Better After

Going Mod

What’s so groovy about this before bench? Not much. In fact, I think I just dozed off for a second looking at it.

But, shaZAM! Check out that after! It’s a super psychedelic stunner, wouldn’t you say? That’ll get people to sit up and take notice. It looks right at home in Heather’s fun, funky dining room, which also features, among other things, a lime green chandelier! Check it out on her blog Mod House Design.

December 6, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Stuffy to Stripey

I love how Stephanie recovered this traditional, stuffy old wingback in non-traditional mismatched fabrics. Well, they match, but they aren’t the same. You know what I mean.

As always, I am deeply envious of people who can recover chairs. I’ve passed up many a great chair because I don’t have mad upholstery skillz. I don’t even have mildy upset upholstery skillz. I wish someone would just come to my house and teach me, or better yet, do it for me! Check it out on Stephanie’s blog room*6.

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functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

December 3, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In bathroom

Half Bath, Whole Change

I am WAY more likely to start and finish a project if I know it’s only going to take a day. Or less. Maybe even an hour. Or less. I have been known to spray paint things as I walk past them. So that’s why I love this powder room redo by Crystal. It had to be a fairly quick makeover, it’s such a wee little space! Look, she can’t even stand inside and take a picture at the same time!

But for such a tiny room, it was a style-void. A black hole of style eating blah-ness. That one picture is like, “I can’t do this all by myself, you know.” So Crystal pumped up the glam and got it whipped into shape in a hurry. Actually, it took 10 days. But it looks fab, and the whole thing came in around $166! See it on her blog Ready.Set.Plan.

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functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

December 3, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In kitchen/dining

Blue Streak

Helloooooo 90’s kitchen! Basket of fruit wallpaper border? Check. Awkward floor-space eating L-shaped layout? Check. Splatter paint walls? Check — actually not really, those are remnants from the soundproof wall foam that was there from the previous owners, which earns this space an extra “whuh?”

Even so, splatter paint is so, like totally 90’s. You know you wore your leggings with your giant splatter paint T-shirt that you knotted below the waist with a yellow plastic paintbrush shaped t-shirt knotter device. What the heck is the official name for those things anyway? I can’t even Google up a picture to show you, because for some reason Google does not know what I mean when I type “t-shirt knot thing.”

Any hoo diddly do, Stephanie helped tackled this job with her daughter, leaving her with a kitchen that is sleek, chic, and without a streak. (Because they haven’t moved in yet! How I wish my kitchen were always that clean). Lots more of the design to see on her blog Cre8tive Designs Inc.

This post brought to you by:

functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

December 3, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In tables/dressers

Sparkler

We know the power of white paint can transform anything, from your busted old furniture, to acne, to credit card debt (ok, maybe not) but the combination of white paint and rhinestones? They could probably take over the world. You’ve been warned.

Check it out from Rachel at Mrs. Adventure, thanks Rachel!

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functional handmade crafts and repurposed goods

December 2, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

14 In living room

Where’s The Fire?

Tanja’s living room was not lacking style, that’s for sure. But it was lacking a fireplace. Just kidding! It has a fireplace, can’t you see it? There in the corner? That black rectangle thing hiding behind the couch? It’s totally a fireplace.

But after some love from Tanja, it’s a bona fide Focal Point, adding drama and height and color and sha-jazz to the room. Loving the new mirror too, the diamond pattern plays off of the lampshades nicely. Check it out on Tanja’s blog, Postmodern Hostess.