Better After

4 In kitchen/dining

Mama Mia!

If my eyes could bug out of my head like in the cartoons, they’d be bugging so hard right now they’d probably bump into my computer screen and leave greasy little eye-prints. Ew.

But seriously man, didn’t Mia do an amazing job on her kitchen makeover? It was such a blank slate before, and now there are just layers and layers of personality. I’m loving the new glass fronts, the apron sink, the three different styles of hardware on the cabinets, and that island! Also, what’s especially cool about the backsplash is that while the grout was still wet, Mia scraped it down to make it seem weathered, like it had been there forever! It’s all in the details.

Bizillions more details to see on her blog Jilly and Mia.

August 31, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

11 In desks/hutches/buffets

Bye bye hi-fi, hello wi-fi!

This shuttery old thing used to house a record player in a previous life. For all you youngsters out there, “records” were these round shiny things that played music. No, no you’re thinking of CDs. CDs were round shiny things that also played music during the days of yore – back when people couldn’t download libraries of music in two nanoseconds onto their phone while driving. Ahh, how far we’ve come!

And this old cabinet has stepped out of the stone age as well, now serving as a flat-screen TV stand. Courtney picked it up off craigslist for a grand $15, removed and replaced the doors and finished off with a warm gray. I’m loving the latticework. Great job! See more on her blog Bowdenisms.

August 30, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

8 In outdoors

Honey, I’m Home!

This home was giving off a very cheerless vibe. And also a creepster vibe, what with the leering man there in the window. But with a little fixin-uppin’, it looks like the cutest house on the block now. I spy new shutters and fresh paint, a nicely trimmed yard, and a red door that could make anyone smile. See, the even the creepy guy in the window looks happier!

From Laurie at The Beekeeper’s Granddaughter, (and her husband TeeJay, who is not actually a creepster in real life.)

August 30, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In kiddie/ tables/dressers

Owl bet …

I bet you haven’t seen anything this cute today! Unless you just like, had a baby or something, and you are currently snuggling your fresh little newborn, then maybe. But if not, behold the cuteness overload of this dresser redo from Megan at Never a Dull Day for her newest nephew’s nursery. (It totally matches the bedding too, ack, so cute)!

She completed this (not to mention a taller version of the same thing) in 32 hours over five days from start to the final glazed finish. My favorite detail is the (look veeery close) contrast stitching along every branch and leaf, which Megan drew on one stitch at a time with a Sharpie. Talk about aiming for extra credit!

Thanks for sharing Megan!

August 30, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

14 In bedroom

Drama Class

Do you have that one Facebook friend who is always updating their status to say something like: “I AM SOOO OVER THE DRAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” and you roll your eyes and try to stop the urge to reply: “For someone so allegedly over the “drama,” that was the most dramatic thing I’ve read all day!”

But instead of instigating more drama, you could just say something like, “Hey pal, drama is a good thing! Check out this dramatic bedroom makeover from Sanita at Sany-Sunnylife!” And voila: Drama-devotee diffused.

August 29, 2011 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In outdoors

I’m a Swinger

I could probably devote an entire week to pallet makeover projects. Who knew they were so versatile? Outside of the DIY world, pallets are considered little more than leftover junk or firewood, which is good news for us, because you can easily find them for free. I know this is true, because there are always piles of pallets listed in the free section of Phoenix’s craigslist, home of the most worthless crap on the planet. Go grab some now before the rest of the world catches on!

And check out Sheryl’s pallet porch swing on her blog Sheryl Salsbury Photography.