kelsey.mackall, Author at A Dabbled Dwelling

Versatile Big Wall Décor for Any Room

September 14, 2023 by kelsey.mackall

I was so happy to give my daughter her dream bedroom. We were excited to choose the décor and really make the room her own. A lot of our style choices will grow with her, but some things needed to be chosen for the kid she is right now. As any parent can confirm, kids grow up and their tastes change. Finding large wall décor that would be easy to transition as she grows was important to me.

* This post is sponsored by BIG Wall Décor *

BIG Wall Décor

We had one large wall in her room that needed a BIG piece of art. How do we know what size would work best for the space? As a general rule of thumb, you want your artwork to take up at least 55% of the width of your wall. If you’ve decorated a room before, you know that wall décor big enough to be the focal point of one wall can be expensive. I am so glad that I found BIG Wall Décor, they have so many options for wall art, and they offer so many different sizes!

A woman admires a blue and yellow painting in a pink room

Super Versatile

Their approach to artwork is so unique. They have found a way to make it easy to switch out your wall art without costing a ton or taking up a bunch of space. The frame that the artwork is mounted on is sleek and beautiful and also specially designed so that the art can be changed at a moments notice. I received two fabric prints for the bunk room and you will not even believe how easy it is to switch one for the other to give the room a different vibe.

A woman removes a large piece of art from the wall.

So Easy to Change

These frames are lightweight. They are super easy to move and change out your artwork. All you have to do is take the print off of the frame and stretch the new print over it. Then tuck the silicone edge into the metal infinity frame. It really is that simple. Also, instead of storing bulky canvases, you’re just storing the fabric prints. Overall, it takes up so much less space.

A woman removes a fabric print from a frame.

A woman is holding two fabric prints, the frame is on the bed.

A woman places a new fabric print into the frame.

A hand tucks the edge of the fabric print into the infinity frame.

A hand is showing the silicone stitched to the underside of a fabric print.

Simple and Well Designed

BIG Wall Décor thought of everything. Not only is it lightweight but there are other features that make this art ideal for kid rooms and family spaces. The fabric prints are durable and the material they are on is resistant to scratches and tears. Did I also mention that they are washable? Because they are! They can be spot cleaned, or if more is needed they can be thrown in the washing machine on delicate. The frames come with everything you need to hang it up. It’s as easy as assembling the frame and putting it on the wall. No last minute trips to the hardware store. Look at how nicely this frame hangs against the wall too!

Versatile Décor Made Simple

I love the way this art looks on the wall and I’m so glad it’s easy to swap the prints. Right after I changed the pictures, my daughter informed me that she likes the first print better. BIG Wall Décor has changed the game when it comes to wall art choices. It’s family friendly, super simple, and much more affordable when looking for large pieces.

Garage Workshop Project

July 16, 2023 by kelsey.mackall

I do so many projects that I was itching for a designated work space. Instead of stashing tools in my kitchen cabinets, it was time to finally tackle the unfinished garage and create a functional workshop studio space that felt like me! It turned out so cute! Read more to see what went into this Garage Workshop project!

Garage workshop studio project with floral wallpaper, a tool pegboard, and green, white, and gold accents

woman stands in front of garage workshop space

Clean Out With Dumpsters.com

It’s hard to believe what this garage looked like before. After moving in and remodeling, our garage was packed with boxes, junk, construction materials, and random items left by the previous owners. I was pretty ashamed of it but with the help of Dumpsters.com we were able to tackle a major clean out.

We rented a 20 yard roll-off construction dumpster and it was surprisingly convenient. Of course there were a few fair stipulations such as no appliances, electronics, batteries or paint, and to make sure we didn’t fill above the top of the dumpster. They dropped it off right in our driveway where it was easy for me to access from the garage and we got to work! Once filled, we scheduled a pick up online and they came back to haul it all away! So simple! We will definitely be using Dumpsters.com again for future renovation projects and you can get a quote on their website!

