Better After

15 In tables/dressers

One Nightstand … Or seven.

Hay girl. I am up late. Or really really early, depending on how you look at it. I will try to be coherent. I probably wont try THAT hard. You know what? Whenever I type the word “wont” I always think I need to add an apostrophe, like this: won’t. Is that wrong? Spellcheck is not telling me either way. Hang on, let me go ask Uncle Google.

*type typey type, googley google goo*

OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS, I’m back, and I just found out that I’ve been doing it wrong my whole life. It DOES have an apostrophe. Why didn’t you tell me? You know how I feel about grammar! I thought we were friends.

Hmph. Now I’m not even going to show you today’s makeovers. They were nightstands and you probably would have liked them. So there.

Ok, fine, I’ll show you. I can’t stay mad at you.

This nightstand was basically two boxes on top of each other, but now it is more, so much more! It has a new top and a door, some sweet hinges, and a black and white color scheme, which you can’t ever go wrong with.

From Bliss at Bliss Ranch.

You also can’t ever go wrong by refinishing wood to uncover the natural beauty that likely lurks beneath a faded and scratched surface. But if the thought of reviving an entire dresser gives you the sweats, you can always refinish the top and paint the rest like Beck did here. You get the best of both worlds: pretty wood grain and your sanity!

See it at Beckwith’s Treasures.

Of course, there’s no shame at all in painting the whole darn thing. I do love a natural wood piece, but I also think this particular style below just looks better painted. It takes itself much less seriously that way.

The after nightstands just seem so much more laid back and easy breezy than the befores. Right? Am I making sense? Do I need to go to bed? Yes and maybe and yes.

From Misty at The Cedar Shake Cape.

Last one from Jen at Girl In The Garage, who went to a ton of work to turn these hunks-o-junk into a Pottery-Barn-inspired pair. First she had to fix some major gouging in addition to removing the hardware and filling the holes they left behind too. Then she created entirely new hardware herself out of … can you guess?

And old leather belt! Pretty smart. She lined the surface with linen fabric and added trim all around for that trunk-style she was after. I’d say she nailed it. Literally. She used nailheads to complete the look. Actually, they are not really nailheads but upholstery tacks, so I guess … she tackled it? In any case, they look even better than the Pottery Barn version and cost about $1000 less! Awesome job Jen!

December 16, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In other rooms

Fluff and Fold

I would trade my laundry room for Tasha’s before laundry room any day of the week, brown linoleum and all. Oh, to have a dedicated room to do laundry. My ‘laundry room’ is just a thoroughfare from the house into the garage, barely wider than a hallway, and impossible to pass through whenever anyone is attempting to do laundry. Heaven forbid someone enters the room while you are standing at the washing machine. You will get a door to the face. Or the butt, if you are standing at the dryer. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Whoever thought that through obviously has never done laundry, nor thought anything through.

But the brown linoleum just wasn’t cutting it for Tasha, so she …

… painted right over it! Such a huge difference for a tiny little investment of time and paint. The grand total of this whole space was just $71! Ahh, the magic of paint and accessories, it never fails.

See more at Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body.

December 15, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

8 In tables/dressers

Whale, whale, whale, what do we have here?

Today’s makeover will really blow you away. It might even be a little over-whale-ming. I’m sure the suspense is krilling you, so let’s get right to it.

Absolutely fintastic!

Rachel at Shades of Blue Interiors hand-painted the whale herself, and did a slight ombre effect over the entire dresser, deepening the paint color toward the bottom to mimic the shades of the ocean. I’m shore that took a lot of work. It’s whale-y great. OK, I’ll stop. Only because I can’t think of anymore terrible puns. But I DO have a terrible whale joke.

Q: How do you make a whale float?

A: Ice cream, root beer, and a whale.

(You’re whale-come).

December 14, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In miscellaneous

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Today I am getting all Oprah on you and sharing some of my favorite things. YOU get a gift guide, and YOU get a gift guide! EVERYBODY is getting a gift guide!!!

I was supposed to do this a few weeks ago, but I have a feeling many of you are last minute shoppers just like me. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. These items are truly some of my favorite things and great for gift giving (or treating yourself) and range from $10 to $200, so there’s something for every budget. Unless you are a quadrillionare. Or Oprah.

