Better After

Past Out

Mistylynn had owned this stereo cabinet for a long time, and asks to be forgiven for the decor in this before picture. Hey, I totally understand. I was a newlywed learning how to decorate my first home once too. I remember an enthusiastic color scheme of red, white, blue, and yellow (wow), and purple silk flowers tucked here and there for extra flair. (double wow).

But that was in the past! And so was this cabinet. Mistylynn freshened it up with Heirloom white, sprayed the original handles with a brushed nickel, and added color with new fabric panels. Mistylynn’s style has obviously evolved since then, and I’d like to think mine has too. Let us hope. Check it out on her blog Lil’ Buck’s Creations.

October 6, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In bedroom

Getting Spicy

Looking for some ideas to spice things up in the bedroom? No, not like that! Like new paint colors and linens, that sort of thing. Not that I’m not qualified to answer those other types of questions. Uh, I mean I’m not. I mean I AM! Wait … this has taken a weird turn. Let’s change the subject… oh hey look, it’s Robin’s bedroom makeover!

Isn’t it amazing? She has used one of my favorite tricks for disguising an awkward window: draping it like the window it’s supposed to be instead of the window it actually is. You would never even know there’s a tiny too-high window hiding under there. Check out more before and afters on her staging website Madison Modern Home.

October 6, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

8 In kiddie/ tables/dressers

Fluer de Flourish

Better After reader Carla refreshed this stale old dresser into a sweet little changing table with a coat of black and some new fluer-de-lis knobs. I almost thought they were hand-painted flourishes; a little touch of trompe l’oeil, which my one semester of French taught me means “trick of the eye.” And even though that phrase refers to a style of realistic painting, this still kind of WAS trompe l’oeil, because my eyeballs were tricked all the same. I have no idea how to pronounce that, so let’s not ever have this conversation in real life.

October 6, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In decor

Rugs and Hugs

Oh, IKEA, where would be be without you and your ridiculously affordable rugs that are so easy to paint? Nowhere worth going, that’s for darn tootin’. Steph from Birdhouse Family wanted a bold geometric rug to enhance her craft room (the most sophisticated and stunning “craft room” I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what the heck she is crafting up in here, but I’m guessing it doesn’t involve pipe cleaners and macaroni).

Anyway, so she wanted a bold rug, and that’s what she got, using a simple $39 IKEA ‘Erslev’ rug and leftover wall paint for a perfect match. Looks fantastic!

And look! Here’s yet another geometric painted rug for your perusal and arousal. Same IKEA rug, totally different look. Holly from Adventures of an Almost 40 year old Intern gives the whole rundown on her blog and makes it sound easy! I’m seriously trying this.

And lastly, Kim from Of All the Fish in the Sea gave Mother Earth a hug by updating this doormat instead of tossing it in the garbage.

See, boring can be bodacious, and stained is salvageable! Thanks ladies!

October 5, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

11 In bathroom

Borderline … feels like I’m going to lose my mind…

Jeanne admits that she may have been a little “deranged” when she first decorated this attic bathroom years ago. But I’m sure her kids really loved the lavender and green walls and buggy wallpaper. Or they might have been secretly terrified to pee in here for their entire lives, who knows. In any case, this tiny bathroom is big on style now! Check out all the details on her blog Bees Knees Bungalow.

October 5, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Ask your doctor.

Are you one of the millions of people silently suffering with Too-scared-to-reupholster-itis? You are not alone. Don’t let the fear of spending endless hours stripping, measuring and stitching only to arrive at utter failure in the end hold you back from revitalizing that perfect wingback. There is help. There is hope. Pioneered by Angela and Debbie, it’s called the Tres Chere Makeover Method, and it involves simply painting right over the fabric, hammering in some decorative nail heads, and tucking in a fitted sheet. Your results may vary. Side effects may include fist pumping, happy dancing, and general elation.