roll off driveway dumpster in front of house

throwing materials into the dumpster for the garage workshop project

flexing my muscles while standing in a dumpster as a tackle this huge garage clean out

woman is worn out inside dumpster during a garage clean outproject

Garage Workshop Drywall

Once the garage was cleaned out it sparked a bit of a debate between my husband and I on garage territory. The result was quote literally drawing a line down the middle. I decided to use moisture/mold resistant drywall my side and he said he had different plans for his half. This may have shifted my overall vision slightly, but I’ll concede a little since most men don’t have to deal with their wives wanting to take over the garage.

husband and wife fight over sides go the garage and divide it down the middle

husband and wife hang drywall in a garage

Epoxy Garage Floors

The DIY Epoxy floors was one of the most impactful upgrades for this garage space. Not only does it give a more high-end finish, but it makes it so much easier to clean! We used the Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield products which was so easy to apply and I have a separate post on the whole process!

Cabinets

Adding cabinets was necessary for storage and organization. I salvaged a metal cabinet that was already here by power washing, priming, and painting green (Jojoba by Behr). I also picked up a few unfinished cabinets from Home Depot and painted them “Polar Bear” with the Behr Cabinet & Trim Enamel as well as adding gold hardware.

36″ Unfinished Base Cabinet

24″ Unfinished Drawer Cabinet;

Long Gold Cabinet Pulls

Round Gold Cabinet Knobs

White and Gold Pendant Lights

Wallpaper from Rocky Mountain Decals

The floors and cabinets were looking so great but I really wanted this space to be a reflection of me. It needed some personality and pattern to achieve that! So while wallpaper in a garage may not be conventional, I think it’s what took this workshop studio to the next level. I used The “Juniper Blues” Peel and Stick Wallpaper from Rocky Mountain Decals and not only was it beautiful and easy to apply, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be more of a vinyl material than paper. I think this will help it withstand my various projects in this workspace even better.

The panels we’re marked with numbers to establish the correct order and the seams matched up perfect. I simply used the included squeegee tool to smooth out any bubbles and peeled the back off as I went. It was such a quick afternoon project and made such an impact on the overall design. I love how the little touches of green match my Ryobi tools!

wallpaper installation in garage workshop project

The Ultimate Pegboard from Wall Control

Last but not least for the Garage Workshop Project, I needed easy-to-access tool storage. I had used Wall Control on a previous garage so I already knew how awesome it was and wanted to include it here. In my last house I had it hung over my deep workbench which made it hard for me to reach over. This time, I decided to do a full tool wall that I could walk right up to!

One of my favorite things about Wall Control is how easy it is to install. The holes are already prepositioned for you and the screws + anchors are included! I’ve never had it come away from the wall, even after loaded with heavy tools! The panels are made of metal so it’s extra durable, you don’t have to worry about the holes getting loose overtime, and it looks SO NICE.

There are a ton of handy accessories with a really smart and secure way of attaching to the peg board. I prefer to use the Wall Control product because of this, however, the panels still have holes for traditional pegboard accessories!

hanging pegboard system in garage workshop

Close up of wall control pegboard system

Tool pegboard wall in finished garage workshop project

I hope you enjoyed the Garage Workshop project as much as I did. I can’t wait to create so much project magic in here!

Easy DIY Garage Epoxy

July 16, 2023 by kelsey.mackall

I had big dreams for this 50 year old unfinished garage, hoping to turn it into a studio shop for all my endless projects. After a major clean out, I knew the most impactful update was going to be Epoxy floors. Having used the Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield System before, I knew how user friendly and durable DIY garage Epoxy could be.

*This post is Sponsored by Rust-Oleum*

Supplies and Preparation for DIY Garage Epoxy

Preparation of your existing floor is key to the success of this process. While this phase of the project can be tedious, it’s necessary and worth it for the best DIY garage Epoxy results! Here’s what you’ll need:

Supplied needed for DIY garage epoxy — Supply list for DIY Garage Epoxy (Clear coast not pictured)

Paint Roller
Extension Pole
(2) 3/4′ Nap Roller Covers (One for Epoxy + One for Clear Coat)
(2) Paint Trays
(2) Paint Brushes
Cardboard, plastic or something to use as a drop cloth.
Rust-Oleum Clean & Etch
Stiff Broom
Rust-Oleum Concrete Patch & Repair
Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Kit
Rust-Oleum Clear Coat Kit
Extra Decorative Chips (if desired)

