FIESTA FEELING Welcome warmer weather with an alfresco set-up

FLORAL ARCH

Create a romantic entrance by dressing up a plain garden arch. Assemble the arch and dig into the ground or deep pots, ensuring stability. Wrap foliage through the frame (we used olive branches), secure with adjustable plant ties, then fill in the gaps with smaller branches or flowers for a high-impact display.

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Styling assistants Kylie Thomas and Lisa Young. Ensure lit candles are never left unattended, supervise children and pets at all times and have a hose and/or fire extinguisher nearby. Fiesta feelingCELEBRATE SPRING WITH AN ALFRESCO MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE GATHERING  Photography ALEX REINDERS Styling SAMANTHA POINTON

Spring has arrived at last, so it’s time to throw open the windows, dust off the outdoor furniture and take the fun into the sunshine. Set up a relaxed but sumptuous dining table, a chill-out zone for conversation or contemplation, and a drinks station where guests can top up. Be inspired by the decor, colours, textures and fragrances of the Mediterranean when styling your alfresco space, and welcome the new season with family and friends.

Install an outdoor mirror

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Brilliant Lighting ‘Luna’ 35cm DIY rice paper shades, $8 each, I/N: 0273558. Mimosa ‘Bordeaux’ 250cm x 100cm teak timber dining table, $1,499, I/N: 0184575†, and 230cm dining benches, $499 each, I/N: 0184576†. Lotus Collection steel garden arch in Bronze, $24.99, I/N: 0259666. Westringia longifolia ‘Snow Flake’ plants in Northcote Pottery 50cm egg shaped pot in Terracotta, $48, I/N: 0044460, and ‘Italian’ 30cm terracotta pot in Antique, $17.90, I/N: 2833074. Lavender ‘Blueberry Ruffles’ Lavandula pendunculata plants in Northcote Pottery 50cm egg shaped pot, as before. (On table) Coloured vases, see page 22 for DIY instructions. Madras Link ‘Jetty’ tablecloth in White, $99.95*, I/N: 0350702. White vases (on barrel) and candle sticks, Madras Link, madraslink.com. Plates, David Jones, davidjones. com.au. All plants sold separately. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores but may be ordered.

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. †Available to order online or at the Special Orders Desk. ABOVE Olive Garden Harvest Olea spp olive plant and Westringia longifolia ‘Snow Flake’ plant in Northcote Pottery 50cm egg shaped pots in Terracotta, $48 each, I/N: 0044460. Twiggy outdoor mirror, $199, I/N: 0360477 (in store from October). Lavender ‘Blueberry Ruffles’ Lavandula pendunculata plants. Pine wooden storage crates, $12.50 each/small, I/N: 0214211. Westringia longifolia ‘Snow Flake’ plant in Northcote Pottery ‘Italian’ 30cm terracotta pot in Antique, $17.90, I/N: 2833074. Pinnacle Hardware 15L metal buckets, $17.89 each, I/N: 4460519. Bay trees

Embrace the season with a relaxed, rustic setting – and don't forget an umbrella for shade

in Northcote Pottery 50cm egg shaped pots, as before. Westringia longifolia ‘Snow Flake’ plant in Northcote Pottery ‘Italian’ 30cm terracotta pot, as before. Mimosa ‘Malibu’ 160cm x 80cm bar table, $399, I/N: 0256331, bar stools with cushion, $179 each, I/N: 0256329, ‘Woolamai’ round market umbrella in Beige, $165, I/N: 3192696, and 20kg timber umbrella base, $77.77, I/N: 3190287. (In garden bed) Olea spp olive plant in Northcote Pottery 50cm egg shaped pot, as before. Wall lights, for similar try Verve Design ‘Bristol Farm’ outdoor wall light, $50.69, I/N: 4371473 (globe sold separately). (On table) Coloured vases, see page 22 for DIY instructions. Glasses, Kmart, kmart.com.au. Jug, Spotlight, spotlight.com.au. Table runner, Madras Link. All plants sold separately. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores but may be ordered. 

STYLE TIP

BLOOMS TUMBLING CASUALLY FROM CONTAINERS ARE JUST AS PLEASING AS MORE FORMAL ARRANGEMENTS

Retro-fabulous and practical, nothing says “party” quite like a stylish bar cart loaded with refreshments

Mimosa 1 seater aluminium lounges, $369 each, I/N: 0262252, 3 seater aluminium lounge, $759, I/N: 0262251, 102cm x 57cm coffee table, $189, I/N: 0262254, all in Dark Grey; ‘Woolamai’ round market umbrella in Beige, $165, I/N: 3192696, and 20kg timber umbrella base, $77.77, I/N: 3190287 (shown next page). Pinnacle Hardware 1020mm x 265mm x 800mm raised garden planters in Charcoal, $55 each, I/N: 3321763, and 15L metal buckets, $17.89 each, I/N: 4460519. Madras Link ‘Caspi’ 170cm round outdoor rug in Light Blue, $129, I/N: 0374485 (in store from October). Cooper & Co. ‘Soda’ rattan bar cart in Natural, $299.95*, I/N: 0374751. Glasses and small bowl, Kmart. Vases, cushions, throws and whole oranges bowl, Madras Link. Jug, Spotlight. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores but may be ordered. 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. Bring rugs and soft furnishings inside out of the weather when not in use.

