DIY Blog - A Dabbled Dwelling

Must-Have Bathroom Feature to Minimize Cords

August 5, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

I have been renovating my primary bathroom, which is quite possibly my biggest project ever. In planning, there were a lot of wish list features that I’m making sure to include. Such as, my dream soaking tub, gorgeous tile, arches, epic light fixtures, and un-matched organization. A current pain-point in my bathroom space is all of my hair tools that are usually scattered all over the counter. I hate having to take them out, plug them in, and then un plug and put away only to do it all over again the next day. I knew an in drawer outlet by Docking Drawer was a must-have so I made sure to install an outlet behind my vanity. This gives me the perfect opportunity to step up my organization game and have a convenient and dedicated drawer WITH a built-in outlet for my hair tools.

*This post is Sponsored by Docking Drawer

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!

How to Install Floating Shelves to Dress Up Any Room

July 30, 2024 by Kristen Larsen

A while back I created a plant propagation clock and it was so much fun! Unfortunately I found myself needing to switch it out. My toddler insisted on using the propagation tubes as drink shooters. It just wasn’t prudent to leave the clock up with her having access to the glass and small magnets. I decided it would be best if I tied the breakfast nook into the kitchen. When I renovated the kitchen I installed white oak floating shelves on either side of the sink. They are so gorgeous in my kitchen and I wanted something just as gorgeous in the breakfast nook.

Install Floating Shelves to Bring the Breakfast Nook and Kitchen Together

I ended up ordering the same shelves that I have in the kitchen to hang in the breakfast nook. Ultrashelf has these amazing white oak shelves (I chose the color antique oak). One of the things I love about these shelves is that they are super sturdy, easy to install, and beautiful.

Ultrashelf sends the shelves with everything you need, shelf, bracket, and hardware. Luckily when my shelves were centered on the wall I was able to use wood screws to install the brackets on the studs. I used my stud finder to find the studs and then my stud buddy to mark the studs while I was screwing the bracket to the wall.

Woman hangs shelf brackets using a stud buddy and drill

In the instance that I couldn’t sink the screws into a stud I used a good quality drywall anchor to secure the bracket to the wall. Once I was confident that the bracket was installed securely I simply slipped the shelf onto the bracket and was done. So simple and such a quick install.

The Most Gorgeous Shelves

These shelves are showstoppers. They really are so stunning and so easy to install. Once they were up I couldn’t wait to add my favorite plant babies and decor. Thankfully, these babies don’t drink my decor. This location is perfect for plants because it gets plenty of indirect sunlight. I love the way that the breakfast nook shelves are tied in with the kitchen now. Ultrashelf make the best shelves for locations where you really want them to last.

Make Your Room Feel Bigger By Removing Useless Soffits

July 30, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

Old houses always seem to have those ugly, bulky soffits. Sometimes they conceal plumbing, electrical, or ductwork, but sometimes they are completely useless. I have had a few that I’ve had to leave as is. And I’ve had some where I had to reroute plumbing or ductwork to be able to remove the soffit. In my recent, and ongoing, remodel of my primary bathroom a big goal was to remove the soffit that ran the length of the room.

The Act of Removing The Soffit

This bathroom was so dated it was taken down to the studs. I started by pulling all of the drywall off of the walls. When that was done I turned my attention to the soffit. I always start with the soffit by cutting a hole in the soffit. Then I take a peek inside to see what it could be hiding. Luck was on my side with this one, there was nothing concealed inside that I would need to move. Since I didn’t need to move anything I took my hammer and prybar to the soffit and began to pull it down. For some reason, the soffit was so offended at being removed, that it took pieces of the ceiling down with it.

Woman in a white shirt with safety glasses uses a hammer to demolish a soffit

Woman in a white shirt with safety glasses uses a hammer to demolish the frame of a soffit

Eventually, the drywall had been removed and I started on the frame of the soffit. I easily removed it after a few whacks with the hammer and some tugging. I got that entire section clear and turned my attention to the shower for a bit. A hurricane blew through shortly after I finished tiling the shower. Hurricane Beryl roared by and knocked out my power for a week. What better time to work on electrical and drywall than when you don’t have power.

What To Do After Removing the Useless Soffit?

With the soffit gone the drywall was free to go to the ceiling. The ceiling was also able to be smooth all the way to the wall. I brought in my sheets of drywall and started to hang them. The corner is the best place to start. I lined up the first sheet of drywall and screwed it into the studs. Then I continued along the wall and ceiling hanging drywall by screwing it into the studs. Hanging it on the ceiling really takes two people. You need extra hands to hold the sheet of drywall up and screw it in. Sometimes a section of wall will need a smaller sheet of drywall. In that case I used my drywall saw to cut the drywall to the measurement.

Woman in a pink top hangs drywall in the dark

Man and woman stand on ladder and hold a sheet of drywall to the ceiling.

I usually hang all of the drywall and then use pre-mixed joint compound and drywall tape to tape the drywall. Using a drywall knife I add some joint compound to the seam and then add the tape and some more joint compound to the tape. I go over the tape a few times to make sure it is nice and smooth, although usually there is some sanding involved in drywall work when the joint compound is dry. Once it dries I prefer to wet sand using a damp sponge to get a smooth finish on the drywall. This wall is going to have tile so there is no need for texture.

It Feels More Open Without the Soffit

I am so glad that I was able to remove this soffit without any fanfare. Rerouting plumbing and ductwork is the worst. The wall looks so much cleaner without the soffit. Also, the bathroom feels so much bigger and more open. I love to update the look of my house and get rid of useless additions. Removing the soffit is a really easy way to elevate a space and make a room feel more modern. Follow along to see the progress of my bathroom remodel here.