Better After

2 In living room

Plush Paisley

Kate’s living room had a case of the browns. That sounded disgusting, I’m sorry. But anyhoo, what I mean is, everything in there was brown. Dark brown sofas, dark wood, and this faux leather ottoman that was doing nothing to add any drama to the room.

So Kate took a cue from a piece she liked in the Pottery Barn catalog and decided to recover them in a warm and cozy paisley. Adds more color and texture but still coordinates with the rest of the room, I’d say that’s pretty much perfect! See more HERE.

October 28, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Zebra Chase!

Don’t let that matronly mauve fabric fool you. Underneath all that musty stuff is a wild animal clawing its way out! Actually, under that musty stuff was more musty stuff, but Eliana from Refinish-It-All reupholstered it in a snazzy zebra print.

Just another reminder that you should never be swayed away from a project because of its outdated stankiness or your lack of upholstering experience, because Eliana had never reupholstered anything before in her life! Nice work!

October 28, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

28 In kitchen/dining

Jayna’s Kitchen of Lust

Dear Jayna, this might sound creepy, but can I move in with you? I don’t even need a room of my own, I’ll just stay in your kitchen. I hope that’s cool!

Seriously though, if I ever actually used the phrase “drool-worthy” in real life, I would apply it to this kitchen. Love the white. Love the high ceiling. Love the chandelier. I even love how just adding crown moulding to the top of the awkward pantry corner made it look totally unawkward and like part of the room that existed all along and wasn’t just slapped into place when the previous owners realized they had an enormous barn-shaped kitchen on their hands.

Jayna has shared with me her decorating philosophy:

1. Identify all of the oak around the house.
2. Paint it white.

Works for me. More to see on Jayna’s blog HERE.

October 27, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In kitchen/dining

Danica’s Dining

After spending months and months searching for the perfect kitchen table, Danica and her husband realized they already had it. This was the kitchen table that Danica grew up with and took with her when she got married.

So she preserved the memories, but changed it up to suit her style and I think it looks amazing! She really made it her own! (I feel like Paula Abdul when I say that. *blank stare, seal clap*)

Check it out on her blog DLF Designs.

October 27, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In tables/dressers

Cindy’s Instincts

Late start today. The kiddos have been … active. I spent half the day mopping up a tragic mess that involved a trashbag full of peanut shells and the contents of a 5 gallon water jug. Not awesome.

So now I present to you a divine dresser from Cindy at Cottage Instincts. If you were looking for a detailed presentation on how to lovingly distress/antique/vintage-ize your furniture, look no further. Her post is super informative and even includes videos on how to attain this one-of-a-kind look. Thanks Cindy!

October 26, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

20 In office/ other rooms

Cute-Cakes

Insider scoop! Check out this glimpse into the studio of my pal, the one and only Becki from Whippy Cake! Becki is one of those artistic sorts who can thrive in chaos. I break out into hives and start pulling out clumps of hair. That is why she is creative and I am not. But every now and then the right-brain takes over and demands order from even the craftiest of the crafty.

This is such a cute workspace. I could even be crafty in there, or at least stand around, eat her candy and nod appreciatively.