Better After

When the Pixie Dust Settles

2012-02-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

Are you in the mood for a kitchen makeover that will blow your friggin mind? Good! I am actually in the mood for a blueberry bagel, but that's because I already saw this amazing kitchen. And now you can see it too! And we can gaze in wonder at it together! What a total transformation, huh? I think the only thing that stayed the same was the location of the sink and oven. You can't see it from here, but my very favorite feature is the double dishwashers! Geeeenius. You would never have to put dishes away again! Much more to see over on Michelle's blog Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust.

Baskets of Better!

2012-02-22T14:28:00.001-07:00

When I first looked at Karianne's bathroom here, I wasn't too terrified. In fact, I thought it looked pretty good, what with that dark-stained beadboard and the clawfoot tub (shell toilet notwithstanding). But then I saw the after and it really knocked my socks off. Then I looked closer at that amazing new sink and it knocked my socks off again! (Let's just pretend I was wearing two pairs of socks). It's light, it's bright, it's cool, it's casual ... it's better! Check it out on her blog Thistlewood Farm.

PS: I'm late the the party as usual on this, but did you know the Google Followers tool (Google Friend Connect) is allegedly going away? Urg. That's a super huge big bummer. BUT, luckily there is something even better to take its place: Linky Followers.

Linky Followers is a free tool to help you keep track of the blogs you love. (Not to mention the people who love YOUR blog!) It has a ton of great features, like a reader function, which allows you to read the most recent updates of your favorite blogs, plus organizational tools for you to categorize them. It's super easy to use. You can follow Better After by clicking on the Linky Followers tool right over there in my right sidebar ---->
(That would be really cool of you if you wanted to follow me.)
In fact, I will grant you a wish if you decide to follow me!
Not really.
What am I a unicorn or something?
But if I was a unicorn, I totally would.

Taming the shame.

2012-02-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

Uh oh, it looks like Alicia from Thrifty and Chic had a "Room of Shame." What probably began as a temporary place to stash some extra furniture and craft supplies, had slowly morphed into nothing but a destination to avoid on home tours. "What's behind that door, Alicia?" "What door? Oh THIS door? Um, it's the basement." "But you don't have a basement!" "I know! It's ... it's, uhh, unfinished. Just a dirt hole back there. Let's move along, shall we? Have I shown you the coat closet yet?" "But how can that be a basement if we're on the second floor?" "I SAID MOVE ALONG!"

At least, that's how I imagined it. Alicia, who is actually very nice and wouldn't really yell at you on a home tour, was ready to reclaim this space. She wanted to create a dually functioning office and guest room, and managed to do both perfectly. The clever curtain system hides all her office necessities, and now it's absolutely serene and dreamy. And that headboard? I'm a fan.

And now the office side ...

Great job Alicia!

Ceiling is believing!

2012-02-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

Pam looked up one day and noticed she had a boring ceiling. I bet 99% of us could look up and say the same thing. Yup, I just looked up at mine and noticed that I haven't changed my vent filter for waaaaay too long. So, that was less boring than I expected, and also super gross. Apparently, we should look at our ceilings more often.

So Pam decided a nailhead trim pattern would be just the ticket to Spruce-it-upville. All it took was about $65 worth of supplies and and endless supply of patience. And probably some neck rubs after the whole thing was over! Fantastic! Check it out on her blog Simple Details.

Gemma also had a boring ceiling on her hands ... or head ... or whatever. She was inspired to try a herringbone pattern and made the whole process look easy, even for those of us who may be challenged by math ... (or counting) ... (or painter's tape). It's the perfect punch of interest for this little space. I think I have ceiling envy. See more on her website The Sweetest Digs.

I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

2012-02-21T08:08:00.001-07:00

Do you remember that old movie The Watcher in the Woods? I know, I know, it was Disney's weak attempt at a 'scary' movie and everyone thought it was like, super lame, but guess what homie? THIS kid was scared. That stupid movie still continues to freak me out to this day. But am I freaked out by this wooded bedroom makeover from Jennifer at Migra[tion]? Ha! Not at all. I could sleep very peacefully in this lovely room. (With my nightlight on).

Hammer Time!

2012-02-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy President's Day! I don't normally get all that excited over President's Day, but I have a 5-year-old boy who thinks any holiday is cause for major celebration, (he burst into our room first thing this morning with a sincerely excited "MOM, DAD, it's PRESIDENT'S DAY!") so celebrate we will.

But first, I will leave you with this amazing coffee table transformation from Better After reader Peggy. I'd say she "nailed" it! HA! (Sorry). Not sure how exactly she accomplished this look, as she doesn't have a blog, but maybe she will enlighten us in the comments! Great job Peggy!

Islands in the Scheme

2012-02-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

Better After reader Angela didn't quite know what to do with this old table she nabbed from her uncle's garage (he wasn't using it) but since she'd been wanting a kitchen island, she thought "What the heckles!" (I'm paraphrasing) "I'll give this old table a shot!" She repaired and repainted the porcelain top which makes for some fabulous contrast with the raw pallet wood she added for extra support and storage. She is happy to report that the whole project was practically free, and she couldn't be more thrilled with her results!

So that's one way to island-ify your kitchen, but if the industrial chic look ain't your bag, then how about this frankenfurniture creation from Allyson at The MVP's of Mesa Town? Its kind of like what would happen if an old kitchen table and a cruddy thrift store dresser had a baby, and that baby went on to become President of the United States. Yeah, it's that freakin' rad.

An official office.

2012-02-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

Does your office need a makeover? Well, I would give my big toe to actually have an office, so stop whining. I'm sorry, I'm just cranky because my "office" is nothing more than a little nook in the hallway in between my kid's bedrooms, and there is constantly a lot of noise and naked barbies flying through here. It would be nice to have a door, that's all I'm saying. A door with a lock, if I'm dreaming big. And if I really wanted to dream big, I'd even imagine a happy yellow accent wall, a chic chandelier and a comfy spot for "creative refueling."

Yep, that about sums this office makeover up,
maybe Gemma from The Sweetest Digs will let me move in!

The Fabric Factor

2012-02-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

A boring office chair is OK if you have a boring office job.
Ha ha, I kid! A boring chair is never OK! Not when you could easily transform your standard issue khaki-colored chair with cute fabric and paint. That's right, BE the boss of your cubicle! Show the world what you have to offer! Take a stand, starting with your seat! I don't want to get your hopes up, but I'm pretty sure your fabulous chair will definitely get you a promotion.

This particularly plain chair was a $5 thrift store find from Better After reader Meghan. (Her first reupholstering project too!) Great job Meghan!

This next chair was anything but boring. But 'broken' and 'upholstered with the same green vinyl they use on school buses' weren't desirable descriptions either. Fun fabric to the rescue again! Anne reupholstered it, shined it up (I love the natural wood here) and put it back together, and now she's got a mid century modern masterpiece!
See more on her blog She Loves Life.

Do the Stumpty Stump!

2012-02-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

You might look at this before picture and see a plain ol' stump. But you are wrong! No, you are right, it's a stump, there's no fooling you! But strip away those mangy layers of bark, and sand and lacquer it until it's smooth as butta', and you know what you've got? You've got yourself a chic little stump table, that's what, AND also about $187 more bucks in your pocket plus shipping, had you been planning to buy the West Elm version. (Seriously West Elm?! $200!?)

I'm totally making one of these. From Francesca at Restyle Restore Rejoice.