I’m still kicking myself over these vintage headboards I found at the thrift store. Why, you ask? Because there were three at least, and I only bought one!!! I wasn’t listening to my inner thrift gut that says, “If you love it, buy it. It won’t be here tomorrow.” SIGH.
Imagine my surprise when I found this pretty little headboard. The wood was gorgeous “as-is”, and I know sometimes you shouldn’t paint wood, but I knew with paint and new fabric, it would look fantastic.
BEFORE
AFTER
Not just ONE…..but there were several there. And for the life of me, I can’t understand why I only grabed “one” of something so good (just like I only took one of those patio tables I found beside the dumpster, when there were three!!!). (Probably money or lack of space).
Because you know when I went back the very next day to the thrift store, all 4 others (yes, I said FOUR!) were totally GONE.
I’m glad that I at least got my hands on one of them because it turned out AMAZING!
AFTER
It’s such a sweet headboard. I really wish I had a place to use it in my own house. I am actually thinking that I may turn it into a bench, with matching cushions/seat. Wouldn’t that be so pretty?!
It’s a full-sized headboard (measures 54″ wide and 28″ tall), but I could see it being a really great seat back, couldn’t you?!
This could make an amazing bench at a dining table!!!
Okay, on to the details….
What I Used – DIY Headboard
- Duck cloth fabric from Hobby Lobby
- Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan, with clear wax
- Staple Gun
- Gorilla Glue Epoxy
When I popped out the upholstered panels, I saw there was caning under there. Some people love caning. Me? Not so much…….
I painted the headboard in Paris Grey Chalk Paint®. Ohhhhh…..how I love this color! Remember I did this French Provincial desk in Paris Grey? It’s a very fresh color!
At first, I wasn’t going to paint the wood. It really was in great condition. But this headboard passed all the “rules” of when I felt it was okay to paint wood, so I broke out the paintbrush. (Read the article I wrote When Should You NOT Paint Wood Furniture? for tips for when to leave wood alone).
I even tested using Chalk Paint® on fabric. I see a lot of DIY’ers trying it out. Meh…It did sort of feel like leather and could have been a good alternative if I didn’t have pretty fabric. But I didn’t like the look of it. At least, not for this piece.
I pulled off the old fabric, which apparently, was a reupholstered job itself because even further down in the layers I found another fabric that must have been the original. Third time’s a charm, right?
I didn’t take a picture of it, but I used my staple gun to add the new fabric. It was tough getting around the slight curves, but I think it turned out nicely!
After I recovered the panels, I used Gorilla Glue epoxy to secure them. That stuff is tough! I didn’t have any small upholstery tacks or anything, so glue was my go-to solution!
Here’s another look at the BEFORE and AFTER:
BEFORE
AFTER
I lightly distressed it and applied a nice coat of clear wax. Voila!
So what do you think??
It is beautiful!!
So, do you sell your creations?? Just wondering…it is darling though.
I think if you could pull off a bench, that would be marvelous!!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Thanks, Nancy! I have sold my creations here and there, but I generally use them for my own house since I need so much “work” done to my house and some much decorating to be done. LOL. Thank you for stopping over!
The headboard is fantastic. You did a beautiful job on it.
Thank you, Debra! 🙂
Nice makeover! Love the yellow you chose! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
This is absolutely gorgeous! When you pulled off the panels, what was holding it on? I have some dining chairs that are upholstered on two sides and when I pulled the panels off they were nailed/tacked in but it’s going to be tricky to find the right way to reattach them. I love your idea of using Gorilla Epoxy but am not sure whether that would work. I’ve never done that before!
Virginia
More to Mrs. E
Wow, that turned out beautifully! I can see it as a bench and would love to have it at my dining table. I’d be kicking myself too for not getting the others. Love it!
