8 DIY Mother’s Day Gifts You Can Make Yourself

Sure, rose bouquets and lotion sets are perfectly fine Mother’s Day gifts, but if you want to give your mama something truly one-of-a-kind, nothing beats a homemade present. We’ve rounded up plenty of make-it-yourself gift ideas that your mum will adore – from soothing tea soaks to unique string art. So without further ado, here are 8 DIY creations for the woman who created you!It’s Tea Time!Light up your mum’s life by presenting her with some darling teacup candles. They can be made using inexpensive flea market finds, and we recommend experimenting with different scents to create an aromatic experience your mother will love.Ahhhh. Who wouldn’t want to unwind with a nice lemon, lavender, peppermint or chamomile-scented soak? Make these pretty DIY tub teas for your mom by following these simple instructions.Dreamy Art and Green GoodnessShow the woman who has helped you catch so many of your dreams how much she means to you by making her a dreamcatcher of her own. It’s easy! Just follow our DIY expert Thalita Murray’s steps here.If your mom loves to cook, give her the gift of fresh herbs with this tabletop herb garden finished with cute copper plant markers. Check out the DIY tutorial from our very own Kate Simmons.Tug at Her HeartstringsHere’s an adorable way to remind your mother of the precious memories you share every time she goes to take a sip of her morning coffee. These tile coasters can be personalized with your favorite photos and best of all, they cost less than $5 to make.Now here’s a gift that will really pull at mom’s heartstrings. This DIY string artpiece may look complicated, but you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to do.Personalize with StyleYou’ve probably used a sugar scrub before, but have you ever seen sugar scrub cubes? These little bundles of citrus refreshment are the perfect way to wash the cares of the day away.And for an easy gift any mom would appreciate, how about stocking a pretty pastel basket with some of her favorite things? Whether she has a sweet tooth or a green thumb, this customizable present is easy to tweak based on her taste.Which one of these make-it-yourself gifts would your mom enjoy most?You’re reading 8 DIY Mother’s Day Gifts You Can Make Yourself, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
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Playful Gift for an Architect: “Fantastic Cities” Coloring Book by Steve McDonald

Once in a while, we love to find something “worthy” enough to catch an architect’s attention if offered to him or her as a gift. Canadian artist Steve McDonald created Fantastic Cities, an eye-catching coloring book filled with intricate illustrations. The project has a distinctive large square-format and features 60 cities from around the world, including Paris, Tokyo, London, Istanbul, Guadalajara, New York and many more. We think of this book as one of those rare things that you come across and pause for a moment: it is captivating, provocative and possibly addictive for anyone who happens to take a sneak peek inside.

The unconventional relaxation tool for architects is currently available for purchase on Amazon, at a cost of £9.93. “This coloring book features immersive aerial views of real cities from around the world alongside gorgeously illustrated, Inception-like architectural mandalas. The project offers absorbingly complex vistas to color—nearly 60—including a selection of mind-bending labyrinthine architectural illustrations for still deeper meditative coloring adventures and imaginative flights of fancy”, explained Steve McDonald. Have fun trying to identify the places depicted in the illustrations below! Do you think this coloring book would make for an interesting architects’ gift?

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A DIY Cinder Block Retaining Wall Project

