BH&G We Heart It: Mother’s Day Gift Ideas From Erin Menardi

Today's Inspiration comes from Better Homes and Garden's Style Spotters Erin Menardi.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner–and what better way to show her how much you love her than with a handmade gift she’ll absolutely love? This week, take a look at some cute ideas I rounded up for all of the wonderful women in your life!

 

Keepsakes are always in style–if she loves to cook, something like this adorable hand print apron from Simply + Kierste could be the perfect way to say thank you for everything she does!

 

 

Everyone loves getting flowers–make hers extra special by making a personalized vase to hold them in! I love this idea from Homes Stories A to Z.

 

 

If she can’t make it to the spa, help her relax with these deliciously-scented lavender lemon soaps from A Pumpkin And A Princess!

 

 

If you’ve got a few extra hours this week, try this adorable Mother’s Day sign from Sawdust And Embryos. Personalize the words, colors and shape to express all of her wonderful qualities!

 

 

And sometimes, flowers are the perfect touch. If you’re lucky enough to have multiple moms to give gifts to, make a batch of these gorgeous mini bouquets from Homey Oh My! for a simple way to say, “I love you.”

 

 

Have a wonderful week! Show those ladies some love.

Erin

 

Best of the Web + Meet Our New Puppy! By: Grace Bonney

Last week Sabrina introduced us to her new puppy, Piper, and this week I couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to do the same. Julia and I had been thinking about adopting another dog (Hope has been a little lonely upstate) for a while, but we weren’t quite ready to upset the delicate balance we had between Hope and our cat, Turk. So when we heard from Chrissy Beckles, who runs the rescue group who gave us Hope, about fostering, we said yes. Chrissy had an adorable little puppy, Winky, who needed somewhere to stay until she found a good home and we excitedly welcomed her last Sunday. We both fell in love with her the first moment we met her, but it took a few days to figure out if we could create the same balance we had with just two pets. Thankfully, with a little work, lots of playtime and a new cat tree for Turk, our family has found its new — improved — balance, and a new member.

Yesterday we officially adopted Winky and while we’re technically “foster failures,” we couldn’t feel happier. Winky is now one of us and she fills our home with so much energy, excitement and happiness. She’s completely enamored of Hope (which Hope both loves and hates at times) and the two of them play nonstop throughout the day. It’s exactly what we hoped for and reminded me yet again just how wonderful it can be to bring animals into your family. So, meet our second official D*S pup, Winky the Sato! She’s about 4.5 months old now and we think she’s a Catahoula mix, but we’re never 100% sure with rescues. All we know is she fills our house with 1,000% more love, so we’re so grateful. If anyone out there reading is considering adopting or fostering, we’re such big fans of The Sato Project (and all great rescue groups), so if you’re interested in finding a new furry friend for your home, click here to check out and help. We’re taking the pups out for a long walk today, so until Monday, here’s wishing you all a great weekend. xo, grace

• Lake Michigan is so clear you can see old shipwrecks from above — these photos are stunning!
• I’m really excited (and hopeful) to see this documentary on the Letterpress community on Kickstarter.
• Droog design’s new collection is AWESOME: glow-in-the-dark nails + smiling screws.
• I LOVE this piece on OhJoy about framing vintage pieces (textiles, clothing, etc.).
• I also love this elegant Espalier photo from Dani Palencar taken in Society Hill, Philadelphia.
• Good luck not crying happy tears when you watch this 102-year-old dancer see herself on film for the first time.

• Must-Reads: D*S Goes to Washington: Peek inside the White House China Room, Garden, Kitchen and see the new state china collection!, 13 Amazing Female Podcasters to Follow, 18 Reasons to Love STRIPES.
• Sneak Peeks: The Golden Carrot Jewelry Shop in Hoboken, A Stylist’s 1830s Home, A Home Among The Eucalyptus Trees in Australia, A Sunny SF Rental, A Red Hook, Brooklyn Apt That’s Home to 2 Designers, A Bright Bungalow in Australia.
• Before & After: Jenna’s Laundry Room Makeover
• DIY Projects: DIY Rope Coil Doormat
• Recipes: 10 Healthy Meals from the Garden
• City Guide: 24 Hours in Edinburgh, Scotland.
• Life & Business: Smart Submissions (When to Send, Lend and Say No), What To Do About New VAT Laws, Profiles: Jamie Leigh Moore.

