"Design Happens"

This looks like something you’d see at the Kentucky Derby, but it doesn’t belong on your head. Can you guess what it is?

 Give us your best guess, and we’ll reveal the answer tomorrow.

Back in my school days, teachers’ gifts consisted of an apple or a simple homemade thank you card. But these days, kids have gotten more creative. I ran across this adorable chalkboard potted plant by blogger Mariah that reminded me of our easy-to-make spring chalkboard pots. It’s just as simple to make, but really shows your kid’s teacher how much you appreciate them.

 All you need to do is paint a pot with black chalkboard paint and yellow paint; add some ruler markings; and write a sweet message using chalk. Fill the pot with flowers from the grocery store, and voila! Can you say teacher’s pet?

Wedding season is in full swing, as evident from my Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest feeds. I’m not making my way to the altar quite yet, but I can’t help but sit here and browse through hundreds of images of table settings, dreamy receptions, invitations, finger foods, flowers and all the other details that make that day so incredibly special. Plus, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been planning my wedding (to Leonardo DiCaprio) since I was at least 9 years old. So, this week I’m putting a little spin on our traditional how-to project. Our sister site, DIYNetwork.com, has created the ultimate DIY wedding guide with everything you need to know to plan your wedding from start to finish. So, that’s what we’re going to do — give you everything you need to plan your dream wedding.

Invitations, Save-the-Dates + More

DIY Weddings: Download Invites and Printables

Save money by using a matching set of printable invitations, save-the-date cards, banners, place cards, food tags and favor tags throughout your wedding. Download and print this complete wedding set by featured blogger Kim Stoegbauer.

Over-the-Top Floral Arrangements

10 Money-Saving Tips for Creating Wedding Floral Arrangements

The centerpieces, bouquets and various floral arrangements are often the most stunning pieces of a wedding. But with gorgeous, exotic arrangements comes a hefty pricetag. Pull together budget-savvy bouquets and arrangements by combining affordable blooms with those that may be on the pricier side, and then mix in some greens to bulk them up even more.

Perfect Place Settings

DIY Weddings: Table Setting Ideas

Gorgeous tablescapes at a reception can instantly set the tone for the entire celebration. I was smitten by this bohemian-inspired wedding decor. Everything about the color palette, centerpieces and patterned place settings lets you know there is a vibrant celebration ahead. (I wonder if my future husband would mind all the pink?)

Get More DIY Wedding Ideas

The main attraction of the Kartell Masters Chair is its curvaceous, sexy figure. Designers Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet fused three contemporary designs — the series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen and the Eiffel Chair by Charles Eames to create an eye-catching chair. The best part? The comfy chair is lightweight and can be used indoors or out. Time to throw an outdoor soiree!

In our last harrowing adventure, we escaped the clutches of boredom and clutter using what many of us already have on hand: wine corks. On today’s episode of Designer MacGyver, I’ve assembled some cool DIY teacher gift ideas using a most humble item. Yes, binder clips! Don’t have any kids in school that need to give teachers gifts? Well, maybe you are a teacher. If so, you can use some of these ideas in your classroom. Or maybe you’ve just got a ton of binder clips on your hands and want to decorate your home. (Raided the supply closet at work again, did you? Naughty, naughty.) First, start with these darling hanging notepads. Then take a look at what else you can do with ‘em!

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It’s that time of year again — when you show your mom how much you appreciate her. Since Mother’s Day is approaching (and since I’m in a good mood), I thought I would share more than one delight today to help you pick the right gift.

For the mom with a green thumb: Your mom won’t need much of a green thumb to keep this tillandsia plant by Terrain alive. The kit includes everything you need from the actual plant to the tear drop glass.

For the culinary mom: If your mom loves to cook and appreciates a nice bouquet of flowers, then this kitchen utensil bouquet by AlwaysFits.com would be a great gift to give. The set comes with all the essential utensils a cook needs, and you can display it as a bouquet on the counter when it isn’t in use. So clever.

For the eco-friendly mom: This patterned compact tote bag by Blue Avocado is an eco-friendly way for your mom to carry her lunch. It comes in different colors and is made with recycled materials. I may have to add this to my own wish list.

For the tea-loving mom: If your mom loves iced tea, then this cafe-style iced tea brewer by Olive and Cocoa is the ultimate gift. You make the hot tea in the top pitcher and pour it over ice into the bottom pitcher for freshly made iced tea. Tea never looked or tasted so good!

And to really top off your mom’s special day, throw her a memorable, elegant brunch. Do you have any special plans for your mother this year? Tell us in the comments below.

Moms? Well, they’re pretty amazing. I know mine is: she’s taught me everything from how to curl my hair (when I was ten) to how to plant the right flowers in my shady yard (this week). This year, show your mom you care with a bright spring flower arrangement. Don’t worry if you’re not a pro florist: we’ve got step-by-step instructions to help you build four show-stopping bouquets.

Lilac Flower Arrangement

Arrange fresh lilacs and lavender  alongside green lady’s mantle or eucalyptus in  a vintage pitcher. To create the perfect spiral-shaped bouquet, hold the stem of a flower in your hand and add another variety of flower to it at the end, twisting the bunch slightly in one direction as you do so.

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Paper lanterns have been a go-to decoration for parties for years, but lately people have been incorporating them in their everyday decor. Etsy shop owner Zippy8Lighting made this quirky artichoke paper lantern using pages from old paperback books, which would be so fitting in a home office or library. I wonder if these lights have that old book page smell that I love so much!

 How would you tie in paper lanterns into your home’s decor? Tell us in the comments below.

The HGTV Home Studio interns were hard at work during the first quarter here at HGTV Headquarters to create yet another eye-catching display, focusing on both current and iconic design trends. The Home Studio university co-op program allows Scripps Networks to work with up-and-coming designers who offer unique takes on interior design. Throughout the process, University of Cincinnati students Alison Donner and Diana Stercula worked closely with Vern Yip and other HGTV design experts to help expand their concepts and build a larger-than-life interactive vignette.

Discover more about the rising global textiles trend and the age-old Klismos chair, and see how they both come together in one surprising (and vibrant) display.

Left: Diana Stercula + global textiles; Right: Alison Donner + Klismos chair

Bring These Trends Into Your Home

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I usually like to celebrate this holiday drinking a strawberry margarita on the rocks and eating my favorite food, cheese dip. I may have to switch it up a bit this year and add these piñata cookies from SheKnows.com to my Cinco de Mayo dessert list. The striped sugar cookies have a hollow center so you can fill them up with your favorite candy. These are genius, really. I’m not sure I have the talent to bake these cookies, but I will gladly volunteer to be a taste tester for anybody who does! What are your plans for Cinco de Mayo (other than baking these cookies for me)? Tell us in the comments below.