Better After

Aloha Oy!

Ok, do yourself a favor and print out the pictures from this post. Then, the next time you come stumbling up the driveway, dragging a dilapidated, weather-beaten, piece of refuse that you have scrounged from your neighbor’s trash pile behind you, and your significant other starts giving you the stink-eye, what you do is whip this post of of your pocket, wave it in his face, and continue stumbling triumphantly onward.

Check it out on Lindsay’s blog From the Aisle to Aloha to see some of the unorthodox methods she used to resurrect this bench! Great work Lindsay!

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 17, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In desks/hutches/buffets/ tables/dressers

Making It Hers

This before dresser is … a little creepy. Probably only to me, because when I look at it for too long, it kind of looks like an owl face, and have I ever told you that OWLS are TERRIFYING? The way they tilt their heads and look at your with their big weird eyes and blank faces, and then they can swivel their heads all the way around and that’s weird too, and I’m pretty sure owls want to kill all humans.

So what a relief to see this fantastic makeover from Shelbie at Making it Mine, because now I just see a fabulous dresser.

And check out her great desk redo too, I am IN LOVE with that chunky bottom. Um. Yeah. That sounded a little grosser than I intended. Click HERE for a closer look!

See what I mean? Chunkay!

Oh hey, and while you’re here, have you ever wondered about painting furniture?

Sure you have.

Wouldn’t it be great if you had a foolproof guide, giving you step by step instructions

and tried and true tips on getting the very best results?

Sure it would!

How in the heck do I “glaze?!”

To sand or not to sand?

What kinds of tools do I need, yo?

Well, Mandie at Altar’d has put together all you ever needed to know about painting furniture in an e-book you can download right now!

Everything from how to find that perfect piece of furniture to swiping on the final coat of poly, plus tips and tricks she’s figured out along the way.

For instance … “Tip: If you don’t have fine sandpaper on hand, a brown grocery sack is the equivalent of fine sandpaper and you can just tear off a square and use it on your furniture to smooth the surface.”

Who knew?

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

Click the link to download your copy today!

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!

September 17, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In living room

This redo’ll make ya … jump jump!

Kristen and her husband Chris (who, with their matching names could have totally named their blog, like “Kriss Cross” or something else really wiggity wiggity wack) have chronicled their exploits in renovating on their blog Nails and Thread.

One of the first items of business was de-grampa-ifying their living room. The blue carpet had to go, as did those vertical blinds. Look what was hiding behind them! What a great window.

But the most dramatic improvement came by opening up that back wall into the dining room. SO much better. Thanks for sharing Kristen!

September 17, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In kitchen/dining

Destroying the Dungeon

Friends, your kitchen should not feel like a dungeon. It should feel happy and vibrant, and if it doesn’t well, whip out some green paint (or any happy color of your choice) and make it so!

That’s how Better After reader Virginia brightened up this kitchen. She also opened it up by ripping out those cabinets overhanging the island … well, it’s not really an island, more like a peninsula … counter thing .. you get what I’m saying. Great job Virginia!

Random side note that has nothing to do with anything… My husband can NOT say the word Virginia. It always comes out like “Fffurrrginia.” Isn’t that funny? I think it is!

September 16, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In chairs/ottomans/seating

Wicky Wicky Wicker

I think I’ve actually seen this before chair in person, on the the pool deck of my grandparents retirement RV park, occupied by a sun-loving, Speedo-sporting senior citizen.

I have to say, I much prefer it in its after incarnation, all colorful and punchy. Love the accompanying nightstand and teapot too, what a great place to curl up and read! Check more out from Lydia on her blog A Little Bit Shabby.

September 16, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In kitchen/dining

Dancing Kitchen

Lindsey’s blog is called Dancing Through Life, and I’m sure she is now thanks to her lovely kitchen redo. Not digging the hokey-oak cabinets and overall drabness of this kitchen, she gave the whole scene a light, bright eye catching makeover.

Not sure if the fan is new or not, but it looks good. What’s your verdict on fans in the kitchen? I’m torn… sure they keep you cool in the hottest room in the house, but then I start thinking of all the dust mites and dead skin cells being thrust down into my food and then I freak out. But maybe that’s just me.