The best of the best of 2015

Today we’re wrapping up the best of the best of Better After’s 2015.  If you missed the first half, don’t worry your pretty little head; you can find them all right here.

 

One of my very favorites from July was undoubtedly this retro home renovation from Better After reader Gwen.

If that little yellow gate doesn’t make your heart pitter-pat, check your pulse my friend. Hit the link above to take a peek inside!

 

In August we met the talented Amanda at Ferpie & Fray.

I would highlight all of her work if I could, she’s just so good! She has a gift for making things look timeless and trendy at the same time. This coral chest makeover and more are available for your viewing pleasure right here.

 

September brought us this playful playroom makeover by Jennifer at Dear Lillie.

Jennifer is another ultra-talented gal and every room of her home is perfection. I’d move in a heartbeat. If she ever decides to sell her house, I call first dibs. I don’t even know what state she lives in, but I don’t care.

 

One of my favorite makeovers in October was from one of my favorite people, my dear friend Denise.

Her living room makeover is legendary, and click the link to see her equally awe-inspiring dining room makeover too!

 

November started a dresser revolution thanks to this makeover from Brooke at Start at Home.

Dressers everywhere began to realize that they still had much to offer, even with broken drawers or *gasp!* no drawers at all!

 

And so recent that you probably remember it like it was yesterday, comes my favorite from December, this dining room makeover from Better After reader Leatha.

 

 

It’s that cow. Gets me every time. Plus the whole room looks fabulous and I’m pretty darn impressed by that hand-crafted table too.

 

So that was 2015! What do you hope to see more of in 2016? Or less of? It’s always so interesting to me to see trends cycle through over time. What can stay around forever as long as you’re concerned, and what needs to GO already?

Here what has my vote:

Stick around:

• subway tile
• white kitchens
• gallery walls
• succulents
• wallpaper
• stripes

Adios:

• shabby chic
• woodland creatures: owls, foxes, squirrels (Still cute in a nursery though)
• vinyl lettering
• marsala
• mason jars
• wood pallets

But hey, that’s just my opinion. If you want to deck out your marsala-soaked house in mason jars and hedgehogs, you go girl. Never let trends (or bloggers, or bossy Buzzfeed articles) dictate what you love or don’t love! It’s always good to grow and try new things and refine your taste, but also don’t forget to just do what you like. Trends come and go so quickly anymore that it’s impossible (and expensive!) to try and keep up. Our homes aren’t disposable – our style shouldn’t be either.

So be happy being you! That’s the moral of my soapbox. (I hope it made sense. I was only interrupted like 200 times trying to write this. #terroristtoddlerproblems)