Better After

Do’s and Donuts

Would you pay $10 for this before hutch? I don’t know if I would … it looks pretty sketchy. Plus, think of all the other things you could buy with $10. Like a dozen donuts. But Tiffany wasn’t scared, and she didn’t want any donuts, because she plunked down her $10 for this thing and painted it mustard yellow. I think it looks great, and I think Tiffany and I could be friends, and I think I want a donut now.

July 5, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

14 In decor/ miscellaneous/ tables/dressers

Independence Day, 2012

Happy 4th of July! I hope you are enjoying yourself and your freedoms. And I also hope you will enjoy these fabulous independence inspired makeovers!

First, a Pottery Barn beadboard flag knock-off from Korrie at Red Hen Home. (I’m seriously doing this next year).

Next, take a trip to the dollar store, spend five whole bucks, bust out the glue, and you too can have yourself a patriotic platter like Kayla from Furniture Remix.

Or give an abandoned coffee table some American pride and set it free from thy tyranny of ugly irrelevance! Also from Kayla, see it HERE.

And check out this homage to Betsy Ross and the original American flag from Sharla at The House at Bluebird Lane. You know, I really do think this flag is pretty darn cool. Move over Union Jack trend!

Happy Independence Day!

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July 4, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In bedroom/ kiddie

A Bigger Big Boy Bedroom Bluff

How is it that there is MORE furniture, artwork, and toys in this after bedroom, yet it looks BIGGER? It’s just another one of the mysteries of the world best left unexplained, I suppose. But I do think even just shoving the bed a few feet over to the wall made a huge difference. And the shelves and artwork really help to draw the eye up. Plus the lighting is way better and so is the paint color. So, I guess it wasn’t so tough to figure out after all!

See more of Lizzie’s bedroom makeover for her big boy on her blog Pretty City Things.

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July 3, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

15 In tables/dressers

Tick Tock Ya Don’t Stop

T-i-i-i-me, why you punish me?

Like a wave crashing into the shore, you wash away my dreams.

Hmm, I just realized that Hootie’s song ‘Time’ is a bit depressing. Is there a happier song about time? I can’t think of one now. Help me out. I’m just trying to get you in the mood for some time-themed makeovers, that’s all. Anyway, so here goes: it’s time for TIME!

Take a SECOND and check out this clock face table from
Suzy Simply Vintageous. She churns out the furniture makeovers so often I’m pretty sure she never sleeps.

And if you have a MINUTE, (heh heh, elbow nudge) here’s another one from Better After reader Shelly. She picked this dresser up at a yard sale for $10 and drew the clock face on with a Sharpie! That must have taken a lot of TIME. Heh heh. Ok, I’ll stop now.

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July 3, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

11 In desks/hutches/buffets

Help Desk

I always thought roll-top desks were cool, but that’s because as a child, I often pretended I was an old-timey banker who wore those arm band things and wire-rimmed glasses and a visor. Like this guy:

I was kind of a weird child.

Anyway, guess what? Turns out, the roll-top desk IS cool! Mandy at A Whimsical Flea Market proves it with this slightly distressed two-tone redo that has me drooling. Looks like I was right all along.

Head on over to her blog and check out the neat stencil she used on the side too!

And here’s another amazing desk makeover from Sarah at Funcycled. She did more than ‘funcycle’ it, because this thing was basically fire wood. Yes, Sarah completely salvaged and restored it, and I think she deserves some applause for her efforts in making this old desk shine again. Join me, won’t you? (clap! clap! clap clap clap!)

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July 2, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

10 In kitchen/dining

Parting with Paneling

Oooh, how I love me some white painted paneling. Doesn’t Laura’s dining room look infinitely brighter? And bigger? And better? Even the pots in the pot rack look nicer! That is the power of paint. Not to be confused with the power of love. Not to be confused with the Celine Dion version of The Power of Love, because I was actually referring to the Huey Lewis and the News version. You know, from Back to the Future? Kind of like how this kitchen went back in time from outdated ’70s to timeless farmhouse? (How’s that for a segue?) (Wait, I just realized that didn’t actually make sense.)

See more from Laura at The Ironstone Nest.