Red accent walls haven’t been popular since Jessica Simpson made edible perfume (side note: I reallllllly want one of those things to come back, I’ll let you guess which), but for some reason they still can be found in abundance. Unlike Jessica’s Deliciously Kissable Belly Button Love Potion Fragrance. Yes that was a real product. For belly buttons. It was a weird time.
So when Jenni encountered the aggressively red walls in her friend’s front room, she was quick to suggest a minimalist makeover. Plus, the family didn’t have a dedicated space to eat, so this red room became an official dining room, and another red accent wall was sent into oblivion. Never to return. Like Jessica’s powerfully scented Powdered Sugar Body Shimmer. Sigh.
The green chairs are the star of this show, so Jenni kept everything else light and neutral, although I see you over there in the corner, Sassy Planter.
What do you think? Decades better, right? Or are you a die-hard for a red accent wall?
Get all the details on Jenni’s blog, I Spy DIY.
30 Comments
Susan
March 6, 2018 at 10:02 AMIt’s awesome. And that giant image of horns totally works in this space even though it feels random (unless she grew up on a ranch or something??)
Can I just say how glad I am that you are back??? Every time you post a new one I cheer inside. And then I worry. Was she just kidding about being back? Please don’t go away!! Love It!
Miriam
March 6, 2018 at 11:19 AMOh wow, what a stunning before and after!!!
Connie
March 6, 2018 at 1:01 PMI’m so darn happy you’re back!! You are just plain adorable and make me smile with every post 🙂
Mary
March 6, 2018 at 1:18 PMBoo red accent wall Yay sassy planter (and green chairs)!
Torrie
March 6, 2018 at 1:28 PMWhen we moved into our first home last year, 75% of the rooms had accent walls and half those accent walls were red. Since we have vaulted ceilings and had to do the painting ourselves, we ended up keeping the idea of an ‘accent wall’ but made it light neutral grey instead. It looks WORLDS better and cost us less than $100!
Just Justin
March 6, 2018 at 1:57 PMSo, you didn’t like Banana Split or Butterscotch Toffee or Kissable Creamsicle Vanilla or Cotton Candy Shimmer?
I love the makeover too. That’s supposed to be why I am here, right? Wrong!!! I am here to read LindsEy’s witty commentary. That is all. But I agree…the planter is full of sass.
Denise
March 6, 2018 at 2:09 PMOh I have soooo missed you!
Tiffany
March 6, 2018 at 2:10 PMMy sister has a red accent wall and I’m so ready for it to be gone. 😬
Bonnie
March 6, 2018 at 3:20 PMThose green chairs were the first thing I noticed. And I didn’t even notice the red wall because that curtain. Hanging in the middle? Why?
Cecelia Krajcar
March 6, 2018 at 3:55 PMSo glad to have you in my blog life again! Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous make over!
Christine
March 6, 2018 at 5:38 PMOh goodness — sooooo much better!
It is so nice when you can reclaim a space from the kiddos (they are cute, but man, their stuff is everywhere!) and turn it into a beautiful, soothing functional grown-up room for everyone.
Nice work! And I love those green chairs…
Kelley Smith
March 6, 2018 at 5:55 PMI’m doomed! Haha!❤️
LeeAnn
March 6, 2018 at 6:07 PMSomehow I missed that part of Jessica’s life and I’m good with that. The whole, “I am I eating fish or chicken?” was enough.
I LOVE the After. Red walls had their time in the sun, but the new room is amazing. It’s calming and tranquil. The green is so lovely.
Carh
March 6, 2018 at 6:13 PMAah, that cotton candy edible shimmer. I had forgotten and now I’m sad.
Ria from Oz
March 6, 2018 at 6:22 PMBlardy owth mayt, she’s the best sheila in towyn. Oh, you don’t mean lose THAT accent? Ah, ha! NOW, I geddit.
I reckon red walls equals nervous breakdown. I mean who the heck can even enter a room decked out in red and not think they are being slowly smothered in tomato sauce? I mean, come ON!!! Gakkus attackus!
MUCH nicer the new do. Yup, I could whack on some ‘dead ‘orse’ on me meat pie and not have to look over my shoulder worrying about being doused too.
Onya mayte!
Lindsey @ Better After
March 7, 2018 at 4:07 PMhahahaaa I’m going to start saying ‘gakkus attackus’ in my regular conversation from this point forward!
SuryaSmiles
March 6, 2018 at 7:18 PMOh my gosh, what a transformation! Love, love, love! Red begone! My SIL just painted her bedroom this red, as she loves red, and her room is prob only 8×10!
Deidre Craig
March 6, 2018 at 7:40 PMYeeeHAW!
Ginger
March 6, 2018 at 8:03 PMAmazing transformation! So happy you’re back!!!
Elaine
March 6, 2018 at 9:39 PMIt looks awesome! And so glad that you are back!
Kath
March 6, 2018 at 10:45 PMWhat’s so wrong with a red accent wall. I love mine?????
JA
March 7, 2018 at 12:11 PMBeen following your for years. While you were gone, I would check in every so often. I knew something serious must be going on in your life, and at the same time I hoped you’d be back. Then I noticed some work was being done on this site, slowly…and now you’re back and I’m so happy to see you!
I do love red, though admittedly it is a very difficult color to get right. This is such a calming, fresh, and stylish update. And that planter is gorgeous!
Jen
March 7, 2018 at 8:36 PMWelcome back. 🙂 Was on another blog and saw an ugly lamp and it made me think of…. you! Popped over to check and was SO HAPPY you are back. Sorry you had such a bum year but glad you are getting through it. The new blog design is lovely.
C
March 8, 2018 at 9:16 AMCan’t find the paint color you changed it to, please share.
thanks
Lisa
March 8, 2018 at 1:56 PMFor the past year, I would randomly click on my Better After bookmark, just to check in to see if there were any updates. I was so excited today when I clicked to see that you’re back! I just caught up on all your new posts and I didn’t realize how much I miss your voice and your humor. I wanted to say that I’m sorry for the crap year you must have had, but I hope that things are looking up from here! Also wanted to tell you that I love the updated look of the blog and can’t wait to see more from you! Welcome back! <3
Lindsey @ Better After
March 14, 2018 at 9:36 AMThank you so much Lisa!! That really means so much to me.
Loretta Clark
March 8, 2018 at 8:40 PMOh, I love that and don’t think I’ve seen it before. Even if I have, I love GOOD re-runs and watch them over and over. Yours will be no different. So glad you’re back!
Jenny B.
March 10, 2018 at 8:59 PMSo much better! I see my own house in that before picture, though… We don’t have the red accent wall (but we did have a red kitchen! baby steps…), but I spy a car rug, Mickey plush, and too small wall art that would be in good company over here. I seriously need to declutter and redesign! Love those green chairs!
Gilmer Gal
March 11, 2018 at 2:00 PMThanks for the B & A! I really missed your posts. I’m a lover of before and afters, and usually go directly to the afters before I even read blogs. Why waste my time if I don’t really like the outcome?
Des
March 14, 2018 at 8:23 AMSo cute!! Love it!