Better After

10 In bathroom

Pink Potty

What on earth was going on in this before bathroom? It certainly wasn’t lacking any, uh, character. And that is the strangest, tiniest, pinkest, most embroidered toilet I have ever seen.

Leah and her husband put in a lot of hard work to achieve the finished product. It began as a simple DIY project, but didn’t go exactly as planned (do they ever?) and ended up taking nearly 5 years to complete. Check out her blog Storybook Ranch to see more of the transformation.

Looks great now, though! I love the built in cabinet. Thanks Leah!

March 1, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In tables/dressers

Leafy Table

When your dining room table looks like this before, you really have nothing to lose. So Kristen took a chance on trying something new, and it paid off! Check out her blog Pajama Mama to see how she created this look for $0!

March 1, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In chairs/ottomans/seating/ decor

I see a zebra looking at me

These two projects aren’t related, but I think they would make a cute couple! Not that I think things that are related make cute couples. I just mean, two different people submitted these, separately… you know what I mean.

First, Jessica from Words Making Sounds purchased this mirror for $1.25 (So cheap!! My Goodwill is such a rip off, I swear). A quick and easy coat of white, and she looks brand new!

Secondly, the cute zebra chair redo comes from Ashlie, who paid $5 for it at a thriftstore. After an adventurous recovering endeavor in which she discovered old ramen noodles lurking deep within, Ashlie and her chair are now headed toward a beautiful ramen-free life together.

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February 26, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

22 In kitchen/dining

Sherri’s Kitchen

Sherri was determined to make a comfortable home for her kids after unexpectedly finding herself single and on her own in a new community. She purchased this three bedroom fixer-upper, and eventually, with “a little time, a lot of help from wonderful people, and not a lot of money!” she transformed it into a beautiful space for family and friends.

Here is how her kitchen started out: note the dashing – or should I say “clashing” – plaid wallpaper, orange paint, faux wood Formica and sickly yellow backsplash. Quite a contrast to the finished product. It is so much more inviting! Thanks Sherri!

February 26, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

20 In desks/hutches/buffets

2 Tone Sideboard

Caroline scored this antique sideboard on Craigslist for $50. It needed a bit of TLC, so she freshened it up with a two-toned look: distressed white on the bottom and a walnut stain on the top.

I know some people practically drop over dead when anyone paints an antique, but I say do what you love, gosh darn it. If it’s in your house and you’re looking at it everyday, it should make you happy.

If it’s in someone else’s house and worth lots of money, well, leave it alone.

Check out more on Caroline’s blog The Feminist Housewife.

February 25, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In bedroom

Pretty as a Princess

Jessica recently earned a cool-mom merit badge by making over her daughter’s bedroom for her 6th birthday. And the little girl knew exactly what she wanted: the color yellow and a canopy over the bed.

She must be thrilled with the outcome, it’s such a little princess room! It no longer looks like a bonus level in Super Mario Bros., what with the brick-like rectangles all over the wall.

I think the picture rail high up is also great, it brings the ceiling down to a more kid-friendly height. Thanks Jessica!