Want to make your besties feel extra loved this Galentine’s Day? Grab your watercolours because we’re whipping up the cutest DIY card! In this step-by-step watercolour tutorial, we’ll paint two adorable teacups — covered with hearts and topped off with dreamy rose-gold details. And to tie it all together? The perfect pun: “BES-TEAS” at the bottom. 

Materials You’ll Need:

• Round watercolour brushes (size 6 and 2)
• 20/0 liner brush
• 100% cotton watercolour paper
• Blank card & envelope
• A glass of water
• Paper towel (for blotting)
• Glue stick or tape

Watercolour Paint Colours:

• Cadmium Red Deep (Orangey Red)
• Alizarin Crimson (Deep Cool Red)
• Permanent Rose (Bright Pink)
• Quinacridone Magenta (Magenta)
• Permanent Violet (Dark Purple)
• Rose Gold metallic

Related: Galentine’s DIY: Make Custom Candles to Celebrate Love

Step 1: Base Layer – The Red Teacup

Using the number 6 brush, sketch out a round teacup shape with a light wash of cadmium red deep, and fill it in completely.  Don’t forget to add a cute little handle and a base to match.  Let it dry completely before moving on.

Step 2: Base Layer – The Pink Teacup

Beside the red cup, sketch out a second teacup in a different style with a light wash of permanent rose. I added a scalloped top and matching base, along with a swirly handle to add some extra character. Allow it to dry fully before adding more paint on top.

Step 3: Adding Depth to the Red Teacup

Once the base layer is dry, use a slightly more saturated mixture of water and alizarin crimson to add shading along the edges and bottom of the teacup. Let it dry completely.

Step 4: Adding Depth to the Pink Teacup

Deepen the shadows of the pink teacup by layering a slightly more saturated mix of water and quinacridone magenta at the base and edges. Let it dry.

Related: You’ll Only Need Pool Noodles to Make this DIY Wall Art – Home Network

Step 5: Painting the Hearts

Using your size 2 round brush, mix alizarin crimson with a little bit of water for a very saturated, vibrant red. Carefully paint the small heart designs on each cup. Let it dry.

Step 6: Adding the darkest Shadows and Details

Using quinacridone magenta, add in the darkest details to the shadowy areas of the red cup.  Do the same with permanent violet for the pink cup. This third layer of shading creates even more depth to your painting.

Step 7: Metallic Rose-Gold Details

With a clean liner brush, use rose gold metallic paint to add some heart-shaped steam, some tea bags, and then carefully paint the word “BES-TEAS” at the bottom of the card. Let it dry completely.

Step 8: Final Touches

Once everything is dry, tape or glue your painting to the front of your blank card. Using the rose gold metallic paint, write “I’ll always spill to you first” on the inside of your card.  Don’t forget to sign your name and to write a heartfelt message to your bestie letting them know how much you love them!

Related: Pink Home Decor Items You Didn’t Know You Needed

We’ve seen hand painted candle tutorials floating around social media for several months, and trust us, these DIY Galentine’s candles are perfect for a girls’ night in.

Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating the amazing women in your life — your best friends, sisters and soulmates. It’s the perfect excuse to gather, enjoy some delicious treats and create something special together.

Instead of the usual dinner or drinks, why not host a cozy craft night where custom candle-making is the main event? With just a few materials, you can create adorable, hand-decorated taper candles to bring warmth and love into your space.

Materials Required:

• White taper candles
• Candle wax pens (red and pink)
• Lighter or matches
• Paper towels (to clean up any wax smudges)
• Candle holders

Related: Pink Home Decor Items You Didn’t Know You Needed

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Let’s start by setting up a crafting station with all the materials. Tip: Protect your table with parchment or kraft paper and a tray to catch any wax drips. Make sure everyone has their own set of wax pens in different colours to get creative together, shall we?

Step 2: Paint, Paint, Paint!

Now, use the wax pens to draw different cute designs like cherries, hearts, polka dots and XOXO patterns. The wax pens glide smoothly on the candle surface, so let your imagination run wild! If you make a mistake, simply scrape off the wax with a napkin and start fresh.

Related: You’ll Only Need Pool Noodles to Make this DIY Wall Art

Step 3: Place Your Candles

Once your designs are dry, place the candles in holders and light them up. Enjoy the cozy, romantic glow of your handmade creations—perfect for a Galentine’s dinner or as a sweet gift for your besties.

Hosting a Galentine’s hand painted candle-making night is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate friendship. With a little creativity and a lot of love, you’ll have beautiful candles to cherish throughout the year.

See you in the next DIY, friends!

