Let There Be Lights!

Man, I'm out of it today. I keep thinking it's Friday, when in fact, it's only WEDNESDAY!?! Guess that's what happens when I go to the midnight movie in my old age. (Eclipse! Don't judge!) And also why I'm heading out for a desperately needed vacation tomorrow.

 So I might be a little sporadic on the posting, but hey, maybe I'll get around to answering my email! If you've sent something in, don't despair! I haven't been able to respond individually to emails for several weeks, so hopefully I'll get some catching up done. In the meantime, enjoy some lighting redos! Woo!

Love the closeup! From Cassie at Hi Sugarplum!

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A couple of great lamps from Rebecca from This Happy Life, seen HERE and HERE.

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Yo, Sarah MADE that lampshade! Tutorial on her blog The Pumpkin Patch.

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Yikes! Brass, get back! An great change for under $5! From Leslie at Bargain Shopping Paradise.

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Laura's Buggy Bathroom

What the heck. Who decided this bathroom floor needed four different colors of tile? Five, if you count that lone black tile, oddly floating there in the middle. And what's with the "pattern?" I keep staring at it, hoping it will all fall into place and make sense, but no. Nope. Not happening. Whoever these previous owners were, I bet they were fun people at least, if not a little crazy. 

 I have to say I much prefer the simplicity of the black and white scheme in the new bathroom, even though staring at the floor is no longer an entertaining pastime. Check it out from LAURA at Studio Orange! (I featured her living room earlier and used the wrong name! Shame on me! Sorry Laura!)

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Sweet Secretary

This old secretary was out of a job. And with the state of the economy, one simply can't show up at a job interview looking haggard and damaged. So the secretary found herself up for grabs in the local classified ads for a humble $45. 

 Anna took a chance on the old girl, knowing that with a little love and polish, she would be back in action and better than ever! And of course every professional woman needs a sharp outfit or two, so Anna lined her interior with foam boards covered with fabric that can be switched out on a whim. She looks amazing and I predict she'll be back in business for a long time. 

 Check out Anna's blog Yards and Yards for more!

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Ann Marie needed a headboard, but wanted a little something different than the usual. So she shopped the house and came up with this! I think it's so charming! Check out more of this room's redo on her blog La Maison LaFortune and prepare to be envious of her other-worldly bargain-finding abilities.

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Kitchen Carpenter

Most kitchen makeovers I see these days involve the cabinets getting a fresh makeover in all white. Don't get me wrong, I love the look. I would totally do it myself if I wasn't so dang lazy. But it's nice to see some color mixed in once in a while, like this great kitchen redo by Brendan Carpenter. I'm not sure if Carpenter is really his last name or not, but if so, it certainly fits perfectly!

 I love how much detail was added with simple changes, the legs and applique around the sink area, removing that sore thumb of a single cabinet in favor of some chunky open shelves... it looks so much more custom! Check it out up close on his website HERE. Thanks Brendan!

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Rescued Rocker

Lisa's friend was all set to burn this old, dated rocker to the ground, until Lisa literally dragged it away from the burn pile and gave it a shabby chic makeover instead. She upholstered it herself in a cheerful yellow, and I'd bet her friend is absolutely kicking herself now! Check it out at Lisa's Creative Home. Thanks Lisa!

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Revamped Chic

Hey everyone, it's my birthday! So I'm taking the day off!

But first I wanted to let you know about Better After's newest sponsor, Revamped Chic! Sherry is the owner of Revamped Chic, and you can tell she is passionate about her beautiful vintage finds. She offers truly unique home decor, wall hangings, and antiques. But best of all are the whimsical extra touches she puts on her items, from adding a vintage brooch to a pillow, or a tiny cherub peeking out of a birdhouse, to rhinestones, ribbons and polka dots! Check out her shop here: RevampedChic.com for all sorts of one-of-a-kind items at (best of all) super reasonable prices! Here are a few of my favorites, but don't take my word for it, head on over there yourself and see what she has to offer. Be sure to check back often, Sherry says she is constantly adding new items. And hands off the antique soup tureen, I call it's mine!

A set of three vintage sugar bowls! Love!


Funky chandelier art.


Oh, did you want the real thing? With crystals and polka dots? You got it!


Set of three mini benches. Ridiculously cute.

 
I might need this one.

 
ReVAMPED!

 
 I want to visit! But here's the next best thing: RevampedChic.com

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And while you're at it, won't you please show some love to all my great sponsors who help keep Better After rolling? After all, it's my birthday! 
  Smarter.com - Bedroom Furniture Fabulously Affordable Bar Stools

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Thanks so much for reading! I hope you have a great weekend!

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Birdy Base

Nancy from Nancy's Daily Dish is a girl who just can't stand throwing anything away. She says she's even been known to dumpster dive in her own dumpster after her husband has gotten especially zealous at cleaning house. So she couldn't stand to see this old broken birdcage go to waste, so she did what probably not a lot of people would have thought to do, and made it a dining room table! Don't believe me? See for yourself:

And here she is all dressed up for tea. So great! And I bet it makes for a great conversation piece at dinner! Thanks for sharing Nancy!

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Younique Stuff

Norma from Younique makes it a business of refinishing old furniture and selling it. Here's just a small sampling of what she offers to her clients. 

 Head on over to her website and check out way more before and afters, and perhaps offer her an encouraging word, she seems to be going through some tough times. Keep your chin up Norma, we love your work!

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Kelly's Kiddie Kitchen

Kelly made this great play kitchen out of an old entertainment center for her daughter. Kelly's daughter is only a few months old, but why not get a head start, right? Check out her blog HERE for close ups and fun details, like the fact that the light switch actually turns on a small light! How fun. Love the bright colors too. Thanks for sharing Kelly!

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Spot On

Another gorgeous chair redo, cominatcha! Danielle from Danielle's Spot redid this chair, though I can't imagine why. I mean that fabric totally reminds me of Christmas. Christmas in a communist Russian orphanage. 

 The after is simply dreamy, and I don't know if you can tell, but she spray painted the arms and legs purple! How divinely funky. Check out her blog HERE for a full tutorial!

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Spectacular Wall Art

Here's another cool idea for an old window frame. If you're a bit of a weirdo like me, you don't want to hang an empty window frame on your wall. It's semi depressing, like gazing into nothing. Or into a blank wall. 

 Tiffany from Mine Are Spectacular felt the same and instead used an inspiring poster (inspiring as in: I want to go there someday, not like, a picture of fish swimming upstream captioned DETERMINATION, or something). Great idea, thanks Tiffany!

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Red Door Redo

Most children's bedroom redos consist of growing the space up, but in Stacy's case, this room was just too old-fashioned for her daughter.  Out went the matchy-matchy Laura Ashley bedding with coordinating artwork, furniture and curtains, and in came the funkier, fresher take on a little girl's bedroom. 

 Check out her excellent blog Red Door Home for more pics and details, and a closer look at that chandelier that might just take your breath away!

   

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