Better After

6 In tables/dressers

Family Viewed

Hey howdy hey, how is your Tuesday? Do you ever forget that the Tuesday after a 3-day weekend is actually a Tuesday and not a Monday? I do that all the time. I once missed a huge deadline thinking I had all the time in the world, when I was actually a day behind the rest of the world. So, this is a friendly reminder that today is TUESDAY, ok? Unless you are reading this on some other day, and now I’ve maybe really confused you. You know what? Don’t listen to me at all. Here is a makeover instead.

You may see chunky old side tables like this all the time, and wonder “What is something new and interesting to do to this table?” Well, here’s one idea from Deb at Lake Girl Paints: chalkboard photo collage! She painted the top to look like chalkboard and used white paint to mimic the look of chalk. All of the charm, none of the mess! Then she added black and white family photos and protected the top with a custom cut glass piece. Cutey cuteness.

PS: Been meaning to announce the winner of the NatureBox giveaway for a while now. I’m a little slow these days, but at least I have a pretty good excuse. Congrats to Toril E.! Check your email! 🙂

February 18, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In kitchen/dining

Angles Among Us

If you need a change of pace from the all-white-kitchen trend, then feast your eyes on this makeover from Ali. (Not that I don’t love a white kitchen, cuz I surely do). But I also love anything that rids the world of that orangey faux-oak we’ve all grown to despise, and Ali’s lovely kitchen does just that:

You may be like “Ugh, Lindsey I hate it when people don’t take pictures from the SAME angle!” And to you I say, I agree! But believe it or not, these pictures ARE both taken from the same angle. Look closely. They added a window and a pantry, and turned the island 90 degrees. And how about that flooring set at a diagonal? There’s all kinds of geometry happening up in heah!

See more from Ali and her husband Brian on their page BK Wenger Properties. And check out their exterior makeover I featured earlier right here!

February 17, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

2 In Uncategorized

A Look at HauteLook

Are you ready for winter to die yet? If your Facebook feed looks anything like mine, it’s all pictures of snow covered yards, ice covered streets, and wintery vista after wintery vista best summed up by the hashtag #itsnotprettyanymore.

(I will try and refrain from pointing out that it’s 73 degrees in my part of the world today). (Whoops, too late).

But let me distract you from your winter woes for a moment, and let’s look forward to springtime with the help of my newest sponsor HauteLook. If you have Nordstrom taste on a not-so-Nordstrom-y budget, then HauteLook was made just for you!

It’s a free, members-only, online shopping source that hosts limited-time, limited-inventory sale events. They are actually owned by Nordstrom, which means they can feature name brands at crazy prices, up to 75% off!

Here are just a few of their current offerings that say to me “Hello dear! Welcome to SPRING!”

Bright colors, budding flowers, and a chandelier that looks like rainshowers. (And is a steal at $99!)

I really, REALLY love that lip print, and probably my husband wouldn’t mind if I hung it over our bed? Maybe? I also love the hanging mirror, which is similar to this set that I ordered from HauteLook a few weeks ago:

I think it looks so cute above the baby’s dresser! (See its makeover I shared earlier here).

They add new brands and new sales daily at 8AM, so there’s always something fresh to see. Tip: if you scroll down their homepage, you can see the hottest deals of the day all in one place. Sign up here to get in on HauteLook’s latest deals in fashion, home and beauty.

Addicting! And way more fun than shoveling snow.

1: Pink Abstract Art // 2: Chandelier //3: Striped Rug // 4: Color Pop Necklace // 5: Blue Moccasins // 6: Cherry Blossom Mural // 7: Oval Mirror // 8: Gold Lip Print // 9: White MCM Chairs // 10: Snakeprint Scarf // 11: Spoon Canisters //

February 14, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

21 In desks/hutches/buffets

Similar Opposites

Want to see something trippy?

It’s Jack Black! And Jack White!

They’re like opposites of the same thing! Two sides of the same coin! One known for his comedy and music, the other for his music and … um … other stuff. Yeah. I don’t really know where I’m going with this.

But for some reason they kind of remind me of these dresser makeovers. Two very similar dressers, two similar makeovers, two different results, and I love ’em both. Enjoy.

First of all, this dresser was made over by mee! Yay, I did something. I found this dresser at Goodwill for a mere $20. FINALLY, the thrift store saints smiled upon me and I got a good deal. I snagged it on a 50% off Saturday, and hovered protectively over it for a good 45 minutes until a worker wandered over and gave me a ‘sold’ receipt.

I was heavily pregnant at the time, and not in the mood for a huge makeover, but I didn’t think it needed anything drastic anyway. Just a little white on the drawers to give it some ‘pop’ and a good polishing of the handles. Which were installed upside down. Oh well, you can’t tell.

And Krista at Goodwill Glam also had a modern wood dresser, but she did the opposite version of my makeover: wood drawers, white frame. Great choice, it really shows off that fabulous wood grain on the drawers. Mine was cheesy veneer, nothing to flaunt.

She polished her pulls up nice and bright too, which shows them off so well. We used Brasso on mine, and I was underwhelmed. It took a nice long scrubbing with steel wool to really make them shine. So now you know. Brasso = so-so.

Which look do you like best? My feelers won’t be hurt if you don’t say mine.

Just kidding, they will.

Just kidding again, they wont.

(They totally will).

No no, for reals, they won’t.

February 14, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

16 In tables/dressers

Love handles.

Happy Valentine’s Day lovers! I know, I know, it’s not until tomorrow, but I’m here to help you … get in the mood. (eyebrow waggle)

And what says “Happy Love Day” better than a blush-colored dresser makeover topped off with little gold heart knobs? The only other improvement I can think of is perhaps dipping it in chocolate. (wink)

See more at Jessica’s blog Dear Emmeline.

But seriously, these knobs need to come live at my house.

February 13, 2014 By Lindsey @ Better After

17 In bathroom

Master (bath) Cleanse

Confession: I’m rocking out to One Direction right now. As much as one can possibly ‘rock out’ to One Direction that is. So basically, I’m slightly bobbing my head while sitting at my computer. But I won’t say I’m not enjoying it. I’m very hard core, try to keep up. Speaking of enjoying things, I laughed so hard at THIS, I legitimately cried.

Speaking of enjoying things (again), you will surely enjoy this master bathroom makeover from Elisa at Emodel Your Home. Before: a cramped hallway that ended with a toilet exclamation mark. Hello toilet!

Now it is a gloriously spacious with a shower/tub situation that I don’t quite understand but covet anyway. Double showerheads are my jam all day err day. Beautiful!