Do you remember when Decoist featured the tiny house of Andy Pluta? Built as a guest house/artist’s studio and completed in 2014, this modern dwelling rests on Pluta’s lot, to the right of his one-story home. After some time passed and he finished his first project of 2015, a retaining wall built from cinder blocks, I knew I had to snap some photos and share the process. Plus, he’s always willing to answer my questions since I’m his sister! Since Pluta did all of the labor himself, he was able to keep the overall cost of the wall at around $250 (plus an additional $200 for the plants and gravel). Keep reading for details and photos…About the beginning of the project, Pluta shares, “When I got started, I knew it was going to be a big project, and at certain points, I thought about enlisting professional help, but I got my buddy (a professional landscaper who has his own business)…he came over, and I told him what I was thinking of doing. He gave me a pointer or two because I’d never really done a masonry project like this. At that point I felt like I could move forward with the project and do it in little pieces at a time.”Pluta brings up a good point: If this is your first masonry project, consult an expert. This doesn’t mean you can’t do it yourself. But at least talk to someone about the specifics of your project. Every outdoor space is different, so there’s no one uniform set of instructions for building a retaining wall. Here’s what Pluta did to create a wall that would contain the sloping earth in front of his home:Step 1: ExcavateThere was earth all the way up to the curb that needed to be excavated in order to make room for the concrete blocks. This included tree stumps, which aren’t always the easiest to remove. Pluta used a hatchet to get the job done and also mentions that a chainsaw would have been helpful. In addition, since certain portions of the wall are a whole cinder block below ground (the wall is on a slope), he had to dig there as well. The excavation step is a very substantial part of the project!Step 2: Lay the FoundationOnce the excavation was complete, Pluta began laying a cement slab foundation. The wall is on a slope, but it is indeed level (the first layer of cinder blocks stairsteps up). Step 2 also involved putting the first course of cinder blocks in place, along with some rebar and cement. Just how much cement? More than thirty 60-lb bags! Pluta admits that this step involved a LOT of work and heavy lifting.Step 3: Add Cinder BlocksFrom there on out, Pluta added cinder blocks until the wall was the desired height. This portion of the project was done in steps, as he works full time and had to make progress little by little on evenings and days off.He adds, “It was slow-going in the beginning because I’d never done this. I was very cautious to get things level and make sure things looked right, because this is going to be in front of my house.” Part of being cautious involved ensuring that he had the proper tools, such as a masonry brush.Step 4: LandscapeTo achieve a modern landscape consisting of native plants, Pluta bought 1 ton of black star gravel. A dark grey color, the gravel becomes even darker when wet. What about the plants?! Some were bought, some were already in place, and some (like the blue agave above and the cactus below) were transplanted from other parts of the yard.Before any gardening took place, certain plants were carefully removed. In fact, Pluta enlisted a friend to help dig up a series of lilies, which were gifted to other friends and family members. The ground then needed to be filled in with dirt. After that, a landscaping cloth was put down, and holes were cut for the plants. Speaking of plants, below you will find shots of the vegetation, which includes selections such as foxtail fern and red yucca. Note the variety of colors, forms and heights represented, which creates visual interest:As you can tell from the photos, certain areas of the rock garden get a lot of full sun, while others are very shaded. Pluta notes that it’s essential to choose plants that are appropriate for the setting, and you should never hesitate to use native plants for low-maintenance landscaping. One such plant: the silver ponyfoot above, which will cascade over the edge of the wall before too long. And there’s nothing like that green mesquite tree (we’re thinking it’s a green mesquite–it was already in place) and the way it adds shade, color and height to the landscape:Adding the gravel was the final task, and a rewarding one at that. Isn’t it wonderful when everything comes together?! Here are a few more shots of the completed retaining wall. A job well done, Andy… You’re reading A DIY Cinder Block Retaining Wall Project, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
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A Potter Creates an Inspiring Room of Her Own (13 photos)

When Janene Waudby and her husband bought their home in southeast London in 2013, they were immediately drawn to its long garden. Waudby, a ceramicist, saw the possibility of carving out a space for herself at the far end of the garden. “There was no room in our old house for a shed,” she says, but the…
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Designed to Boost Creativity: Contemporary Madison Residence in Kansas City, USA

When designing Madison Residence in Kansas City, Missouri, the architects at KEM Studio decided to put aside functionality (as a starting point for the design) and create something inspired by the owners’ lifestyle. Three main directions were identified during the research process: “The first was for the new house to be modern, minimal and sustainable: focus on the experience with volume, light and interactions more than square footage. Second was to emphasize the interaction of the house with the site and hillside: draw from the owner’s rural background and her unconventional, creative interpretations. The third was direction was super-efficiency”. Despite a small budget, this contemporary home is low maintenance and sustainable.

