3.17.2013

DIY Ballard Designs headboard...

So here is where we are at the moment with the headboard:


 Travis started off with some boards that he glued and doweled together....



He decided that the horizontal boards alone seemed a bit flimsy.  So he added boards going vertical on the other side...


 He reinforced all of it with some nails.  This man doesn't play when he builds something.  We joke that if another hurricane hits we are taking shelter in our boy's bunk-beds.



 To get the image on the boards he printed out a copy of this picture I had of the original headboard...


Then traced it and cut it out...


He used the old school projector I bought on e-bay to project the image and trace it out onto the wood...

Like so...



He is now cutting it out with the skill saw....I am thinking this project may be completed today!  Our little bird may be nesting by bedtime tonight ;)

Skill saw cutting...

Photo bombed by the bird!
Belt sander....
Perched!


Then the painting began.  French Grey....




Poor little bird...not quite finished yet!  We whitewashed the entire piece- pure white (1 pt) to water (2 pts)


Adding some anchor hooks to the back...


Adding screws to the wall...

Yes, little bird- now you are home!

Awwww... cute couple!


We intentionally made the headboard shorter than the Ballard Designs version.  We did not want to block our little pond view, but we needed something to keep the pillows on the bed while we slept!

The headboard with an unmade bed...



And the headboard with the bed all made up...




This project cost about $75 in wood.  The paint I already had.  I'd say that is way better than the $670 version I could have bought!  If you have any questions about this project just leave them in the comments section and I will be happy to answer :)


DIY Show Off



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101 comments:

  1. wow, he's good! do you rent him out by the hour?

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    1. Debra- Haha! If only! I tell him all the time how talented he is, but he just doesn't see it.

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  2. Shawn and I have never had a headboard, and the cost was always the reason. Amazing that you guys did this for so little.... It's beautiful!!

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  3. It is fabulous. I love it. I love the way you can still see the pond. Gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

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  4. OMG, Ballard Designs eat your heart out!!

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  5. Beautiful!! I'd say you both have some serious skills. It's like my hubby and I....I have the vision, he makes it happen, them I pretty it up :)

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    1. Andrea- It takes two! I love that we work on these together, talk & laugh- it's quality couple time :)

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  6. Tricia,

    Please tell me you will let me post this on Facebook! You are both totally amazing! I love this bed in Ballard's....but $75?

    Yes, please!

    blessings,
    karianne

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    1. Of course! I would be honored :) Thank you!

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  7. How awesome is that!?!? I have loved that headboard. I think I love yours more. :) Thanks for sharing. I am your newest follower.

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    1. Jennifer- Thanks! & welcome :) It does feel great to get the look for a fraction of the cost!

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  8. Wow!! Fantastic job!! I'm totally in love with your blog! I'm so glad I found you. I'm your newest follower ;)
    Jamie ~ somuchbetterwithage.com

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    1. Jamie- Hi and welcome! I am your newest follower as well :)

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  9. Love your DIY headboard and let's face the bird makes it so it was worth the search! New follower...

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    1. It's all about the hunt. Hubby enjoys deer season- and I enjoy shopping for my animals ;)

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  10. How blessed you are to have a wonderful husband to help you with projects. His know how and strengths~

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    1. I thank G-d every day for bringing this man into my life :)

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  11. would dry brushing instead of whitewash had done a similar finish? Great project, can't wait to try it at my cottage!

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    1. I think it would! We just opted to whitewash it for a more muted effect. I think dry brushing would be lovely too!

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  12. Damn. You guys are good. Very nice job. Looks great.

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    1. Vince- You crack me up! Have you gotten to painting yet?? ;)

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    2. No painting yet. The weather needs to warm up a little and I need to take some time off from work. Unfortunately, the weather here isn't always perfect like in Texas. However, if you want to take on the project I would be more than happy to give you a place to crash for a few days.

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  13. I love it! So darned cute! You guys did an amazing job. Little Bit from www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com p.s. I re-shared it on fb. and will be pinning it too.

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  14. I love this and how wonderful that you were able to get such a fabulous headboard for such a great price. Definitely going to pin this.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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    1. I have a cabinet in our laundry room that was the result of me wanting the PB version. It was way overpriced, so hubby built a smaller version of the same cabinet and I love it. Even better when you get the look without the expense!

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  15. Oh I'm in love! I just visited that bed last week at Ballard. Yours is perfection, kudos!

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    1. Thank you Tina! I love that we did it on a dime ;)

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  16. Replies
    1. Thank you! I love that we do not back up to another house, but a large green space instead.

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  17. If it goes missing don't come looking for me ;) haha
    I loved it in the magazine but love yours much better!!!! Thanks for the instructions. Hope u can come by my blog!