Let’s go!

#1 Makala Ukulele

I bought myself this ukulele a while ago, even though at the time I had absolutely zero musical experience or training. It’s a great little instrument for learning on, and had the highest reviews of all the beginner ukuleles I saw. It has a really nice sound and stays in tune well, (once the strings get worn in), and there are SO many tutorials online that soon I was playing like a freaking ukulele virtuoso. Ok, not really, but I have taught myself a few songs, from groups like the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Sublime to the Beatles and more, and it’s just a super fun way to pass the time or work on a new talent. Plus it comes in a range of colors too, and just looks pretty displayed on the shelf.

#2 KYNSA Chalk Markers

Oh man, this is a great set. I LOVE using liquid chalk markers so much more than regular chalk. The colors are so vibrant and really opaque, and once it dries, it won’t wipe off. But it’s not permanent, you can wipe if off with a damp towel, and they are safe to use on just about any surface. I use these all the time, most recently I labeled some jars in my pantry (it comes with a free set of chalkboard labels shown here) and for Thanksgiving last month, I used the brown and green markers to draw a big tree on my glass doors, then I had the kids tape paper leaves to it with things they were thankful for written on them. Maybe I’ll draw some snowflakes on my doors this month. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. Oh, and one more awesome thing, the tips are reversible! One side is rounded, then you can just pull it out and flip it around, and it’s a chisel tip on the other. Genius.

#3 White Barn Candles

Everybody knows that Bath and Body Works candles are the best candles in the land. At least they are in my land. But now they are even better with their their new spin-off line, White Barn. (It’s not really a spin-off, but it kinda is, they used to be in business once before. It’s complicated). BUT, the point is, if you are looking for candles that are affordable and will make your home smell fabulous, these are your winners. Pick a scent, any scent. I’m currently burning Winter, and I love it. You can’t go wrong. But if you do, (scents can be hard to choose for other people) they have a pretty great return policy that lets you trade. Plus you can usually find coupons online and get them for a steal.

#4 JBL Wireless Speaker

Wireless speakers are so prolific these days. I was just in Target and they had like 57 different varieties. How to choose? Which one sounds best at which size for how much? Let me save you the hassle. This JBL unit has fantastic sound, is big enough to be powerful but small enough to be easily portable, with a super long battery life, and links up effortlessly (more than I can say about my Dre Beatbox, which cost twice as much and acts like a hormonal teenager 90% of the time). I use this every single day. Plus lots of color options!

#5 Gold Toaster Full disclosure: I don’t own this toaster. I just wish I did. I mean, it’s a gold toaster.

#6 The Cure

OH MY GOSH. If you can only get one thing for Christmas, get this stuff. Give it to your husband. Give it to your neighbors. Everyone needs to know of the wonder and miracles contained in this product. It’s the #1 best selling exfoliator in Japan, and I know what you’re thinking. ‘Exfoliator?! Um, lame!” No. NOT lame. This stuff has completely changed my skin. I am very prone to breakouts, I usually am nursing some huge cystic undergrounder or painful acne clusters on my chin or cheeks, but ever since I’ve been using this, they have virtually stopped. People have actually come up to me to ask me what I’ve been doing with my skin. That was a huge testimonial to me, because that has NEVER happened before.

It’s crazy how this stuff works. It’s a gel that you spread on your clean, dry face, then let it sit for a few seconds. Then you just gently rub it in with your fingertips, and as you do, all your dead skin starts to shed off into little balls of grossy grossness. It’s weird, but awesome. It’s not harsh at all, it doesn’t even feel like it will do anything when you first start rubbing it in, but it DOES. My face feels super smooth and firm when I’m done, like Barbie skin. I use it about every three days or so. You must buy it and use it and tell me if it changes your life too!

#7 The Wet Brush

Speaking of life-changing, if you haven’t tried the Wet Brush yet, get on this train. It truly lives up to the hype. We have replaced all other hair brushes in our house with this one. It works on wet hair and dry hair, and I couldn’t live without it. Ok, I could, but I wouldn’t want to. Stick one in your daughter’s stocking and you’ll be thanking yourself the next time you have to brush her hair, and then you will be so amazed that you’ll get yourself one too.