These three challenges were approached with originality: “The design met those goals and responded to her lifestyle as a writer, musician, runner, cinephile and creative spirit. Functionally it translates into a 1,200 sf, two-bedroom, two-bath home on a modest budget”, explained the architects. The gallery below unveils a spacious home encouraging social activities and entertainment. A minimalist design approach was needed in order to spark creativity at all levels. How would you comment on the overall look and feel of this residence?  [Photography: Mike Sinclair]

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What to Know About Controlling Dust During Remodeling (6 photos)

Dust is everywhere, all the time. But during a remodeling project, it’s particularly abundant — and potentially hazardous. All sorts of nasty stuff gets kicked up while demolishing walls, taking apart cabinets and removing tile. And it’s not for the faint of heart. Waste from bugs, mice,…
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Ingenious Cottage de Bordeaux Blends Textural Beauty with Quirky Decor

Combining the timeless with the trendy contemporary style with a world of contrasting textures, Cottage de Bordeaux in Montreal is truly a one-of-a-kind modern residence. But having previously come across some lovely Canadian homes by Boom Town, it is barely surprising to see such an array of almost ‘rustic’ materials being used so elegantly to shape the unique interiors of this home. Even though the color palette used to create the backdrop in each room is largely neutral, bright pops of color jump out to add a fun element of surprise. The result is a living space that steals the show with its individuality and inimitable personality!The living area on the lower level of the house comprises the sitting area, dining space, work area and a contemporary kitchen, and each area flows into the next. A nifty partition made out of tree trunks adds as a visual separation next to the small workspace that can also easily double as a breakfast nook when needed. Sleek wall shelves in black and white, a cozy couch in black, the iconic Isamu Noguchi coffee table and the playful Pumpkin chair and sofa by Pierre Paulin in bright red make up the living space. A snazzy dining room with acrylic chairs sits next to the kitchen, and warm wooden surfaces add further elegance to each area.A white brick wall with a two-sided fireplace stands as a curious focal point in the contemporary setting, while a sleek staircase with floating wooden steps leads to the top level with private quarters. A fabulous use of accent colors, curated decor additions, interesting finishes and ample natural ventilation combine to transform this residence into an exceptional showstopper.You’re reading Ingenious Cottage de Bordeaux Blends Textural Beauty with Quirky Decor, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
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17 Captivating Beach Style Bedroom Design Ideas

In the bedroom begins and ends almost every day of our lives, for that very reason bedroom should be a room where is achieved a balance, symmetry and harmony and you need to feel pleasant […]
The post 17 Captivating Beach Style Bedroom Design Ideas appeared first on Architecture Art Designs.
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10 Ways to Go Tropical for a Relaxing and Trendy Home Office