Wow, this turned out to be so beautiful~! Great job, I love it and normally I don’t even LIKE Yellow! But these colors together are fabulous. I can relate to the “get it now or risk losing it” way of thought. I have Always said if I want it I need to grab it up RIGHT NOW. If I wait, it is Never still there later on…hahaha We LEARN…
Great work, love your posts and love your great taste in color, style, Everything…
Exactly, Sue! If you don’t buy something, you’ll miss it! 🙂 LOL. Thanks for your comment! Glad you liked it!
Did you need to add batting under the fabric panels?
I don’t know how old your children are, but I am raising 3 grandchildren. I for one would love to make something like this into a bench that we could put in ‘our corner’ where we read stories and have just ‘us time’. The piece is beautiful and I am impressed at the care you put into. The headboard has a new life with a new family.
That’s beautiful! It would have even been amazing if you had just painted the caning! So many options!
Hey Delia! Thanks, and you’re right. Just painting the caning would have worked, too. I love the panels, too.
Oh my Serena what a find! Too bad the other three were gone when you went back. Love the makeover you gave it – so pretty. It caught my eye at the Furniture Feature Friday Party.
Hey Marie! Thanks for stopping over to check out my piece! Means a lot! 🙂
LOoooooooovvvveeeee this!!!
Great job…
=)
Visit this webpage for ideas on banquette seating requirements.
I love it & wish I was near enough to buy it. I’ve never seen a headboard like it around here. Keep up your awesome work!
Hi Joanne! If you’d like to buy it, I can ship it to you via Greyhound! 🙂 I’ve got it in my booth for sale, but I’m thinking of listing it on Etsy. Shipping on Greyhound is pretty affordable!
Great job, it looks beautiful. The fabric you purchased at HL is gorgeous. I love cane anything so I would have left the cane if it was all in perfect condition but what you did turned out beautifully. I would love one like this in KS; however, I bet the chance of that happening is slim to none. Thanks for sharing. I think a bench would look incredible too.
Hi Debbie! Sorry for the late response. Yes, the cane was in perfect condition! I am such a ditz I didn’t even realize it! 🙂 All I could see was that lovely yellow. LOL Thanks sooo much for commenting!!!
Awesome job….thrifting is totally addictive! There are also great Goodwill stores in the Lorton/Woodbridge area! Luv ur posts!!
Hey there! Sorry for responding late. I was away all last week (more on that in the next few posts). Thanks for the tip about the Goodwill stores in Lorton/Woodbridge! I am going to start expanding my thrift diving reach around this DC Metro MD/VA area. LOL. Have you ever been to the Unique Thrift in VA?
It came out great. I love the colors, yellow with grey are so classic colors. Love it. What will you do with it?
Hey Anna! Sorry for the late response. I was away all last week. But I’m back!! I’m selling this headboard in my booth, but I’ll probably pull it out of there and put it on Etsy!
Serna, that is amazing, you did a very good job, take care and stay warm
Wow! It’s fabulous!
Your thrift stores are GREAT! The prices and quality of merchandise blow me away, both are far better than here in Arkansas!
I may have to make hook up my trailer and take a cross country trip next Fall!
Oooooh, you may need TWO trailers after you leave THIS area!! 🙂 Where are the good ones in Arkansas? I want to include them on my list of best places to thrift dive nationally! If you don’t mind sharing, that is! 🙂
It looks so beautiful,Serena you are so talented thank you for sharing :)))
wow, serena……………your thrift stores sure are a lot nicer than mine! totally awesome makeover. I WANT ONE!!!! :))
Thanks so much, Karen! I know…I wish I had bought all 3. I really need a storage area to hold all this stuff I am finding. Hubby is getting upset I keep lugging it all home. LOL
This absolutely looks wonderful. I just started re-doing thrift store furniture so this is all new to me, but I’m very excited! Our town is in the middle of building a huge hobby lobby at the mall! I’m excited now because that is where you went for some things. Do you go there alot ?
Hey Jasmine! I don’t get to Hobby Lobby a lot, only because it’s about 10 miles away, in the opposite direction of where I live and work. But when I do, I love to look for dresser knobs, and all kinds of stuff. You can get the same Hobby Lobby fabrics from OnlineFabricStore.net! Search for “Premier Fabrics.” Thanks so much for commenting!!
