a custom headboard

30 December 2009

Our headboard was a particle board oak yard sale find that I had sanded and painted black to match our Target furniture.



I unscrewed the metal decoration from the back (I'm going to save it and see if I may be able to re-purpose it somewhere else)

Traced the shape onto a big piece of cardboard:

Then cut some quilt batting:


Ironed some white cotton duck fabric

Stapled it to the back of the cardboard with the batting in between:

And then I added some upholstery tacks along the edge. Now here is where I should have just used the nailhead trim on a roll, which would make it nice and even. I was trying to use a bunch of upholstery tacks I already had, but it would have been much easier and looked a million times better with the nailhead.

So....I love the idea, but need to switch it out for the nailhead trim instead of my upholstery tacks that look like I had my 2 year old put them on for me. :)
Sometimes ideas work, and sometimes they don't, but I wanted to share it with y'all...
Happy New Years Eve!

49 comments

  1. LOL at the two-year-old comment... You could always just claim that's the look you were going for! But kudos to you for at least coming up with the awesome idea and actually trying to execute it...it's much further than I get with any of the projects that pop into (and end up staying inside) my head! I love your blog and all of the inspirational projects, decorating ideas, etc. I can't tell you how many posts of yours I have saved/starred for future reference if I ever manage to get my act together to work on some projects of my own! (Gotta finish school first--back at age 38 and it's killing me! But I'll be done in May, so will attempt some "fun stuff" then!)

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  2. What a great idea! This is why I read blogs, I would never come up with great ideas on my own!

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  3. Thank you for sharing (so quickly)!!!! You have inspired me...stayed tuned! :) Happy New Year!

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  4. I had to laugh at your 2-year-old line, but really, Melissa, I wouldn't have noticed it if you didn't point it out. I think it was a great idea to get some upholstery in your headboard {which I love black}. I currently have no headboard because I go back and forth between wood or upholstery, but this might be a good compromise.

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  5. I soooo appreciate the fact that you are willing to share all of your projects! While I think this looks great, it's nice to know that not everything others do and show on their amazingly inspired blogs comes out exactly the way they want!

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  6. Personally, I really like it! I would have never thought of doing that. Did you repaint your walls too?

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  7. Thanks for sharing. Putting it out there whether it turned out the way you wanted it to or not is great! I like it and think it looks good.

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  8. I am going to try and recover a bench that we bought at Frontgate for 1/2 off. I hope I can do a good job. I like the nailheads but I am like you...want them uniform. Good job though.

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  9. I love it! Tell me....does your bedroom always look so perfect? With two kids I constantly find toys in our room or the covers all messed up because they were making tents, etc. LOL!

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  10. I love it! And, I think that the nailheads look fine.

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  11. Love, love love it. What a great idea. I hope you and all your family have a very Blessed and Happy New Year. Hugs, Marty

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  12. Now that is thinking - I wouldn't have even thought to do that!

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  13. It turned out to be beautiful. Great job.

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  14. This is wonderful, Melissa! And it's great that you'll be able to make it EVEN BETTER by replacing the trim. . . but honestly, it already looks awesome. And it's so inspiring! You were REALLY thinking outside the box. Makes me proud to know you. :)

    Wouldn't that scrolly thing look pretty mounted above double doors somewhere? Or above a couple of framed pictures somewhere if you needed a wall arrangement to have a bit more oomph? Or. . . or. . . you were brilliant to keep it!

    Every blessing to you and yours for the coming year!

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  15. that's a very talented 2 year old! Melissa, that bed looks fabulous..... I just wanted to thank you for being such an inspiration over the last year.... I had a rough year......Had gotten into an incredible funk and lost me....We have 4 kids...the youngest 2 are angels adopted from Guatemala...They are 7 months apart....It almost pushed me over the edge. I finally started coming out of the fog and am finding such joy in working on our home....Thanks for the part you've played in my journey.

    Love and blessings,
    Loulou

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  16. I think we all have a tendency to look at our own stuff with a more critical eye. It looks lovely, and I would sure put it low on the priority list of things to do (if I bothered redoing it at all!).