CONTRAST NEUTRAL TONES AND TIMBER WITH POPS OF EARTHY COLOUR

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ABOVE Marquee ‘Jolie’ 3 piece bistro setting in White, $149, I/N: 0258237. Matador woodfired pizza oven, $599, I/N: 0177380. Bedford ‘Alfresco’ wall clock, $69, I/N:0360480 (in store from October). Westringia longifolia ‘Snow Flake’ plant in Northcote Pottery ‘Italian’ 30cm terracotta pot in Antique, $17.90, I/N: 2833074. Bay tree and Olive Garden Harvest Olea spp olive plant in Northcote Pottery 50cm egg shaped pots in Terracotta, $48 each, I/N: 0044460. All plants sold separately. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores but may be ordered. 

Before TRASH TO TREASURE

Transform dated vases and vessels to achieve a gorgeous matt ceramic look. Vases you like the shape of, but not the colour or pattern, are perfect and even glass can be painted, allowing you to add water for living flowers and foliage.

Give unloved pieces a terracotta-like finish, using simple homemade baking soda paint

n Drop sheet n Paper cups n Tablespoon n Paintbrush nSample pots of acrylic paint in various colours (we used British Paints Sweet

Caress, Preserved Rainforest, Blue

Passion, Oscar Gold and Golden Butter) n Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda n Selection of vases

1 Cover your work surface with a drop sheet. Pour half a cup of paint into a paper cup, add 1-2 tablespoons of bicarb and mix well. Tip: The more bicarb you add, the more textured your paint will be.

2 Paint directly on to your vessel using random criss-cross or dabbing brush strokes to give a natural, rustic finish. Leave to dry and apply a second coat of paint.

3 Once dry, arrange your painted vessels in a vignette on a coffee table or a themed tablescape for a party.

Keep in mind...

n Wear disposable gloves while applying the paint and ensure you work in a well-ventilated area. n Painted vessels are not food-safe.

It’s easy being green!

Get your lawn ready for endless hours of fun with these super-simple weekend tasks

TASK 1: LAWN MOWERS AT THE READY!

Spring weekends are famous for the hum of mowers throughout the street and the smell of fresh cut grass. To get the best results, follow the one-third rule: the idea is to try not to cut off more than one-third of the grass each time you mow. A taller, thicker lawn helps to smother out pesky weeds and mowing on a higher setting also encourages deeper roots, which are more able to cope with stressful weather conditions.

TASK 2: THE NEED TO WEED

Weeds are any lawn lover’s worst nightmare. Controlling weeds is always the trickiest part of lawn care – weeding by hand may spread dormant seeds or leave part of the root in the ground, causing more weeds to grow, while traditional lawn weed killers need to be applied to the whole lawn, taking up even more time! Roundup For Lawns is the new, ready-to-use spot spray that tackles lawn weeds with visible results in just seven days.

TASK 3: GREENER... THICKER… HEALTHIER…

The key to the lawn of your dreams (and becoming the envy of your neighbours) is a healthy dose of fertiliser. Scotts Lawn Builder provides your lawn with all the essential nutrients it needs for strong and healthy growth, all season long. Simply grab your

Scotts Hand Held Fertiliser Spreader

and a bag of Scotts Lawn Builder All Purpose Slow Release Fertiliser, and get those steps up! Feeding your lawn is super easy and with Scotts Lawn Builder All Purpose, you’ll have a healthy green lawn all season long.

TASK 4: ENJOY!

In just a couple of hours, you’ve got a healthy dose of vitamin D, spent some time outdoors, worked up a few thousand steps and oh, made your lawn ready for endless hours of spring and summer fun. It’s time to put your feet up and admire a great day’s work!

Keeping the grass thick and free of weeds improves comfort underfoot for the whole family

Healthy turf is better able to stand up to the wear and tear of games in the sun

HANDY HINT: LOOKING PATCHY?

You’ve put the time and effort into your lawn, but there are a few dead patches around… the solution? Scotts Lawn Builder Organic Lawn Soil Topdress & Underlay! By adding a thin layer of topdress over dead patches, you bring some much-needed life back into the soil, giving grass roots a healthy home to sink themselves into.

1 Scotts hand held fertiliser spreader, $24.59, I/N: 3351482. 2 Roundup for lawns ready to use lawn weedkiller, $44.95/2.5L, I/N: 0260289. 3 Scotts ‘Lawn Builder’ organic lawn soil topdress & underlay, $9.75/25L, I/N: 3010199. 4 Scotts ‘Lawn Builder’ all purpose slow release lawn fertiliser, $29.98, I/N: 2962041.