Better After: November 2010

The White Way to Glaze

Nov 30, 2010

You really do learn something new everyday. Today I learned that enameled glitter can deteriorate over time, leaving my cute, sparkly Christmas decorations of last year looking like vomited-upon Halloween decorations this year. But on a happier note, today I also learned that there is such a thing as white glaze and it looks super cool. Beth from Sawdust and Embryos shows us the way with this funky and fun desk organizer. Love the effect of the white behind the orange!

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functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

Floorplan

Back when she was trying to get her High Heeled Foot in the Door, Camila (who now blogs at Effortless Style) decided she needed a dose of "WOW" in her kitchen. Did she replace her cabinets, knock down walls and buy all new appliances? No, she painted her kitchen floor jade green. How's that for "WOW," eh?

It looks pretty spectacular to me. I admit that when I'm feeling dramatic, the craziest I get is painting my fingernails. It takes guts to break out of the ordinary. But, don't be afraid to add some "WOW" to YOUR home, wherever it may be. It's a whole heck of a lot better than "Eh."

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functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

Stand-ard Deviation

Nov 29, 2010

Amanda was minding her own business at the thriftstore when this mid-century modern dresser jumped out at her and demanded to be taken home. Not one to ignore such requests, she did just that. But first the dresser needed a little fix-me-up. So she redid it in a cool gray and added a contrasting zebra pattern on top. (Hand painted yo!) But the biggest difference to me is how she simply got the dresser up off the floor a few inches by screwing in some new legs. I think that makes it seem much more substantial and able to stand alone, and not like it might possibly be one half of a whole, which is what it seems like in the before. Does that make sense? I'm rambling. Anyhoo, check it out on her blog The Secret Life of the Staging Chick. Thanks Amanda!

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functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

Hey Santa

You know what I'd like to find under my tree this year? Provided I had a really enormous tree?

Jennifer's kitchen in its entirety. Speaking of trees, this before kitchen is what I imagine living inside a tree might look like. Oak and more oak. Up, down, all around, oak everywhere you look. The after is perfection though, down to the antique silver accents and fresh green apples scattered oh-so-effortlessly about. Also loving the heirloom chandelier that replaced the boob light. The chandelier is from the 1930's and used to belong to Jennifer's grandmother. Isn't it beautiful? I have a feeling none of our descendants will be clamoring for our old boob lights. Lots more to see on her website Jennifer Rizzo.

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functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

Carit Patch

Hi friend! Did you have a great Thanksgiving? Did you come home 'stuffed?' Ha ha, sorry. That was the lamest joke of all time, ever. Well, I'm glad you're here because I would like to introduce you to a new sponsor, Carit Patch!

Carit Patch is the dreamchild (um, I think that is not a real word, but you get it) of Cara, who has been wanting to open her own etsy shop for a long time. She finally decided to jump in with both feet, took a class on entrepreneurship and started her business. I think that is really inspirational. Don't just talk about your dreams, do something about them, right?
Her mission is to provide functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods that will look great in your home.

I love the idea of a handmade Christmas. Take a look around her shop HERE and see if there is anything Santa should pack in his sleigh for you this year!

I love, love aprons, because I am an old lady at heart. I super love this strawberry apron!

Who can resist polka-dots? Not me.

She also makes the cutest draft-stoppers I've ever seen. Fun and functional! I could honestly use one of these right about now, I'm freezing! When I get cold my fingers can't type very well and this post is taking me FOREVER to write because I keep typo-ing it up!

Anyhoo, they are easily washable and can be custom ordered in your choice of fabric too!
Hop on over to the Carit Patch today!

(another super lame joke, I am on a ROLL today!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 25, 2010

Today and everyday, I am grateful for YOU, dear reader. Thank you so much for hanging out here, leaving your sweet comments and sending your projects my way! I sincerely hope you are having a fabulous Thanksgiving! Or a really festive Thursday if you are outside the US! Lovely mirror centerpiece redo from Bon at Drab to Fab. See you Monday!

And as always, I am so thankful for my sponsors who help keep Better After running! Please won't you visit them and say hi?

Free 8x10 Canvas Print Here!

I Could Just Dine!

Nov 24, 2010

If the Sarah's dining room redo doesn't get you in the mood to sit down and dine, then check your pulse, my friend. Because this one stopped my heart a little bit. It is so dreamy. I just drew little hearts with wings around the words "Lindsey + Sarah's dining room = luv FOREVA!" on my notebook.

