We’ll admit we’re not the first ones to DIY a headboard…there are so many awesomely creative headboard ideas out there! What we wanted most for this headboard was to create a juxtaposition of old and new. You might remember the accent wall- a classic houndstooth, with a modern multi-colored flare… well, we felt like it needed a fabulous antique shutter headboard.
What do you think? We love the end result. But guess what?? It was actually our Plan B… Plan A was a flop. And because we’re all about keeping it real, we’re going to show you the Plan A.
This door is amazing. The layers and layers of old, chippy paint are incredible. As soon as we saw it at Architectural Antiques we knew we had to have it. We hoped it would be enough of a contrast on the wall, but we wrong. It got completely lost with the stencil.
We headed back to Architectural Antiques and walked around their huge outdoor salvage yard. The bold blue color of the shutters jumped out at us. We loved how we’d be able to use three panels to create a solid look. We were back in business!
Of course the blue wasn’t the right color… Boo! That just meant we needed to DIY the doors a bit. We simply dry brushed the blue color we used in the room over the existing blue.
How To Dry Brush:
1-Put a small amount of paint on your brush
Dab most of it off on a paper towel
3- Quickly sweep the “dry brush” over the surface
(Late night phone picture FAIL. Sorry!)
We also rubbed the paint in with a paper towel because we wanted to preserve as much of the original character of the shutters as we could. It gave just enough of the new color to make it work in the room.
Installing a shutter or door headboard is really simple. So simple even a rookie DIYer can do it! Jess used this method when installing her door headboard and it worked like a charm!
How to Install a Headboard:
1- Get a 2×4 piece of wood
2- Cut the wood about 6 inches shorter than the width of the bed (you don’t want to see the board)
3- Determine the height you want your headboard and mark the bottom
4- Use a level to straighten the 2×4 on the wall, where you marked it
5- Find your studs and screw it in
6- Rest your headboard on the 2×4
7- Put a few screws in the headboard for extra stability
It took us all of about 10 minutes to get ours installed. We love an easy DIY!
So what do you think of our Plan B and the final look of the shutter headboard?
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Ok, so there are a TON of Shabby Apple lovers out there (we told you that would happen!), and we’re thrilled to announce that the winner is:
It’s your lucky day, April G.! Email us to claim your prize. 🙂 For the rest of you, don’t forget to use the code EASTCOAST10OFF to receive 10% off your order at Shabby Apple.
Thanks to everyone who entered!
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I ♥ that look
Isn’t it fabulous?! Glad you like! 🙂
J & M
I love the shutters, especially the hardware left on them…gorgeous!
We just couldn’t part with the hardware- it gives the shutters so much character. Thanks so much!
J & M
You got it right on 100%, A+, perfect! Love the headboard! Way back, when my husband and I were newlyweds with ZERO dollars, his new job called for homework; he needed a desk. All we had was the little red metal bistro table which was our kitchen and dining table. My father-in-law had some ‘junk’ doors and he offered one of those up as a desk. I thought, “OMGoodness, that door!?!? He and my husband took some old lumber and made kind of ‘saw horse’ legs and put that thing in our tiny duplex bedroom. I thought it was AWFUL! After 33 years, different places, different spaces, different coats of paint, I’ve come to love that old door desk…so, never say never to the use of an old door.
Haha, thanks! LOVE your story about your door turned desk. It’s amazing how we can grow to love furniture, isn’t it? That desk sounds like a piece we would adore!
Thanks for your encouragement-
J & M
I love Plan B headboard!! It looks AMAZING and makes me want to go and get some shutters to DIY my own!!
Thank you! You need to find a salvage place for the best options! Are you local, because if so, make sure you check out Architectural Antiques. 🙂 Good Luck!
J & M
Oh I love this alternative–the shutter headboard is to die for!
I love it!
Excellent idea. Where did you find the wallpaper to match?