Lighten up

Dream it

14 MAKEOVER MAGIC!

Follow the Make It Happen: The House Project team as they begin their challenge

26

A FRESH START

See how a Queensland homeowner turned a dreary cook zone into her favourite room

Plan it

34

FABULOUS FOR LESS

Rethink your kitchen renovation plans with money-saving DIY fixes in mind

39 INSIDE OUT

Take cooking into the open air with an outdoor area as stylish as your interior

43 CALL OF THE WILD

Attract birds, bees and other important wildlife with diversity in your garden

Update it

49 THE FUTURE IS NOW

Look ahead at the latest in kitchen and bathroom technology and innovation

53 POWDER-ROOM PIZZAZZ

Have some fun and make your smallest space the jewel of your home

57 GET SET FOR DIY SUCCESS

Check out our ultimate project guide

Do it

63 LATEST CRAZE

Lay meandering

I’m so excited to introduce you to the new “Make It Happen” house from Bunnings. For this incredible project, we’ve taken a run-of-the-mill suburban home that had ’80s style at its heart (columns, dated wall panelling, redbrown bricks) and, with the help of some of Australia’s top design minds, turned it into a stunning and contemporary Australian home that we’re all swooning over.

Turn to page 14 to see how interior designer Jono Fleming and landscape designer Inge Jabara have created the most fabulous spaces. Along with builder Tim Clark and the Bunnings team, they’ve solved storage solutions (note our cover star kitchen that looks like it’s stepped out of a French farmhouse), made a super-clever DIY dining bench seat (see page 18), and created an adults’ sleep retreat that includes one sensational ensuite. You can follow the Make It Happen magic online now at bunnings.com.au – there are new videos and reveals each week. Happy transforming!

Paint Power

Craving a change? Brighten your space – and your mood – with new paint. A fresh coat cleans up your surrounds and provides an easy atmosphere boost. Create wow with one feature wall or update a whole room. For best results, take the time to prep surfaces properly.

For more kitchen inspiration, see page 14

Easter fun in store

Hop into your local Bunnings this Easter for free family activities! The Bunnings Easter Bunny Hop kicks off nationally at 5pm on March 30 with entertainment, games and lots of other bunny fun. In the lead-up to Easter, kids can join DIY workshops, meet the Easter Bunny and play the Little Bunnings, Egg-splorer Game. Check your local store for dates, times and details.

1 Taubmans ‘Endure’ low sheen interior wall paint in White, $61.90/2L, I/N: 0024210. 2 Taubmans ‘Tradex’ flat interior wall paint in Black, $87.90/4L, I/N: 1540686. 3 Porter’s ‘Eggshell Finish’ washable broadwall paint in Newport Blue, $93.10/2L, I/N: 0163057. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

SERIOUSLY FLEXIBLE. SERIOUSLY SIMPLE. Build, change and re-arrange with our strip and bracket system.

Relax In Style

A natural mood booster

Did you know that house plants can increase feelings of wellbeing, enhance creativity, reduce stress and improve air quality? Here are three top plant picks to deck out your indoor space. Best part is, they’re easy to look after, too!**

Sarantino 3-seater wooden corner chaise lounge/sofa bed in Blue, $649*, I/N: 0247115

Warmer tones and fresh home decor can help ease your way into the change of season 3

Homfurn round industrial side table in Vintage Brown, $86.99*, I/N: 0402977

Ausway tree style clothing rack in White, $49.96*, I/N: 0422865

Design Square tufted fabric storage ottoman in Grey, $199.95*, I/N: 0269146

Bambury ‘Posy’ square cushion, $69.27*, I/N: 0358627 5 4 9 7

Cosmoliving ‘Allure’ 110cm entertainment unit/ TV cabinet with drawer storage, $189*, I/N: 0389172

MyHouse ‘Izzy’ throw in Umber (above left), $54.99*, I/N: 0392454

‘Panna’ 23cm x 21cm glazed indoor pot in White, $44.08, I/N: 2891347

Dracaena sanderiana lucky bamboo plant in Northcote Pottery ‘Carter’ 17cm pot in White, $15.89, I/N: 0263169

All plants sold separately. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Charlie’s cushioned, hooded calming pet bed in Eden Green, $39*/ small, I/N: 0377161

Bambury ‘Christos’ square cushion in Tobacco,

I/N: 0404441

Scan

the QR code

For more indoor plant suggestions and information, go to bunnings. com.au/indoor-plants

Read it!

