ENCHANTED EVENING Set up your sparkle outdoors

Give an entrance extra sparkle with a faux fir pre-lit arch suitable for outdoor use

MAKE IT

MAGIC CASTLE AND GIANT FLOWERS, SEE PAGE 30

Enchanted evening INVITE A TROUPE OF TWINKLING FAIRYLAND CREATURES TO CAST A CELEBRATORY SPELL OVER YOUR HOME

Photography SIMON WHITBREAD Styling SAMANTHA POINTON

TOP AND RIGHT Lytworx 2.45m x 2.2m giant indoor/outdoor low voltage LED pre-lit arch in Warm White, $249, I/N: 0362044. ABOVE AND RIGHT (on lawn) Lytworx 100cm solar/ USB 70 LED unicorns in Cool White, $129 each, I/N: 0358079, connectable indoor/outdoor low voltage LED reindeer family in Warm White, $269/pack of 3, I/N: 0359905, and ‘Flickering Lantern’ solar LED stake lights in Warm White, $10 each, I/N: 0358106. (Near castle) Gardenglo 200lm solar powered twin LED spotlight, $44.90, I/N: 0137798. Mushroom lights, for similar try Click ‘Panda’ 84cm solar LED stake lights with crackle glass ball, $24 each, I/N: 0359118. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Prancing unicorns and reindeer make an adorable welcoming committee either side of a festive pathway

Enchanted evening

(On roof and verandah) Lytworx 400 LED connectable indoor/ outdoor low voltage icicle lights in Warm White, $43.68/5.5m, I/N: 0312423. (On trees and stair posts) Lytworx 8 function 250 solar LED fairy lights in Warm White, $19.98/20m, I/N: 0011699. Castle, toadstools and flower stalks, see page 30 for DIY instructions. (Along path) Candy cane lights, for similar try Click ‘Xmas’ 36cm solar LED spotlights, $20/pack of 6, I/N: 0362255. Tree lights, for similar try Lytworx ‘Glitter Bulb’ solar stake lights, $39/pack of 3, I/N: 0360800. All other products, stylist’s own. 

Involve all the family in choosing your garden critters and include their favourites in the menagerie

This cute chap has a rotating head for striking the perfect pose!

LEFT AND RIGHT Lytworx 8 function 250 solar LED fairy lights in Multicolour, $19.98/20m, I/N: 4352188, and 60cm indoor/outdoor low voltage LED kiwi bird with turning head in Warm White, $109, I/N: 0358090. BELOW AND RIGHT Lytworx indoor/ outdoor low voltage connectable LED firework lights in Warm White, $28.85/ 2m, I/N: 0312426, and double filament LED party lights in Warm White, $49.99/pack of 10 bulbs, I/N: 0341457. Marquee ‘Jolie’ 3 piece bistro setting in White, $99, I/N: 0258237, and ‘Rhombus’ dining chair in Black, $55, I/N: 0179439. Mimosa ‘Solaris’ 220cm x 90cm slat dining table in Charcoal, $569, I/N: 0260501, and rope dining chairs in Black, $110 each, I/N: 0033123. Lytworx 80cm battery ‘Stag Head’ LED light in Warm White, $70, I/N: 0358085, colour changing LED flameless candles with remote, $19.99/set of 3, I/N: 0341456, and battery operated flameless LED light candles, $20.61/pack of 4, I/N: 0118301. All other products, stylist’s own. Inexpensive garden arches can be used to spectacular effect as a temporary ‘tunnel of stars’, when overlaid with solar-powered net lights

Supplement simple festoon globes with firework-effect lights and flameless candles, to signal party time!

Lotus Collection steel garden arch in Black, $22.99, I/N: 3320315. Lytworx 4.5m x 1.5m solar net light in Warm White, $34.95, I/N: 0175767, connectable indoor/outdoor low voltage LED reindeer family in Warm White, $269/pack of 3, I/N: 0359905, ‘Tree’ 2.7m solar LED stake lights in Warm White, $29/pack of 10, I/N: 0182137, and (on deck) 400 solar LED curtain lights in Warm White, $39.16 each, I/N: 0312430. Click ‘Farmhouse Holiday’ 48cm battery operated LED illuminated wreath in Warm White, $44, I/N: 0361905, and (inside) 180cm collapsible low voltage LED light up Xmas tree, $79, I/N: 0359122. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Whimsical touches will make guests feel instantly ready to relax

Magic up a full fairy world! See page 30 to find out how to make this cute plywood toadstool, below