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1Q7SCLW From Grace Bonney

IKEA TROFAST hacked into Kids Market Stand By: IH guest

Materials: Trofast Storage Frame, Trofast Storage Bins, Knagglig Boxes

A supermarket counter from the TROFAST storage frame and Knagglig boxes. Ka-ching!

1. Trofast Storage Frame.

2. Add wood trim to front bottom to support bottom of Knagglig Boxes. Took plywood to make three shelves which will support top of Knagglig Boxes.

3. Added a primed plywood piece to front and painted it with chalkboard paint.

4. Added trim to top and bottom of the chalkboard piece.

5. Added a long drawer handle to side to hold a towel.

May eventually add 1×2′s with dowels to make a canopy. For now, leaving it open.

by Tim Krieger

The post IKEA TROFAST hacked into Kids Market Stand appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1dBn82S From IH guest

The Miniature Garden By: Grace Bonney

I have a soft spot for miniature things. When I was little, I obsessed over my doll house and any catalog that sold tiny versions of normal house goods, like wooden spoons, rugs, lamps and books. So when I found this Etsy shop that makes miniature DIY paper flower and plant kits, I took a few minutes to hyperventilate and then had to come up with a plan to prevent myself from putting each and every one of these kits in my shopping cart.

Each of these tiny kits, from dahlias and lilies to espalier trees, comes with punched paper petals, paper-covered wires, illustrated instructions and punched paper leaves to create your own tiny green masterpiece. Full-sized paper flowers are, of course, lovely and a great alternative to real plants if they’re not your thing, but these minis are another fun choice. They’d be a fun way to dress up gifts, spruce up a tiny spot on your dresser or windowsill, or just have fun doing something crafty. Click here to check out all of the kits and order online. If anyone makes one of these, please let me know — I would love to see these in a real home! xo, grace

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1ApTO4q From Grace Bonney

Kristi Kohut By: Grace Bonney

The earth and all of its natural beauty is an endless source of inspiration. I love seeing the colors of the ocean pop up in textiles and little hints of fall leaves in wallpaper and ceramics. But few sources of inspiration make me as happy as those that come from rocks, gems and geodes. There’s something about the wavy lines, bright colors and shimmer you find deep within the earth that get me every time. My favorite example of that inspiration has always been Clare Grill, who made beautiful paintings of geographical cross-sections, but now I have another great source: Kristi Kohut.

Kristi‘s artwork has appeared online, in print and at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and now she’s selling a series of stunning prints at Buddy Editions inspired by agate rock formations. I love all the splashes of hot pink and blue — they feel like summer to me and would be a great way to bring some brightness to any rooms around the house that could use some new life. If you want to check out more of her work and order her prints, you can see them right here online (prices start at $50 and range up to $500 for large-form prints). xo, grace

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1I2Xl0l From Grace Bonney

Kura, Kritter & Trofast hack – toddler-friendly bunkbed By: IH guest

I know you’ve seen a few Kura + Trofast steps before, but we did more underneath too, shortening Trofast units and chopping the legs off the Kritter bed to make a bottom bunk with storage space, so thought you might be interested.

Items used:

• Kritter bed
• Kura reversible bed
• Moshult mattress
• Kura bed tent
• Stepped Trofast frame
• 2 x 91cm Trofast frame
• Trofast storage boxes
• Försiktig step stool
• Kusiner wall pockets
• The side from Lydia’s old (non-ikea) cot (which was Georgie’s cot before it was Lydia’s!)

We needed to save space in the girls bedroom; we have a two year old and an (almost) four year old sharing one room, and they desperately wanted bunkbeds – but the concern was to make it safe for both of them to climb up and down safely when we weren’t in the room.

We shortened two Trofast units and cut the legs off the Kritter bed, to make a bottom bunk with storage space for small toys and books, and then used a stepped Trofast unit & Försiktig step stool to make toddler friendly steps up to the top bunk. We used an old cot side to make a banister for the steps, and added a Kura bed tent and Kusiner wall pockets to make the top bunk more exciting, with some space for toy storage too.

Full description & additional photos are here.

~ Zoe Corkhill (Mama Geek)

The post Kura, Kritter & Trofast hack – toddler-friendly bunkbed appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1Ap4Pmm From IH guest