Better After

5 In decor/ kitchen/dining

Backsplash Beth

I wouldn’t be surprised if my grandma has this very same wall hanging somewhere in her house, and she shouldn’t be surprised when I steal it next time I’m over there. I could modern it up just like Beth did and display it on a dramatic deep blue wall. This wall in particular is in Beth’s kitchen …

…that she recently made over as well! You can’t see the floral thingy in this picture, but check out her blog for the full story HERE. But wait, there’s more! Did you notice the new backsplash?

Well guess what homeskillet, she painted it on! As in faux, fabricated, trompe l’oeil!

But one thing that isn’t faux is her painting skill, she and her husband Nick now paint backsplashes as a business! Check it out:

How very cool is that?! Read all about it on her blog Sawdust and Embryos. Thanks Beth!

August 11, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In desks/hutches/buffets/ tables/dressers

XX & XY

Two equal opportunity redos coming your way. First up, a Legend of Zelda, yes you read that right Legend of Zelda desk. Catherine made this $10 desk extra special for her son, a “Legend of Zelda freak.” I’m totally doing this and winning some cool mom points.

Check it out on her blog Outside the Fishbowl.

And to swing the pendulum the other way, here is a girly girly dresser redo. Attempting a redo like this might win me some cool mom points eventually, when my daughter learns how to fully appreciate the fine art of furniture restoration. And how to talk.

Check this beauty out on Norma’s blog Younique 727, and if you’d rather open your wallet instead of a can of paint, you can buy it!

August 11, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In lighting/ outdoors/ tables/dressers

Lotsa Aqua

How about a fresh batch of turquoise redos to start your day? If you don’t like turquoise, well, I guess we can’t be friends. Just kidding! We totally can. I’ll just always wonder about you in the back of my head.

Hot pink beads! Maribou trim! This super girly glam chandelier redo is courtesy of my dad, who hung it in his tool shed. KIDDING! This is actually from Angela at Slaughterhouse Rules.

Snore of a door no more! Cassie from Hi Sugarplum! added some pizazz to her plain door with a paint and texture job meant to mimic the look of a weathered Old Mexico door.

Jessi made this little table pop with a Behr’s Gem Turquoise and white accessories. I just love the after picture, with the chalkboard and the flowers. And the turquoise. And the white. Did I mention that? Check it out here Shuggilippo.

A great way to liven up an old piece. And you can find these things EVERYWHERE! I saw two at the thriftstore yesterday. From Ginger at That Looks Like Craft.

More of a glassy green than turquoise, but still a pretty shade of aqua, yes? Katie must have the patience of Job, because I could not handle all the taping and painting that must have gone into this chevron design. Wish I did, it looks amazing! Thanks Katie! Check it out on her blog Katie Made.

August 11, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

11 In kitchen/dining

Childfree Kitchen

Ms. Childfree Chic emailed me her kitchen with the words, “Can you stand another white kitchen?”

You betcha. I know I feature a lot of white kitchens, but white just happens to be the big trend. Maybe in a few years we’ll all be painting our kitchens purple, but I doubt it. White is trendy yes, but classic and enduring at the same time. I predict it will be popular for a long time!

I like how she mixed up traditional cabinetry with open glass shelving. It really opens the space up. Maybe someday she could consider knocking out the soffit and extending her cabinets and shelves all the way up, or just leaving them open for even more space. What is the purpose of a soffit anyway? One of life’s mysteries.

More to see on her blog Childfree Chic!

August 10, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

3 In tables/dressers

Fabric-Cadabra!

Love, lu-HUV this nightstand by Natalie. It’s so adorable and makes me feel excited for fall, for some reason. Maybe it’s the orange leaves in the fabric (or paper, not sure) she used. Fall is my FAVORITE, in case you wanted to know.

And secondly, Luiza from O Canto da Casa sent in this dresser she recovered entirely in fabric! How in the world?? You can check out her blog to see how she did it, I think. It’s in Portuguese, so good luck with that. I did try the Google Translate button, which is so handy, but still a little iffy…

August 10, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In outdoors

Bree’s Backyard

This home was like a hospital gown. Bare naked in the back. So Bree wanted a deck, but not just any deck, one with a Japanese feel, with a pergola to hang lanterns from, sunburst designs on the side and build in planters.

And, thanks to her dad and bro-in-law, that’s what she got! Check out more pics on her blog Mod Blog. Thanks Bree!