(On deck) Marquee ‘Jolie’ 3 piece bistro setting in White, $99, I/N: 0258237, and ‘Rhombus’ dining chairs in Black, $55 each, I/N: 0179439. Mimosa ‘Solaris’ 220cm x 90cm slat dining table in Charcoal, $569, I/N: 0260501, and rope dining chairs in Black, $110 each, I/N: 0033123. Lytworx 80cm battery ‘Stag Head’ LED light in Warm White, $70, I/N: 0358085, and battery operated LED light flameless candles, $20.61/ pack of 4, I/N: 0118301. Click ‘Farmhouse Holiday’ 48cm battery operated LED illuminated wreath in Warm White, $44, I/N: 0361905, and (inside) 180cm collapsible low voltage LED light up Xmas tree, $79, I/N: 0359122.

Now is not the time to be a minimalist – the holidays are coming so load up on those lights. More is definitely more!

FAIRY GARDEN

Nurture green fingers with a kid-friendly outdoor project

Create a tiered haven for fantastical creatures using plain planters (above). We stacked Northcote Pottery 33cm, 21cm and 15cm Italian terracotta pots filled with quality potting mix, and planted with easy-care mini succulents. Pretty pebbles and a gathering of figurines complete a scene fit for a fairy queen!

Keep in mind...

n Make sure any lighting used outside is suitable for outdoors. Any hardwired electrical fixtures must be installed by a licensed electrician. n Ensure hanging decorations such as festoon lights are positioned at a safe height. Our lights are set up for inspiration and photography only. n Take care when selecting plants as some can be poisonous to children and pets. n Always wear gloves and a mask when handling potting mix. (On lawn) Lytworx connectable indoor/outdoor low voltage LED reindeer family in Warm White, $269/pack of 3, I/N: 0359905, and ‘Tree’ 2.7m solar LED stake lights in Warm White, $29/pack of 10, I/N: 0182137. (Shed and deck lighting) Lytworx 400 solar LED curtain lights in Warm White, $39.16 each, I/N: 0312430, indoor/outdoor low voltage connectable LED firework lights in Warm White, $28.85/2m, I/N: 0312426, and double filament LED party lights in Warm White, $49.99/pack of 10 bulbs, I/N: 0341457. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Place your indoor tree in front of a window or glass doors, so it can be enjoyed by diners outside, too

Tools & materials

n Safety equipment (mask, ear and eye protection) n Quick-grip clamps n Pair of sawhorses n Tape measure and pencil n Jigsaw n Framing square n Drill with 54mm holesaw, 2.5mm and driver bits n Cloths n Mini roller with spare covers and tray n Small paintbrush n 2440mm x 1220mm x 12mm marine plywood• n 180-grit abrasive paper with sanding block n Undercoat primer n Exterior paint in various colours (we used British

Paints Atrium Light and

Dulux Basketweave Beige) n Clear epoxy adhesive n Three 1250mm metal garden stakes n Six 6mm copper saddle clips n 6G x 12mm stainless steel pan head screws 1 Clamp a 2440mm x 1220mm sheet of 12mm marine plywood on a pair of sawhorses and cut in half with a jigsaw to create two squares. On one piece, use a framing square to mark horizontal and vertical centre-lines.

3 To cut the windows, centre a 54mm holesaw and finish with a jigsaw. From the offcuts, cut extra triangle pieces for the roofs, battlements and a 150mm x 100mm-wide gate. Smooth around all cuts with 180-grit abrasive paper. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth. 2 To draw the towers, mark 75mm either side of the vertical centre-line and 150mm in from the edges. Mark triangles for roofs, and 100mm x 54mm- wide windows. Cut around the towers and along the horizontal line with a jigsaw.

4 With a roller and small brush, apply primer and two coats of exterior paint, leaving to dry after each coat. Attach extra pieces with epoxy adhesive. At the back, position three stakes with two 6mm saddle clips each, pre-drilling with a 2.5mm bit to secure with 12mm screws.

MAGIC CASTLE

Inspire storytelling while spreading Christmas cheer with a whimsical front-yard installation, highlighted at night with a solar spotlight!

1 2

DIY TOOLKIT 1 Crescent Lufkin 600mm x 400mm rafter square, $21.35, I/N: 5660487. 2 Ozito ‘PXC’ PXJSS-600 18V jigsaw, $64.98/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 6290477. 3 Gorilla clear epoxy glue, $17.80/25ml, I/N: 1230178. 4 Project Panel 2440mm x 1220mm x 12mm AA grade hardwood marine plywood, $147, I/N: 0320024•. Some products are not available 3 4 at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

GIANT FLOWERS & TOADSTOOLS

Use your plywood offcuts to make these…

Mark 1m x 50mm-wide stems with leaves either side. To make flowers, mark out a 300mm- diametre circle, drawing petals inside. Use holesaw offcuts as the centres.

