I'm so excited to share today's Before & After Friday Projects -
you're going to be surprised at the subject and at the results.

Whether it's in the kitchen, in the bathroom, or on the floor,
replacing tile is expensive, messy, and time consuming.
An inexpensive alternative?  Paint it!

The tile mural on this kitchen's counter was very dated:

After:

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Click here for the step-by-step tutorial.



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This bathroom transformation is almost unbelievable:

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The original Harvest Gold tile in this bathroom, along with the
tinted sliding glass doors, needed to be brought into the 21st Century: 

Here's a better view of the 'after':

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Here's another project that shows the amazing
difference painting the tile can make:

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Painting a tile floor can be a daunting challenge.
But the results are pretty awesome:

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Another impressive painted tile renovation:

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Redbook Magazine featured a tutorial on
how to add a decorative touch to tile:

Step 1:  tape the pattern

Step 2:  prime the surface with a thin coat of high-adhesion primer

Step 3:  Apply an even coat of epoxy paint

Step 4:  After 24 hours gently pull off the tape

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Beautiful!

Just painting the grout can freshen the tile.
Before:

 After:

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Most of us aren't that familiar with painting tile but a little
online research will result in lots of articles and videos on the
process.  If you're less than thrilled with your tile, consider
painting it.  Makes sen$e!

Seriously?  Decor of the 1970s is going to make a comeback?

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Can you spot the refrigerator in this kitchen:

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,My parents had a velour bedspread.  It was so soft and cuddly.

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Occasionally you can find older houses listed

for sale that still have wall with glass squares:

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Scandinavian inspired fireplaces were big in the 70s.

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Is it me or does this fireplace resemble Darth Vader?

Regardless of how you feel about 1970s decor, you

have to admit that it was definitely colorful and bold.

Did you know. . . . . . . . 

 that antique and vintage medicinal products and

containers have become even more collectible?

Listerine was invented 134 years ago but it took 75 years for it to find its niche in the mouth

wash industry.  When first introduced to the public Listerine was hawked as a surgical antiseptic,

later as an additive to cigarettes, a feminine hygiene product, a cure for the common cold,

and a dandruff treatment.

The 1902 Sears Roebuck catalog offered Dr. Rose's

"magical wafers" for help with their customers' complexions.

Unfortunately, they also contained traces of arsenic.

"For Children During Nursing and Teething"

Ever heard of Soothing Syrup?  It was removed from the market in 1938 after

being sold across the counter for almost 90 years.  Each fluid ounce contained

65 mg of morphine.  Other active ingredients were cannabis, heroin, powdered

opium and ammonia.  Practically sold itself! 

The next time you reach for a Bayer aspirin remember that the company

started out as marketers of medicinal heroin.  Originally sold as a cough

suppressant for children, Bayer's heroin was suppose to be a non-addictive

alternative to morphine.  By 1913 hospitals were seeing so many children

addicted to the 'medicine' that Bayer was forced to stop production.

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This 100 year old bottle of Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription is priced at $18 on eBay.

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This lot of 3 vintage pharmaceuticals is currently priced at $16.

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This cough syrup contained over 10% alcohol!

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Alcohol was also one of Dr. Kilmer's secret ingredients.

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You might have needed Cann's Kidney Cure if 

you took too much of Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root.

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This impressive lot of glass bottles and jars is available for

$95 on eBay.  You can acquire an entire collection in one click!

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Bottles with original labels are much more collectible.

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Chloroform was an active ingredient
in Hayes' Healing Honey Compound.

The next time you visit a flea market keep an eye out for collectible
medical jars and containers.  Just make sure they're empty.