Though they have no hope of holding all my supplies, there’s something about the look and feel of these old toolboxes that I just love. Why it never occurred to me to turn such a beautifully designed item into a wall display as Kim has done here, I will never know, but I’m thankful she’s…
Yellow is rarely my color of choice, but with all the cold, dark dreariness that winter unloads on my apartment, I’m really appreciating the energy of this beautiful, sunny chevron dresser. Courtney and her husband originally scored this dresser off Craigslist and painted it solid, but when they moved to California, Courtney decided to jazz…
Our second pretty painted-furniture piece today is this gorgeous metallic herringbone desk by restoration expert Ann Marie of Twice Lovely. It’s incredible what some elbow grease and a good wood stain can do for damaged wood, and if you can believe it, the pattern on this desk was drawn freehand with a simple metallic paint…
We’ve featured a couple of Sibylle Roessler’s Before & After projects before; her dining room was a huge hit back in August, and her airy, curated bedroom makeover was equally popular. For these rooms, Sibylle has employed a pretty simple but highly effective method of creating big change while keeping costs to a minimum. She…
I might be angering some die-hard upholstery experts out there when I say this, but I’m a firm believer in thinking outside the box when it comes to choosing fabrics. Clothing, rugs, industrial materials and even recycled non-textiles can be used to make an amazingly awesome upholstered chair. I love this chair from Katie Steuernagle…
I have avoided painting a piece of furniture in my home for a long time, opting instead for a mix of natural woods. However, if I were to bring a solid colored piece into the mix, I think something along the lines of this electric cobalt blue dresser from Natalie could be the way to…
I appreciate a workspace with a little bit of silliness, and this desk makeover from Kata proves that you can add whimsy to a piece of furniture without sacrificing a clean, modern look. I particularly like the dinosaur doorknobs and patterned top — super cute. Great job, Kata! — Kate Have a Before & After you’d…
We had a bevy of chair projects in our inbox, so I thought, why not share another trio of cool chair makeovers? The first one comes from Chyanne, who spotted this chair with an unusual back (and yucky upholstery) at a garage sale. After a heavy dose of sanding, staining and reupholstery, she wound up…
I’m a big fan of white-and-wood combinations on furniture, especially when they strike just the right balance of warm, rich wood and crisp, clean white accents. What I love most about this simple dresser revamp from Amy is that the dresser retains its vintage charm but seems so much more sophisticated and luxurious with its…
I’ve always wanted an actual dining room, but its never quite come to fruition yet. I’m in love with the idea of turning a random room into a fresh, beautiful dining space with a small table and floating shelving, just like Sibylle has done here. The space cost her next to nothing; just some elbow…
Metallic leaf is one of my favorite craft materials, but I’ve never used it on anything larger than a vase or a small wood project. This copper-trimmed vanity table from Nicole has inspired me to do more with the medium, especially after seeing how it sets off the fine wood. The warm, rich tones on…
Jesyka’s second project for the day is a very unusual way to use a birdcage, but once you see it, I think you’ll agree that more birdcages should be put to use in this way. I would never think to turn a birdcage into a ceiling light, but as Jesyka’s example proves, there are many…
Karen has delivered so many great before & afters in the past. There was the log table, the portable fire pit and the awesome bird bath. I’m excited to share yet another project from Karen that carries her signature qualities: cute, cheap and amazingly clever. According to Karen, the trick to these seemingly gravity-defying birdfeeders…
I’ve always been a fan of seeing embroidery on unconventional materials: porcelain, wood, metal, and so on. With a couple well-placed embroidered monogram letters, wood and craft workshop mentor Dana Israel has given this simple little chair infinitely more personality and sweetness. Wonderful job, Dana! — Kate
Chairs are unquestionably my weakness. I don’t think I can fit another chair in my apartment, and I even have a few that just hang out here and there in corners, but that didn’t stop me from buying stools at Brimfield. They’re like half-chairs, though, so it’s okay :) Whenever I try to stop noticing…
I’m a huge admirer of the quilts of Gee’s Bend, and I think part of the reason I love this reupholstered chair from Amy is that the seat has the same kind of modern looking, graphic-collage quality as the Gee’s Bend quilt designs. It provides a great contrast for the warm wood and curved lines…
Sarah’s beach cottage has had its fair share of chic salvaged furniture over the years: we featured Sarah’s chalkboard fridge last fall and her polka dot desk makeover a little over a month ago. Today she tackles a simple old wooden crate and gives it her signature laid-back beachy style. Great work, Sarah! — Kate Time:…
I have a weakness for mismatched chairs, so I’m feeling seriously envious of Jake and Jamie’s kitchen setup. We featured their amazing headboard before and after several months ago, and this stenciled kitchen table is another example of the pair’s clever and resourceful approach to decorating. Inspired by one of Barb’s “Before and After Basics”…
I really like it when graphic designers take on furniture renovations; they always find a way to add a beautiful graphic twist to the project. This cabinet from David is a perfect example. David loves typography and letter forms, so when it came to fixing up this cabinet abandoned by his home’s previous owner, he…
What I love about older homes and apartments is that you never know what historical curiosities you may uncover hiding inside. Our 1920′s duplex apartment has some provided some fascinating (a small telephone nook in the wall) and disgusting (a rat in the stove) findings over the past few years. Apart from evicting the rat,…
