A Dabbled Dwelling

Dabble your way to a dream home

Archives for September 2021

Dresser Turned Miter Saw Stand

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As a frequent DIYer I use and abuse my miter saw. It takes up a big chunk of my garage work bench and delivers a constant snow of sawdust all over the area. When working on my bedroom makeover, fellow DIYer, Cara, told me there was a better way and made me promise to keep my old dresser as a future project. Inspired by her original Miter Saw Dresser Tutorial, I finally tackled it and my DIY life is forever changed! Thank you Cara! Read along for all the details on how this dresser turned miter saw stand!

HOW The Dresser Turned Miter Saw Stand

First, I had my husband help me flip this baby upside-down to add 3″ casters. I wanted to be able to roll this dresser towards the front of the garage for better sawdust ventilation. My husband joked that it was going to go flying down the driveway into a neighbors car so I made sure the wheels were able to lock.

Here, you can see WHY a miter saw stand is necessary. When cutting a large piece of wood, it doesn’t sit level on the saw’s surface. Typically I have to stack scraps under one end. The solution is to build up the surface of the dresser to create a level work top. I measured the height of my Ryobi sliding miter saw and subtracted the 1/2′ MDF I planned on using for my new surface. This gave me a measurement of 3″ and 1/8 to cut my supports.

After cutting some scrap 2x4s at 3″ and 1/8, I screwed them onto the top of the dresser. Then, I set my 1/2″ MDF on top, glued, and screwed down into the supports. Now I had a level work surface with my saw! You can see in the above images how my saw sits on the original dresser top. I decided to box it all in, knowing that leaving it open would just collect dust. I was in luck that a 1×5 board fit perfectly so I nailed that around the outsides. Then, ripped the same board down for the shorter/inside pieces that sit next to my saw.

Finally, I painted the dresser “Waterscape” by Sherwin Williams with my paint sprayer and added some fun little accessories! The pencil holders are PVC pipe that I sprayed gold. The sheets of paper are my project planning printables (FREE for blog subscribers). I have also linked my favorite safety glasses and dresser knobs below. This dresser turned miter saw stand has been so convenient and I love using something “pretty” to create more pretty things!

Simple Seasonal Styling (Fall)

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Do you get overwhelmed trying to keep up with decor trends while the seasons are ever changing? Whether you’re the person digging through the attic for your pumpkins on September 1st or the person who rejects any sign of fall, seasonal decorating doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With these 3 simple seasonal styling steps you can make your home decor make a smooth transition to any season.

1. Choose Warmer (Or Cooler) Textiles

Since I’m decorating for fall I’m going to go warmer with my textiles like blankets and throw pillows. I like earthy tones for the fall season. If I was transitioning to spring or winter my desired color palette might be different. Heres an example of how the colors of my home change throughout the year. Some colors repeat but create a different vibe overall.

Fall, Winter, and Spring Color Palette


This fall I chose a muted green throw pillow to pair with this burnt orange fringe one. I like when color, pattern, and texture defines the season rather than actual words like “ITS FALL YALL”. Below are my favorite textiles right now…

2. Swap Out Stems and Greenery

This is another easy and affordable way to transform your home for the season. I’ve collected a variety of stems over the years so I usually have a nice little selection stashed away. I put florals and greenery out for the spring and summer (eucalyptus is my favorite). Then, in the fall and winter I make the switch for things like branches, berries, and pampas.

3. Add a Festive Element

This is where I like to add that little touch of holiday. For fall, I love a good pumpkin. Especially because they are offered in so many different styles, colors, and textures. My favorites this year are the wooden and woven ones!

Just like that your home can make that seasonal switch! You can see how I used these 3 simple seasonal styling steps in my living room to go from spring to fall. I hope this helps you simplify your seasonal decor instead of feeling overwhelmed. Using this guide also narrows down the items you shop for or store.

Want more Fall Finds? Hop over to my friend Amy’s blog post where she rounds up her favorite fall decor items!

Dining Room Refresh

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When my 4 year old lovingly referred to my dining room as the “mail room” I knew it was time for a dining room refresh. The space had been taken over by packages and become the unofficial “catch-all” of the house. Does anyone actually use their formal dining room for dining these days? I knew the best way motivate myself to clean it out (and keep it that way) was to give the space a nice little update.

Dining room with 4 black and white chairs with a bench and a gray and tan rug underneath. Large window with camel colored curtains and the back wall with board and batten, muted green paint, and 3 gold frames. A beige chair sits in the corner.
Dining room with 4 black and white chairs with a bench and a gray and tan rug underneath. Large window with camel colored curtains and the back wall with board and batten, muted green paint, and 3 gold frames.
Dining room with 4 black and white chairs with a bench and a gray and tan rug underneath. Large window with camel colored curtains and the back wall with board and batten, muted green paint, and 3 gold frames.
Before photo of dining room table covered in random items and boxes

Dining Room Table Refresh with Liquid Wood

The product I used to give my previously dark veneer table a new light wood finish is INCREDIBLE. I’m talking mind-blowing. I used a paintable liquid wood from Retique It (Code “dwelling” for 10% off!). It’s made of 66% recycled real wood and can be added to almost any hard surface to give it a new layer of stainable wood.

Because my table was a veneer, I wasn’t unable to strip or re-stain alone because it would have just exposed the MDF underneath. This product made it possible to get the light wood look I wanted! After painting on the liquid wood in “light wood” I was able to use to Retique it “Pecan” stain and “Weathered Wood” glaze to achieve this neutral color.

before photo of dark brown table and traditional beige upholstered chairs
Table BEFORE
woman painting liquid wood on table to give it a lighter finish
final photo of table finish with a light neutral colored wood stain
Table After

Dining Room Chair Refresh

I was tired of my traditional upholstered dining chairs so I found a set of 4 on Facebook Marketplace for just $25! They needed some work but I was confident I could turn these dated-duds into designer-dupes.

I spray painted them black and picked up some “Marine Vinyl” that looked like faux leather from Joann’s. Next, I cut them into 1.5 inch strips and stapled them to the underside of my chair frame in a basket weave pattern. This gave them such a trendy look! The whole chair project only cost $60!

old coastal looking chair with arched back, light wood, and navy patterned cushion
woman staples fabric strips to the underside of chair
finished chair sits near olive tree

Decorative Elements

I only changed a few other elements to update this space, giving it a little color and a touch of moodiness. This included swapping out the curtains for these beige velvet ones. This was a bit outside my comfort zone of my usual gray or white curtains. Also, I painted the back wall “Acacia Haze” by Sherwin Williams for that bit of color. Then added 3 gold frames that I will eventually add family photos to. Lastly, this incredible “Minoa” rug from Boutique Rugs that really pulled together the whole space.

Use code: “Dwell60” for 60% off at Boutique Rugs !

Check out another room makeover in my Powder Room!

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