set, I bought four metal bar stools online for $400. Once assembled, they looked completely wrong next to the table—cheap, mismatched, and disappointing. Returning them wasn’t an option with postage costs sky-high, so I did the next best thing: I gave them a complete makeover.
I am always on the lookout for new ways to recycle everyday household waste, and this project turned out to be one of my favourites. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I transformed empty drink cans into a Shimmering Aluminium Can Art wall hanging. The design features a wooden star, decorated with small circles cut from recycled aluminium cans.
Looking for DIY outdoor decor that stands out? This giant Shou Sugi Ban wooden gecko climbs the wall with bold texture and gorgeous colour. I upcycled a free sideboard top, burned the timber for dramatic grain, and sealed it so it’s ready for the verandah or patio. One rescued panel. One simple technique. Show-stopping outdoor wall art.
When my son (193 cm/6’4”) asked for a taller table, I designed this Standing-Height Outdoor Bar Table from Decking Timber to suit how he entertains. He prefers to stand and lean while chatting, not perch on stools. I built the table higher for comfort and better posture, with a footrest for long conversations. Leftover decking boards and fence posts kept costs low and reduced waste. We skipped a flimsy $3,000 store-bought leaner and built something solid, custom, and made to last.
If you’re an artist, crafter, or DIY enthusiast, you’ll know the frustration of searching for the right paintbrush in the middle of a project. Brushes get lost in drawers, tossed in baskets, or buried under other supplies. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a DIY wooden paint brush holder that keeps every brush organised and easy to reach. Not only does it save time, but it also looks stylish on your desk or craft table.
This week’s International Bloggers Club challenge was “Hang Her Up”, and for my project, I decided to make 3D wooden wall art from a recycled 4×4 fence post. This project is simple to build but gives an optical illusion effect that truly messes with your eyes when you look at it. The best part? You can hang it vertically or horizontally to suit your wall space.
A new year means fresh challenges for our International Bloggers Club (IBC), and our first theme of the year is “Pallet Parade.” With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make a rustic pallet wood heart. To give it a fun twist, I used the leftover scraps to create a pair of quirky wooden robots, turning the project into a charming and unique wall hanging.
A few months ago, I posted wooden wall art panels with a distinctive abalone/snake skin effect I discovered by accident. The project quickly became one of my most popular—so many lovely compliments, though a few readers said it looked too hard. I found it easy, just very time-consuming. Today, I’m sharing how I halved the work by using a gouge ball to create this Shou sugi ban wall art.
