diy Archives - Page 6 of 8 - A Dabbled Dwelling

How To Finish DIY Arches by Using Flexible Trim

May 31, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

I recently tore out my wet bar because it never got used. My objective was that I would get more use out of that space being a wide hallway and butler pantry/wine bar area. I included cabinets, a wine fridge, and a wine rack, but one other thing I really wanted was arches. After we tore out the wet bar we built in DIY arches. That was easy compared to doing the finishing work on them.

Trial and Error to Finish the DIY Arches

On one side of the butler pantry/wine bar the arch will be finished with drywall. That is easy peasy. On the other side our living room has paneling that I would like to preserve. In order to do that I needed to do my best to match the trim on that arch to the paneling. At first I tried PVC trim, I figured that if I heated it up, I could get it to bend.

Woman heats PVC trim in an attempt to bend it

I was so wrong! Nothing I tried worked to get the PVC trim to bend the right way to finish off my arch without breaking. Relief cuts weren’t an option, and it would have been A LOT of relief cuts. After a lot of trial and error, and maybe a little swearing, I gave up on the PVC trim. I had heard about flexible trim, but hadn’t tried using it yet. Amazon to the rescue. I hopped on and ordered some flexible trim hoping to put this ordeal behind me.

Woman is frustrated with broken PVC trim

Finally the flexible trim came, but… they sent the wrong kind. At this point I wanted to bang my head on the wall. I informed Amazon and they shipped out the correct one, but I still had to wait for it. While I was waiting I used my time to match the other trim that I couldn’t use flexible trim for. Once the flexible trim came I was so ready to get going. It’s super easy to install, I just used my nail gun. I filled in gaps and cracks with caulk. After everything was all buttoned up I painted the arch to match the surrounding paneling.

Woman nails trim on a diy arch to match the paneling

DIY Arches Success!

This was a heck of a learning curve. Honestly, with all of the time I wasted trying the PVC I should have just started out with the flexible trim. It turned out so well, and I am very happy with the look of the arch in the paneling. I love a challenge and learning new things and this was a good way to do it.

Woman shows off a finished arch with an orange cat in the bottom corner

How I Made A DIY Wine Rack for Elegant Storage

May 31, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

Recently I began a new project by tearing out the ancient wet bar in my 1970’s fixer upper. The wet bar was not functional for my family. We never used it so I took it out to create a butler pantry/wine bar area. I removed the half wall dividing the wet bar from the living room. This made the whole space a wide hall with a lot of storage including cabinets and a wine fridge. The space was really coming together but I needed a little extra storage.

Woman tears drywall out of space intended for a DIY wine rack

Enter DIY Wine Storage

This space had cabinets and a counter in it already and a counter top wine rack is the perfect addition. I cut out a space in the sheet rock to allow a little more depth in the wine rack. Then I utilized a sheet of standard half inch plywood to build the wine rack. I measured the height and depth of my space to determine the measurement of the sides and back of the wine rack. Once I figured out how wide I wanted it I cut the top and bottom to that length.

I decided that I wanted the shelves to slant for a more unique look. So I cut them a little bit longer. Use the Pythagorean theorem, A squared plus B squared equals C squared, to figure out the necessary length. Then I mitered the edges at 22.5 degrees. The side and top pieces were glued and then I secured them together using my nail gun. I fit the shelves in and glued then nail them into their positions also.

When the wine rack was built I fit it into the designated space on the countertop. Plywood always look unfinished on the edges but I was prepared for that. This edge banding is a wood veneer that just irons on. The best part is that it comes in several different wood finishes. For this project I chose the red oak finish to go with the shelves that I installed next to the wine rack. I ironed the edge banding on and then I was done!

Woman lifts DIY wine rack into place on counter top.

Woman irons wood banding onto raw plywood edges.

A Beautiful DIY Wine Rack

It’s done and it’s amazing. I love the way it looks and the amount of storage it offers. The whole space is turning out beautifully and the DIY wine rack really adds some charm. It is an elegant option for storing wine in my new wine bar/butler pantry.

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.