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Bower Power

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Basement Headboard – Part 1

OUR 1st HOUSE

Sing with me:

Rug on the bed.

Rug on the bed.

Lookin like a fool with a rug on the bed!

And Simon Cowell just rolled his eyes.  You sounded good though…don’t give up.  If Paula was around, she would do a little hand waving.

General Larry Platt’s little American Idol ditty brings up a very interesting cultural question…is it ever cool to have a rug on the bed?

Because if so, then I would like to join that group of bed-ruggers.  I would fit right in.  I could be their leader.  Well, I don’t have any leadership skills…or experience…or a vision for spreading the word about our plight.  In other words…let’s just move on to making a headboard and getting that carpet off the bed.  I wasn’t cool enough anyway to start a trend.  I tried in fourth grade with the whole ‘pasty & poofy’ movement…which really did move people…away from me.

Anyhoo.  The basement bedroom needed a headboard.  About a year ago, I had this hairbrained idea that I would build a bed for our dressing room.  And then we found a perfect daybed for cheap on Craigslist.  So the partially finished daybed (let’s just call it what it is – some lumber nailed together) was sitting in our garage.  And me, being the very thrifty gal I am, convinced Jeremy to ‘modify’ the lumber so that we could make it into one queen sized headboard.

 Good thing I am decent looking bearing his child…because otherwise he might get sick of these projects.

So after a little modifications, we ended up with a structure that sortof resembled the base of a headboard. 

With my trusty staple gun, I attached some poster board (also leftover from my days of coaching little league cheerleading) to the wood so that I could have a firmer base on which my foam & batting would lie.

Then we flipped it over and attached some more to the backside. 

Using a little spray adhesive,

I attached some leftover foam (from a previous project) and stapled it into the wood.

When you staple foam into wood, it can leave a little divet.  This pucker can show through when you put the fabric on it, so I recommend pulling SOME of the foam up around it.

Just pinch on either side of the divet and work your fingers back and forth until the foam pulls up and around the staple.  Don’t pull too hard or you’ll just have a hole with the staple in the middle.

It was sort of a puzzle to figure out how we could use the foam we had on hand.  But in the end, this project was costing zero dollars and I was excited that I didn’t have to buy more materials.

Then we wrapped two layers of batting over the entire front of the foam and stapled it on the back. 
Finally, I took some $1 a yard white fabric (I used a little under three yards total) to put over the batting.

Now you might be wondering why we tackled it this way.  There are MUCH easier ways to make a headboard afterall.  But remember I am cheap.  And so far this was costing us $3.  PLUS, it was cleaning out our garage…which is priceless.  And I wanted a free standing headboard.  Since we had just paid for our walls to be finished in the basement, I really didn’t want to attach a huge headboard to the newly new surface.  It would be like getting out of plastic surgery & scheduling a touch up procedure before leaving.  And that only works for Heidi Pratt. 

(wow…is it the day of Pratt’s or what?!?)

Plus, we aren’t finished.   We have only done the undergarments for this headboard.  I still have to make a navy blue slipcover that goes over the entire thing. 

But that didn’t stop me from putting the headboard in place.

As you can see, we removed the side table and added some bedding too.  I don’t know how I feel about the red striped pillows.  I think they need to go.  It’s like WAY too stripey.  And don’t even think about commenting about our unironed sheets.  Remember…I don’t do the housework around here.

Plus, you can see that this headboard isn’t finished – you can still spy the wooden legs.  Those will be covered up with the blue slipcover…so don’t freak out on me.   Just remember…it could be worse.  It could have a rug on it. 

Then I got to playin.

I kinda wanted to see what it would look like with a blue headboard.  So I quickly colored it in.

And then I doodled in some frames above and a little wall sconce.  And I changed those red pillows. I think I will end up liking it.  We’ll see.

What do you think?

Worth three bucks?

Will the blue give me that nautical look?

Is the red, white & blue too americana for your taste?

