A few weeks ago, I let you all know that I was thinking about selling my bed and replacing it with a DIY upholstered headboard. After consulting with you, I decided NOT to sell my bed and NOT to upholster a headboard. I still like upholstered headboards in theory, but I know how dirty things get in my house and just wasn’t up for the potential hassle.
But if not an upholstered headboard, then what? I was stumped. So I asked Layla. Because she is a genius. She nudged me in the direction I was already toying with in my mind. Why not take those large antique windows and create a headboard out of them? She sketched the following for me.
She suggested we do the middle in a chevron pattern. Something similar to this etsy photograph:
I loved the idea! But then we had our family photo shoot and I kept telling Matt that I wanted to steal these doors. He suggested we just make one instead. YES!
And so we did.
And it will be attached here once painted and backed with beadboard.
I’m still trying to figure out how to paint it. Chalk paint would be great, but I don’t have any and don’t really want to wait. Do I crackle texture it to match the windows? Do I paint and distress it? How would you paint it?
Anne says
I am so loving this look! You are a crafty girl! Love it! Anne
Tina says
Love the whole design..This post really spoke to me. I am looking to replace my headboard too, and do something creative… I think a distressed look would look good to tie it in with the windows. Cant wait to see the finished product…
Natalie says
Oooh this is fabulous! What about a charcoal gray for the paint color? Very fun and dramatic!
Layla says
PS- I must also mention that I meant to include two more framed pieces hanging on the wall to the right of the bed….I was just in too much of a rush the day I scribbled that drawing together- LOL! 😀
Layla says
Oh my goodness, Bethy-poo! I toooootally would have done a better job with with sketch if I’d know you were going to post it here- LOL! 😀
Can’t wait to see what you guys create…I already know it’s going to be AWESOME!
XO
Lay
Kim says
Well, I am too in love with ASCP so that is what I would use. It only takes mine two to three days at the most to come from the girl I order from in Tampa. Can’t wait to see what you do.
Brittany aka PrettyHandyGirl says
How about painting a few different colored layers and then distress it so you can see little peekaboos of color popping through?
Sarah says
Wow! That is going to look AMAZING when you are finished! You should definitely use the milk paint- I think it would really add to the worn, barn wood look you’re going for. Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Monica Green says
Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Beth @A to Z says
I’m thinking of using milk paint. It’s so similar to chalk paint, cheaper, and I can just pick some up today if I want.
Cara says
Oh Beth, that is going to look gorgelicious!!! Can’t wait to see finished project. Love those old windows.
You go girl!
Deb Owen says
Have you tried using the vaseline trick before you use your paint, and honestly I think you can do it with latex as well as chalk paint? Most old barns were painted with milk paints and I know there are several resources for those online to maybe include making your own. Milk paints distress even easier than chalk paint in some ways. Good ideas by the way! It’s going to look fantastic.
Tina says
I would like to know how to use the vaseline technique and what to expect..Thanks
Traci says
Your the genuis. I am simply smitten with the door between the two windows. And the beadboard will be a great back drop for the door frame. Can’t wait to see it finished.
Annalea says
Make your own chalk paint. It would take some experimenting, but just add non-sanded grout to good no-voc paint until you hit a texture/consistency you like. I googled around for it a while back, and there are a couple of blog posts out there talking about doing that kind of thing. Once I have furniture to paint, I’m going to do just that. ;o)
Whatever you do, enjoy the process!
Brook @ BeingBrook says
I just got some chalk paint last week and used it for the first time. I love the stuff. I bought it from my local supplier and seriously had it shipped to me within two days. I would wait and paint all three pieces in a uniform color. Especially if you want that antiqued look. The chalk paint distresses SO well and within a few hours you can distress. I bet it will look great. Love the idea!
Susan says
Yay for not choosing an upholstered headboard. In some odd way they remind me of a coffin (weird, I know).
This will be fantastic! Can’t wait to see!!
Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says
Oh how pretty! That is going to look fantastic, I’m so jealous! What if you stained the door? I think a dark stain would be a great contrast to the chippy old windows and then you wouldn’t have to worry about matching paint, chippiness, etc.
Kristy says
This is going to look soo great! And I agree.. Def distress the wood before you paint it and distress more! And I would not necessarily use chalk paint bc the windows do not have chalk paint…. it may look too pieced together, ya know?
Any way you do it, I know it will look fabulous! Can’t wait!! 🙂
The enchanted home says
Loving what I am seeing so far..cannot wait to see more. Featured you on one of my posts to ponders today!
Dana says
Love this idea. Will look amazing! I have a quart of chalk paint and love it…. but I’ll admit… waiting for it to arrive was almost unbearable. I would paint, distress and then glaze it to give it a nice aged feel. Maybe even bang it up a bit before you paint it to make it look more aged like the windows!
Nancy says
I would simply paint and distress it. I think it would look the best with the windows. Just my two cents. I do love the windows as part of the design. That’s a great idea!
Nancy
Ann Marie | white house, black shutters says
Wow – I can’t wait to see how it turns out. I love the idea of chalk paint, but can understand not wanting to wait. :-/ I would probably paint and distress that, live with it, and if you don’t get the look/texture you want, then order the chalk paint. I know it’d be a lot of work, so I guess I’m stuck too – ha!
I’m glad I saw this post, somehow I missed the last one. We have the same bed and although I love it, it’s too high for me, and too big for our small old house. I’d really like to sell it (was tossing around the idea of painting it white and distressing?) and replace it with an upholstered headboard. Sooo it looks like I will be reading those comments, thanks! 😉
Laura @Ms Smartie Pants says
Can’t wait to see what they are going to look like painted. I just bought my first chalk paint but haven’t used it yet. I think they definitely need to be aged.
Pam says
You can make your own chalkpaint in any color….
http://www.marthastewart.com/271574/custom-color-chalkboard-paint
All you need is your paint and unsanded grout!
Jessica says
Thanks I’ll check that out! All my local store had was black 🙁
Tina says
Thanks… Just got through using some in black… Needed some more. Gonna try doing this instead of buying more chalk paint…HOPE IT WORKS!
Erica says
Can’t wait!!
And your family pics turned out beautiful.
Happy Weekend!
Michele says
If you really want the chalk paint, then order it and wait for what you really want. Your second choice will always be the second choice.
Jessica says
The barn doors (at your photo shoot) look like the barn doors in my horse barn. Those will look awesome as a head board! I would whitewash the main board and accent/distress the (x’s) with a black (or whatever color) or viseversa.. My horse barn doors are two toned and it looks awesome. Maybe put some cool black (equestrian style) hinges to :)! I’m off to buy chalkboard paint (never used it) and some fabric before “Irene” gets here!
The Tall Chick says
Can’t wait to see it! 🙂