It’s NAIDOC Week (6–13 July), the perfect time to honour the culture, history, and achievements of Australia’s First Nations peoples. Imagine your garden or balcony bursting with colour and meaning—each planter a tribute to traditional dot-painting, line-work, or natural earth tones. Ready to make your green space not just beautiful, but culturally respectful and personally meaningful?

Research shows that bringing art into our homes can reduce stress by up to 40%, and adding living plants boosts mood and air quality. By combining home-crafted art with greenery, you’re creating a living gallery that both soothes and inspires. Plus, these projects take under an hour and cost less than $20 in materials—perfect for beginners or busy gardeners.
Imagine sipping your morning coffee beside a cluster of pots that tell a story: ochre patterns symbolizing Country, concentric circles for community, and flowing lines echoing watercourses. You’ll feel more connected to the land and the lasting traditions of its First Peoples. And with Home Leisure’s Reko Pots—durable terracotta planters with sleek profiles—you’ll have a canvas that holds up to weather, paint, and plant roots alike.
DIY Project 1: Ochre Oasis
- Acrylic paints (black, white, yellow, orange, red, and any other desired colors)
- Round-tipped stylus or the back of a paintbrush
- Paintbrushes (flat for base coat, fine for details)
- Pencil for light sketching
- Reko Pot 100mm Terracotta
- Prep & Prime: Clean the pot’s surface with a damp cloth.
- Sketch Your Pattern: Lightly sketch the main wavy black band and the placement of large circles with a pencil as a guide
- Paint the Main Shape: Paint the wavy black band around the pot using a fine brush. Add the large circles inside and along the band, using black or dark brown as the base color for these shapes.
- Dot Application: Dip your stylus in yellow ochre and place dots along your pencil guides. Alternate colours to form rings—e.g., white, red ochre, black.
- Layer & Embellish: Once the first layer is dry, add smaller dots between the larger ones for texture.
- Seal & Plant: After full drying (2–4 hours), spray a clear acrylic sealer.
Tip: Place a small saucer under the pot to catch water and protect surfaces.
DIY Project 2: Dot-Painting Dream
- Acrylic paints: white, black, yellow ochre, red ochre
- Round-tipped stylus or back of a paintbrush
- Pencil for light sketching
- Reko Pot 100mm Green
- Prep & Prime: Clean the pot’s surface with a damp cloth.
- Sketch Your Pattern: With a pencil, lightly sketch the word “Dreamtime” across the front. Outline circles and areas for dot patterns around the text.
- Free-Flowing Lines: Using black acrylic paint and a brush, paint a wide, horizontal band across the pot where the word will go.
- Add Dots: Add dots in circular and radiating patterns around the text and band, layering colors for a vibrant effect.
- Outline: Use black and white to outline and fill the larger circles, then add colored dots inside and around them.
- Let Dry & Finish: Allow all paint to dry thoroughly before using the pot.
DIY Project 3: Sunset Harmony
Acrylic paints: black, white
Flat paintbrush (for base coat)
Small round brush or round-tipped stylus (for dots and lines)
Pencil (optional, for sketching guidelines)
- Reko Pot W/Handle 300mm Black
- Prep & Prime: Clean the pot’s surface with a damp cloth.
- Sketch Your Pattern: Lightly sketch wavy horizontal lines around the pot with a pencil to guide your design.
- Paint Touches: Use a small round brush to paint several wavy horizontal white lines around the pot, mimicking the pattern in the image
- Add Dots: With a round-tipped stylus or the tip of a small brush, dip into white paint and add dots along and between the wavy lines. Vary the size of the dots for a natural, hand-painted effec
- Let Dry & Finish: Allow all paint to dry thoroughly before using the pot.
Case Study: “I tried these lines on my balcony and neighbours asked where I bought them!” — Sarah, Melbourne Garden Club
What To Do Next?
Shop Reko Pots for your canvas
Join our Garden Club for more DIY ideas, seasonal tips, and exclusive offers.
Share your creation with #HomeLeisureDIY and tag us—we may feature your work!
FAQs
1. Is it culturally appropriate to use these designs? Yes—these are inspired by Indigenous art, not direct copies of sacred motifs. For deeper authenticity, reach out to local First Nations artists for permission or collaboration.
2. Can I use other pot materials? Absolutely—but terracotta (like Reko Pots) absorbs moisture well and holds paint. Plastic may need extra priming.
3. What plants suit these decorative pots? Succulents, small ferns, native grasses or indoor air-purifying foliage all work beautifully.
4. How do I preserve the art outdoors? Apply two coats of outdoor-grade clear sealer; reapply yearly to guard against rain and UV.
5. Where can I buy Reko Pots? Shop online at homeleisure.com.au or find stockists in-store nationwide.
6. Can I gift these? Yes! They make thoughtful, personalised gifts for NAIDOC events, housewarmings, or teacher thank-yous.