Better After

10 In kitchen/dining

With all the fixin’s!

This peninsula was peninsu-lame. And that orangy plywood stuff happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves ever! It’s all over the place in my house. Contractors get cheap and use a totally different material for the sides of cabinetry than the fronts, which doesn’t even COME CLOSE to matching, and it drives me bat-poop crazy. EVERYDAY. “Why don’t you do something about that?” you are thinking. Well, I did, and the guy quoted me about $600 a panel to fix it, sooo … I am living with it for now until I decide to part with that much money (ha ha!) or figure out a better idea. Like this cool fix from Jennifer at Two Butterflies. Tons of personality now! Thanks Jennifer!

October 11, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

11 In outdoors

Swiss-Army Samm

You might remember Samm and her fabulous settee from last week. But Samm’s talents are not limited to reupholstery. Not only can she whip a shabby settee into shape, she also has some madd landscaping skillz! Plus she can moonwalk! Ok, I made that last one up. But I wouldn’t be surprised. Start a blog already, Samm!

October 10, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

11 In chairs/ottomans/seating/ miscellaneous

Band of Zebras

Hello! How was your weekend? Pretty cool and groovy? I hope so.

So, were you in band in high school? I wasn’t, but I envied those kids carrying around their velvet-lined instrument cases. I have zero point zero musical talent, so it was all a big mystical mystery to me. What’s in there? How do you make it play? So intriguing!

Ann’s daughter’s case was looking a little beaten and goo-ey, so she thought she’d give it a little more appeal first by de-gooing it and fixing the nicks and dings with a Sharpie, then by adding some fun with vinyl zebra stripes! I bet all the cool kids will be doing this soon! Extra credit: can you guess what instrument this case is for?

What’s that? You ordered TWO servings of hot zebra sassiness? Coming right up!

This chair is Lori’s first ever reupholstering attempt and I think she did a fabulous job, even if the experience involved tears and heavy drinking. Read her hilarious account on her blog Sort of Creative.

October 10, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

288 In Uncategorized

Saffron Marigold Giveaway! (GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED)

(giveaway now closed)

Hey there! I hope you are in the mood for a super cool giveaway! This one comes from Saffron Marigold, and they make the most beautiful linens and bedding.

And when I say ‘make’ that’s exactly what I mean, because Saffron Marigold takes great pride in the fact that absolutely all of their products are hand-crafted!

They use a traditional block printing method that produces rich,
vivid colors, and they only use vegetable dyes or non-toxic eco-friendly
dyes, as well as superior grade 100% cotton. Comfy AND good for the earth!

Saffron Marigold has an extensive line of products, from bedspreads to curtains to table linens. Chances are if you see a pattern you like, you can find it on any other product they offer too.

I’m digging peacock feathers lately, why is that? So cool.

I also realllllly love this Navajo-inspired runner, and not just because I read somewhere that “Neo-Navajo” is like, the newest style craze.

Saffron Marigold is generously offering Better After readers the chance to win YOUR CHOICE of:

One Tablecloth

(size 70×90)

One Table Runner

(size 18×90)

or Two Cushion Covers

(size 17×17)

Click on the links above and it will take you directly to ALL the different patterns in each category.

So lovely, all of them. It will be a tough decision!

THREE chances to win!

Enter below, and good luck!

Have a GREAT weekend, winner will be chosen Monday.

&amp;lt;a href=”http://rafl.es/enable-js”&amp;gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.

October 8, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In kitchen/dining/ living room

Voyeur Destroyer

Question: Is it worth rearranging your entire kitchen if you aren’t happy with the placement of the window?

A: If that window happens to overlook the next-door neighbor’s bedroom, YES.

Now, obviously that wasn’t the only thing Richelle wanted to change about her kitchen, but that’s a good enough reason to haul out the sledgehammer I’d say. With a wall knocked out and the layout turned around, the kitchen looks so much brighter and more open, and the neighbors are no longer on display. Win win for everyone! Unless the neighbors were weird like that.

Here’s the new view from the kitchen sink. Lighter colors, a little architectural interest, looks fantastic! Thanks Richelle!

October 7, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In lighting

Get Lit

Here’s a few lovely lamps lined up for your viewing pleasure this fine morning. And boys is it fine! I can finally open the windows for the first time all year and let a breeze in! Did you hear me? A BREEZE! My face doesn’t melt off when I walk outside! It’s kind of almost fall! I’m so excited.

Anyway, here we go. First this lamp goes from something I’d expect to find in a cigarette smoke-drenched hotel on the old Vegas strip, to the the most beautiful item in the boutique. From Toheds at The Happy Ladybug.

And the following lamps you may have noticed are from the super sexy craft-room of Steph, who was featured earlier this week for her fabulous rug makeover. I love her use of bright colors, it really makes me want to break out of my grey and white box for once in my life. Baby steps.

Check them out HERE and HERE.