'Tis the season to upcycle
Living space|December 2023
From handmade adornments to uses for everyday items, we've unwrapped a box full of creative ideas to refresh your festive season decorating. Trust us, yule love them all.
By Mandy Allen
'Tis the season to upcycle

1. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

Set the scene for a personalised Christmas that celebrates creativity, thrifty repurposing and crafty tweaks to give old objects a new life.

The idea

Fancy candles can be eye-wateringly expensive. Impress your guests with a quick DIY that's merry and bright!

How to

Spray-paint the bottom ends of traditional white tapered dinner candles in shades of Pop Art pink and blue - or whatever works with your decorative theme.

The idea

Have a drawer full of paint swatches? Create colourful garlands to string across the fireplace, on a wall or to drape around the Christmas tree.

How to

Cut paint swatch cards into square pieces following the natural divide between the shades. Use a paper punch to make neat holes and string them up with festive twine or ribbon.

2. MERRY & BRIGHT

The idea

Level up your pinecone game with some spray paint. Neons, pastels or neutrals? That is the question...

How to

• Experiment with colour-blocking, ombre colour grading, metallics or solid shades by choosing spray paint in a few complementary or artfully clashing bright colours.

• Be sure to do your spraying in a well-ventilated area.

• Dab a paint brush into fine glitter and add sparkly highlights to the pinecone while it's still marginally wet.

• These can be hung up by attaching metallic string or thread, stacked in a clear glass vase or scattered on flat surfaces as part of a festive vignette.

TOP TIP

Remove the plastic or metal caps and hanger string from broken or worse-for-wear Christmas baubles, balls and ornaments and stick them onto your pinecones (or any other handmade festive decorations) using superglue or a hot glue gun.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023-Ausgabe von Living space.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023-Ausgabe von Living space.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS LIVING SPACEAlle anzeigen
'Tis the season to upcycle
Living space

'Tis the season to upcycle

From handmade adornments to uses for everyday items, we've unwrapped a box full of creative ideas to refresh your festive season decorating. Trust us, yule love them all.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 2023
Less is MORE
Living space

Less is MORE

So many people are considering life without alcohol that the notion has been given a name: sober-curious. We find out what you can do to help lower your current alcohol consumption.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 2024
Up in smoke
Living space

Up in smoke

Darrel Bristow-Bovey discovers that letting go isn't always easy (or entirely painless).

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 2023
HAPPY AFFORDABLE HOLIDAYS!
Living space

HAPPY AFFORDABLE HOLIDAYS!

Whether it's quality time with family or me-time on a beach, a vacation is good for the soul but it shouldn't break the bank! Use these eight tips to make sure yours doesn't.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
December 2023
WISH WE WERE HERE
Living space

WISH WE WERE HERE

You can eat with your eyes, so why not travel that way, too? Captivating, unexpected and inspiring these destinations should be on every decor-lover's bucket list...

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 2023
WELCOME, 2024!
Living space

WELCOME, 2024!

Get a head start on styling your space for the new year with our forecast of what's to come. Hint: you're going to be a natural...

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 2023
LIFE THROUGH THE LENS
Living space

LIFE THROUGH THE LENS

Travel photographer, writer and editor Anton Crone has many years of exploring Africa's backroads under his belt. Christi Nortier asks him what makes a place one-of-a-kind.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 2023
INNER-CITY ISLANDS
Living space

INNER-CITY ISLANDS

The birds and the bees need safe, green spaces to survive and thrive in the urban jungle. Here's how you can help...

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 2024
BEYOND THE BUNCH
Living space

BEYOND THE BUNCH

From wreaths to posies, flowers are a quick and easy way to light up a room and all you need is a store-bought bunch (or two) and a touch of creativity.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 2023
IT'S ON THE HOUSE
Living space

IT'S ON THE HOUSE

Household insurance: two words that strike fear (and confusion) into the hearts of South African homeowners. But don't panic! Here's everything you need to know...

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 2024