Or maybe you are still singing Rug on the Bed?  It’s catchy.  It really is.  And I like to switch according to any situation….like Fat on the Legs, Blog on the Brain, or one of my personal favorites… Pee on my Pants. 

Hey.  I’m pregnant.  And I sneeze.  alot.

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Comments

  1. We just built a headboard too this weekend! Similar to yours too (but it cost us $65!).

    I like the blue…and I like the idea of a slip cover. That means I could easily change ours in the future if needed too.

  2. Hilarious. I’m distracted by the end of this post and now I can’t remember what I thought of the headboard (is there such a thing as non-pregnancy brain?).

    Oh right… I really like the headboard… and thanks for showing us how you put it together. I do think I like the whole bed without the red striped pillows, though I’m sure whatever you end up with will look perfect.

  3. Looks great! [not too americana, given that the rest of your home *isnt* americana]

    How did you attach it to the bed? I’m thinking of building one for the master suite, to overcome “pillows jamming into crack” effect

  4. The rug was lovely, but this is just so much more lovely – and so thrifty. I love red white and blue – did I tell you I’m going to pop out 3 boys someday and make them all share a red white and blue room. Might even name them after their assigned color, we’ll see when the time comes.

  6. Rug on the bed….Rug on the bed… Huh? Oh, sorry, it is catchy.

    I like it. I don’t think it will be too Americana unless you start putting stars on the wall or something. (Don’t do that. Also, don’t go crazy with ropes or anchors either…)

  7. I LOVE blue and white right now. After you colored the red-stripped pillows navy blue, i like it much better. I agree too many stripes that don’t so much match. Mix match is fun but I personally think the navy brings out the very back two pillows that are nautical!! 🙂 Good job Katie girl!

  8. You are cracking me up today girlfriend ! I am so impressed with your construction skills, and your Photoshoping is divine. Lovey dovey your new fabric covered headboard. Makes me want to come over and take a nap. 🙂

  9. Super cool and for $3!?! You deserve a prize!

    I’m not all about the red stripeys either. Maybe something a little more floral-y or pattern-y would work better? Hmm.

  11. Thanks for showing me how you made your headboard. I will be tackling this project soon myself. I actually like the headboard white unless you are going for the Americana look, then the navy really goes well. Just my opinion which is worth a grain of salt. Thanks again for sharing.

  13. hehe pee on your pants is perfect for a pregnant lady! Quite a few girls told me it wouldn’t get any better after having the baby, but I beg to differ! :O) My handsome Dalton is 9 months old and I haven’t had pee on my pants since he was born…. well not my pee anyways…but that’s a completely different thing. Get ready to sing “pee on my face” hehe. Anywho. I agree with you. I like it better with blue pillows. I love it!! Very classy, updated nautical.

  15. Hi Katie,

    I love the blog and I’m very interested in making one of my own. Could you provide a list of your supplies as well as the measurements of the boards.

    The blog rocks and congrats on baby Bower!!

  16. Can’t wait to see it finished – it looks really great! But if your guests lean on it, will they break through the posterboard?

  17. Great job on the headboard! Since you asked, I like the red striped pillows, but I’m not sure about the solid red pillow. And while I’m here, why only one sconce? What if you have 2 people and they both want a light?

  19. Julie,
    Actually we already tested it for back sturdiness…and it definitely does not break through. I think that having the multiple layers (poster board overlapping, foam, batting and fabric) reinforce it to a point of non-break-ability.
    XO – Katie

  20. Kristi –
    Good idea! I bought the foam at a discount fabric store but they sell different thickness of foams at most regular fabric stores and also reupholstery shops.
    XO – kb

  21. Actually… don’t get mad at me or anything…. but I kind of *like* the red stripey pillows in there. I like that it throws that pop of color in there and the stripes were going the other direction. But, my opinion doesn’t count here- I mean, I liked the dining room green, too, but, YOU have to live with this scenario, so the pillows are out. And the dining room looks awesome now, too…..I’m sorry I ever doubted you.

