Better After

Coffoman

Yeah… that’s a word I just made up that combines ottoman and coffee table. I think it’s going to be a big hit. Maybe. Probably not. Ok, it’s not.
So, not sure about nail head trim or the color blue, eh? Maybe THIS will change your mind! A fabulous coffee table makeover from Chris at Just Beachy. The blue and cream is so soft and lovely I want to curl right up on top and take a nap.

I love Chris’s laid back style. There’s so many choices of decor out there, beachy, vintage, modern, mid-modern, traditional, shabby chic, french, contemporary, monochromatic, etc, etc, etc. I want them all, I can’t choose a favorite! But beach style, you might be right up there at the top. Thanks Chris!

September 14, 2009 By Lindsey @ Better After

12 In desks/hutches/buffets

Entertainment Center

You may have noticed that the fleur de lis is a hot little item lately. Why, even I myself have two t-shirts, one pair of earrings and a little statue thing all sporting a fleur de lis in my home right now. I love the use of it on this corner entertainment center project by Sarah. It looks so crisp and clean, and I’m loving the black and white. Thanks Sarah!

September 14, 2009 By Lindsey @ Better After

19 In bathroom/ decor

Bathroom Redos & a Surprise!

It’s been awhile since I posted some room redos, so here come a couple bathrooms, can you handle it?!

Ok, first here is a lovely bathroom from AnNicole over at Our Suburban Cottage. (The after is lovely I mean, NOT the before, as you can plainly see by that “chic” banister room divider thing and the pepto-pink tile).
My favorite thing about this room is the price tag! She says it was only around $400 for this transformation. Bonus, she recently redid her master bath also, you can see for yourself HERE.

Next is a Before and After and After Again, from a certain Thrifty Decor Chick.

Unhappy with the paint color and trying to work with tall ceilings, Sarah added moulding and beadboard around her master tub.

Taking it a step further, she recently stenciled the moulding. (Secret: when I think of “stencils” as decor, I think of my college apartment that had a purple grapevine stencil sponge painted around the tippy top of the walls, early 90’s style. Cheesy!) But guess what? There are sexy stencils out there and not only does she prove it, she also has a tutorial on textured stencils too.

Then she tiled around the tub (by herself!). Even better! It’s like a fancy hotel, I’d say. Check it out HERE.

And I do hope you’ve stuck around for the surprise, because I LOVE it! It’s a dog bed made from an old table! What do you think about that?! I think it’s great. Rene from Paddywack Designs created this for her dogs to help keep them off the furniture.

I even thought about making one for my dog, but then I remembered that my dog is annoying and I really don’t like him that much. He’s glaring at me right now with his beady little eyes, thinking about peeing in my shoes again, I know it. We don’t get along, me and my dog.

Rene’s dogs look nice. I bet they would never drag dead crickets in the house and give them to the baby.

Not that that’s ever happened to me.

Have a great weekend!

September 11, 2009 By Lindsey @ Better After

13 In desks/hutches/buffets

Red Desk & More

Do all of your makeovers start and end with a can of spray paint? (Guilty!) If so, you should check out Marian from Mustard Seed Creations. If you haven’t heard of her yet, you will.
Her projects all showcase her unique style and her handpainted artwork. She could give my best makeover a makeover. But don’t feel overwhelmed! She’s very encouraging. “YOU CAN DO THIS!” she says, “It’s just paint!” Very lovely work, I’m so happy to feature her!

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September 11, 2009 By Lindsey @ Better After

13 In bedroom/ decor/ desks/hutches/buffets

Shanty 2 Chic

I think I must have been in the bathroom when they were giving out talents, because other than the fact that I can make funny shapes out of pancake batter, I’m severely lacking in the creativity department. Especially compared to Ashley and Whitney, the two sisters behind Shanty 2 Chic, who I’m pretty sure went back for seconds at the talent buffet.

This first project of Whitney’s has been posted on approximately 735 other blogs, so chances are you’ve seen it, but that just means it’s really good. So check it out again. Behold, the shutter headboard:

Headboard Tutorial HERE.

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Here’s another cute one. Not fans of the cheesy, pastel “FRIENDS” blocks, they transformed them into vintage looking dice! Love!

Dice tutorial can be found HERE.

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And this next project is super lovely. Who would have thought to remove the drawers and cabinets of that old highboy and line the back with burlap? Um, not me. I’m too busy making Speed Racer pancakes.

Check out the tutorial HERE, and find even more great projects on their blog to smolder with jealousy at.

I know what you’re thinking. “Hey, what about the Speed Racer pancake tutorial?” Ok, here it is: Speed Racer pancakes look like regular pancakes, only lumpier. Just don’t tell my 3 year old.

September 10, 2009 By Lindsey @ Better After

9 In decor

Initial Decor

I’m giving you the after first, just because the before cracks me up!

Alicia from Thrifty and Chic Motif was swooning over some Ballard Design decor but was not so much in love with the hefty price tags. She particularly wanted this, but thought $78 for a trash can was crazy. (That is crazy! Who do you think you are Ballard Design? Don’t you know what people put in bathroom trash cans?)

So armed with a glue gun, she made her own version at the cost of free! I love it.