Better After

Splish, Splash It's a Brand New Backsplash

2013-05-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

If you're going to do a backsplash, for crying out loud, DO A BACKSPLASH! What is going on with that weenie little square thing behind the stove here? How very puny and strange it looks. It should be called a backsplish.

Obviously, Shavonda at A Home Full Of Color wasn't feeling it, or anything else about this overly tan kitchen, and swapped it all out for a cool blue and gray color scheme and a beautiful brag-worthy backsplash.

She also lightened things up even more with open cabinets in this area, although there are no pics of the other side of the kitchen, which I'd love to see. Show us more, Shavonda!

Cheers for Chairs

2013-05-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

There are some things that are best purchased in pairs, if possible. Lamps. Chairs. Implants. Just a few suggestions. But today, let's talk about pairs of chairs. Amanda at Mommy Is CooCoo was lucky enough to find this perfectly nice set of linen chairs, but wasn't feeling their conservative non-vibe. She's got more of an eclectic style, if her metallic damask wallpaper hadn't already tipped you off. Slipcovers to the rescue! They add so much more color and drama, yet can be easily switched out on a whim, which I suspect happens often at Amanda's house.

And Kristen found this set of chairs, alike in shape and size and general disrepair, but brought them back to life with a deep turquoise and fun print. Did you know that it's good marital Feng Shui to have pairs of chairs in the bedroom? Lamps too. I'll leave that other one up to you. See more on Kristen's blog Cat Eyed KP.

A Garage Mirage

2013-05-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

When you hear the name 'Shelley' from Custom Slipcovers by Shelley, it will probably ring a bell, because I've featured her several times and done a couple giveaways of her "How To Slipcover" DVD. She is the real deal. She started making slipcovers for her own home just a few years ago, and became so darn good at it that it quickly turned it into a full time job.

And she was quickly outgrowing her space. She envisioned a roomy studio with plenty of workspace and storage, and decided that converting her garage was the best way to go. Once her husband realized that he would no longer be hauling furniture down into the basement, or tripping over furniture crammed into the spare bedroom and garage, oh, and that it would pay for itself, he was on board too, and the dream became a reality.

Check out Shelley's dining room chair slipcovers and living room makeover, and learn more about her instructional DVD here.

Come away with me, to Craigslist Island...

2013-05-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Julie's kitchen needed a kitchen island, but you know how custom islands can be. Essspensive. She didn't want to spend big bucks, she only wanted to spend about $100 bucks, which is exactly how much she paid for this massive buffet she found on Craigslist. Pros: sturdy and solid. Cons: fakey-fake veneer and not actually tall enough to be a kitchen island. Did that stop her? Don't be a silly pants. Of course not.

She worked some magic underneath to raise it up to counter-height, then added extra trim around the bottom. Then she primed and painted over the veneer and topped it off with a new zinc countertop, large enough to overhang so her family could belly up to the buffet, er, island. Fabulous.

Check out on her blog Tre Sorelle Cottage to see how she disguised the backside!

PS: Our hearts are heavy and prayers are with you, Oklahoma.

If you are looking for ways to help, look here.

Detective Detergent

2013-05-20T14:56:00.002-07:00

If my deducing skills are up to snuff, I'd say we have another case of 'entering the home through the laundry room' on our hands. I came to this conclusion by observing the deadbolt on the door and the coathooks and rug nearby. Or maybe I've been watching too much Elementary lately. (Have you been watching it? It's so good. The finale knocked my socks off!)

But back to the case. When I noted that Krista had disguised her telltale washer and dryer with a cute little curtain, I knew for certain that this was no ordinary laundry room. And my suspicions proved correct when Krista admitted that it was, in fact, a glorified mud room/laundry room/hallway/closet. Precisely why she was eager to add more functionality and style to this space. Case adorably closed.

See more on Krista's blog The Happy Housie.

PS: Congrats to our Folio Creations winner, Megan Harrison! I will be emailing you ASAP!

Dipping Down Dressser

2013-05-20T09:18:00.003-07:00

Are you a DIY dynamo? Or more of a take-your-time-a-mo? Or start-a-project-with-good-intentions-then-get-tired-of-it-quickly-and-pretend-it-doesen't-exist-when-you-see-it-sadly-sitting-there-in-your-garage-a-mo? I think you can guess what I am. But there's value in that approach too!

Shannon loved this dresser she found at an auction, but not so much the 'banana pudding' color scheme. So she gave it a coat of white primer, and got no further than that for nearly a year. But by then, the white had grown on her. So she finally finished it off with a glossy top-coat and a dipped look by painting the bottom in gold, and I'd say it was definitely worth the wait. See it on her blog Burlap and Lace.