    The head board is gonna be great- can’t wait to see the slipcover on it!

  22. I agree about the striped pillows – a bit much. Personally, I like the headboard the way it is. With the red pillows, the navy headboard is a bit too Americana/patriotic for my tastes. BUT, I think you’re right about the wall sconce and frames above the bed – those will look great!

  23. I love your writing style. YOU CRACK ME UP! And you’re a girl after my own heart – cheap! Very nice headboard idea. I’m putting it in my mental file folder of future ideas. Thanks for sharing your mad skills, and making me laugh in the process!

  24. Help! I have an upholstered headboard on my “to-do” list. Please tell us the dimensions of your project…how tall is it and how tall is the actual headboard part?? Thanks!!

  25. I have never ironed my sheets. in fact, I don’t know anyone who does. those who do must have OCD or too much time on their hands.

  27. I REPEAT: Keep the red striped pillows! 🙂
    Just commenting again because I’m thinking maybe a burlap cover instead of navy (just to keep it out of the americana category)? Plus, the burlap is kind of a similar texture to rope, which is nautical. Good luck!

  28. our basement futon-turned-permanent-bed could use a headboard like that (to fit over the ‘vestigial’ couch arms. The best part about doing a slipcover is that you could make 2 and swap between a dark and a light one if the mood suits.

  29. I’m loving the blue headboard…totally nautical. I agree with you about the red stripey pillows…perhaps just a bit too stripey. And now, I have a completely unrelated question. How did you get your bowerpower prettiness on top of the header of your blog? I really prefer the 3 column look, but the only wordpress one that has a custom header is just downright ugly. So, since you didn’t have a custom header theme…how did you put your pretty face up there? If you are willing, please share your secrets 😉

  30. It is going to look awesome with the blue slipcover! And I like the stripey red pillows, especially since you placed them with their stripes going horizontally to contrast with the vertical blue stripes.

  32. lol, your train of thought makes some interesting and awesome turns!

    but back on the subject, we’ve been putting off making a headboard for our own bed; you make it look so easy we just might have to tackle that this weekend. as far as the nautical goes, i think the blue headboard and blue pillows (in place of the red stripey ones) should do just the trick! have fun finishing it off!!

  33. I love the headboard project! And I actually like the red pillows quite a bit. Without them, it would be too blue, I think. But that’s just me. Well done on the headboard, truly amazing.

  35. way too americana
    and if you’re going for a nautical theme, you don’t need to be so obvious about it in the design aspects

  38. Great headboard! I think you could get away from the Americana look by replacing the red striped pillows with patterned pillows that had red, blue, and ….a totally unamericana accent color like brown or yellow. It would be a twist on nautical. If I was as inspiring as you, I would have found said pillows and linked them to your site. If I do stumble across some in my nightly design search I will be sure to send them along.

  44. I like it…but if you really want a nautical feel to it maybe try covering the red stripe pillows with a slipcover of sailboats that match the headboard. Oh, and for three bucks it looks amazing 🙂

  45. Alison,
    It’s Olympic’s Navajo White. And the good news is that this paint is low odor and no-voc so your lungs will still be safe even when your shoulders ache from painting 🙂
    XO – Katie

  47. Love it! All the layers on the bed really make it inviting. I’m going to attempt an upholstered headboard sometime soon. You make it look so easy!

  49. Great job on the headboard!! I think its going to look great with the nave slipcover — I do agree though, that the red striped pillows need to go. I do think you should keep the red accent pillow though.

  50. The navy looks fantastic, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that you’ve now got me singing pants on the ground. Thanks a LOT! Who am I kidding… it’s TOTALLY worth it. SUCH a great result! You’re amazing Ms. Bower. 🙂

  51. Love the idea of a slipcovered headboard – you’re a genius. I think the blue pillows look much better than the red striped ones. Love how the solid red pillow ties in with the red blanket (which is also more noticeable with the solid blue pillows than with the striped red ones). Your drawing of sconces and wall art is great – I totally get the idea and love how you “lit” the wall sconce. Can’t wait to see the finished project.

