A crafty mom has won widespread praise online after creating a stunning "mermaid wall" from wallpaper samples.
Now, as any parent will attest, decorating is an expensive job. It's only natural to want the best for your kids, and to create an environment where their imaginations will thrive, but this can come with a hefty price tag.
Katie Blackbourn, 30, from Essex, however, created a feature wall for her daughter for just $24.36 (£20).
She revealed her creation on the DIY Facebook group, Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, writing that all she needed to create the feature was bright paint, free wallpaper samples and wallpaper paste.
In an interview with Pretty52, she said: "This project began with the idea of a green/blue theme."
"I went to B&M to look for paint and bought Dulux Feature Wall in Proud Peacock for $18.26 (£14.99). I didn't buy a tester so hoped for the best that it would look as good on the wall as it did on the tin!"
"From there I had no idea what to do next, I just knew I wanted some sparkle. I got some wallpaper samples from B&M and B&Q and took them home to look at with the paint," she continued.
To see a close up of the mermaid wall, check out the video below:The 30-year-old then explained that it took a little experimentation to get the "scales" just right:
"I genuinely couldn't decide on one I liked the most so I decided to cut a few bits and place them together. I love collage and mixed media so I was in my creative element. I tried a few different things and the scales just seemed to click!"
Once her idea was in motion, Katie then used a cardboard template to ensure that each of her scales was the same size.
"I used Solvite Wallpaper paste from B&M at £1.99 ($2.42) and began to arrange the scales on the wall," she said. "I stopped at the point I decided was enough and added a little mirror in from Poundland because I like the idea it broke up the pattern."
Following the success of the project, Katie has now created an Instagram page to share her other creative ideas.