Step 1: Clean, Etch, and Repair

It’s important to get your garage floors as clean as humanly possible. In my case, there was 50 years of dirt, grime, dust, and who knows what else. I used my pressure washer and a squeegee to get off as much as I could, and then moved on to the etching process with the Rust-Oleum Clean & Etch product.

woman holding concrete clean and etch product

It’s important that you start with your floor wet, but not puddled. Etching is the process of using an acid to open up the pores of your concrete in order for the epoxy to adhere properly. Avoid splashing this solution. It’s best to apply with a plastic watering can. You’ll see it bubble and fix as it reacts. Then, using a stuff broom, work it into the concrete and rinse thoroughly.

Once your floors are completely dry, you can repair any cracks, chips, or divots with the Rust-Oleum Patch & Repair. This is pretty simple to use but I was fortunate enough to not need this step. After applying, making sure you give yourself 24 hours before moving on to the DIY garage Epoxy application.

using a plastic watering can to apply etching solution to concrete for diy garage epoxy — Pouring etching Solution

working in the etching solution with a brush

Step 2: DIY Garage Epoxy Application

Once prepped, you are ready for the fun part- Epoxy! As mentioned before, I’m using the Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating kit. I have used this same process on a previous garage and loved the results so I can genuinely speak for it’s durability and longevity. As a DIYer it’s important to me for products to be user friendly and this product as is simple as painting it on!

Start by mixing the Epoxy. It comes in a convenient 2 part burst pouch where you simply roll the end of the “Part B” side into the “Part A” side and let the middle seal break. Then massage the bag to ensure both parts are mixed together well. The working time of the product is only an hour-ish, so make sure you are ready to go once you mix. Because of this I also highly recommend grabbing an extra hand to move quicker. My Dad has been wanting to do his garage floors so he came over to help and learn! also, the kit comes with 2 bags of epoxy so it’s best to only mix one at a time. This also helps with making sure you have enough product by working in sections.

Once mixed, you can pour the epoxy into your paint tray, or directly onto the floor from the bag. Working your way out from the back of the garage, begin by edging with a brush. The Epoxy starts out thin but gets thick and sticky quickly. While one person edges, have the other person follow with rolling. Similar to painting a wall, roll in “M” and “W” patterns, making sure to cover the entire floor.

rolling the diy garage epoxy burst pouch to break the joining seal

Decorative Flake

As you roll the Epoxy, make sure you don’t get too far ahead before you start throwing the decorative chips. We did this in about 8×8′ sections. Once a section was edged, rolled, and still wet, we tossed on the flake. Throwing it high in the air is best to get it to disperse evenly. Make sure you know ahead of time the concentration you desire. For heavier flake, you may want to buy extra chips. I did buy extra but I started out heavy and ran low in the last 1/3 of the garage so be mindful!

All these chips still weren’t quote enough for the heavy flake look I wanted

throwing decorative flake for DIY epoxy flooring

high flake concentration for epoxy garage floors — Heavy Flake

medium flake for DIY garage floors — Medium Flake

After 24 hours the floor is ready for light foot traffic and you can drive on it in just 3 days!

Step 3: Clear Coat

While this step is optional, in my opinion it’s necessary. I did not use a clear coat in my previous garage and I can now see the additional shine and durability it gives. Not to mention, it helps lock in all that decorative flake! After giving the Epoxy 24 hours to dry, we repeated the same process with the Rust-Oleum Clear Coat Kit. This time we also added the “Anti-Skid Additive” that was included. This makes sure your flooring isn’t too slick and adds a bit of “grittiness” to the finish. I will mention that while the Epoxy kit has plenty of product, I had to use TWO of the clear coat 2-car kits. We edged with a brush, rolled the floors, and then we we’re done!

pouring clear coat epoxy product into paint tray

I’m so in love with my new garage shop and the new floors made such an impact! I can wipe up sawdust, wood glue, paint, and more off the Epoxy so easily. Not to mention all the money I saved by doing it myself. Did you know professional Epoxy costs THOUSANDS!? Using the Rust-Oleum products you can get the same look for a few hundred!