  53. hi Guys –

    One hundred points to all those who noticed that the Christmas decor was up in the background of the first photos. Obviously we start projects and take a while to get them finished (or partially completed)…so most posts with before & after photos took quite some time to accomplish 🙂

    This particular project was started LONG ago and then didn’t get posted until recently. I try to make sure I have a diverse range of posts each week – not 5 baby posts in a row or 5 DIY projects or photog hints. That way, everyone can get something they are interested in….and I don’t have to type ‘design goal’ more than a couple times a week 🙂
    XO – Katie

  58. For me it says too americana… I don’t think that is a bad thing but I just don’t like it for home decor. I would change out the red for a different shade of blue. For nautical I like the dark blue/light blue instead of the blue/red combo. (or even a brown instead of red)

  59. I just pulled apart some of the cheap $5 pillows from Target to re-stuff our dog bed and I didn’t realize that it’s actually rolled up inside there to make the flat pillow. You can unroll it into pretty decent size “sheets” of batting. It would work perfect for this kind of project.

  60. It was very interesting for me to read that post. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

    Best wishes

  62. Looks great! Quick question- how often do you post new posts? I feel like I check back for days and nothing new has been posted. Love your blog, just wish the posts were on more of a continuous basis.

  63. Dear ab,
    I used to post regularly everyday but since I am going through a transitional period, my posts are a little touch & go. In short, I wish the posts were on a more continuous basis too…but since I am just like everybody else out there (ya know, I have a life beyond bloggin), posting at a certain time every day is just not possible. Thanks for understanding…I promise a new post soon 🙂
    XO – Katie

  66. I too LOVE slightly coastal/nautical but have to be really careful not to fall into Americana so I feel your pain! I think so far so good here!! I like the navy pillows and I think adding those frames above the bed in that very clean linear fashion keeps everything simple and classic and updated! I did have a thought about pillows, etc… I am sure you have seen all of the great burlap printed pillows out there… what about finding some vintage sketches of blue whales or crabs and creating an iron on transfer pillow to add to the bed.. might lend to the more soft coastal rather than americana but not themey all at the same time!

  67. Ooh Katie! Please do tell where you bought the bedding and pillows from. I really love your theme!

  69. Hiya, Katie!

    I can’t wait for you to do the follow-up to this post! The hubs and I are thinking of doing an upholstered headboard and I like how yours isn’t something that just hangs on the wall (seems a little too flimsy that way).

    Hope you’re enjoying baby Will!!!

    xoxo,
    Lindsay

  70. Hi Katie, I’m trying to figure out how to post on blogs, and since I don’t want to look like an idiot to strangers, I’ve chosen the children of friends to look like an idiot.

    Thanks and I hope this works.

  71. Hello all,

    This is a joke that I find amusing everytime I read:

    A man received a parrot for his birthday. This parrot was fully-grown with a bad attitude and worse vocabulary. Every other word was an expletive. Those that weren’t expletives were, to say the least, extremely rude.
    The man tried hard to change the bird’s attitude and was constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, anything that came to mind.
    Nothing worked. He yelled at the bird, the bird got worse. He went to a voodoo spell caster to cast a [url=http://www.lovebindingspell.com]love spell[/url] on it, with no luck.
    He shook the bird and the bird got more angry and exceedingly rude.
    Finally, in a moment of desperation, he put the parrot in the freezer.
    For a few moments he heard the bird squawking, kicking and screaming and then, suddenly, all was quiet.
    The man was frightened that he might have actually hurt the bird and quickly opened the freezer door. The parrot calmly stepped out onto the man’s extended arm and said: “I’m sorry that I offended you with my language and actions. I ask for your forgiveness. I will try to improve my behavior.”
    The man was astounded at the bird’s change in attitude and was about to ask what changed him when the parrot continued, “…May I ask what the chicken did?”
    🙂

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