Better After

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

Rubbing and Buffing

This desk wasn’t much to behold, truly I was more captivated by the stack of boxes that my OCDness made me count (11!), more than anything else, but ohmygoshyouguys, the after is so beautiful!

What is amazing about this redo is that Sammy didn’t paint it. Not technically anyway. She used a diluted tube of Pearl Blue Rub ‘n Buff! What whaaaaaa!? Have you seen those tubes? They are smaller than a travel-sized toothpaste. I would have never thought to try such a large scale project with that. You really have to see it up-close to believe, take a look-see on her blog ReNew ReDo!

And say what?! Leather too!? Sammy turned her scratched-up ottoman into “glamtastic eye-candy” with a little Rubbin and Buffin that hid the damage beautifully. I realize that a golden-gilded ottoman isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m amazed that this is even possible. And there are so many other colors too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sammy becomes the official Rub ‘n Buff spokesgirl someday!

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January 6, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In decor/ desks/hutches/buffets

Stain Treater

Better After reader Sarah sent in this little hutch that had seen better days. Days when you could pass off a puff-painted design as “stained glass,” and then try to pass that mess off as “decor.” Those weren’t better days at all! What is that “artwork” supposed to be anyway, tulips? It looks like mutant corn.

Well, that’s all thankfully in the past, because Sarah fixed it up nicely with fresh paint and a stencil design that doesn’t bring to mind diseased vegetation. Great job Sarah!

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January 6, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

8 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Cool & The Gang

Hmmm. I think this was a redo of a redo. I suspect somebody began working on this chair with the intentions of making it red, but then worried about possible retributions from neighborhood thugs who might naturally assume that this red chair was a member of a rival gang. So Allison kept it neutral. Better to be safe than sorry.

You can see the full story on her blog Two Thirty-Five Designs, not to mention a picture of her that totally backs up my street-gang theory.

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January 5, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

18 In bedroom

Window Suite

I try not to get all political up in my blog, but I have to say this. It should be a crime to have an un-utilized window seat in your house. Do you have a window seat in your house? Do you know how lucky you are? Do you know how many of us go without? And have long dreamed of lounging in a window seat of our very own, gazing meaningfully out into space while pretending we are Reese Witherspoon circa Man in the Moon? A hypothetical example, of course. Anyway, if you’ve got one of those window seats, do something about it!

Brook not only made her window seat a desirable destination, she also transformed the whole guest bedroom into a happy, homey, welcoming space. And you can see more on her blog Your Favorite Raymonds, although I just thought of a good name for a blog if your name is Brook: Babbling Brook! Ha, ha, that’s cute isn’t it? No? Oh, just let me have my fun.

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January 5, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

12 In outdoors

Neglected to Perfected

Kelly’s husband thought she had lost her mind when they walked through this crumbling, water-damaged, termite-infested house and she exclaimed “I’ll take it!” Truly, most people would have turned back before they even made it through that front door. It was an intense year-long process of gutting it practically down to the nubs to get it to the beautiful point it is today. Now her husband is the one doing the exclaiming, as he’s been known to say, “they’ll have to carry me out of here feet first!” I agree sir. I agree.

See much more on her blog Eclectically Vintage.

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January 5, 2012 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In laundry rooms

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

It seems like my New Year’s resolution EVERY year is to get organized. (This never happens). So this year I didn’t make any resolutions! I feel more organized already! (This is not true).

Anyway, if YOU are looking to get more organized, why not start in the laundry room? I tried the little trick of labeling my laundry baskets a few months ago (after getting over my laundry basket racism fears) and it totally worked! The kids think it’s a great big game to sort the laundry. It’s crazy how much time that really has saved me. I recommend it. I also recommend checking out Karen’s cute laundry room/closet makeover for more laundry inspiration! I don’t know, this might actually make doing the laundry … fun?!