Better After

Henredon and On …

What’s better than a chair makeover? TWO chair makeovers, duh. Although, these are identical chairs, and thus identical makeovers, so really it’s like one for the price of two. But it’s not like you’re paying to read this blog, so … still a good deal all around.

But here’s a story of a seriously good deal. Meghan found a pair of chairs on Craigslist and discovered that they were from Henredon, a top-quality luxury furniture company. How top-quality, you ask? Well, I can’t seem to find any of their prices listed online, just instructions to “call for a quote.” So I’m guessing: much dollarz.

Meghan didn’t have to pay $,$$$ – she bought them from a man who was cleaning out his late mother’s home and had no idea what he was getting rid of. He probably just saw some old floral chairs and was shocked anyone agreed to buy them.

Meghan saw something more, and happily hustled them home.

And here they are, living in style in her living room. Aren’t they a chic little pair? They look so much better in a solid fabric that lets those pricey good bones do all the talking.

See more from Meghan at Mimi + Meg.

March 29, 2016 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In kitchen/dining

Cow Do You Do?

Did you know that when I was very small I lived on a ranch in Arizona in literally the middle of nowhere? No neighbors, no stores, no paved roads, but lots of animal friends. I had a pet lamb that I very creatively named Lamby, and I remember leaning out of my window to feed him giant bottles of milk. I once peeked behind the couch and found a king snake stretched out on the carpet. And cows would constantly roam around the yard, eating things out of our garden and peering in the kitchen windows. Sometimes rattlesnakes would crawl along the windows too. Of course there were plenty of mice and spiders and bugs. It was a magical and terrifying place to grow up.

One time my grandparents came to visit, and when it was time to leave they discovered they couldn’t start their car, because dozens of snakes had nested in their engine.

Soon after that we moved to town.

Anyway, Ashley’s kitchen makeover reminded me of that old ranch house a little bit because …

She has a cow in her kitchen too! I much prefer a two-dimensional cow. I love this modern farmhouse look that she’s created, so comfy, chic, and cool. And bonus: no rattlesnakes! See it on her blog Bigger Than The Three Of Us.

March 28, 2016 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In decor

A Fluffle of Bunnies!

There are two types of people in this world. People who decorate for Easter and people who don’t. And people who kinda do a half-hearted attempt. And people who decorate for spring, even if they don’t celebrate Easter. And people who just like bunnies. So yeah, like maybe there are more like five types? Which one are you?

I’ll tell you what I am, or I’ll just let this lone Easter egg banner on my mantle that keeps falling apart do the talking for me.

But I think these makeovers will appease every single type of person, unless you are one of the persons who doesn’t decorate. Or doesn’t like bunnies. (You monster). OR MAYBE they will be so cute that they’ll make you change your mind!? Let’s find out!

Dinah created a cohesive bunch of bunnies by painting these mismatched thrift store ceramics with …

… stone texture spray paint. Dinah had her eye on a pricey set of stone bunnies in a store, but decided to see if she could DIY her own version instead. Not only did she nail it, she spent a measly $17, paint included! Get the how-to on her blog DIY Inspired.

These next bunnies were cute, but a little too cute for Vicki’s taste. She’d had them for years and was ready to move on. She tossed them in a ‘donate’ pile and was just about to send them packing when she had a sudden change of heart. She got out her chalk paint and antiquing wax to see how they’d look after a quick refresh.

They look like a whole new pair, don’t you think? The chalk paint gave them a bisque-like texture and the wax brought out the details for a nice vintage look that is sure to keep Vicki happy for a few more years at least! See them at 2 Bees in a Pod.
And finally, this cute project from Jess, who didn’t start with a bunny at all. She just had glue, paint, and a boatload of popsicle sticks. Sure, it sounds like the beginnings of a terrible craft project for four-year-olds, but you’ll be surprised by the results:

Cool, right?! I’ll never look at popsicle sticks the same way again. I love the pink on the inner edge, and the fluffy pom-pom tail! Find out more at Make & Do Crew.

Did you know a group of bunnies is called a ‘fluffle?’ I think that’s the best thing I’ve heard all week.

March 25, 2016 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Sitting Sail

This chair’s story begins when it was purchased for $19 at a thrift store. Of course it doesn’t really BEGIN there, but that’s as much information as I have, so we must start our tale at the thrift-store. Maybe there will be a prequel someday. Probably not.

But luckily, SK had some history to add to it, and decided to use this chair to tell the story of her parents.

Her father was a sailor on a destroyer tender ship in the Japan Harbor when the armistice of World War II was signed. After SK’s mother passed away, SK discovered a newspaper clipping in her hope chest that she had kept for all that time, a page featuring the now iconic photo of a sailor kissing a surprised nurse.

It’s not just a makeover, it’s a work of art! She dedicated it to her parents: “A generation of strong, honest, courageous and hard working people. Thank you for your example.”

How great it that? Quite a touching tribute. See the story behind all the details on her blog SK on Elderberry.

March 24, 2016 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In tables/dressers

Liar, Liar, Drawers on Fire

Have you ever wanted to try a furniture makeover but been put-off by the things that paint CAN’T solve? Like the faux drawers on this dresser? No matter how many coats of paint you slap on this baby, the top drawer is still going to try and convince people that it is actually made up of three smaller drawers. Not only is that look a bit outdated, it’s also dishonest! Stop lying to us, dresser!

And can we talk about the random keyhole? I love keyholes as much as the next guy, but that one has wandered really far from home.

Fear not, there is a cure for these ailments. No, not wood filler. That was my first guess too. It’s actually …

Bondo! If you had tried to fill those big gaps with wood filler, you would have been at it all day and then some. Bondo dries much faster and harder, though it takes more effort to sand than wood filler. Doesn’t it look fantastic now? And that hardware is mmmmhmmmm.

Give it a try sometime. Jennifer walks you through the whole process over on her blog Dimples and Tangles.

And for those of you who like your dresser makeovers dark and mysterious, check out this highboy that Vicki found at a thriftstore. It came with a mud-toned finish that she wasn’t wild about, so she sanded through it to the bare wood underneath.

Then she mixed up a custom stain using walnut and ebony, for a not-quite-all-the-way-black-but-just-a-hint-of-wood-grain-showing-through shine. Like it just slipped into a pair of black pantyhose. So risque! See it up close on her blog EntriWays.

Haha, I am laughing at the idea of furniture slipping into pantyhose. Oh my gosh, have you ever seen the pictures of dogs in pantyhose? Here, I googled it for you. You’re welcome.

March 23, 2016 By Lindsey @ Better After

2 In outdoors

A Nice Patio on the Back

Hey! It’s the first day of spring! Or it was … like a few days ago. I can’t ever remember. Anyway, it’s (one of) the first day(s) of spring! Dust off your barbecue grill and get your buns outside.

Oh, but wait! Don’t invite the neighbors over just yet. It looks like your patio has been a little neglected over the last few months. Don’t worry, it’s an easy fix.

All it really needs is a good scrub and some greenery, and you’re back in backyard business.

And some sweet new patio furniture never hurts either. But don’t the plants make such a difference? There is literally no better way to celebrate spring than to treat yourself and/or your yard to some lively new plants and flowers. This is a fact, because one year I decided a good idea for some springtime fun would be to buy myself a pet baby chicken and that did not turn out well at all. Stick with plants. Trust me on that one.

See more from this lovely patio makeover at Home Living Style.

March 22, 2016 By Lindsey @ Better After

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