DIY Blog - A Dabbled Dwelling

I Created a Beautiful and Functional Clock

February 24, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

My breakfast nook got a makeover! In any space art is a must and I knew I needed a piece that would make a big statement. I love plants and am so excited about my idea for a big new clock. Finding a way to incorporate plants into a clock was definitely one of my more fun and exciting ideas.

A Router and Some Tubes

I started with some scrap wood and used my router to cut a circle. With a board nailed in the middle and the router on the end, it worked as a jig to cut a perfect circle. Routers are so multifunctional, I don’t know how I lived without mine! I took my circle inside and used super glue to glue small gold magnets in the hour positions on my circle. Then I glued the same magnets to propagation tubes that I got on Amazon. I hung the circle on the wall and added wall clock hands to the center. Once there was water in the tubes I added clippings of plants to propagate and stuck the tubes to the magnets on the circle.

A woman uses a router to cut a perfect circle out of wood.

A woman glues tiny magnets to a wooden circle

A woman glues magnets to small glass test tubes

Attaching test tube with magnet to wood circle with magnet

Best Clock Ever

This clock was one of my better ideas, if I do say so myself. It was so easy to make and it is such a unique piece in my house. I love to create things for my home because they are usually one of a kind! It turned out so cute and it gives me a space to help my baby plants grow! Who doesn’t love plants? And what better way to have a lot of different options of plants to have in the future!

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.