Job will done
Serena,
What a lovely headboard transformation! Absolutely love the color combination. I’ve just started reading your blog and signed up for subscription. I stumbled onto your blog while looking for ideas to make a craft room. Your blog is so refreshing and your ideas are affordable. Sorry you got so much snow…I live in the rainbow state of Hawaii and don’t miss the snow at all. Have a great trip!
JEALOUS!!! Hawaii sounds like heaven! I was there in Dec ’12 for a friend’s 40th birthday. We stayed on the Big Island. It was a lot of fun. Me and another girl road tripped the whole day around the Big Island! It was fabulous!
Loved how this turned out. Sorry you got more snow- we could use some here need water- but so enjoying the weather its in the upper 80 s. Spring has sprung in California. Stay warm.
I love it! You did a great job. I love the new fabric choice but I also love it without the panels! Classic old caning! In great condition!
Awesome job! I really love the way your blog (i.e. your time and passion to share) really helps us stretch our imaginations to see past the top layers of color or fabric to see the true beauty of the piece itself. Thank you for expanding my brain Serena! Have a wonderful time in the Carolinas!
Girl!!! You should have bought all they had!! I understand money is always the issue but it’s like i tell my hubby, it might hurt now but the reward will make it worth it in the end. I need one sooo bad for my grandchildren’s bedroom. That store is AWESOME!! Which I lived close. We don’t have many of those in South Alabama!! Keep up the great work!!
You definitely should have bought all 4. I bet this will sell super fast in your booth. Love the color combination, and now hoping I can find a similar queen-sized headboard for my guest bedroom. It’s been a long search! 🙂
Wow girl you rocked that headboard!! Love it!! And I love your blog. It’s always a good day when you’re in my inbox!!
Simply beautiful!
Great job. I could totally see this as part of a daybed or banquette. It’s not going to be around long.
WOW! Serena!
What a beautiful transformation! It’s so funny because I’m getting ready to re-do my bedroom in dove grey, yellow and white! I thought, what a beautiful combination this will be! With lots of white orchids in vases here & there. Then you send this post out! OMG! You are the TRUTH GIRL! You and these amazing creations! I love everything you do! Oh! And yes. I too walk away from great deals and get home and kick myself but at least you got the one and made it absolutely gorgeous! I might have to still the Annie Sloan Paris Grey instead of the dove grey! Hmmm! LOL! Safe travels my friend! 🙂
Looks terrific! I love the colours and the fabric pattern, great choice!
It is a beautiful makeover. I will also buy just one of a good deal and later end up kicking myself for not getting more. I love your blog. You have inspired me to finally start doing the makeovers on the stuff I have put away for this purpose but never followed through on before. Thank You and I can’t wait to see your next makeover.
I really love the transformation! I am a big fan of grey and yellow together, so much so we redid my Mom’s bathroom in that color combo (plus threw in some white) when we had it redone to be handicap accessible. I love your work and your blog!
Beautiful job, Serena! Love the colors, they would make a pretty bench or for a headboard for a teen girls room or guest bedroom. Glad you guys got the snow! here in Pittsburgh the sky didn’t fall like the weather people predicted. Have a safe trip and keep thrifting!
Sorry, but I would have a very hard time parting with this beauty. You could alway hang it on the wall and then find a bench and cover it with the same material and waaalaaaa, another seating area! I even saw a headboard once placed over a seating area in the kitchen, the kind with built in seats flush to the wall. You did a wonderful job, as usual!
I can’t imagine that this headboard will last long in your booth. I love the combination of AS Paris Gray and the yellow fabric that you used. Great job on this makeover!
Good job and Yes…you should have bought them all, but you would have to dedicate lots more time to them and you got better things to do! I love reading your posts. . .
Hey Neti! You’ve got a point there! I over-extend myself WAAAYYY too much! I can’t save all the pretty thrift store things, now can I? LOL. Thanks for commenting, and I’m glad you enjoy reading my blog! That means a lot. 🙂