Newsletters

Sarah Starkey

    15 Repurposed Planters: Just Add Dirt
    When you see so many pictures of productive gardens in big backyards, it’s easy to forget that gorgeous gardens also happen in small yards and surprising places. These 15 repurposed planters remind us that you don’t need a lot of space and new materials to start growing your own garden; all you need is a little bit of ingenuity and resolve.TOP ROW1. Chairs: Old Chairs make amazing raised planters.
    Sarah Starkey
    Apr 4, 2013
    How To Make Coffee Bag Planter Pots
    If, like me, you love gardening but aren’t a huge fan of all the plastic pots that seem to multiply in corners and pop up wherever plants need transporting, then chances are you’ll love these DIY coffee bag planter pots as much as I do.Coffee bag pots are fantastic for so many reasons.
    Sarah Starkey
    Apr 16, 2012
    Before & After: A Budget Garden Makeover
    Since moving back to our rented home we’ve been slowly rebuilding the gardens around the house. Working with what we have and focusing on the growing-not-mowing philosophy, we turned the space near our front door in to a useable garden space for less than $20.Until recently the space was only used to access the hot water system.
    Sarah Starkey
    Sep 7, 2011
    Before & After: A Revived Wooden Mirror
    After spending four muddy days under flood water this mirror was on top of a pile of trash, destined for the tip. Then I got sentimental and retrieved it. It was too wet and filthy to bring inside so it spent the next 6 months outside before I finally decided it was time to make it work or let it go. I toyed with the idea of painting it bright yellow but in the end I couldn’t do it, so I kept it simple and tried to return it to its former glory.
    Sarah Starkey
    Aug 31, 2011
    Quick Tip #40: How to Remove Dried Paint from Paint Brushes
    Try vinegar! Soak the brush in vinegar for an hour or so until you can bend the bristles. Fill a saucepan with vinegar until the brush bristles are covered. Bring the vinegar to a boil and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a minute before removing the brush. Gently comb the brush with your fingers. The paint will still be attached but will fall away as you comb it. Rinse the brush under running water to release the loose paint.
    Sarah Starkey
    Aug 24, 2011
    Top 10 Australian Eco-Tourism Destinations
    For travelers looking to experience natural landscapes in a sustainable way Australia offers an abundance of pristine world heritage listed parks and reserves that can be enjoyed by everyone. From camping to luxury eco resorts, from bushwalks to skywalks and everything in between, these 10 Australian eco-tourism destinations offer something for everyone.1.
    Sarah Starkey
    Jul 22, 2011
    5 New Uses For Old Pillowcases
    I can’t adequately express how much I love white bedding. I’ve tried other colours, but it’s just not the same. I think that’s why I have more pillowcases in my fabric bin than most people I know, as yet no amount of my laundry TLC can bring them back when they take on a beige tinge. Thankfully there’s no shortage of handy re-uses for old pillowcases.1. Clean ceiling fans.
    Sarah Starkey
    Jul 11, 2011
    Before and After: A $30 Reading Bench Makeover
    In keeping with my current obsession for budget makeovers big and small: this reading bench was $20 and in dire need of some TLC (apparently the cats loved the cushioning as much as its new owner). So with the meager investment of $10 for for a new mattress, some sewing leftovers and one afternoon, this reading bench was given a new home.
    Sarah Starkey
    Jun 8, 2011
    Before and After: A $159 Kitchen Transformation
    So many people dream about redoing their kitchen but look at the cost of new cabinets, new counters, new appliances and put it squarely in the one day pile. Thankfully, clever makeovers like this remind us that it’s not always about getting more – sometimes it’s about doing more with what you have.By removing cupboards and doors, repainting, making her own curtains, and adding DIY pieces Rita at harbour breeze completely transformed her kitchen for under $200.
    Sarah Starkey
    Jun 6, 2011
    Inspiration: Living Curtains
    I love natural light and I have three really big windows that pretty much light the entire house throughout the day. But one of my lovely windows has a not-so-lovely view. I’ve been umming and ahhing over what to do, so when I stumbled over the idea of living curtains I was overjoyed and had to share.Perfect! A curtain that hides not so lovely views, filters light, purifies the air and adds a gorgeous living artwork to your space.TOP ROW1+3.
