August 2024 - A Dabbled Dwelling

What can I say? I like nice things. My primary bathroom wasn’t cutting it for me, it was dark and dingy and dated. I ended up taking the whole bathroom down to the studs. The room felt like a cave, and one thing I really wanted to do was add a window. Dismantling my bathroom gave me the perfect opportunity to do that.

Searching For the Perfect Window

I looked everywhere for the perfect window. A picture window was what I really wanted, but it was hard to find just the right one. I ended up buying a window from Home Depot because I was getting antsy. The window made it all the way home before I decided one last time to check Facebook Marketplace. And there it was… Exactly the window that I wanted! It was a beautiful, large, picture window. I rushed to pick it up and get started installing it.

A woman in an orange shirt shows off a window in the back of a car

Framing To Install a Window

Windows are really not that difficult to install. Since the bathroom had been demolished I mapped out the place that I wanted to install the window. The shower provided the ideal spot for a new window. I started out by adding framing to provide support and hold the window. I placed the window in between the studs, but the space between the studs was a little too wide. So I needed to install a new king stud on one side.

I then attached the header to the king studs on either side with the bottom at the height I wanted the top of the window. The jack studs (2x4s) were attached to the king studs flush with the bottom of the header. They were attached to fit the measurements I took for the width of the window. Then we attached the sill plate to the jack studs with the top of the sill plate at the height of the bottom of the window. I measured down from the header to find the right spot to place that.

Then the cripplers(2x4s) were placed in the center of the window. One went on top between the header and the top of the wall. The other went between the sill plate and the floor. All of the new framing was secured with wood screws and framing nails. Then I cut the siding with a reciprocating saw using the framing as a guide.

A woman looks shocked at cutting into the siding on her house

A man and woman use a reciprocating saw to cut the siding out of a window frame

A woman in black pants and a gray shirt sits in the space allocated for a window

Time to Install a Window

It’s finally time to install the window! I put it in and… it didn’t fit. So I adjusted my measurements and tried again. It still didn’t fit! I adjusted again. And again. Finally on my fourth try it fit! I installed the window using wood screws to attach it to the framing. The inside was finished off using PVC trim attached with construction adhesive. I also installed a stone window sill, I’m already dreaming of plants in the window. After that was attached all of the seams were sealed using a silicone caulk that is just for bathrooms.

The outside of the window needed to be weatherproof. I live in the Houston area and we get our fair share of weather here. I started by using a high quality silicone caulk made for outdoor use around the edge of the window. Then I installed window flashing on top of that. Expanding spray foam was super helpful to fill any gaps, then the exterior window framing was attached. The whole thing looks fantastic!

A man in a green shirt applies caulk to the outside of a window

Construction adhesive is being applied to a window sill with a battery powered caulk gun

This Window is EVERYTHING

I am so glad I took on this project. Having natural light in my bathroom changes the whole mood of the space. What was once dreary is now bright and happy. It feels so much cleaner. If you were to ask me my favorite part of the bathroom remodel the window would be at the top of my list.

Woman in White shirt excitedly shows off the finished window

Creating a Docking Drawer for My Hair Tools

Docking Drawer has created an incredibly easy way to add an electrical outlet to a drawer and get organized. I started with a standard drawer and used the included template to cut my outlet hole. I used my drill to drill holes in the corners, and then my jigsaw to cut the rest of the rectangle out of the back of the drawer.

I then simply threaded the box and cord through the hole and fit the Docking Drawer Blade Duo electrical outlet perfectly into the space. I used the included hardware and screwed the outlet into the drawer. Docking Drawer includes a face plate, so I installed that and the outlet looks great! Then all I had to do was slide the drawer back in and plug the docking drawer into the outlet behind the vanity. So simple and fast for this must have feature!

No More Clutter!

I am so happy with the solution Docking Drawer gave me. My counters are clutter free and my hair tools are put away nicely while still being able to keep them safely plugged in. I can style my hair directly from the drawer which then encourages me to actually put them back. This primary bathroom renovation is something that I’ve looked forward to for a long time so I made sure to think of everything. Docking Drawer made it possible for me to keep myself organized and I can’t believe it’s not a standard in all bathrooms!