And check out her makeover of the wall right here.

In Zinc

2013-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

You're all I ever wanted! Zinc furniture, you're all I ever needed, YEAHH. So tell me what to do now, 'cuz I can't ... afford ... you ... (That was an N'Sync joke in case you couldn't tell, or are way younger than me).

Yes, zinc furniture is what all the hip kids are into these days. Check out any Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware catalog, and you're sure to see some hardcore zinc happening. You are also sure to see price-tags that will make you choke on your own tongue. But, good news: you can easily recreate that zinc look yourself!

Check out this formerly flat, matte, and unexciting table top that Shelly at Shizzle Design made shine with several paint and wax treatments. At one point, she had sprayed water on the wet paint, which gave it a really cool aged and spotted look, but then she claims she messed up and added another coat which ruined it. I don't think it looks ruined at all Shelly, still looks great to me! It added so much more depth and detail.

So, if you like the zinc look, knock it off! As in, make a knock-off, like Carrie at Painted Furniture Ideas did with her nightstand. Check out her blog for a thorough rundown on how exactly she achieved the zinc-like finish you see here.

Debbie also hopped on board the zinc-train with this dresser makeover. The white had to go, as well as the flower decal, which she replaced with a nail-head design to complement the metallic motif. (Now that I think about it, maybe I should have started off this post with a Metallica joke instead. I'll save that one for another time). See it on her blog Painted Therapy

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be! You don't have work with large items of furniture only. You can zinc-ify anything. See what Kelly did with this little bird statue? So chic! Plus, she's got even more small items getting zinc-y with it on her blog DTTD: imagine design create.

And finally, one last attendee at our zinc round-up. This table from Aimee at The Vintage Estate was just dying for a zinc-treatment. C'mon, look at those handles. They were way ahead of the game. Now they look right at home with the new paint, which you'll notice has more of a white undertone, particularly on top. You could also go with more black to make a deeper look too. There are so many techniques out there for achieving this look, why not give it a shot! Then send your pictures to me!

PS: Last chance to enter the Folio Creations giveaway!

Win a $1000 Shopping Spree from Krrb and Apartment Therapy!

Details HERE.

Thrift Shop Hop

2013-05-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just want a quick fix, you know? Remodeling a bathroom? Reupholstering a sectional? Ain't nobody got time for that. So today I present to you some fun and easy projects that you could probably whip out in a few hours or less.

Step one: hop on over to your local thrift shop, where you are sure to find some decorative plates like Better After Britt did. But, turns out her daughter thought the old-fashioned girls were way creepy, so she opted to stencil on a set of bird silhouettes instead. Totally cute and non-creepy!

And while you're at the thrift store, don't be so quick to pass up something like this tulip-infested milk jug. Simply look past the speckled paint job and the dead-eyed stare of the cow in her wallpapered pasture and appreciate its curvy shape instead. It makes a fantastic vase! From the gals at Shabby Gals.

And, if you hit the thrift shop lottery like Christy did, you too might come upon a $13 wobbly old dress form that could use a little love. Christy put her back together, cinched her up tight and re-dressed her in a bold print that matched the bedroom, where she now stands at attention, proudly displaying jewelry. See her in action on Christy's blog This From That.

Win a $1000 Shopping Spree from Krrb and Apartment Therapy!

Details HERE.

California Dreaming Dresser

2013-05-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to my mom and sister who are living it up in California as we speak, without me. Bunch of lame-o's. They are planning to go to Disneyland and go shopping and hit the beach. I'm planning to fold some laundry and sweep my driveway. It's practically the same thing. Except NOT. They're probably drinking colorful beverages and hanging out of the back of a convertible and starring in a music video right now. Well, guess what? I've got this adorable dresser makeover by Debbie at Painted Therapy to distract me, so ... wait, is that a beach cruiser? Et tu, Debbie!?

Like that? Check out Debbie's red bike dresser right here.
*sniff*

Win a $1000 Shopping Spree from Krrb and Apartment Therapy!

Details HERE.

Boring Kitchen Affliction Eviction

2013-05-15T15:52:00.001-07:00

Chances are, you or someone you love suffers with Boring Kitchen Affliction. I've seen it a hundred times. Heck, I've seen this exact kitchen layout a hundred times. But Cheri wasn't content to live her life this way. She was sick of being sick of her kitchen. So armed with nothing but paint, stain, and a bit of lumber, she took charge and eradicated Boring Kitchen Affliction from her life one honey-colored cabinet at a time. Ask your doctor how you too can be Boring Kitchen free, or better yet, get more information on Cheri's blog Burlap and Tin.