Better After

Prize Lighter

I’m back from my little whirlwind trip to LA, where I went to watch a live taping of So You Think You Can Dance, aka my most favorite show of all time ever. I wish SO BADLY I could have taken more pictures, but they strictly banned all cell phones and cameras from the studio. But it was awesome all the same.

I went with my sister and two friends and we were somehow able to sit in the front row for both the morning performance (when they tape the group routine) and the actual live performances in the evening. In between that there were hours and hours of waiting in lines and sitting on the hot sidewalk, but it was all so worth it! We were so close, I could have reached out and high-fived the dancers. Plus some of my all-time favorite choreographers were there too, just a few rows back: Travis Wall, Tyce Diorio, and Stacy Tookey.

I don’t even know which performances were my favorites, they were all so amazing, but Fik-shun and Amy, and Tucker and Jenna were stand-outs. It was an epic day, and I’m so exhausted!

So anyway, before I pass out and go back to bed, here are a couple great little lamp redos to get you ready for The Ugly Lamp contest coming up soon! But today’s lamps didn’t stay ugly for long. Check out how Amanda at Mommy Is Coo Coo added her eclectic style to this formerly boring lamp with chalk paint and glaze. The glaze really helps show off all those raised details, which looks so much better than plain, shiny black, yes?

And I love this genius idea from Susan. She took an outdated wall sconce, turned it upside down, rewired it, no biggie, and painted over the brass to create a totally chic pendant! Check it out on her blog Saf Affect.

Coming soon! Send your original picture to betterafter(at)live.com, subject line ‘Ugly Lamp’ by August 10th to enter! More info HERE.

July 25, 2013 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In outdoors

Gimme Shelter

Hey there! I am sending you a few favorites from the archives for
the next few days, as I am away on a very last minute trip to LA. My
sister scored us tickets to this week’s taping of So You Think You Can Dance, and I’m so excited I can barely breathe. Follow our adventure on Instagram @betterafterlnz if you’d like!

Originally posted May 2, 2011

Lindsay deserves some sort of award for bravery. She and her husband decided to purchase and renovate (while pregnant) the hillbilliest house I’ve ever seen. It looks like it would topple over if you stared at it too long. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was held together with duct tape and spit.

But hold on to your hats, because the after is going to blow your mind! And make you want to buy a ramshackle barn! Most commendable job, Baums! I give you a huzzah!

Update: No link to this project, sorry! There used to be one, but their blog has gone private since then.

July 24, 2013 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In chairs/ottomans/seating/ desks/hutches/buffets

Oh oh oh-oh-oh, the white stuff!

Originally posted June 22, 2011

If you are one of those people who doesn’t like the look of painted wood, then look away. WAIT! I take that back. Don’t look away, look long and hard at the following pieces from Melissa at Living Beautifully. Then ask yourself if they aren’t kinda really fantastic. Especially with the silver and black and white accessories. I guarantee you will be forced to admit that it all is very chic. And if I am wrong, we will settle this argument with an arm wrestle. And if I lose that, because I probably will, at least I can say that I tried my best to convert you to the Church of White Paint.

July 24, 2013 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In miscellaneous/ other rooms

Formal or Abnormal?

Originally posted April 27, 2011

Raise your hand if you use your formal dining room more than five times a year. If so, congratulations to you and your fabulous life full of gourmet dinner parties and sparkling conversation with your interesting and fashionable friends. The rest of us use it for folding laundry.

Christy decided to reclaim her formal dining room into a space that would get a little more daily action. After all, what is the point of even having all that square footage if you literally spend more time in the garage? So she went against the norm and made it into her own private craftopia! I’m jealous. See more on her blog Beach Brights. Thanks Christy!

July 23, 2013 By Lindsey @ Better After

2 In Ugly Lamp Contest

Ugly Lamp Contest 2013

Hoo boy, I am excited to announce the
UGLY LAMP CONTEST 2013
is about to be underway!

I’ve already received a few submissions and am fearfully awaiting more.

Who will emerge victorious this year? Can your lamp out-ugly our previous winners?

Behold, the 2010, 2011, and 2012 champions:

Good luck. You’ll need it.

Deadline to submit your ugly lamp is August 10th! To enter, simply send your ugly lamp picture to me at BetterAfter(at)live.com, subject line: Ugly Lamp.

You don’t have to actually OWN the lamp, but it does need to be your original picture. No just googling “ugly lamps.” And of course, there will be an awesome prize for the winner!

See some of last year’s shenanigans HERE and HERE.

(Previously, some people have mistakenly thought that their ugly lamp
needs to be made over into a nice lamp to enter the contest. This is
not so. I just want your pure, unfiltered, 100% ugly lamp, nothing
more.)

Can’t freaking wait!

July 23, 2013 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In kitchen/dining

Yellow Fever: take 2

Originally posted May 6, 2011

As bad as Kathryn’s kitchen was before is how good the after is now. That made more sense in my head. Anyway, as you scroll down and take in the after, you will note the new cabinets, new lighting, shiny new subway tile and new countertops, but I think you will be in for a scroll-down surprise when you see the floor!

Well, it won’t be such a big surprise now, will it? But it’s my favorite part of the room! Take the grand tour on her blog Makin’ It In Memphis. Great job Kathryn!