Yes, you read that right, a pool noodle wall art. With February 14 just around the corner, you might be looking to add a whimsical and romantic touch to your walls. Look no further, this DIY floral wall art — made with only pool noodles — is the perfect statement piece.  Inspired by high-end floral installations, this budget-friendly project is easy to make with just a few materials.

So let’s get started!

DIY

Materials Required:

• Two pool noodles
• Faux flowers in white and pink tones
• Exacto knife
• Duct tape
• Transparent tape
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Related: Upgrade Your Bathroom for Less With This Easy Bath Mat DIY

Step 1: Create The Frame

First, use an exacto knife to carefully trim the ends of both pool noodles at an angle, so they fit together in a curved or oval shape. Then, Secure the two noodles together using transparent tape and duct tape at the seams, ensuring they hold a heart shape firmly. You can secure the frame with extra tape to for increased stability and durability.

Step 2: Attach The Flowers

Next, prep your florals by trimming excess stems from the faux flowers, leaving just enough to insert into the foam of the noodles. Begin attaching the flowers by pressing the stems directly into the pool noodles, or adding hot glue to the ones that can’t be pressed in.

Step Three: Finishing Details

To finish off, we love working our florals in clusters, mixing white and pink tones to create natural gradient. Distribute flower sizes all over the heart for a whimsical effect.

Fill in the pool noodle gaps with smaller flowers and get ready for the final step — hanging your dreamy wall art.

To hang your freshly adorned wall piece, we suggest you use removable wall hooks, strong double-sided tape or lightweight nails to secure the piece in place.

Related: Pink Home Decor Items You Didn’t Know You Needed

Ta-da! Your stunning giant floral pool noodle wall art is now ready to bring a dreamy, elegant touch to your space.

This DIY will elevate and romanticize your home with a luxurious floral aesthetic without breaking the bank. Have fun crafting, and don’t forget to share your creations with us on our social media platforms.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

We’ve tried all kinds of trends on TikTok over the years, some good (hello, cleaning hacks!) and some bad (goodbye, DIY black stairs). But the latest viral design hack that’s taking over the platform may have you seeing red — in the best way possible.

Unexpected Red Theory is proving to be a big hit with beginners and pros alike, and it’s no wonder why. The trend is easy to implement no matter what kind of space you’re considering, and it’s a design tip that lets you get as creative as you want. Want to know more? Read on to learn about Unexpected Red Theory and how you can make it work in your space.

What is Unexpected Red Theory?

The current Unexpected Red Theory trend is believed to have started with Taylor Simons. The Brooklyn-based interior designer explains the theory in a video that’s been liked thousands of times. “It’s basically adding anything that’s red, big or small, to a room that doesn’t match at all and it automatically looks better,” she says, with several photos to back up her claim.

Red sinks that have no business being pitted against a grey slate? Looks better. Red with purple? Better. A red mirror frame against teal? Again, instantly better.

As per the theory, by adding a touch of red to a room where the colour shouldn’t match, you create an instant pop of colour that makes the space stand out in a new and unexpected way.

“I’m petitioning for red to be a neutral colour because it just looks good with everything,” Simons adds in the video.

Does Unexpected Red Theory Work Every Time?

Yes — and no. The theory, which has actually been around for a while and has also been called the lipstick theory, depends on the shade of red in question. It all goes back to the colour wheel and ensuring you’re working with complementary contrasts. So while bright red pops against greens, blues and blacks, you may want to match off-whites, blue-greys and lighter blues with a pop of orangey red. Looking at lighter greens or grey-greens? They need a more pink-hued red to really jump.

How to Implement Unexpected Red Theory    

When implementing the Unexpected Red Theory, simple is best. Don’t overdo it and start small. Remember that the theory only works because you’re only adding a few small touches or accent walls, not necessarily painting an entire room or spending your paycheque at HomeSense (again) on red accessories.

Sure, that feature wall is always nice if you’re considering paint, but perhaps you’ll want to scale it back even more by painting a doorway trim or a post, instead. Remember to explore different shades of red to complement your space. Cherry red might not be your best choice against brown wood floors, for example, while earthy red won’t pop like a brighter red will when you’re contrasting black furniture.

If you’re unsure, stick to accessories over paint, and repurpose items you already have. Begin with one room in the house and see how it looks. You could try a red lamp in the living room, or a red painting in the bedroom (because what’s more passionate than that?). Red throw pillows or blankets can also go a long way in a space.

Does The Trend Work With Other Colours?

In the comments of Simons’ original post, many users pointed out how the trend can work with blue, orange, yellow, or any other complementary colour. The reason red is going viral, however, may have everything to do with its energy. Red is unexpected and passionate, which makes it a memorable colour.

Studies have also shown that red has been giving feels for thousands of years, and can also symbolize power, love, vigor and beauty. When it comes to one little colour packing a big design punch, you can’t ask for more than that.