Better After

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.

From white to RIGHT white.

2013-05-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

If you've ever needed help explaining to others why the heck you bother painting something just to sand it up and distress it when you're done, I present to you this dresser makeover from Christina. Before: white and distressed. After: white and distressed. But OBVIOUSLY better! Right? Right!

So the next time some smart-alec tries to give you a hard time about painting something old just to make it look more old, simply show them these pictures and be like, OH YEAH? WELL WHO'S THE IDIOT NOW, YOU INCOMPETENT FOOL!?! Actually, that wouldn't be very nice, I don't advise that. Just let the pictures speak for themselves.

See more from Christina and her lovely $20 flea market dresser on her blog The Frugal Homemaker.

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

Details HERE.

In The Auto Zone

2013-05-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Gentleman, (all, like, six of you) start your engines. I've got some man cave inspiration for you. It all began with this $25 vanity from ReStore, which looked like an unsalvageable hunk of water-damaged firewood to me. But not to Eden. Eden knew this could be the perfect starting point for her manly-man bathroom makeover.

With a completely blank slate of a bathroom and three boys plus a car-obsessed husband in her pit-crew, she hit the automotive-theme throttle full force and didn't look back. You have to check out her blog DIYHer for all the details, like the tire-mats she used for the black wall, the pegboard wall, the faux 'vessel' sink, the aluminum plating that cost her a mere $47, and the toolbox for holding toiletries. Take a victory lap, Eden!

Also, check out Eden's unforgettable Mama Cave too!

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

Details HERE.

Santa n' Pants

2013-05-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! Today my two best gals Jilly and Mia from Girls With Good Taste are coming to visit me and be my DIY gurus for the day. We've been trying to arrange a get-together for almost an entire year now, and today is finally the day! I'm not even exactly sure what we're going to be doing here at my house, but I can guarantee it's going to be awesome, whatever it is. Can't wait to show you the results, whatever they are! Follow along on Instagram @betterafterlnz to see what we're up to!

In the meantime, please enjoy the following chair makeovers, first from Sara at It’s Good to be Queen. Her chair was big and comfy and stolen from Santa's hunting lodge. Not really, but with all that red and green plaid, you never know. She updated it with a natural linen, and although the trellis inserts looked cool, they were a flimsy plastic and not worth saving. Now the whole thing is airy and right instead of merry and bright. (Like the Christmas song? Ha! Get it? Oh, nevermind).

And can you believe Better After reader Giedre found this chair on the curb? Ok, in the before state maybe. It it wasn't in terrible condition, but that fabric was what I would call 'Grody Granny.' So she ripped off the dust ruffle and reupholstered the whole thing in denim. I just love how it turned out! And if you have the urge to try it yourself, Giedre says it was surprisingly easy. You just need patience. And a LOT of pants. So many that you might get desperate and rip them off of innocent denim-wearing bystanders. You should probably put up a warning sign or something.

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

Details HERE.

Wanderlusty

2013-05-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

Going somewhere? Wishing you were on your way home? Either way, this little suitcase table would be the perfect bedside companion, wherever you are! Great for homebodies and wanderlusters alike. I don't think wanderlusters is a real word, but I'm considering naming my band that. I don't actually have a band, but don't steal my name in case I ever have one, ok? Shhh, don't Google it and tell me there's already a Japanese cover-band or something named The Wanderlusters, I don't even want to hear it. Just let me keep the dream alive!

From Reeves at The Weathered Door.

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

Details HERE.

Oxymaroon Bedroom

2013-05-13T09:59:00.001-07:00

Oxymoron alert: Can a room be both energizing and soothing at the same time? I think yes! Take a look at Melissa's master bedroom makeover, and I bet my bottom you'll agree. It has so much more life and energy now, as opposed to being a room that only the most rabid ASU fan could love. Or Cleveland Cavaliers fan. Or a Winslow High Bulldogs fan. There's really only so much you can do with a maroon and gold color scheme.

But now, it's so light and bright and sparkly and happy. It's gorgeous. See all the details on Melissa's blog Living Beautifully … One DIY Step at a Time.

Did you notice the new light fixture? Only about eleventy billion times better than what was there before.

Don't forget to enter the Folio Creations Giveaway, win 3 8x10 prints of your choice! Right here.

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

Details HERE.

Folio Creations Giveaway!

2013-05-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

If you've been looking for a great way to spice up your space, holla, because I've got good news for you! Today Folio Creations is giving away three free custom prints to one lucky Better After reader!

That's right, any three 8x10 prints of your choice, and boy oh boy there are a lot to choose from. Here are just a select few that I love:

Best Day Ever. Dare to Be Different. Cut Me Some Slack. You Can Go Your Own Way.

From hilarious to heart-warming, these clever prints are offered in several color palette options and printed with only the finest archival quality papers and inks.

Adding Love

Folio Creations offers hundreds of unique designs and color options. If you don't see exactly what you're looking for, Rachel is happy to work with you on a custom order, (though not applicable to the giveaway prints).

These city prints are from her geography series, and if you are a bit of a word nerd like myself, you will love her punctuation series too.

London. New York. Chicago.

Perfect for matting, framing, hanging, displaying, or however else you like to show off your artwork!

I Was Lost

One more. I love this chalkboard-art style. Perfect for that DIYer in your life. Like most all of her prints, this one comes in many color options as well.

Just Roll With It

Enter to win THREE CUSTOM PRINTS now!

Entering is easy! Simply leave a comment here. "Like" Folio Creations on Facebook to receive an extra entry and stay up to date when new items are added to the shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, I hope you win!