0

Living Rooms

Kitchens

Furniture

4 In kitchen/dining

Sandra’s Kitchen

Sandra’s before kitchen had a whole lotta wood tones going on. From the crown moulding, to the doors, to the cabinets, to the floors, it was a leetle bit much. 
 So she freshened it all up with a coat of white, not to mention some other heavy labor, like extending the cabinets all the way to the door, replacing lights, faucet, countertops, and dressing up the island with corbels and beadboard. Looks great, and I love how the white appliances now blend in so well. 
 Get a closer look on her blog Sawdust and Paper Scraps. Thanks Sandra!











May 3, 2010 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
5 In desks/hutches/buffets

Hello, Good Morning

This old buffet was that weird, ashy color that is supposed to make furniture look kind of informal and beachy, but in a cheesy way, like it was probably in a semi-upscale restaurant that featured a lot of artificial palm trees and stuff. Does that make sense? No? Well, it’s early, forgive me. 
 But Barb over on Knack worked her magic as usual, and I just love the color she chose. She finished if off with adorable red flower knobs, and it is perfection! She completely changed the whole mood of the piece. See more HERE.













May 3, 2010 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
6 In Uncategorized

Simple Matters

What a great sentiment! I heartily agree!

Jannet Howell is the owner of Better After’s newest sponsor, Simple Matters. Losing her job last year made her realize that in an ideal world, she could stay at home with her children while using her creativity and interior design background to supplement her family’s income. So that’s exactly what she did!
She began transforming and refinishing old furniture for family and friends, and slowly it turned into a “life consuming but incredibly fun” family business. It has been growing ever since, due to her expert handiwork at amazing prices.

(Seriously amazing … the most expensive item she ever sold was only $375!)

She has a great eye for detail, and I especially love how she re-uses the original hardware. It’s a pet peeve of mine to see a lovely, ornate piece of furniture sporting a set of sleek chrome handles that look completely out of place. Jannet has a knack for updating these types of items, while still keeping their character and uniqueness intact.
Her website has a “soon to be transformed” page where you can view unfinished pieces. If you see something you like, you can have it painted however you choose!
Or, if you’ve already got some furniture, but it could use a little sumthin-sumthin, Jannet is there to help. She can also help with pulling together color schemes for any room as well.
Simple Matters is based in Texas, but they recently started shipping after discovering that it’s hardly a hassle at all! Locals can give her a call for pick up and delivery at 832-212-4721.

Isn’t this detailing great? Just the perfect amount of distressing.

 

So many great finds over there! Check out what’s available for sale right nowHERE, like that black and white beauty above, or go say hi over on the Simple Matters blog!
April 30, 2010 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
14 In Uncategorized

Little River Cabin

Doesn’t matter if you live in a mobile home or a mansion, your home can (and should!) be beautiful. Kathy from My Little River Cabin had looked for ages for a comfy little weekend home. Priority number one was somewhere near water. Good looking, well that was negotiable. 
 She finally found exactly what she had been searching for and says “I contemplated this old place and decided it reminded me of me … old and scarred and in need of refreshment … a major facelift … only this facelift would be cheaper.”














She tackled both inside and out, refreshing the garden area (more like performing major surgery) and adding a great new deck.














Was this bathroom haunted? No silly, just a smudge on the camera lens. Love the after, mixing up some modern design with more ornate elements.
















How dark and dismal was this? Look how much light and space were added just by removing that awkward closet and banister, and installing new windows and a glass-paned door!
















Goodbye to the grungy gray carpet, faux wood paneling, scary wallpaper, and hello to style! How much do you love that mirror, because I loves it a lot.













 





 After all that work, she has turned her “tuna can” into the perfect homey place to enjoy the nearby river and finally relax! Much much more to see on her blog My Little River Cabin. 


Thanks so much Kathy!

April 30, 2010 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
4 In lighting

Three Lights

If you’re in the mood for a quick and easy update, grab an old lamp and a can of spray paint, what could be easier? Give the shade a makeover while you’re at it.
 You could try burlap, like this classy lil’ lamp from Allison at Design LIFE.













Or, for a sentimental touch, recycle something meaningful. When Jeanette’s baby outgrew her crib bedding, she saved the fabric from the bumper and recovered this little shade!













Or, get your arts-an-crafts on, like Annie, who lightened up this lamp with braided jute, inspired by a Ballard Design lookalike. Check out her blog HERE, her lamp is almost identical!


















April 29, 2010 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
Protected By
Shield Security PRO