kelsey.mackall, Author at A Dabbled Dwelling

Check Out This New Tile System That Gets Installed With Glue

June 29, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

I have done so many projects in this house, but I’m so excited to finally be renovating my primary bathroom. Other projects have taken priority because this bathroom was a full gut job. I needed to make sure I was ready to be without my bathroom for weeks. When I planned out the shower, I discovered a new tile system. These tiles are so cool and so easy to install.

Cool New Tile System That Installs with Glue

I started the bathroom renovation with demo. The whole bathroom was taken down to the studs and good riddance to the outdated tile in the shower. Once the shower was taken down to the studs I finished the walls in the shower with cement board. The cement board gets taped and mudded just like drywall and then painted with Red Guard to keep the walls waterproof. After the Red Guard was dry I could start tiling. Usually tile needs mortar to adhere to the wall and grout to fill the gaps. This new tile by Palisade is so cool. It’s made of PVC and is installed using glue! The Palisade tile is waterproof and mold and mildew resistant.

It is super easy to install. Just put glue on the back and a bead of silicone along the edges. Then fit it into the tongue and groove of the surrounding tiles. Rinse and repeat. The silicone bead along the edges seals the seams and keeps them waterproof. You can even score and snap the tiles to size, but I preferred to use my jigsaw. The tile goes up so quickly and so easily. They even make inserts for niches in the walls. Those install the same way, glue and silicone.

Woman is excited to show off new Palisade PVC tile

This Tile is Amazing

I am so in love with this tile. It went up so easily and so quickly. The look is so timeless and classic. I’m excited to update this bathroom and Palisade made tiling the shower super easy and fast. In addition to going up easily there was no waiting for mortar to dry before being able to finish the shower. I love the way it looks, it is so fresh and clean. Follow along to see how my bathroom turns out!

Finished tile. Shower has tile that is white with gray accents, and a big picture window with gold fixtures

I Easily Added a DIY Arch to My Bathroom

June 29, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

I am finally remodeling my primary bathroom! This is a super exciting project because I have just been waiting for the chance to do it. I had very big plans for this space including new vanities, classic decor choices, a window to bring some natural light, and best of all, an arched doorway for my shower. Arches can be such a classy and easy element to make any space feel so glam.

A DIY Arch is Easier Than it Seems

I started with demo of the shower and the rest of the bathroom. I took that shower down to the studs. Then I added new framing in the doorway. The framing was built out from the wall a little to provide some shape for the arch. Once the door was framed I searched for the perfect window to add to the shower. Imagine my surprise when I found the perfect window on Facebook Marketplace! My husband and I installed the window and it is so nice having some natural light in the bathroom.

Woman shows off new window by sitting on the sill

I moved on to starting the arch. Using my jigsaw I cut an arch out of particle board and attached it to the framing that I had already installed. This arch was used for the front of the doorway, I added some blocking to it for stability using cut 2x4s. The other side of the doorway was created with an arch I cut out of cement board since it was inside the shower. That was attached to the framing and blocking.

Woman measure cement board for an arch in a shower

Woman installs cement board inside shower

With the skeleton of the arch up I needed to finish it with drywall on the parts that didn’t get cements board. For the front I just cut an arch out of drywall. Then I screwed that into the blocking and 2x4s, then taped and mudded it. On the inside of the arch I used drywall. I added relief cuts to the drywall for the top so that it would bend with the curve of the arch. The cement board and inside of the arch was painted with Red Guard to help make it waterproof. After the Red Guard the inside was plastered using drywall mud.

Not Quite Done, But I’m in Love

I’m still mid renovation on the bathroom, so the shower isn’t quite done. This arch was so easy to create, I love the look it gives the shower and the timeless feel of it. I can’t wait to get the bathroom finished and add a gorgeous glass door to my shower. Follow along to see how the bathroom turns out!

How I Built a DIY Storage Console for My Home Gym

June 28, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

Does anyone else have a catch-all/junk room? My catch-all room was eating away at me, I desperately needed to change it. I decided that I wanted a multi-functional room, a guest room on one side and a home gym on the other. Home gyms notoriously come with a lot of stuff to store. I built an arched peg board for all of the equipment that can hang, but I still needed more storage. So, I decided to build a DIY storage console.

A DIY Storage Console to Store ALL the Stuff

Making a storage console is actually super easy. I used 1×12 poplar from Weaber Lumber and first built, a box. Pocket screws attached from the underside, and wood glue on the ends kept the hardware hidden, leaving a sleek look on the outside of the box. I again used pocket screws and wood glue to build and attach a middle support and shelves. Since I wanted a thicker counter-like surface on top I cut a 1×12 to the same size as the top and attached it with wood glue and finishing nails. I ripped the poplar down to 1 inch strips and cut mitered ends to create a frame for the counter top and the fronts of the shelves and attached them with finishing nails and glue. These strips give the whole thing a more finished and subsantial look.

Woman is putting a second sheet of poplar on top of storage console

Woman uses table saw to rip polar board down

A strip is being attached to the front edges of a console

I attached these feet and gave everything a pre-stain sand. When sanding I like to start with a coarser grit and finish it with a finer grit to get the best finish possible. After sanding the shelf was stained with Varathane Premium Fast Dry Stain in Sunbleached followed by Western Oak. Then it got a coat of Varathane’s Polyurethane sealer. For the top of the console I wanted a durable, counter like finish. To achieve that I used Rustoleum’s Counter Top Coating in Black.

a woman is applying stain to a storage console

a woman is applying the counter top coating to the top of a storage console

Super Cute Gym Storage

I moved the console upstairs and placed it against the wall. Then I set the peg board I made on top. The two pieces together are a unique and super attractive storage solution. I love the way this console turned out. It holds all of my gym equipment and it looks great while doing so!