Cut flower shapes with a jigsaw, then sand and wipe away dust. Apply primer and two coats of exterior paint, leaving to dry after each.

Position flowers on the stems, pre-drilling through the centre to secure with 18mm screws. Glue the flower centres over the screws. Behind the stems, secure 1250mm garden stakes with saddle clips and 12mm screws.

Draw toadstool shapes about 350mm x 350mm; cut, sand, paint and use shorter 750mm stakes.

Keep in mind...

n Choose marine plywood and exterior paint to avoid moisture and UV damage. n Use power tools in a ventilated area clear of distractions and always wear a mask when cutting and sanding timber. n Keep power tools securely locked away from children.

Maintain a healthy lawn that stands up to the rigours of backyard games with Nylex watering products

Summer ready

Enjoy fun in the sun, knowing all the practicalities are ticked off your list, with help from Hills and Nylex

The evenings are long, the sun is shining and all we want to do is hang outside with friends and family. But perfect entertaining spaces don’t make themselves, and as well as hosting barbecues, backyards are also the site of less glamorous activities, like laundry and gardening. Hills and Nylex products help you balance summer fun with practical necessities, for a space that’s always primed for entertaining.

LAUNDRY DAY

When you’ve got a busy family, every day is laundry day, but don’t let your chore list hold you back from hosting! While retractable clotheslines can be rolled away when not in use, what do you do when you’ve got a load of wet washing and guests on the doorstep? The solution is the Hills Portable Clothesline. This is no ordinary fold-up airer; the Hills Portable Clothesline offers a huge 21m of drying space, with enough width for a single sheet and adjustable height levels to allow for longer items. Built from the same weatherproof materials as a regular outdoor version, this ingenious tool is designed to be used inside and out. What’s more, with its nifty wheels, you can easily position it in the sun for speedy drying, then move it out of sight before company calls.

CHORE LEAVE

If you need to press pause on your summer fun to launder clothes, at least you can do it in style. Hills is the master of marrying form and function. The Hills Foldable Laundry Basket features a strong, lightweight bamboo frame and waterproof fabric, making it equally suitable for lugging wet sheets or serving as stylish storage! The Hills Premium Laundry Trolley is as good as an extra set of hands, making it so much easier to wheel wet washing to the line and giving your back a break from stooping and lifting. Finish the job with Hills’ ergonomic and slick-looking pegs, which are built to last. Pair your basket with a matching Hills Bamboo Laundry Hamper for a coordinated look.

BEAT THE HEAT

As much as we want to spend every moment outside, sometimes the heat of high summer is just too much – or is it? With a few minutes of effort, you can hook up your home with a Nylex Misting System. Attach it to a standard hose, use the adjustable Slip-Lok fittings to direct the water where you want it to go, then enjoy the blessedly cool relief. The Nylex Misting System can drop the temperature by up to 10°C, making yours the coolest backyard in the street.

1 Hills 21m portable clothesline in Woodland Grey, $249, I/N: 0194512. 2 Hills premium pegs, $23.99/ pack of 50, I/N: 0194507. 3 Hills premium extra tall laundry trolley, $65, I/N: 0281484. 4 Hills foldable bamboo laundry hamper in Navy, $44.95, I/N: 0365551. 5 Hills foldable bamboo laundry hamper in Grey, $44.95, I/N: 0365552. 6 Hills 35L foldable bamboo laundry basket in Grey, $29.99, I/N: 0365550. 7 Hills 35L foldable bamboo laundry basket in Navy, $29.99, I/N: 0365549.

WELL WATERED

For healthy gardens and a lush, green lawn, you need good watering tools. Nothing slows down watering like a hose that stubbornly curls, so the first thing on your summer prep shopping list should be a kink-resistant hose like the Nylex Flextreme. Another way to avoid kinks – while looking good, too! – is with the Nylex Auto-retractable Hose Reel, which smoothly winds the hose back into the sleek housing.

Hook either of these hoses up to the Nylex Oscillating Sprinkler Plus, which delivers even water distribution to an area of up to 170sqm, so you’ll have the lawn watered and be back to lounging in a shady spot in no time.

1 Nylex 25m auto hose reel, $99, I/N: 0358237. 2 Nylex ‘Plus’ oscillating sprinkler, $40.55, I/N: 0087571. 3 Nylex 24m premium misting system, $59, I/N: 0139464. 4 Nylex ‘Flextreme’ 20m x 12mm garden hose, $49, I/N: 0077861.