I brought Santorini to my boring Suffolk garden for less than £100 of Temu buys – now I've got my own holiday haven
One bargain hunter has proved that you can turn a dull and boring space into a holiday haven, without having to break the bank.
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A bargain hunter has shared how she turned her Suffolk garden into a holiday paradise
Credit: Shelly Lou
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For less than £100, Shelly Lou was able to add style to her space
Credit: Shelly Lou
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We, along with Shelly's family and friends, think her outside space looks super impressive
Credit: Shelly Lou
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She even repurposed a shower curtain as part of her backdrop
Credit: Shelly Lou
For less than £100, Shelly Lou, 51, who lives in Suffolk with her partner Mark and works at a local supermarket, was able to give her outside space an overhaul using bargains from Temu.
Shelly was inspired by a visit to Mijas, Spain, and her dream to one day visit
'I loved the crisp white walls and those beautiful blue pots everywhere. I just wanted that vibe at home,' she explains.
Determined to bring the look to life, Shelly turned to
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Her haul included artificial hanging plants, giant simulated plants, palm hybrid plants and artificial jasmine vines.
Not only this, but she also ordered a garden hose, plant pots, pillow fillers, cushions, and even a
Remarkably, she achieved the entire look for under £100, excluding the
Nearly everything in her garden now comes from
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Most read in Fabulous
And now, her
But that's not all, as family and friends have been full of compliments too, as she proudly explains: 'They can't believe how much it's
My garden was looking so old and the patio was broken - now it's a lush oasis and people can't believe how little I spent
'It really feels like a little holiday escape.'
For those looking to do a similar refresh, Shelly advises: 'Plan the look first, then add to your basket bit by bit. It stops you from buying things you don't need.
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Why is Temu so cheap?
TEMU exploded onto the scene in late 2022, with people all over social media raving about the low prices.
The company is a Chinese-owned digital marketplace - essentially an online shopping app where people are connected to the retailer directly while the app takes care of the shipping element.
The frenzy over the app is not completely unfounded either as it offers a wide variety of products, including fashion, make-up, electronics and furniture.
The loophole is called the de minimis exception and it means they can ship goods valued up to $800 (£643) to the US without it being inspected or taxed by US customs.
Temu connects customers directly to manufacturers and only manages how the items are sent to customers.
It means Chinese vendors can essentially sell their products directly to customers and ship it without building a network of warehouses across the globe.
By doing this, they cut down on huge costs and ensure the product itself isn't marked up extra.
While many of the products seen on the Temu app are from brands with extensive, original collections, many more are dupes of designer brands.
'And if you're using a backdrop, build a frame first. Screw it to the wall and staple the material. It gives a proper finished look and it lasts.'
But Shelly isn't the only one turning to Temu to unlock her creativity.
I added everything to my Temu basket, wanting a proper Mediterranean feel
Shelly Lou
A recent IPSOS survey commissioned by the platform shows that 1 in 3 British users say Temu helps them explore new ways to
More than 80% say Temu offers good value for money, reflecting strong consumer confidence in the platform's quality and affordability.
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With her clever use of Temu and a clear vision, Shelly has
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Garden features that add the most value to a house
A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property.
And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed.
Shed - 82%
Patio or paving - 76%
Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72%
Outdoor lighting - 66%
Sturdy decking - 62%
Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58%
Modern garden furniture - 54%
Artificial lawn/grass - 40%
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