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With Gabriella Ainslie of Matriarchy Build
Like many first-time homeowners, we moved into our house with grand plans to spruce up the interior once we were settled in. We wanted to tackle the major renovations first and save the smaller, less intrusive cosmetic changes for later. One of the rooms we had our eye on was the bathroom, which was in desperate need of a refresh. Four years and a toddler later, however, our bathroom upgrades still hadn’t been completed! We knew we needed some new storage solutions, and I was itching to try out some Shelfology products.
I chose the Bender FM3 shelves in Steely Blue. These shelves would provide the additional storage space we needed while also adding a pop of color to our otherwise bland bathroom. I also picked out a couple of hooks: the Doohooky and the Why Not in Purple Dusk, to add a bit more color and give us a place to hang our towels and robes.
The installation process was surprisingly simple. The hardware was robust, easy to handle, and not intimidating at all. Here’s how I went about it, with the help of our Matriarchy Build associate, Maria Salmeron:
Step 1: I located the studs and marked them.
I used a stud finder that’s worked wonders in our home—it lights up and beeps when it detects a stud, so I knew exactly where to place the screws for maximum support. There are plenty of different types of stud finders available, and this article does a great job of breaking down which one might be best for you. Our Matriarchy Build experts weighed in on their favorites, and this one came out on top! Pro Tip: A screw in a stud can hold around 100 pounds, making it both strong and secure.
Step 2: I held up the shelf with a level on top and marked where I wanted to drill my pilot holes aligned with the studs to ensure that several screws would go into the studs for optimal support.
When choosing a level, there are various types available, each with its own pros and cons depending on the project. Here’s some useful information to help you decide which type might suit your needs. For this particular shelf installation, I used this level. Pro Tip: Having an extra pair of hands to hold the shelf in place makes using the level much easier. While you can do it solo if the shelf isn’t too heavy or too long, having help certainly simplifies things!
Step 3: I drilled my pilot holes where I had marked them.
For areas where I needed to insert screws into the drywall, I used anchors. Here’s some helpful information about the differences between screws and anchors and when to use each. Pro Tip: Having both a drill and an impact driver on hand comes in handy when you need a bit more oomph than your drill alone can provide. This is my current favorite setup that includes both tools!
Step 4: I held up the shelf again with the level on top to double-check that my anchors and screws were set perfectly level.
Pro Tip: You can never double-check that things are level enough before securing a shelf to the wall—trust me, it’ll save you headaches down the road!
Step 5: Then I used my drill again to screw in the shelves with the adorable (and painted to match!) screws that were provided.
They went smoothly into the studs and anchors, and I was done! Pro Tip: Take it slow and steady with your drill on this step. Apply even pressure for the best results.
Before I knew it, the shelves were installed, the hooks were up, and the bathroom felt like a completely transformed, cohesive space!
Gabriella Ainslie
Gabriella is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Matriarchy Build, an online platform offering a female perspective on DIY and home improvement. Before Matriarchy Build, she worked in home and fashion retail, including stints at ABC Home, Terrain, and Bunkhouse Group hotels. She studied literature at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and daughter, and whenever possible, they head to the high desert of West Texas for hikes or to the beaches of Puerto Rico for some seaside relaxation.
Lacey Soslow
Lacey is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Matriarchy Build, the female-first home improvement and DIY platform. Prior to launching Matriarchy Build, Lacey spent 12.5 years leading marketing and digital efforts for Terrain, the home and garden brand from the URBN/Anthropologie folks. In addition to her work at Terrain, Lacey also spent the past six years renovating old homes in South Philly with her mom. Together, they completed six renovation projects, sparking her passion for the home improvement industry. Hailing from Philadelphia, Lacey divides her time between Philly and NYC with her wife Michelle.
Matriarchy Build
Matriarchy Build is a home services platform with a female-first approach. Matriarchy Build connects consumers to tradespeople for personalized online consultations to discuss DIY projects and repairs, as well as guidance on larger renovation and remodel projects. In Austin, TX, Matriarchy Build also offers in-person handyman services.
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