Welcome back to Kristy’s incredible DIY bedroom transformation journey! If you’ve been following along since Part 1, you already know Kristy is a force of nature when it comes to home improvement, a true contender for the “Most Dedicated Builder” award. Her determination is matched only by her humorous tales from the front lines of renovation – including a memorable mishap that, thankfully, had nothing to do with power tools! We’ll let her tell that story someday. For now, let’s dive into her latest update, showcasing the unwavering spirit required to turn a vision into a reality, one meticulously crafted built-in at a time.
Setting the Stage: Towers Ascend and Obstacles Emerge
Our last update left off with a significant milestone: the foundational towers for the built-in units were finally constructed and standing tall! The immediate next step involved perfecting their bases and preparing the surrounding area. This meant carefully removing the existing cornice and baseboards to ensure the new structures could slide seamlessly into place. However, a familiar DIY nemesis quickly reared its head: a strategically (or perhaps frustratingly) placed power outlet directly in the path of one of the towers. This wasn’t just a minor inconvenience; it was a brain-teaser, prompting an immediate need for electrical relocation. Given the often-daunting task of finding available and affordable electricians, Kristy knew this puzzle needed solving before the second tower could properly join its counterpart.
Navigating Tedious Tasks and Unexpected Costs
Days were spent meticulously tackling the less glamorous, yet crucial, preparatory steps. Kristy initially approached the cornice removal with the utmost care, hoping to salvage and reuse the existing piece. To her surprise, this careful effort proved largely unnecessary when she discovered a brand new piece would cost a mere $5! A valuable lesson learned in material cost versus labor. The existing baseboards, which she affectionately (or perhaps disparagingly) referred to as “tiny and unimpressive,” were also swiftly removed, paving the way for a more “awesome and fancy” replacement. Confronting the electrical outlet directly, Kristy bravely attempted to peek behind the wall, only to find the task slightly beyond her current DIY comfort zone. A professional was definitely needed for this particular challenge.
Crafting the Vision: Face Frames, Paneling, and Creative Solutions
With the initial demolition complete, the excitement mounted as the first tower was carefully pushed into its designated spot and securely fastened to the wall. While patiently awaiting the electrician, Kristy channeled her energy into the next phase: building the face frame and adding the paneling to this newly secured tower. A minor design pivot became necessary when she couldn’t source beadboard locally, a common challenge in regions where specific materials aren’t readily available. Her solution was ingenious and effective: using tongue and groove paneling, which offers a similar finished aesthetic, albeit with a slightly more intricate installation process. Lacking a table saw and a safe space for extended cuts with her circular saw, Kristy resorted to the trusty hand saw for the final panel piece, a moment that surely cemented her reputation as “that crazy DIY neighbor.”
The “Wooden Box” and the Unseen Vision
The satisfaction of seeing the first tower take shape was palpable. Kristy found herself standing back, envisioning the final, glossy white finish adorned with elegant mouldings. However, her enthusiastic explanation of this grand vision was met with a rather pragmatic observation from her ever-supportive mum: “Great job… there is a lot of wood, isn’t there… are you going to keep it like that?” This moment perfectly encapsulated a common DIY dilemma: the raw, unfinished stage of a project often looks like a mere “wooden box” to the uninitiated, making it challenging for others to grasp the ultimate transformation. It’s a powerful reminder that the journey, with all its intermediate stages, is often only clear to the creator.
The Ascent of Cabinets and the Toll of Solo DIY
Undeterred by the waiting game for the electrician, Kristy moved forward, tackling the construction of her first top cabinet. A clever level brace affixed to the wall provided the perfect perch, allowing her to accurately position and secure the sizable cabinet. This accomplishment, hanging a substantial 3/4″ MDF cabinet by herself, brought an initial surge of empowerment. Yet, this triumph came at a cost: a strained back and a tweaked neck, serving as a painful lesson in the limits of solo DIY. While the feeling of independence is invaluable, some tasks undeniably call for an extra set of hands. This was unequivocally a two-person job, a realization humorously documented by her husband, Shane, who requested a re-enactment (minus the actual lifting) to capture the evidence of “poor judgment.” The injury unfortunately meant a few days of unwelcome downtime, a concept her three-year-old was struggling to grasp.
Electrician to the Rescue: A Small Job, a Big Relief
Finally, the moment arrived! The electrician, thanks to invaluable family connections (a shoutout to her little brother and his mate!), made it to Kristy’s project. This seemingly minor task of relocating the pesky power outlet, while costing $250, brought immense relief. In just two hours, the outlet was neatly repositioned, leaving only a few plasterboard holes to mend. The sound of tools and the sight of a clear pathway for the second tower was nothing short of a “Hallelujah!” moment for Kristy, who found herself pacing past the bedroom door, eager to resume work despite her lingering aches.
