Better After

Brenda’s Abode

Friends, let me serve up some fresh inspiration to you straight from the mouth (or email, if you want to get all technical) of Better After reader Brenda who says, “I’m not a blogger but I sure love looking at all the great idea you bloggers have. I’m 70 years old and still trying to update my home. I think it is a endless job but also fun.”

Endless fun! What a great perspective Brenda has. No matter your age or budget, no matter if you live in a studio apartment or your grandma’s basement, your home can and should be a beautiful reflection of YOU! And by dang, have fun doing it!

Here are a couple of Brenda’s makeovers in her lovely home. Thanks for sharing Brenda!

83 pages of tips, instructions and pictures for only $10!

Download your copy today!

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I have personally read this ebook and am happy to recommend it,

and I am totally not just saying that because Better After is name-checked in it! What what!

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September 21, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

1 In chairs/ottomans/seating

A Better Bench

Allison wanted a bench just inside the garage door to kick off shoes and whatnot. So for a couple of bucks she found this coffee table at Habitat for Humanity ReStore. But then TRAGEDY STRUCK. Not really. It just looked too much like a coffee table and not really like a bench at all.

So she and her husband cut about 10 inches out of the center (they even cut the drawer in half, how crafty are they?) she added a padded seat, and ta da! A very benchy bench. Doesn’t that sound easy? Well check out her blog A Glimpse Inside to see the whole 15 step process and then decide for yourself! Thanks Allison!

September 21, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In bathroom

Hail Mary

This before bathroom had committed every Ugly Bathroom sin there is. Track bubble lighting. Giganto mirror that took up an entire wall. Weird little half counter behind the toilet, suitable for storing… a box of tissues maybe and no much else. Faucet that could be found in a gas station bathroom.

Luckily, Mary took it from sinner to saint, saving it from Ugly Bathroom purgatory by updating pretty much every single thing in there. I love the wallpaper! I also love the simple shower curtain. If your shower curtain is the only thing doing the talking in your bathroom, maybe it’s time for your bathroom to repent too.

Check it out on her blog My Humble Blog. Thanks Mary!

September 20, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Putting the Luv in Loveseat

Yikes. Not that this red-velvet work of art was … um … trashy, or anything, but it looks like it came from the waiting room of the 24/7 Chapel o’ Luv on Las Vegas Blvd.

Hey, remember when Britney Spears got married for 55 whole hours at one of those places, back when she was super skanky and in her letting-it-all-hang-out phase?

And remember how lately she’s been looking all fit and trim, dating a respectable guy, reunited with basic hygiene and has kept her bits tucked away? And the sofa? It’s like the same thing.

From Better After reader Kira, who inherited this piece from her inlaws. She says, “We tore the entire piece apart, stripped the finish and removed all the old red velvet upholstery and spring seating. The finished project includes refinished wood with in a deep brown wood dye, new foam seating, yellow plush microfiber upholstery and brass tacks.”

Super classy job Kira!

September 20, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

16 In miscellaneous/ tables/dressers

Take a Stand

**RING RING***

Hi Grandma Jerri! How is my very favorite paternal grandmother? Great, let me get to the point. You know that TV in your family room? No, not that one, the one UNDER that one. The ancient TV that hasn’t worked sine the Eisenhower era, that is currently acting as a stand for the TV that does work? Yes, that’s the one. I’m coming for it. I’m going to take it off your hands, no need to thank me.

Grandma, just let it go. LET IT GO. No, you aren’t going to ever “use it for parts” trust me. Yes, I know Kyson is a talented mechanic, but I don’t think he can, or will ever get your TV running again, a) because it’s a TV not a car, b) because it’s a certifiable antique and c) why does it matter, you already have one that works! LET IT GO GRANDMA! If you keep this up, I’m going to come clean out your meat freezer when you aren’t home.

Ok.

Thanks Grandma. Love you too. Bye.

From the ever so talented Beckie at Infarrantly Creative. Thanks Beckie!

September 20, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

8 In tables/dressers

Dharma’s Initiative

If you squint your eyes and look closely, you can see that this before dresser was quite ugly. Actually, you could have probably stood across the street, glanced in this dresser’s general direction for a brief second with one eye closed, and STILL been able to tell that it was butt-to-the-ugly.

But take a deep breath and cast your eyes on the after. Are you ready? You’ll never be ready. Just go look at it already.