Better After

5 In decor

Hepburn-o’clock

Someday, when I get more ambitious, I’m going to start a series and call it “Creativity in Small Spaces.” I probably won’t really get around to ever doing that, but it sounds like a good idea!

Even if you are living in a crappy rental or your aunt’s basement (I’ve done both), there’s always room to jazz up your room. Maybe your cubicle could use some brightening. Maybe you could create magic by just making over something simple that you look at everyday, like, say… a clock. This Audrey Hepburn inspired clock comes from Ana at I Made It So. So fun!

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November 5, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In desks/hutches/buffets

Red Handed

I get it that some people freak out about painting antique furniture. Your grandmother’s cherry china cabinet that came to America on the Mayflower, yeah, you might want to leave that one alone. But this type of stuff … this clunky, fake wood, came from your grandma’s basement circa 1969 cabinet, I’m pretty sure ANYTHING you do to it would be an improvement, including setting it on fire.

Ashley from My Colors are Blush and Bashful did in fact decide to set it on fire, with a red hot paint job! I also love the look of the knobs redone in gold against the red. I bet it took forever to get that glaze into those grooves. Bravo for sticking with it Ashley!

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November 5, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In decor

Books n’ Butterflies

Do you get inspired by all the great before and afters out there, so you decide to tackle a project yourself even though you’ve never done anything like this before, and you head to your local thriftstore with gusto, only to be overwhelmed by possibilities, or frustrated by the lack of, and/or disgusted that your local Goodwill dares charge $60 for a dilapidated chair covered in gravy stains? It’s ok. Take a deep breath. And start small.

See this? A couple of old books, turned into a planter! Total conversation piece! And inexpensive! Would also make a nifty gift!

Or, take this frightful shadowbox depicting a super depressing post-apocalyptic underwater scene, and turn it into butterfly art! Credit for these super projects goes to Lindy of Cottage Hill who consistently churns out such great before and afters, I should really just hang a sign on my blog that points to hers. Butterfly specimen box HERE.

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November 5, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In living room/ other rooms

Dramatic Den

Love. This. One. Must have been done on a hearty budget, right? Not so! It looks like Denise pulled out all the stops when she redid her den, but most everything in this room was re-used, thrifted, or found on the side of the road! For example: the chandelier was just spray-painted black (she didn’t even bother taking it down!), and the curtains came from another room in the house.

I also love her little tricks for making the room feel bigger, like instead of hiding half the narrow window with a curtain, she used shutters to make it seem wider. Also the curtains by the door start where the door ends, instead of ending where the door ends, does that make sense…? Also, I have been looking for a rug like that forever, and wouldn’t you know…IKEA! Check out more on her blog The Painted Home.

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November 4, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In desks/hutches/buffets

Whole Hutch

Shayna inherited this gorgeous hutch from her grandparents. BUT, then she discovered that the bottom half was at a cousin’s, and the cousin told her in no uncertain terms that she wasn’t about to get it back. Ever. Rude!

So, after searching for 3 years for the perfect piece to put underneath it, she finally found a solid wood dresser with the perfect dimensions. So opted to remove the doors to open it up and added a little black paint to make it match, and she’s got herself a complete unit. So there, cousin! Check more out on her blog Texas Monkey.

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November 4, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In desks/hutches/buffets

Later, Lattice

I hereby announce, (if you didn’t know already) that You Are Allowed To Get Tired Of Your Stuff. Even if it is perfectly lovely. Even if there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. Even if your mother-in-law tells you you’re crazy. Like Jesse’s hutch here. Nothing wrong with it, but it was just starting to feel… “meh.” Don’t feel guilty about it, do something about it!

Jesse gave her hutch a coat of white and then hand painted the stenciled design on the doors. With new knobbies as a finishing touch, it’s like she got a brand new piece of furniture! (Note: this technique might even work on spouses too, but I recommend substituting “romantic vacation” in place of “coat of paint”). More to see on her blog Good Girl Gone Glad.