    Sarah Starkey
    May 24, 2011
    A Space Saving Vertical Salad Garden
    There is something so satisfying about growing and eating your own food. If you think you don’t have the space, think again! This vertical salad garden by Anne Phillips at Go Green Gardeners is less than a meter wide and 1.5 meters tall. Here’s what’s involved:The edible wall of lettuces, arugula, Swiss chard, mustard, strawberries and herbs uses a French riddling rack to hold seeds instead of wine. Genius!
    Sarah Starkey
    May 12, 2011
    Before and After: Old Spring Sofa to New Rocker
    This project requires slightly more DIY skills than I have (I’m a fan of the ‘near enough is good enough’ approach to measuring), but it shows what’s achievable with some know-how and a lot of creative thinking.The rocker is the work of Måns Salomonsen who took a one week challenge to give an old piece of furniture a new designer life.
    Sarah Starkey
    Apr 28, 2011
    Before and After: A Budget Kitchen Makeover
    When Theresa and her family first bought their home it had been unused for a long time. But with the sweat off their brows, some thoughtful budget spends, and some clever DIYs they are turning their unused house into a gorgeous home. Here’s a peek at how they handled the kitchen.
    Sarah Starkey
    Apr 20, 2011
    10 Tips to Manage Rubbish Without Plastic Bags
    I remember when I got my first pair of canvas shopping bags. I took them home and declared “We will never need plastic bags again!” This was met with “Ok! So what are we going to use for the rubbish bin?” I confess at the time I didn’t know and we continued to work our way through the mountain of plastic bags breeding underneath our sink. Here’s what I wish past me knew…1. Separate your rubbish: One bin is not going to cut it!
    Sarah Starkey
    Mar 17, 2011
    How To Clean Brass Using 2 Natural Kitchen Ingredients
    If your brass has loss its brassy bite, it's time to clean it up.
    Sarah Starkey
    Mar 9, 2011
    How To Clean Burnt Pots & Scorched Pans
    If you've ever experienced the pain of a burnt frying pan, I bring good news!
    Sarah Starkey
    Mar 2, 2011
    Chopping Boards: Which Material Is Most Eco-Friendly?
    It’s been a while since I purchased a chopping board and it seems like I missed a few developments in the great ‘plastic vs. wood’ chopping board debate. There are some new contenders in the fight for food preparation supremacy, but we’re still asking the same old questions: Which is best for me, my environment and my food?1. Hard Wood They seemed out of favor for a while but wooden chopping boards are enjoying a resurgence.
    Sarah Starkey
    Feb 22, 2011
    How To Make Your Own Shade Sail
    I’m sure in certain parts of the world people are looking forward to the start of Spring and warmer days, but here in Australia it is hot hot hot and there is never enough shade. So I’m making my own! No heavy plasticky shade sails for me… I’m opting for light white muslin to let the light in but take the edge off.MaterialsAs much fabric as you need to cover your chosen area. (As mentioned above, I used muslin.
    Sarah Starkey
    Feb 14, 2011
    How To Green Clean Moldy Shoes
    Moldy shoes. I know… scary stuff. I can understand how your first thought might be “Quick! Throw them out!” But fear not; if you are a fellow humid climate dweller who has faced this situation and shamefacedly thrown out pair after pair of otherwise perfectly good shoes. I have the solution! It’s quick, it’s easy, and you more than likely already have everything you need. You don’t need any harsh cleaners.
    Sarah Starkey
    Feb 8, 2011
    How To Make Your Own Indoor Compost Bin
    There are a lot of options out there for apartment dwellers who want to compost, and like most things it’s not as simple as one style fits all. It’s about finding what works best for you. Try something! And if it doesn’t work for you… try something else! This is an easy indoor compost option for people who need something cheap, customizable and space friendly.MaterialsA container to house your compost. It can be as big or small as you like.
    Sarah Starkey
    Feb 7, 2011