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  17. wow, i am really impressed. It looks sooooo good now!

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  18. I liked your headboard before but now it looks great! The contrast in colors really makes it look warmer and more comfortable. Thanks so much for sharing and have a super new year!

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  19. I think it looks lovely!!! :) Hope you have a Happy New Year. :)

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  20. I think you did a great job. It looks awesome!

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  21. I Love it!! I think it looks Awesome!!

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  22. Oh Melissa...
    Happy New Year sweetie, and boy is this ever beautiful. You did an awesome job. I just love it. The nail heads really set it off. I love the fabric choice and color too. Perfect for your bedding.

    Thanks for sharing. Stay warm and have a safe New Year's Eve. Happy 2010.

    Country hugs...Sherry

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  23. What does your husband say about your projects. My husband totally disapproves of any of my ideas. He thinks things should be left alone. He would NEVER admit that anything looks better unless of course it was his idea. How frustrating.

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  24. Well I think it's WAY cool, and that you're WAY to picky! :)
    Happy New Year!

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  25. Cardboard - never would have guessed. You really are amazing! It looks great. That two year old comment cracked me up!!

    Hope you have a very Happy New Year! Looking forward to see what great projects you come up with in 2010.

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  26. I absolutely love the Kwals Crisp Khaki paint color. Unfortunately I live in Arizona where there is no store that sells Kwals paint. Do you know of another color that is similiar?? I can't go to Home Depot or Lowes to compare colors because I don't have a swatch. Any idea would be appreciated!

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  27. I think it looks great! I would have never thought to switch that out.

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  28. Love it! You're amazing!
    XO Nancy

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  29. Wow that it fantastic and I love your whole bedroom - looks so classy xx

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  30. I think it looks fantastic! Kelly

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  31. Love all your projects! I've listed your entryway makeover in my Top 10 Picks from Blogland 2009. Check it out: http://blackcopperdiy.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-top-10-blogland-posts-from-2009.html

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  32. This is a great idea! So looking forward to everything you come up with in 2010! Happy New Year!

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  33. Melissa, what a great idea! Looks great!

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  34. You are just too clever.

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  35. Great idea. It turned out nice.

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  36. Maybe you can use the metal from the bed frame over a doorway... It reminds me of some Southern Living at Home pieces that go over doorways or as wall art.

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  37. Love your bedroom! ANd I love what you did with the headboard and the additional Waverly fabric on the windows. Looks wonderful. Hope you are all settled in at your new house. Happy New Year to you!

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  38. This is a very clever idea! Give yourself credit and learn from the experience. Thanks for inspiring us!

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  39. I love it! You are so clever and creative!

    I hope the move went well and you are getting all settled in!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  40. Looks beautiful...you did a great job! Happy New Year!

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  41. i think we may have somewhat matching headboards!!! and ALSO, matching ideas. although, you have put your idea to work & have so inspired me to do so. love love love this. i will take your suggestion & go with the roll.

    thank you so much for this, really.

    kellie

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  42. Mrs. L~ if you go to colorcharts.org, and type in crisp khaki, then choose columbia paints (same as kwal), click on match this color, the closest matches are Ace Hardware Caffe Latte or Behr Linen. Monarch, Miller Paint, California Paint all carry the same shade of crisp khaki as well. Good luck!!

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  43. What a great idea! This is why I read blogs, I would never come up with great ideas on my own!

    Work from home India

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  44. Wow, found your blog, and I must say that is a great way to really take something cool and make it even more elegant. Just love that headboard! I really like some of your decorating ideas. I have always loved decorating. Please check out my creative blog. I love to have new people come and visit.

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  45. I really love that you show the things that maybe don't come out perfect the first time.  Gives my hope with my projects.  Alot of things I try seemed to come out much better in my head, lol but when something really does turn out i just smile everytime I walk by it.  Great Blog!

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  46. melissa*320 sycamore1/18/14, 4:24 PM

    thank you!!

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