Padded Headboard Tutorial

I've been on the hunt for a padded headboard. But the ones I find are too tall for the low profile bed we have and the idea of cutting the legs off the bottom just didn't feel right. I looked at many tutorials on making a headboard, and finally came up with my own makeshift version. The best part, it cost me only about $85 and didn't take a huge amount of time. So if/when I find something better, it won't be the end of the world. See how I did it below.

Materials

• 3-5 seat cushions depending on width of bed
• 2 pine molding strips cut to the width of bed
• sticky velcro, cut to the width of the pine molding strips
• paint to match wall
• sewing supplies

Directions

1. Measure the width of your bed and determine the length you want the headboard. 
2. Find chair cushions that you like and that will work for the size of your bed.
• Ideally, don't select something to heavy or bulky that can't be supported by velcro. 
• Ultimately, the added width of four cushions went over about 2 inches on each side of our queen bed, which I didn't mind. 
3. Sew the cushions together. I did this by hand, holding the cushions together on top of one another and then sewing at the seam on the back of cushion. When I turned the cushions around, you could not see the stitching.
4. Cut pine (or any wood) molding to size. 
5. Paint the same color as your wall.
6. Drill 3-4 holes in each wood strip.
7. Position the cushions where you ultimately think you will want them. You will probably need help with this step. Make sure you consider how many other pillows you have on your bed and adjust accordingly. You will want to install the first molding strip about 2-3" below the top of your cushion and the next strip about 2-3" below the first one. Mark walls.
8. Drill holes in wall that match up to the holes in the wood strip.
9. Screw molding into wall.
10. Apply heavy duty sticky velcro to the strips on the wall and the back of the cushions, lining them up. 
11. Adhere cushion to the strips and press down hard.
• Depending on the fabric of your cushion, you may have more success with sew-on velcro for the cushion. I used sticky velcro and so far, have had no problems.

I'm pretty pleased with it. Now all we have left to do in the bedroom is find nightstands, paint the dresser, install the blinds. I also want to look for new lighting, both overhead and lamps. And finally--artwork. I have some things bought, but the pieces over the bed, I want to make, so stay tuned.

Bedroom Winners

So yesterday I said I would reveal the bedroom picks from husband and no surprise, major bookshelves won. Of course that bedroom is probably three times the size of ours. But after looking at all his picks and weighting certain questions, I think we need some built-in bookshelves, an upholstered/comfortable headboard, muted colors, and some pattern/texture brought in. I do like the oriental rugs and I've been tossing around the idea of mounted reading lights...I feel like I have some direction now. Sadly, the Anthro wood wallpaper only got one vote...as a place he'd like to nap in on a spring day. Not enough for the long haul.

Bedroom Questions

The master bedroom really has me stumped. Under the gun, I painted it white in a state of indecision. But it is so cold and mismatched right now. In the middle of this brutal March, it is quite depressing. I bought some gorgeous vintage inspired fabric at JoAnn's on super sale ($8/yard + 25% off!) but I'm not sure I want to go with the cool grays or that I even want curtains in there. The best part of the that whole room is looking out the windows in the morning at the trees. I don't want to cover that up.

So yesterday, I selected ten bedrooms that I like for various reasons, all from Pinterest or Houzz. I sent the photos to the hubs and asked him, because I want it to be cozy for both of us. I asked:

• What are your gut response favorites? 
• What colors speak to you? 
• What style appeals to you? 
• What decor speaks to you? 
• Which one would you want to be snowed in for a couple of days? 
• Which one would you want to nap with the windows open on a warm spring day? 
•  Which one can you see the two of us in? The three of us on a Sunday morning? 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

I was a little surprised by the selections that got no votes at all. He definitely gave me something to work with. Tomorrow I'll reveal. Which ones are your favorites?

Progress Report

Audrey's pink ceiling turned out really fantastic. We all love it. I will post a final picture and all the details once we get the chandelier hung and the trim painted. The photo below is before I painted the walls and finished the closet. Below that is Lindsey, bearded up and ready to go.

Last weekend my dad spray gun painted the basement ceiling and walls and the garage. This week the kitchen, living room, hallway, and main bathroom are being painted. Lindsey and I hope to finish both offices, our bedroom, and our bathroom this weekend. Whew! We've had to put this thing in overdrive because our closing date got moved up by two weeks. So, there goes most of February. We are stressed, happy, punchy.

Exuberant Pink Painted Ceiling

Audrey went with me paint shopping. She picked this paint swatch for her room. She's been talking about purple and rainbows, so I was surprised by the pink, but I have been contemplating a colorful ceiling in her room with nearly white walls, so we are going for it. I want to keep everything pretty light and neutral since she has so much colorful stuff. We may or may not do the dots. I want it to be "hers" but am trying to keep it from looking too ticky tacky carnival.

Sherwin Williams 6840 Exuberant Pink

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