Better After: December 2012

Going for the gold!

Dec 31, 2012

I may be late to the party, oh ok, I KNOW I'm late to the party, but I'm really warming up to gold. Maybe it took me so long to jump on this train because I've been told by well-meaning makeup-counter ladies and jewelry sales-people for my entire life that "You're a COOLER color, dear. Gold is not your friend." Well, phooey. Because I love this cool-colored hutch with gold accents and we belong together and no one can tell me otherwise.

From Pam at Simple Details.

Silhouette advent calendar is 40% off from now through the 2^nd of January! Also, you can still get a Portrait with the new tote bag for $219.99! Promo code: AFTER

Playing Dress Up

I totally snortled when I read how Mckenzie described her old master bedroom: "Like a four-year-old trying to dress herself." Oh, c'mon Mckenzie, it wasn't that bad! I have a four-year-old girl, and I can expect her to be wearing her stained and shrunken swimming suit, church shoes, and ballet tutu at any given moment, and that's a good day.

But that wasn't good enough for Mckenzie, who went with a decidedly grown-up vibe here. Can you believe the only changes are new bedding and paint? That's it! See more at Interiors By Kenz.

Best of 2012: October, November, December

Dec 28, 2012

Whoopsiedoodle. Sorry if you are seeing this for a second time, I accidentally pressed "publish" a day early. I hate when I do that! It's my New Year's resolution to do that less, I swear. Anyway. let's carry on with this week's rundown of some of my very favorite posts of 2012. I CANNOT WAIT to see what all you creative brains come up with in 2013!

In OCTOBER, I loved how Vel from Buhay at Bahay turned a cluttered office wall into a wall of wow. I'm inspired to try that 'painting the back of the bookshelves' trick myself. Perhaps we'll see that actually come to pass in the new year?!

Original post: The Shelf Help Section.

NOVEMBER brought us this magical pair of chairs from Jennifer from Dimples And Tangles. Business in the front, party in the back, and unforgettable all around.

Original post: Will she ever stop? Yo, I don't know!

DECEMBER, why it seems like only yesterday. I had to include this robot dresser from Sarah at Funcycled, which is so cute I can hardly stand it, and this map makeover dresser from Better After reader Margaret. It also spurred one of my most frequently asked questions: "Hey Lindsey, where can I find a map like that?" I'm happy to report that Margaret found it at Barnes and Noble for $5.

Original post: Dresser Refresher.

From Better After reader Margaret.

I hope you enjoyed this little round-up. I am so, so excited to see what 2013 will bring. Happy New Year, and thank you as always from the bottom of my little old heart for reading, commenting, encouraging, and sharing with me.

See the rest of the Best of 2012 posts HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Best of 2012: July, August, September

Hey friend! I am taking a mini blog-break to spend some time with friends and family, but since you were kind enough to stop by, please enjoy this week's rundown of some of my very favorite posts of 2012. I CANNOT WAIT to see what all you creative brains come up with in 2013!

As always, JULY is a terribly hard month to choose from. I think everyone gets the most porjects completed in the summertime, but the clear winner was this villa facade attached to a plain stone retaining wall from Better After reader Sheri.

Original post: From Vanilla to Faux Villa!

One of my most highly commented on posts came in AUGUST, in the form of this outdated living room set turned porch furniture from Better After reader Amber. Still stunning!

Original Post: A Mill-ion Times Better

In SEPTEMBER, I was wowed by Hank at Toshmahal and his amazing ability to draw the inner beauty out of some terribly tragic wood pieces that seemed beyond repair. Not only did he revitalize them, he shot them into a whole new stratosphere of beautiful.

Original Post: The Wood Wizard.

See the other Best of 2012 posts HERE and HERE. I'll see you tomorrow with one last 2012 roundup post!

Best of 2012: April, May, June

Dec 27, 2012

Hey friend! I am taking a mini blog-break to spend some time with friends and family, but since you were kind enough to stop by, please enjoy this week's rundown of some of my very favorite posts of 2012. I CANNOT WAIT to see what all you creative brains come up with in 2013!

In APRIL, I loved how Rita at This (Sorta) Old Life made such a warm, inviting space out of what used to be such a cold, odd room. I'm pretty sure I compared those window valances to mustaches. Lots of environmentally friendly choices in this makeover too.

Original Post: A Close Shave.

MAY brought one of the best kitchen makeovers I'd seen in a long time, from Tyrell at A Touch of Tyrell. I could stare at this one all day! Goodbye blue wall of weirdness, hellooo and how ya doin' kitchen of covetousness.

Original Post: I Fought The Wall.

In JUNE, Samaa at Honey Sweet Home redid this hutch which was already a sleek and sexy shape to begin with. But the extra bit of sparkle and shine really glammed it up into a timeless showpiece. Literally makes me catch my breath. I should interact with people more, probably.

Original Post: Samaa Shimmers.

See the first round of Best of 2012 posts HERE. Come back tomorrow for more!

Best of 2012: January, Febuary, March

Dec 26, 2012

Hey friend! I hope your holidays have been as magical as possible and that you are still recovering in a happy haze of eggnog and jammies. I am taking a mini blog-break to spend some time with friends and family, but since you were kind enough to stop by, I didn't want to leave your eyeballs hanging. Ew. You know what I mean.

So please enjoy this week's rundown of some of my very favorite posts of 2012. I CANNOT WAIT to see what all you creative brains come up with in 2013!

JANUARY brought us one of Better After's most frequently pinned posts on Pinterest: the bunk-bed wall from Nikki from Grand Design Co. Six beds total! She's a genius, but I already knew that.

Original post: Honey, I Bunked The Kids!

In FEBUARY, my favorite project had to be this bathroom makeover by Kristi from Addicted 2 Decorating. She designed it top-to-bottom for her mom's house, and you truly can see all the thought and effort and love that went into it.

Original post: From '60s 2 Stunning.

MARCH was a tough month to choose from, but I couldn't resist this little kid kitchen made from an old country hutch by Kate at Kate's Creative Space. Again, it's all the detail that makes it so special. It doesn't hurt that it's now a toy you'd gladly display in your home, rather than hide in a closet, which is where I keep my kid's florescent plastic kitchen monstrosity.

Original Post: Kate's Kiddie Kid Kitchen