With summer not too far away, we are all tempted by the thought of warm, long days and dreamy afternoons that you wane away on the pool deck. But there are plenty of ways that you can capture this ‘fuzzy feeling’ and replicate it indoors all year long. While homeowners and designers often gravitate towards the classy beach style and coastal decor to get this done, its close cousin, the tropical style, is not too far behind! From lovely prints to natural materials, its soothing presence makes it ideal for aesthetically pleasing and productive home offices.Fabulous home office design oozes with tropical flair! [Design: Petron Design]A tropical-style home office does not need any major overhauls, and often a change in the simplest of details can transform your existing modern home office into a workspace with tropical flair. Tropical-themed decor and accessories fit in with most other contemporary styles, and here are 10 different ways that you can bring some of its gorgeous goodness into your home office.1. Contemporary and TropicalOne of the best ways to start experimenting with tropical style is by combining it with your contemporary home office. This requires not only the addition of some natural greenery, more nature-centric decor and lovely lighting, you also need to do away with the unnecessary. Instead of opting for large leafy motifs and bright colors, try understated patterns or even chic zebra stripes to get the same effect in a classier manner.Contemporary and tropical styles meet inside this home office [Design: MP Studio Interiors]2. A Soothing BackdropThis home office is a beautiful blend of the serene beach style and chic tropical touches, and it’s the perfect way to bring beach-side ambiance indoors. Light blue and white is a timeless color duo that never fails, and the washed white used here and the unique ceiling add to the tropical look. Large windows, a ceiling fan and lovely wooden decor complete this elegant and inviting home office.Cool color scheme gives the home office a cheerful appeal [Design: Weber Design Group]3. Color and CreativityWhen you think of tropical style, it is often spaces like the home office below that first spring to mind. The decor is typically what you would get in a tropical-style interior with bright colors, nature-inspired patterns and a fabric that features colorful prints. A cleverly hung poster or two that complements the theme and the view outside the window turn this oceanfront home office into a trendy delight!Gorgeous home office brings forth color and elegance [Design: Cynthia Marks – Interiors]4. Bamboo and RattanThis is one of our absolute favorite home offices ever for its sheer simplicity and unassuming beauty. A custom-crafted desk with a leather-wrapped rattan frame and a chair and cabinets that complement its form perfectly create a home office that takes up very little space. Yet this workspace makes a big visual impact, and working here must truly feel like a perpetual holiday. We can imagine someone like Hemingway working away at that desk, even if it is only for a few fleeting moments between his exciting trips to Africa and beyond!Decor and design of the home office inspired by beach-side cabanas! [Design: Baer’s Furniture]5. It’s all About Greenery!If you are a nature-lover, then you will feel right at home in a tropical home office. Greenery is an integral and almost essential part of the style, and the more natural, potted plants, the better. Plenty of tropical plants require minimum attention and care, making them an ideal choice, even for those who are not all that good with regular care. From decking out the shelves to giant potted beauties in the corner, there is plenty you can do here.Home office relies on natural greenery for color and freshness! [Design: De’Shea Interiors]6. The View OutsideWhile some of us have to work really hard to capture and replicate the spirit of the tropics indoors, others have it easy because… Well, because they happen to live in the tropics and next to a lovely beach! Take advantage of the swinging palm trees, the lazy hammocks, sun, sand and waves outside and the open up the home office to that wonderful view. Even if the home office is simple and modern, the aura of the setting outside will automatically give it a tropical flavor.Landscape outside defines the style of the home office [Design: Norelco Cabinets]7. A Touch of TextureTexture and pattern are a big part of the style as well. Whether it is natural wood with its knots, stripes and streaks, patterned rugs with leopard spots, or zebra stripes or wall coverings such as grasscloth, try and add natural and unique texture to the home office with decor and accessories. Wallpaper is obviously a great choice here, as it combines both texture and pattern beautifully in an efficient and affordable way.Workspace with a relaxed, yet beautiful modern ambiance [Design: GM Construction]8. A Fitting BackdropWe talked about how important natural materials and textures are above, and if you have a home like the one below, you really need not do much to bring in a tropical style. Walls, ceiling and the entire ambiance are filled with cozy warmth, and the earthen color palette of the decor simply lets the backdrop shine through.Natural materials give the home office its tropical appeal [Design: Dara Rosenfeld / Photography by Matthew Millman]9. Let There Be Light!Much like in the case of beach-style interiors, natural light is an essential part of tropical style. Of course, you can still use artificial lighting to compensate wherever possible, but make sure that you get in as much sunlight as you can. Large windows and even skylights can be used to not only offer a tropical aesthetic, but to create functional lighting solutions for the home office. Windows with rattan or bamboo blinds further accentuate the tropical style.Elegant and relaxed tropical home office [Design: London Bay Homes]10. Subtle and VersatileFinally, we have a home office that might not be drenched in tropical goodness, but does just enough to bring in some of its zesty brilliance. An extensive use of wood, a warm color palette and the view outside help in achieving this balance between modern and tropical styles, even as the potted plant in the corner shines through!Smart, modern tropical home office idea [Design: Affiniti Architects]You’re reading 10 Ways to Go Tropical for a Relaxing and Trendy Home Office, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
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Garden Walls: Pour On the Style With Concrete (13 photos)

Durable, versatile and clean are all words to describe a concrete garden wall. Whether your tastes lean toward contemporary or classic, concrete can fit into almost any landscape. In this article, we’re going to focus on poured-in-place concrete walls, though they can also be precast or made from block….
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