These Ikea dressers should be inducted into some kind of furniture hall of fame. I know we all have a complicated relationship with Ikea furniture, but the Malm dresser is inexpensive, attractive, easy to assemble, holds a TON of stuff and — as this makeover from Josue clearly illustrates — is essentially a blank canvas…
I’m spotting more and more furniture with color-blocked or dip-dyed legs, and I for one am totally on board with this trend. It adds a modern, unexpected touch to a simple design; plus, it looks like the chair or table stepped in a puddle of paint, which is awfully charming. This simple painted desk from…
After being discovered in a garbage heap, this table received an exciting new look in the capable hands of Nicolaich, a designer based in Athens, Greece. The lovely striped pattern inspires me to be more adventurous when painting old furniture. The mix of solid stripes and natural wood; the vintage-inspired color palette; the white-dipped feet…
Expert scavenger and DIY genius Karen is back again with this simple log table design. After seeing a log table she liked in a magazine, Karen decided to take matters into her own capable hands and make a quick and easy budget-friendly version. We’ve included the instructions after the jump, but to view the full…
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:…
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…
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”…
if you caught peaches’ diy project yesterday, you are well aware of her love of color and unusual objects (i loved the male bust vase, it was like a giant floral chia pet). this quick figurine makeover is another awesome idea; with a little glue and paint, this headless matador has been brought back to…
sometimes i think that the before & after column should instead be called “awesome scores”, because i frequently find myself insanely jealous of the furniture you readers manage to acquire. this director style rocking chair (!) is further proof of this. i love this piece. ashley was no fool about it either; i think she…
okay, i know that painting wood is a very touchy subject. forget coke vs. pepsi; wood vs. paint is the biggest showdown in consumer goods these days. (note: did i just choose an incredibly outdated pop culture controversy? i think i did. what’s a more contemporary pop culture rivalry? i need to be brought up…
the amazing barb at knack studios is at it again, and i am very happy to see what she’s been up to. much like the other projects from barb that we’ve featured (this dresser project and desk makeover are some of my faves), this old dresser is an amazing display of what some imagination and…
i really enjoy when people incorporate sayings, poetry, and quotations from literature and film into their homes. i’ve had a special poetry project i’ve wanted to work on framing for a while (this poem, handwritten by someone i love), so when i saw this makeover involving poetry i was instantly intrigued. liz from sticks and…
today’s first before & after is the perfect example of why my favorite color combination (yellow and grey) works so well together. jenn from chet and dot spotted this sad little secretary on the side of the road and brought it home for a little makeover fun. there was a hole in the front of…
i’ve got an afternoon of before & afters coming up (i’m posting until 2pm today, rather than 1pm) today, so i wanted to start things off with these fun projects from stacey and stephanie. first up- stacey‘s make-under. stacey’s boyfriend phil found this old desk on the side of the road covered in graffiti and…
last but not least, we’re wrapping up today’s before & after selections with gorgeous suitcase and fan makeovers (stay tuned for a new we like it wild at 1pm!). first is marianne from the netherlands and her lovely suitcase transformation. her old suitcase was given new life as a wintery white bedside table. so beautiful….
invitation designer christine van duyn sent in this great desk makeover. christine had been working from her home but decided to find a retail space when she outgrew her home studio. the process of making over the raw retail space seemed daunting and expensive, so christine decided to get the majority of her new furniture…
i’ve got a serious soft spot for yellow. every time i bring yellow flowers or accessories in the house i find myself thinking, “why don’t i do a yellow-themed room?” but i somehow never get around to it. but these before & after projects have me thinking yellow again. first up- french reader jessy‘s yellow…
today’s final before & after (stay tuned for “we like it wild” next!) comes from kate leary of mi piace kate design. kate and her partner recently moved to san francisco and have been trying to blend together their two very different design aesthetics. they found this wood table on craigslist for $75 and decided…
this first before & after comes from artist veronica diago. she enjoys diy projects and decided to apply her handiwork to a project for her son. she picked up an old night table from a garage sale and transformed it into a cool modern table- complete with airplane detailing for her son’s “obsession”. veronica’s little…
wen from the lazy peacock sent in this crafty before & after. after picking up this nightstand at a local thrift store for $4, wen thought that the little piece has potential. deciding that the nightstand needed some rounded feet, wen attached a cute pair with liquid nails, found a plain 10″ ceiling medallion at…