Check it out on Sarah's blog The Mom Jeans Memoir. But keep your hands off, girlfriend, this dining room is MINE. At least in my dreams, that is.

A Whiner and a Winner

Better After readers Tracy and Mark found this lovely dresser on craigslist for $15. I'm just going to take this opportunity to beat the dead horse that is me complaining about my inability to ever find such deals. I'm serious. What is up with that, Universe? I was at the thriftstore today and saw a plain old nightstand, absolutely nothing spectacular about it at all, for $59.99. Dude, for that price I'll just go to IKEA and get something that I know is guaranteed to not contain mouse poop or ever been used as an ashtray. I swear.

Anyway, let's get back on track: Tracy and Mark modified the bottom of this dresser to hold baskets since a drawer was missing and added a new wood top. I think it's awesome. Behold:

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I Heart You

Shannon's old coffee table was a little bit country ... actually it was 100% country. Not even a smidge of rock n' roll. The heart cut-out seals the deal. I am literally hearing banjos in my head just looking at it. But behold the transformative power of beadboard and paint! It looks like it just square-danced out of the past and onto the pages of a magazine.

What I love about this particular redo is that Shannon accomplished it with things she already had on hand. That's like getting a brand new table for free! See it on her blog AKA Design. Aaaaand if you'd like to see the whole living room's transformation, clickity click right HERE.

Bless My Bench

Nov 23, 2010

Is your bare front porch begging for a bench? Does your foyer seem sparse without several soft seats on which to sit? Hmmmm. What to do when a single chair is just not enough?

Claire saw the solution to this dilemma from a mile away and simply screwed her three freebie chairs together to form a single unit. She added some Gorilla Glue for good measure, a coat of black spray paint, and a cushion with a cover she made herself to top it all off. Now she has a fabulous piece of furniture, plus bragging rights whenever anyone comes over and says "Well bless my soul, where ever did you get that adorable bench?!"

See it on her blog Bless My Nest.

Tear Down my Walls

Kelly from Tearing up Houses had a clunky, cornered kitchen. I don't think I've ever seen a more bizzare layout! It would appear that the fridge is in another room entirely. Nothing that knocking down a few walls can't fix! I love how it turned out and there are a gazillion more pics of all the details over on her blog! Check it out!

Bye Bye Butterfly

Ok, I admit it, I really like this before bench! A swarm of colorful butterflies for your behind! But according to Christina from Christina's Adventures, it was in grim shape. She cleaned it up with a black and white motif and wouldn't you know, she sold it right away on Craigslist!

File this under Fabulous

Nov 22, 2010

Just because something is functional, it doesn't mean it can't be beautiful. In fact, in this day and age, I can't really think of much that hasn't been beautified in some way. Laptops, cellphones, brooms, cupcake liners, paper towels, license plate holders, dog collars, you name it, someone has probably figured out a way to stamp a design on it or bedazzle it.

And now we can add filing cabinets to the list. This particular filing cabinet used to the the president and CEO of Boringcorp, but now it shines with a cheery yellow paint job and damask fabric-ified drawer fronts. Check it out from Hannah at Young and Crafty.

I wanna hutch you all over...

I have some serious hutch envy going on today thanks to these two new redos from Loulou. (Rhyming, hooray!) The first hutch was a Craigslist find, intended to be refinished and sold. However ... it was just too darn cute to get rid of, so it found a new home in Loulou's dining room.

I love the two tones of gray and that french country look, I think it's my favorite. Have I ever actually been to the french countryside to know if they truly incorporate this gray-washed distressed wood look over there? No. But I like to pretend I know what I'm talking about.

See it on her blog The Life of Loulou.

And here's another one! I haven't managed to make over ONE hutch in my lifetime, and Loulou seems to do it every other day. 'Zing. (That's short for amazing, thanks 30 Rock!)

She redid this cabinet for a shop owner who wanted a display for a new line of candles. Smart thinking to leave the interior dark to provide a contrast for the display, no? See it HERE.

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Retro Redo

At some point in time, this classic little schoolhouse desk got a Bubblegum Barbie makeover. Yipes. Jaime planned to use it on her main floor, so she knew the pink would have to go. With a lot of paint stripper, steel wool and fresh paint, this little desk looks as good as old! Which is even better than new! Check it out on her blog That's My Letter.

NEW RELEASE! 100 pages of tips, techniques and tools for only $10!

Download your copy today!
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