home renovation Archives - A Dabbled Dwelling

So how did this gifted bedroom makeover come to be? One of my most defining moments of this year wasn’t all the major DIYs I pulled off pregnant, in fact, it wasn’t one of my own DIYs at all. My most defining moment was a pipe burst. Or as my followers recognize- THE pipe burst.

THE Pipe Burst

In February 2021 Texas experienced an unprecedented freeze and snow. Which caused unprepared homes to experience pipe bursts and major flooding. Ours included.

The very day I had planned on removing carpet and giving my bedroom a pre-baby update, water came pouring from the ceiling. Then, from the weight of the sopping wet sheet rock, that ceiling came crashing down. Water and insulation everywhere.

bedroom with ceiling falling on top of bed and insulation everywhere

bench tipped over onto ground surrounded by white insulation

exposed ceiling rafters where sheet rock fell

It wasn’t just that my project plans were ruined but in the very room I was planning a home birth… In 6 weeks. I helplessly stared at the damage and cried. The family frantically ran around me trying to contain the mess. My husband assured me everything was going to be okay. My dad offered me solutions via phone. And I simply cried.

Now if you know me, I’m pretty tough. I don’t let much get me down. But in that moment I felt absolute defeat. Not only was I feeling the weight of the end of my pregnancy, but my home, my bedroom, my sacred space, was ruined. A home birth had been important to me, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Having my home turned upside-down would have been traumatic for any nesting pregnant woman.

The Construction

A few days later we had contractors tear the room down to the studs and demo other effected areas of the house. This included all our laminate flooring and 1ft of drywall around most of the bottom floor. I cried more.

bedroom ripped down to the studs and subfloor after flood damage

family colors on subfloor in empty bedroom. husband, pregnant wife, and 2 daughters get ready for a room makeover — Trying to make the best of things by letting the kids color on the subfloor

But then something amazing happened. My community (YOU) showed up for me. A gofundme alleviated the financial burden of our insurance deductible. The outpouring of love and support turned my sad tears into happy ones. I didn’t feel deserving at all considering so many people around Texas experienced a similar tragedy. Grateful for the generosity, I came to terms with the room likely not being ready for a home birth. I was too pregnant and lacking the time and man power to complete it. Not to mention almost all our belongings and furniture in the bedroom needed to be replaced. I knew I’d be lucky to have finished walls and floors in 6 weeks because contractors and insurance were so backed up. So we put a mattress in the playroom upstairs and buckled up for weeks of construction.

empty bedroom with freshly painted white walls and new flooring to be prepped for a bedroom makeover — One week before my due date

The Gifted Makeover

Just as I had accepted the change in my birth plans, two incredible women and fellow DIYers, came to my rescue. Cara (@neverskipbrunch) and Jessie (@eyeinthedetail) were Instagrammers that I looked up to and learned from so when they reached out offering to take on this bedroom makeover project I just about fell over. They designed the entire space, lined up sponsors to fund it, booked flights, and showed up for a room makeover just DAYS before my due date.

Now that experience in itself was an absolute dream. Meeting, observing, and working with DIYers I admired. They worked tirelessly to pull it off in just 4 days! (You can follow that adventure in my Instagram highlights.) Not only did I end up with an insanely beautiful bedroom makeover but Cara and Jessie gave me something so priceless by allowing me the opportunity to move back into my own space and experience the home birth I longed for. They gave me peace.

Completed bedroom makeover. Newly furnished bedroom with denim colored wall covered in box trim, burnt orange throw pillows, leather ottomans at the foot of the bed, and white curtains by cushioned window seat

sunny window bench with cushion, throw pillow assortment, white curtains, and roman shades after bedroom makeover

The Home Birth

Baby Lennon made her appearance on Easter, April 4th, 2021. At home! And it was perfect. Suddenly what seemed like a tragedy 6 weeks prior, felt like a blessing. The stress fell away and we fell in love. I was able to hide out in my gorgeous new space to soak up all those sweet moments in her first days. In the end I wished I could have told the girl who cried while watching water pour from her ceiling, that everything was going to be okay and that so much good was coming. Scroll down to see some of the photos from our home birth.