| I can't believe how many homes I go in where I see | | | | gorgeous, and then paint the outside edge a |
| no headboard on the bed. Headboards have a solid | | | | contrasting color. |
| purpose and that's not only to anchor the bed in the | | | | Raised Plaster Stenciling: |
| room visually, but to allow pillows to have a resting | | | | Add a border design to the outside edges, then a |
| surface. They can be simple or ornate, the choice is | | | | raised plaster central stencil design with joint |
| yours but here's an easy way to create one. | | | | compound to the insets. Let the joint compound dry |
| Use a door! A door you say? Yes! Choose a closet | | | | for 48 hours before applying paint over the surface |
| sized door rather than a standard wall door. Plain or | | | | so that you do not to loose any of that beautiful |
| fancy, either will work but I prefer solid doors with | | | | raised detail. |
| recessed panels to give more architectural detail to | | | | Using the same color paint as you used for the door |
| the piece I'm about to create. You will find that | | | | surface, paint over the design and allow it to dry to |
| closet doors also tend to be less expensive allowing | | | | seal it completely. Apply a color wash of translucent |
| for more quality in the piece for the same money. | | | | wall glaze mixed with a darker, coordinating color |
| 1. Get measurements for the legs by measuring from | | | | over the design and wipe away the excess to reveal |
| the floor to the top of where you want your | | | | a much more detailed version of the design. |
| headboard to come up to on the wall, minus 2 inches. | | | | Cast Ornamental Plaster from a mold: |
| (This is so that the leg rails do not show above the | | | | Any mold designs can create the most elegant and |
| head board). | | | | unique headboard. Molds are easy to use. Simply |
| 2. Measure the distance between the rails on your | | | | lubricate the inside of the mold by brushing lightly |
| bed frame. | | | | with mineral oil then fill the mold with mixed plaster of |
| 3. Divide the measurement of your bed rail frame | | | | paris. Allow the plaster to set, remove the piece |
| distance by two. | | | | from the mold and let air dry completely. |
| 4. Find the center on the top of your door | | | | Cast and arrange your molded pieces in the pattern |
| headboard and mark it with a pencil. | | | | desired then attach to the door with joint compound |
| 5. Measure outward from that center mark, the 1/2 | | | | as the adhesive. Let dry 48 hours then paint and |
| distance measurement you just took for the rails and | | | | color wash as described above in the raised plaster |
| place a mark. This will be the exact place the center | | | | stenciling paragraph. The look of cast plaster on your |
| of your legs will attach. | | | | head board is so beautiful and appears to be carved |
| 6. Cut legs out of 2x4's. Attach to the back side of | | | | right in to the head board. What an expensive look! |
| the head board with wood screws to secure. Use a | | | | To finish your headboard, seal your design with a |
| carpenter's level to make sure they are attached | | | | clear, non-yellowing sealer. |
| squarely. | | | | To attach the head board to the bed frame: |
| 7. Prime and paint the door and legs a neutral color | | | | 1. Stand the headboard up against the bed and mark |
| and allow to dry completely. | | | | a hole for each of the holes in the bed frame |
| Now the creative brain can kick in and really have | | | | mounting bracket (standard with all metal bed |
| some fun! Try these fun and easy ways to decorate | | | | frames). |
| your new head board. | | | | 2. Use heavy duty metal screws and purchase |
| Stenciling: | | | | matching wing nuts. |
| Border the outside edges of the door with a vine | | | | 3. Drill pilot holes for each screw hole you marked the |
| border then add floral designs to the recesses. I | | | | same diameter as the screw and drill all the way |
| especially love doing this to a headboard that is | | | | through the leg. |
| painted deep brown or black as the design shows up | | | | 4. Attach the headboard legs to the bed frame by |
| so beautifully and it set off by the rich background. | | | | inserting the screws all the way through the back of |
| Faux Finishing: | | | | the legs and the bed frame then attach a wing nut |
| Paint the door then create granite or marble effects | | | | and secure tightly. |
| in the recesses. Even blended sponge painting can be | | | | |