kelsey.mackall, Author at A Dabbled Dwelling

From Blah to Beautiful: A Harlequin Floor Changed My Balcony

February 16, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

I chose my house for its balcony that runs the length of it. The idea of relaxing on the balcony in the afternoon was so exciting. Only problem, the balcony was feeling pretty neglected. I’m obsessed with harlequin patterns and really wanted to include a painted harlequin floor on my balcony.

How Did I Paint the Harlequin Floor?

The previous owner, in an attempt to keep their cats in, hung screen curtains along the whole balcony. Those had to go, and already the whole area feels cleaner. For the paint I started out by cleaning the floors as well as I could and then taped off the diamond pattern. What I thought would take one hour actually took me four!!! Once they were taped off I painted the whole floor the base color, a gorgeous neutral tan. Painting the base color before the accent color helps ensure clean crisp lines. After that was dry I painted the alternating diamonds white and then pulled up the tape.

Woman with toddler on her back tapes pattern on floor

Woman with toddler paints squares on floor

Painted Floor Success!

Once I pulled up the tape I was so thrilled to see that it turned out beautifully! The lines are crisp and clean and the colors are so soothing. I added the cutest plant decor including self watering pots in rings on a wooden frame that I made. I got the cutest rocking chairs and little table to give myself a place to sit and drink my coffee, reflect on the day, or just escape the chaos that is sometimes going on inside the house. This balcony is just asking to be used now. It’s another beautiful, serene space full of plants and soothing colors.

Woman happily sips coffee in rocking chair on balcony

How I Gave My Teen a Beautiful Closet Makeover

February 8, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

A year and a half ago I gave my teenager a cozy, gorgeous bedroom with lots of plants and a slat accent wall. Her bedroom is still amazing but the closet left something to be desired. She was in desperate need of some organization for her clothes, makeup, and jewelry. I found ModularClosets.com and knew that they would be the perfect fit for a teen closet makeover.

Modular Closet Makeover

The Modular Closets team was so helpful with planning the closet system for my teen’s closet make over. I sent them dimensions and gave them an idea of what I wanted, and they provided me with a plan that was exactly what I was looking for. They sent me mock ups and an estimate and it was very reasonable. I had my mood board and I couldn’t wait to get started!

Price breakdown of modular closet system

Mood board for teen closet makeover, blue walls, chandelier, and modular closet system.

Let’s Make Over the Closet.

This teen closet makeover has been so exciting. I started by taking out all of the old closet shelves and hanging bars. Then I touched up drywall blemishes with spackle before painting the entire space, trim included, a gorgeous, dusty, blue color. Next I began to assemble and hang the modular system by screwing it into the studs.

A woman uses a pry bar and mallet to remove trim from a closet wall

Woman and toddler assemble a modular closet system

But How Do I Hang The System by Myself?

When I was hanging the different sections of the system I did it by myself. I’m sure you can imagine, I’m not able to hold the piece up while screwing it into the studs. After measuring I would screw a scrap 2×4 to the wall to set the back of one section on. The piece of the system would rest on it while I was able to secure it to the wall. Once the piece was hung I removed the 2×4 and filled the holes with spackle and touched up the paint. It’s an easy hack that helps with hanging cabinets as well!

Woman hangs section of a modular closet system in a blue painted closet.

Woman screws modular closet system into the studs of a blue painted closet.

The Best Part of Any Closet Makeover

After the system was in place, I got to start on my favorite part of the closet makeover. Styling! My teen is a little bougie, so I included a velvet ottoman and a dramatic chandelier. I included stylish storage boxes and baskets, plus velvet hangers. I am so thrilled with the way this closet turned out. It’s beautiful while also being very functional. My teen is in love with her finished closet.

Woman hangs chandelier in a blue painted closet

Finished closet remodel, blue walls, white modular system, and a chandelier

How to DIY Built In Bunkbeds

January 31, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

It was so exciting to make over my middle daughter’s room. I had big plans to DIY built in bunkbeds. I would love if my two youngest daughters could share this room when the littlest is old enough. We already had a bunkbed frame in the room that we were using. My plans included utilizing that frame as a base for the DIY built in bunkbeds.

The Process for Built In Bunkbeds

I was given a bunkbed frame a while back and my daughter had been using it. She has been waiting for her room to be redone, so I wanted it to be something special. First, I made sure the frame was level before I screwed it into the studs. Once it was secured well to the wall I began to build a frame for the bottom bunk. I built a rectangle in the size for a full sized mattress out of 2x4s. Then added cross supports to hold the mattress while allowing it to breathe.

I wanted to include some shelf space on the bottom bunk and make them look truly built in. For the bottom I built a little frame for a shelf to go between the mattress and the bed frame. I added extra framing at the top to close in one end a bit to make it more cozy. Next I started on the stairs by putting stair stringers against the wall and the bed. Once those were in I added the treads and then the risers. At this point it’s almost done!

Time for paint! I have three daughters so the obvious choice in paint color here is… PINK. My trusty Wagner Pro paint sprayer has never let me down. I suited up and sprayed the built in bunkbed pink. The paint sprayer gives it a very smooth and clean finish. After paint I built a railing and sealed it, I love the way that little bit of natural wood looks with the paint. Then I used caulk to bring it all together. It gives the whole thing a seamless and built in look.

Woman sprays pink paint onto bunkbed frame

And Done

When it was all said and done the only thing left was to make sure the mattresses fit! I held my breath as I put them in and they fit like a glove. It was so exciting to finish this project and then style and decorate the rest of her room. She loves her new bed and is so excited about her bedroom.