I’m a huge fan of ceramic tiles in any context, and I’m counting the days until I have a place where I can install some. When Cat sent over her gorgeous kitchen remake, I was so thrilled to see such a bold use of tile. The deep ocean color of the tile is a perfect…
This is one of my favorite Before & After projects of late. It might be because I’m partial to loose drawers; they can be used for so many things, and vintage drawers have their own unique personality that gets hidden when they simply sit inside a cabinet. Amy clearly shares my attitude on the reuse…
The amazing creative adventures of Sarah + Sara! That’s what I’ve decided to label this post, and I sort of hope these two inventive ladies somehow meet up and turn this idea into a real thing. Sarah, whom you may remember from this credenza makeover we posted about a month ago, is back again with…
Here is the second installment of Percy’s 1915 home transformation. As you may know, I have a weakness for salvaged wood walls, and this guest bedroom room is making me way too envious. I also find it inspiring, though; Percy has tackled not one but several plain walls in his house to install a textured…
Okay, get ready for some serious eye candy. I know that term usually refers to attractive people and that I might be misleading you. For clarification, I’m a design nerd, so if I say “eye candy,” I’m usually referring to a great home or inspirational image. Percy bought this 1915 house around 13 months ago,…
I’m a bit late in my holiday preparations, as usual. I just managed to lug out my big box of lights and decorations yesterday, and I was surprised at how beat up everything looked. I might have to take a cue from these first two Before & Afters and repurpose some stuff to create fresh…
I was so excited to see so many great shop makeovers in my inbox. I often find myself fantasizing about what it would be like to open a shop, especially when I see so many lovely shops opening up all around the country. It seems like the current fragile state of retail has come with…
I know this might be a controversial makeover because unlike many of the kitchens we see, this “before” is actually kind of good looking. I’m not speaking about its functionality of course, which could be sub-par. However, if someone wants a completely different look, I’m the last person to stop them — especially if they…
It seems clear to me that retail is making a comeback, because we have three amazing shop makeovers coming your way today. This first store overhaul is clearly a labor of love, and the results are incredible. Emma recently opened up a vintage/handmade/cupcakes business with her sister Elsie in southern Missouri. According to Emma, they…
It doesn’t matter how many chair images cross my desk; I will never tire of seeing great re-upholstery jobs. For one thing, I love seeing all the different chair shapes and styles out there. Second, I just love chairs, and a picture of a beautiful chair will never cease to inspire me. Case in point:…
While it’s certainly true that dark, dramatic rooms can be breathtaking, I must admit that more often than not, I support anyone’s decision to lighten up a room. I accept that this feeling is probably biased by the cave-like apartment in which I currently live, but it seems right to say it, nonetheless. Blair’s dining…
When I moved into my apartment, I was slightly dismayed by the condition of the doors and trim. I’ve simply chosen to ignore it since then, but this inspiring project from Juli has given me a burst of motivation. Like me, Juli has been uninspired by the look of her door ever since she moved…
Sturdiness aside, I love the look of little legs on credenzas, tables, sofas — you name it. Actually, I’ve owned a few mid-century pieces of this nature and I can attest to the fact that while they may look wobbly, little legs do their job perfectly and look cute doing it. As someone with little…
I love seeing before and after projects where the “after” is so well crafted, it looks like something you would find at a small boutique or design shop. This little side table from Diana is lovely, and I love all the details, particularly the Moroccan-style tile patterns, which Diana made from a zillion plastic fuse…
When Mod Green Pod founder Nancy Mims sent along this email about a recent upholstery workshop held at Spruce Upholstery in Austin, I was tempted to get on a plane to Texas and take the next available class. I certainly do love a good upholstery job, especially when there’s a great selection of patterned fabric…
These two before & afters share a couple characteristics. Not only do they inject a much-needed dose of sunny yellow into my otherwise cold and drab November day, but they both display a significant amount of DIY ingenuity. This painted floral rug from Sarah has turned on a light bulb over my head — why…
This window-makeover project makes me want to run to the store immediately and grab some mirrored glass spray. And we all know how I feel about fireplaces (I want one!). So it’s safe to say that I’m in love with the way Elizabeth has repurposed this ornate window into a stunning statement piece to hang…
I love to see people using rooms for things other than their customary purpose. Corissa and Kris needed a place to dine, and since they have no space for a table in their kitchen, they decided to turn a spare bedroom into a dining room. For a “formal” dining room, this has a great casual…
After reading through my submission box last night I realized today was quickly turning into an all-before-and-afters day. But you guys really sent over some amazing projects this week, so I couldn’t resist sharing some extras. This amazing table was created by designer and builder Gregory Wilcox of Corvus Design Build. Greg purchased a huge…
There are some mornings when the idea of making over a room in my apartment seems like a paralyzingly difficult task. I look at my idea clippings and swatches and then just put them back down on my desk and decide to start fresh again tomorrow. But today I’m inspired to get up, pull my…