Floral inspiration

Find great ideas for your outdoor areas at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, held from March 29 to April 2 at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. With workshops, family activities, floral fashion and boutique gardens, you’ll find plenty of ways to make the most of your own green spaces. Visit melbflowershow.com.au for more details.

Fill bare patches or thicken up tired lawns with fast-growing lawn seed. Look for one that suits your climate and lawn type.

Get a wriggle on in the vegie patch. Sow seeds or plant seedlings of brassicas (see below for a few suggestions), plus leeks and climbing peas. You can still plant various leafy greens and herbs, and at this time of year they’re less likely to bolt.

Trim and feed hedges to keep them tidy and promote new growth. Propagate cuttings or add to the compost bin.

Spring-flowering bulbs, like daffodils, jonquils, hyacinths, ranunculus and tulips, can now be planted in cool climes. Place in full sun with welldraining soil and enrich with compost. In warmer climates, wait until mid-late autumn.

It’s sweet pea season! The tradition is to sow seeds on St Patrick’s Day (March 17) but they can also be sown in mid-late autumn. Stake tall varieties when planting or look for dwarf forms.

1 Scotts Lawn Builder ‘Awesome’ custom grass seed, $17.98/1kg, cool climate, I/N: 0335717, and warm climate, I/N: 0335722. 2 Mr Fothergill’s ‘Giant Elephant’ leek vegetable seeds, $4.64, I/N: 0261680.

3 Charlie Carp premium organic fertiliser concentrate, $11.98/1L, I/N: 3020034.

4 Seasol ‘Super’ compost, $8.43/25L, I/N: 0274164.

5 Mr Fothergill’s ‘Explorer Mixed’ sweet pea seeds, $4.64, I/N: 2960514. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Protect your ears

Hearing Awareness Week (from March 1 to 7) highlights the issues affecting Australians living with hearing loss. It’s a timely reminder that it’s important to wear ear protection when using power tools and working on noisy DIY projects. Check out the wide range in store.

Safecorp heavy duty ear muffs, $18, I/N: 0401343

3M banded reusable 18dB ear plugs, $10.74, I/N: 5820587

Tactix ‘Class 5’ ear plugs, $3.90/pack of 5, I/N: 0375366

Out of town

Australia boasts unbeatable camping spots, from the outback to the islands and everywhere in between. With long weekends approaching, plan an autumn getaway in the great outdoors.

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Large

Kale

A culinary favourite that’s easy to grow in garden beds or pots. Harvest outer or lower leaves as needed.

Scan the QR code

For more on what to do in the garden during March, go to bunnings.com.au/gardencorner

After applying fertiliser around edible plants, delay harvesting for a few days and rinse well before cooking and eating. If using products to deal with pests, diseases or weeds, always read the label, follow the instructions carefully and wear suitable protective equipment. Store all garden chemicals and products out of reach of children and pets.

Waterproof canvas camping swag with mattress in Black, $99*/single, I/N: 0411715. 2 Marquee ‘Adventurer’ camp chair in Grey, $11.98, I/N: 0122294. 3 Koolatron ‘Kargo’ 31L 12v portable travel fridge/warmer in Grey, $229.99*, I/N: 0358275. 4 Baccarat ‘Barista Brillante’ 1.5L double wall thermal carafe, $54.99*, I/N: 0303933. 5 Komodo 4 person family camping tent/waterproof shelter, $279*/large, I/N: 0403511. 6 Weisshorn thermal winter 0 degree camping/hiking sleeping bag with two pillows in Black, $59.95*/double, I/N: 0269243. 7 Weisshorn self inflating hiking mattress in Blue, $42.95*/single, I/N: 0373080. This product is available to buy online only and is sold and delivered by a Bunnings Marketplace Trusted Seller. Not all items are available in all states and territories. *Delivery charges may apply.