Better After

JJ’s Pretty Pleats

JJ over at the Blah Blah Blahger had this nice chair that just needed some new paint and fabric to be truly beautiful. Only it’s never that easy, is it? Once she dug in, she discovered several layers of fabric, then wallpaper(!), then plastic covering the seat, and layer upon layer of paint that needed to be sanded away.

The final product was worth it, I’d say, and check out the added detail of the pleating on the seat! What a perfect extra touch! Thanks JJ! See more HERE.

February 22, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

Entry Fixer Upper

What are you doing this weekend? Any big plans? If not, here’s something to think about. What is the first thing you see when you enter the house? Not your guests who ring the doorbell out front, YOU.

If you’re like many people, you probably enter your home through the garage. Maybe you pass through a mud room, pantry, or laundry room. Why shouldn’t that space be welcoming and beautiful too?

Emily from Frilly Details thought so. So she turned her ugly walk-through laundry room into an inviting area that says “Hello! I’m so glad you’re home!” I would smile walking into this room every time.

So think about fixing something up just for you. Maybe a closet that no one else will ever see, or the inside of the doorway from the garage. It’s your home after all, help it make you happy!

February 19, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In kitchen/dining

Photoshopped Kitchen

Loving the before shot of Erin’s kitchen here. She forgot to take a before, so she just (un) fixed it right up with photoshop! Cool with me, all I require is a before and after!

She wasn’t a huge fan of this kitchen when she and her husband first moved in. She tried to spice things up with the tin backsplash, but that wasn’t enough. So she rolled up her sleeves and got busy, and I think the end result is fabulous. The tin backsplash really pops and the dark countertops work so much better with the white. See the whole transformation on her blog Domestic Adventure. Thanks Erin!

February 19, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In bedroom

Bye Bye Boog

Kelley has a habit of Tearing Up Houses. Her great blog is full of tales in chronic renovating.

Here she took a tiny “booger colored” guest bedroom, and made it so light and airy that she managed to fit a queen size bed and a desk in there and it still doesn’t feel cramped. Check out her blog HERE for tons more pictures of this beautiful room and the accessories she dressed it up with.

February 19, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

8 In tables/dressers

Twofer

I’ve been bogged down lately! Can’t seem to keep up! I swear, my laundry has figured out how to reproduce itself and my emails go unanswered longer and longer! Sorry, someday I’ll figure it all out. And then I’ll probably die the next day, because I will be 109 by the time that happens.

To compensate for my general lacking-ness, here is a two-for-one deal! Two blah dressers into two great redos, coming your way:

First: a pink cabana-style dresser from Denise at The Painted Home. Love the dresser, but I really love that before pic! Drawers open, clothes every which way. Hmmm, looks familiar..

Second, take a look at this fun dresser redo from Pamela at Be Colorful. She redid this dresser to sell it, but when she did, she was a little sad to part with it. I would miss all that personality too! Thanks so much ladies!

February 18, 2010 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In living room/ other rooms

Hole in the Wall

Amanda had some issues with her living/dining room situation. Unable to completely knock down the existing wall separating the two, she did the next best thing and opened a window!

Bonus: now they can see the TV from the dinner table! “We love our Wheel of Fortune,” she says. Looks great and adds a lot more interest to the space. Check out more on her blog

Little House on the Corner.