Better After

120 In Uncategorized

Talkin’ Summertime Design with Kelly Edwards

Most of the time, as a blogger, I am usually doing things like staying up really late typing the night away in my jammies. But sometimes, as a blogger, I get to do really cool things, like interview Kelly Edwards of Design on a Dime fame!

She is the sweetest and not only answered a few of my design questions, she did it in a personalized video for my readers! Super cool.

Hit play to see some of my burning questions answered.

In addition to freely sharing her summertime decorating tips, she is also giving away a gift-basket to a lucky Better After reader!

This includes her gorgeous new book, The Design Cookbook: Recipes for a Stylish Home, as well as a SprayShaper showerhead from Waterpik that might change your life, AND a $25 gift card to The Home Depot! Thanks Kelly!

Just leave a comment on this post and you’re entered to win! Easy as pie.

Happy weekend friend!

July 11, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Red Alert

Summertime means sitting outside, sipping a frosty glass of lemonade, watching as hummingbirds flit past, smelling the heady aroma of freshly cut grass, and relaxing in your favorite lawn chair as the cool breeze caresses your face. So I’ve heard. I don’t actually leave my house during the summer or my face will melt off.

So I will enjoy the idea of YOU sitting outside, and here are some inspirational patio furniture makeovers to get you jazzed on the idea too.

First from Amanda at Mommy is Coocoo who salvaged this vintage chair. I’m all for a weathered patina, but this thing looked like it had fought in the war. Of 1812. At least none of the neighbors were likely to steal it, so it had that going for it. Much better in a shiny coat of red though, I’d say.

I also once featured her vintage rocker makeover before, but heck why not show it again?! Such a great find! See it on her blog here.

These chairs were somewhat depressing. The left one looks like it’s using an invisibility cloak to avoid being seen. But our hero Red Spray Paint came to the rescue again with his trusty sidekick Snazzy Fabric, and they saved the day, nay, the whole summer! Hooray! From Beck at Beckwith’s Treasures.

July 10, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In other rooms

Insane in the Membrane

You know what my problem is? I have a bossy left brain. My right brain is all like, “Hey, let’s paint something! Let’s do a project! Let’s read a book!” And then my left brain comes in and lays down the law like Cinderella’s stepmother: “Paint something? Sure. Right after you balance the checkbook.” Or “You can do a project. IF you clean this room first. And organize all the drawers. And vacuum. And then maybe.”

For example, my right brain would take one look at Laura’s before craft room and want to immediately start exploring for treasures; my left brain would be standing in the center of the room, fists clenched, screaming inside.

But I’m absolutely positive they would high-five each other in agreement on the organizational oasis it became. After all, I do happen to know them pretty well.

See more from Laura at Top This Top That.

July 10, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In tables/dressers

The yawns are long gone.

If you are looking for a sturdy dresser that is way inexpensive and has surprisingly deep drawers, let me introduce you to the MALM. This Ikea staple is a no-brainer winner all the way around, except for one little thing. It’s super dupes boring. I just yawned looking at this before picture, for reals. Oh snap, I just yawned again.

But Amy at Homey Oh My! had an easy solution for this tragic case of the bores: add brass hardware to give it some campaign style! You can get the MALM in white or black, but I love how she painted the black drawer fronts white, leaving a border of black all around. So schnazzy.

July 9, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In living room/ miscellaneous

Fireplace Frenzy

Fireplaces are probably the last thing on your mind during the blazing, blistering months of summer, but … here come some anyway! Actually, now is the perfect time to be thinking about fireplace makeovers, because you probably aren’t even using it. No one wants you getting all crazy and deciding to repaint the mantle on Christmas Eve or anything, ok?

Here are some ideas to consider:

Stephanie at Simply Swider went with classic white which really lightens up the whole room. I also love the addition of the overmantle, and the subtraction of the brass grate which she painted black.

If dark wood is more your thang, check out Maralee’s makeover at mGraphic Design. She simply restained that honey oak with an espresso (a stain, not a literal espresso, although that would be entertaining to watch), and also changed out the firebox. The old one didn’t actually burn off all the gas it emitted, so they had to use it with an open window. Uh, you’re kinda missing the point there, firebox.

One more in white now from Kristen at Bliss at Home. Some people truly fret about painting stone, but I love the look. Lots of texture but still clean and chic. And please note those random staggered shelves on the before. They are so tiny! Perfect for hanging stockings … but that’s about it. So much better now.

July 9, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In bedroom

Accent Reinvent

Remember back when accent walls were just like, one random wall painted burnt orange? We’ve come a long way. Taryn recently redid this bedroom with an accent wall using a soft and subtle wallpaper that lovingly strokes your hair until you fall asleep, rather than that punches you square in the eyeball as soon as you walk in the door. You dig what I’m shoveling?

I love how she matched it perfectly to the paint color, (Benjamin Moore’s Himalayan Trek, if you were wondering). She cleared out the clutter and pumped up the accesories, and now it’s divine! See all the details on her blog Chicago ReDesign.