Better After

8 In tables/dressers

Putting on a Front

Did you know that today is National Pink Day? Well, I didn’t either, so I don’t have any pink makeovers lined up for you today. Sorrytimes. Maybe I’ll get around to that later in the week. Or later. Ask my sister, who is still waiting on a present from me for her birthday … in May. I swear I’ll get around to it, I always do!

Just like someday I’ll get around to making over a dresser exactly like this one from Vicki and Amy at Canary Street Crafts. I do love it so.

It looks amazing and complicated, but because the boat graphic is only in one color, I think it could be pretty doable! Putting this one in my “Seriously, I’m Going To Do This” file. And also in my “See Honey, I Told You That Overhead Projector I Bought Two Years Ago Really Would Come In Handy Someday” file.

And if you liked all that jazz on the front of that dresser, then you’ll enjoy this one from Kathryn at The Junk in our Trunks. She lightened it up and gave it a retro feel with …

… this gorgeous gal! She’s cute, even if she seems to be judgmentally evaluating your clothing decisions: “Goodness, yoga pants four days in a row? How delightful! And is that another messy bun I see? Why, I could never pull that off!”

June 23, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

5 In chairs/ottomans/seating

From Vile to Virtuous

Did Satan’s brothel have a yard-sale? Because I’m pretty sure that’s where Sharon picked up this sofa.

Oh, the stories that tattered red velvet could tell. But Sharon had faith that she could turn this lady from a tawdry past into a respectable member of society, even if no one else did.

She was right! What a classy gal! She removed the velvet and approximately one bimillion staples, then had it recovered in a gray microfiber weave. She painted the frame and antiqued it with wax, and that’s not all!

She did a chair too! Can you even believe she bought both pieces for $90 total!? Sheesh Sharon, next time Satan has a yardsale, let me know!

Check out the whole process on her blog I Restore Stuff.

June 22, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

7 In bathroom

Rustic Radness

Lauren at Bless’er House didn’t have a hideous bathroom to contend with, she had something far more paralyzing: a blank slate. That’s how I think of it anyway. If your bathroom is a crime scene of outdated decor, broken fixtures and offensive odors, at least you know where to dig in and start. A blank slate is like starting a race at the finish line. At least for me. Are you that way too?

Or are you like Lauren, who used her blank slate bathroom as a jumping off point into a full-blown rustic designed room redo?

I want to be like Lauren! I love all the details she’s added to bring this room to life! Did you notice how she trimmed out the window? Did you notice the TUB? You didn’t, because I haven’t shown you yet. But I’ll show you right now!

How cool is that?! Read all about her planked wall makeover on her blog, but before you go, did you see her SHOWER? It’s my favorite part.

It’s just spray paint and polystyrene moulding! And a few other things. Grand total was less than $60! Check out her full shower door makeover tutorial to learn how to make your own. Awesome work Lauren!

June 19, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

4 In desks/hutches/buffets

Apothecarrying Capacity

Apothecary cabinets are the stilettos and white carpet of the furniture world. Lovely to look at, but so darn impractical. You don’t really needs 35 weensy little drawers unless you are highly organized hoarder of tiny things, or an actual apothecaratherapist, which you aren’t, because I just made that job up.

But Amy managed to marry serious storage with apothecary style when she made over the bottom half of this dated china hutch:

She tore out the cabinets and drawers and made two big cabinet doors instead, with fake drawer fronts! You could either glue on squares of wood to create this look, or carve the squares directly into the doors with a router, which was what her husband did here. I also like how she built the new top too, the square lines look so much better than the rounded edges from before.

Read the whole how-to on her blog Highstyle Restyle

June 18, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

6 In kiddie/ Uncategorized

Step On It

Raise your hand if you prefer wood furniture pure and unpainted.

Raise your hand if you have no problem painting anything.

Now raise your hand if you hate stepping on Legos.

Ahhh, something we can all agree on!

Everybody knows that stepping on Legos is the worst, but Crystal at Fussy Monkey Business has developed a cure for for Steppedonanotherdamnlegoitis: this adorable play table.

Truthfully, your kids will probably still leave Legos on the floor, but at least you can have somewhere cute to throw them as you hop around howling and swearing!

Yoohoo, big summer blowout! Shop Eleventh Avenue’s summer sale now! (affiliate link)

June 17, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

11 In living room

Golden Star Warriors

Have you ever wanted to paint a wall black and then chickened out?

“I could never!” you snivel to yourself. “What would the neighbors say?! What if … what if … what if it makes everything seem … DARK???!!”

Well, yeah. If you paint something black, it most likely will feel dark because science. But what’s wrong with dark? Some of the best things in life are dark. Examples: Dark meat. Dark chocolate. Dark humor. Darkwing Duck.

Lindsay at Another Mormon Mommy Blog crossed over to the dark side and didn’t look back, glamming up her living room wall with matte black paint and gold stenciled stars.

It’s the first thing you see when you walk into her house, and I imagine it leaves guests oohing and ahhing and secretly shaming themselves for not thinking of it first, because it’s not like NOW they can go and paint their walls like this without looking like a total copycat. That’s what I would think anyway.

June 16, 2015 By Lindsey @ Better After

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