#8 VIP Car Wash

So this one is a little different and might not be available in all areas, but if you want to step outside the box of typical gift-giving, why not consider a car wash subscription? Our local car wash has a program that gives you unlimited trips through the car-wash for $14 a month. The gift of a consistently clean car, who wouldn’t want that? I always feel like I really have my life together when my car is clean, anyone else? Just me? Ok then.

#9 Magazine Subscription

I love magazines, always have. I find the best deals on Groupon, where you can get year-long subscriptions to popular magazines for as little as $5. At that price, you can buy a ton! I have to stop myself from ordering all the ones I want because I know I will never have time to read them all. But they’re such a great deal, it’s hard to resist! Send someone you love a stack of their favorite magazines and you’ll be their favorite person all year long.

#10 Pom Pom Duvet Cover

File this under: Things I Don’t Actually Have, But Really Want. Ugh, I love this so much. How fun are those pom poms? I love the size too, all the other pom pom blankets I’ve looked at have far less substantial pom poms, and are scientifically proven to be way less fun.

#11 Amazon Firestick

I admit, I had no idea what this thing was when my husband bought it earlier this year. And then we didn’t use it for a long time because we thought the baby flushed it down the toilet. But then we found it behind the couch, and it’s been great ever since! The Firestick, not the baby. The baby is insane. Anyway, in basic terms, it connects your HDTV to endless entertainment options. You can instantly stream movies, TV shows, music, use all your apps like Netflix and Hulu, and the best part is you can just take it with you wherever you go, plug it into any HDTV and pick up on your Revenge binge wherever you left off! I’m pretty sure we will be canceling cable soon, because this little thing does it all.

That’s my list! I hope you found some good options to consider here! Happy shopping and happy weekend, friend.

#1 Makala Ukulele

#2 KYNSA Chalk Markers

#3 White Barn Candles

#4 JBL Wireless Speaker

#5 Gold Toaster

#6 The Cure

#7 The Wet Brush

#8 Unlimited Car Wash Program

#9 Magazine Subscription

#10 Pom Pom Duvet Cover

#11 Amazon Firestick

*this post contains affiliate links

December 11, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In miscellaneous/ outdoors

In The Doghouse

It seems like everyone and their dog is into home improvement these days. Literally. Have you ever seen a dog have such an obvious opinion about their home?

“Is this a joke? This is clearly a joke.”

“No, not a joke. You’re a dog. It’s a dog house.”

“You CANNOT honestly expect me to live here.”

“What is this, Househunters? You suddenly seem to have high standards for someone who drinks out of the toilet.”

“Sigh. I guess it has some potential.”

“That’s the spirit!”

“Does it have a water feature? I really need a water feature.”

“Um, I think there’s a hose somewhere?”

“Because I do a lot of entertaining.”

“You sniff crotches and take naps.”

“What about window treatments?”

“FINE. I’ll get you some window treatments.”

“And fresh paint, obvs.”

“OBVS.”

“Also, how do you feel about sliding barn doors?”

From Better After reader Amanda, whose pampered pooch is sitting pretty now!

December 10, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

1 In bathroom

Powder Wowed

Caitlin was not in love with her powder room. She didn’t really even like her powder room. In fact, she could barely tolerate her powder room. Her powder room was like that weird cousin you can’t stand but are forced to spend time with at the family reunion anyway.

But Caitlin didn’t have to fake getting food poisoning from the potato salad in order to escape her situation. (What?! I’ve never done that! Who would do that?? Definitely NOT me).

No, no, she just waited until the timing and the budget were right, and she was able to do this bathroom up exactly the way she wanted.

Planked walls, hexagon tile, a few rustic touches, and it’s a whole new room. The paint color is called Decorator’s White, which looks so fresh and clean. I’m really contemplating painting my walls white, if it wasn’t for that whole ‘painting my walls’ part that I’d have to do.

But it really made such a difference here. Should bathroom walls ever be painted this pale, murky yellow?

NO.

Also, EW.

Ahh, but it’s a glorious expanse of brightness and light now. Really, really loving that tile. See all the details at The Picket Fence Projects.

December 9, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

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