Relentless Progress and More DIY Hurdles
Three days post-incident, Kristy’s determination overruled her stiff back and neck. She was back in action, carefully selecting tasks that didn’t demand heavy lifting. Tower two was successfully installed, secured, framed, and paneled. The project was gaining momentum, but the challenges weren’t over. A decision to purchase MDF for the second top cabinet, initially deemed “not too stressful,” led to another painful incident. Assembling it aggravated her left shoulder, elbow, and wrist, leaving her unable to even pick up a cup. The ironic silver lining? Her back felt less stiff, as if the pain had simply “vacationed” to her arm. The perennial DIY question arose: “Will I ever learn to listen to my body?”
Reinforcing Safety: The Critical Cabinet Re-do
Following a crucial conversation with Sandra, a mentor figure, Kristy made a tough but vital decision: to take down the already installed top cabinet. It had only hit one wall stud, and the thought of it hanging precariously over her head while she slept was unsettling. While the idea of redoing the work was daunting, she swiftly shook off the fleeting depression. Two new horizontal beams were installed, hitting all three studs, ensuring rock-solid stability. Unable to sit idle, Kristy donned her “foreman’s cap,” guiding her patient husband through the re-installation of both top cabinets, meticulously double-checking the level every ten seconds. This moment underscored the importance of structural integrity and safety in any overhead installation.
The Joys and Challenges of Parenting While DIYing
For all the DIYing parents out there, Kristy offered a knowing nod. Some days, moments for work are stolen; other days, like this one, the “little man” (William) is glued to your side. A picture perfectly captured William’s “help” – a curious hand reaching for something just after being told “don’t touch that!” Sometimes, the best course of action is to down tools, prioritize playtime, and resume when daddy gets home. It’s a testament to the real-life balancing act many home renovators face.
Panels, Priming, and the Plaster Cornice Conquest
A new day brought renewed vigor. To keep William occupied, Kristy provided him with wood scraps, a cordless drill (no attachments!), and “goopy glue” for his own “special build.” This clever distraction bought her time to tackle the underside paneling for the top cabinets. A minor oversight led to installing the paneling in the wrong direction. While tempted to leave it, a quick chat with Sandra confirmed the best path was to remove and re-install. The irony? Kristy had done such a stellar job securing it, removal risked damaging the cabinet itself! Ultimately, she pressed on, nearing the priming stage while awaiting another electrician visit for wall lights (little brother to the rescue once more!).
At this stage, Kristy admitted to feeling a familiar sense of being “stuck.” The central wall paneling couldn’t proceed until the wiring for the wall lights was finalized. The top face frame proved particularly fiddly and time-consuming. Yet, through perseverance, she reached another critical juncture: priming! This marked a significant turning point, a moment where the “wooden box” truly began its metamorphosis.
The Glorious Transformation: From Grub to Butterfly
The priming stage was nothing short of exhilarating. “This is SO flipping exciting, I can’t stop looking at it!” Kristy exclaimed. The transformation was breathtaking; with every swipe of the brush, her little “grub” was indeed becoming a beautiful butterfly. She even ate dinner in the still-dusty room, simply to admire her progress. Next on the list was her very first attempt at cutting and installing plaster cornice. While she was immensely proud of her work on a small section, this tiny piece consumed the better part of a day, giving her a new pet peeve: “ARGH, cornice, why are you so difficult?”
After numerous cutting attempts and significant frustration over why her 45-degree miters didn’t look right when installed against the ceiling, Kristy turned to the ultimate DIY resource: YouTube (Sandra, her long-distance mentor, would have been fast asleep!). Watching a couple of “how-to” videos instilled a newfound confidence, leading to a second, successful attempt. This moment, finally conquering the cornice, was perhaps the most gratifying yet. The feeling of mastery after such a challenging task was indescribable.
Expert Insights and The Power of Support
Kristy’s journey offers several key takeaways, especially for those considering similar DIY projects:
1. The Plaster Cornice Challenge: In Australia, crown moulding (cornice) is typically made of plaster, not wood. This means every compound miter cut must be made with a hand saw, followed by plastering the seams. It’s an arduous, intricate process, and Kristy’s mastery of it was truly commendable.
2. Structural Integrity is Paramount: When hanging cabinets, particularly overhead, ensuring they are robustly constructed and securely anchored to wall studs is non-negotiable. Kristy’s decision to re-install her top cabinet for greater security highlights a critical safety lesson for all DIYers. Rest assured, those cabinets are now so solidly attached, they’d likely remain even if the entire wall came down!
Having seen Kristy’s bedroom project progress even further (and it looks absolutely phenomenal!), the excitement to share the grand reveal is immense. The most heartwarming aspect of Kristy’s story is how her family, initially seeing only a “wooden box,” can now fully visualize and share in her excitement for the transformation. Her hard work, persistence through setbacks, and unwavering dedication are truly inspiring.
To all the readers who enjoy witnessing others’ creative endeavors, even if DIY isn’t your forte, know that your role is equally vital. Whether you’re a “Props Giver” or the “taking the kids to the park so mommy can work-er,” your support, encouragement, and understanding are the invisible pillars that empower DIYers like Kristy. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
Stay tuned for more updates as Kristy’s bedroom nears completion! You won’t want to miss the stunning final reveal.
Read the next update – Part 3