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    1. Yay! I love meeting other Southern bloggers :)

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  18. Stunning...simply stunning! This is so amazing and it's my favorite furniture piece from Ballard. You and your husband are so talented. ;)

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    1. Thank you! I have the vision/ideas and Travis is my muscle/get it done guy!

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  19. I love it! The shape is fantastic! I just finished making a headboard similar to this but I'm not digging it. I stained mine but think I will try a similar color to yours and maybe get the same effect. I love your bedding (that's next on my bedroom makeover)!

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    1. The bedding is hodge-podge. Sheets from Target (Threshold-loving it!) The top coverlet is from my mom (chenille) and the blanket at the end of the bed is from Homegoods.

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  20. love the bed (pinned it) but the couple picture was the best.

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    1. Rita May- Thank you! We have been together for 14 years now- still see the same handsome man in the black Stetson that I married :)

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  21. Wow - nice work!
    Looks like the pillows are blocking the view, not the headboard. With that big bay window you guys must put on quite a show in there.

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  22. Wow. I mean WOW!! I have this Ballard headboard, but I love yours WAAAY better!! Great job:)

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    1. Dorie- Too funny! I read when you bought yours and I have loved that one for a while. I just wish I lived closer so that I could go to your tag sale on Saturday!

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  23. Wow, that is fabulous. You have one very talented hubby and so sweet of him to make that. I love your version and what a beautiful view.

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  24. Okay I am rarely jealous of anyone, but to have a husband that can do that, wow. It's gorgeous!! I'm sharing this on Cedar Hill Ranch's FB page, so grab a "SCOOP" featured button if you like.

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  25. Wow! How impressive . . . you have an awesome hubby there. It looks great, love the bird:O) Blessings, Sandy

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  26. The only question I have is would he come to my house and make me one???!! pleasepleaseprettyplease?? LOL... seriously, he did an awesome job. I LOVE it and the bird and also love how it's framed by the windows behind it.

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    1. How far away do you live? We love to road trip! :) It really was easy peasy....message me and I can give you some hints and tricks that he used to chunk up the wood and make it all sturdy!

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  27. Oh how I wish I lived closer...I would make my own, but would need Travis's guidance...it is stunning, like you, my friend. And I love, love, love the bird!! Waking up in that bed just looks as though it would be amazingly wonderful! Miss you!!

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  28. WOW! That is just beautiful, I love it. :)

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  29. Found you from Emily's blog. What a great job on the headboard! I really love your bedding too. Where'd you find the lumbar pillow?

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    1. Thank you, Stacey! The pillow is from pb outlet in San Marcos.

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    2. The bedding (sheets) are Threshold from Target aka The Red Dot Boutique ;)

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  30. Beautiful! Where is the lumbar pillow from?

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  31. Wow! Beautiful job! I love your version so much more and you can't beat the savings! I'm including a link back in this week's DIY highlights! :) Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and hard work!

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    1. Thank you :) Yes, the savings were a HUGE plus!

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  32. Love love LOVE it! You guys did a great job!

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  33. This is absolutely amazing! Beautifully done. Thank you for sharing. You will be one of the features tomorrow at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House! Pop on in and grab a feature button for your blog. Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  34. Beautiful headboard! Just found your blog from The Dedicated House. Your new follower, looking forward to your posts.

    Margaret from Moving Forward

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  35. This is incredible! What a beautiful headboard you've created! I just popped over from The Dedicated House. I'm going to pin this for future reference :)

    Jeanette @ Creating a Life

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    1. Love it! It really was very easy to make :) Well, easy for me....I watched and then painted it ;)

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  36. Incredible! I love the headboard. What a great job. I love the lumbar pillow to...what is the fabric that is on the pillow?

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    1. The pillow cover is from the Pottery Barn outlet store. Not sure of the name though!

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  37. I found you on Emily's website. I am diggin' that headboard. I think I could make that. I love that you and your husband work together on projects. That is very cool. I would love to feature your post on my site!

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  38. I featured your fantastic headboard today on Mod Mix Monday!

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  39. That is a lovely headboard...! He did a wonderful job, and the view to the pond is gorgeous xxx

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  40. Beautifully done project! I have always admired this headboard and you just made me love it more. It works so well in your space.

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  41. That turned out so nice. Love the chunkiness of the wood and the elaborate cut.

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    1. Di- Thank you! Everything he builds has that chunky look to it- my fav :)

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  42. Wow! I am so impressed! I have admired the Ballard headboard for some time now.

    I received a jigsaw for Xmas and a headboard project is on my list for sure.

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    1. You are braver than I am! I look at the saw and think I would probably cut off a finger or two.... ;)

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  43. Love the Bed! Love the curtains..did you make them. Same fabric I am doing in living room.

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    1. I did make the curtains, but sewing is not my strong suit! Love the fabric :)

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  44. WOW! One of the loveliest DIY I saw and think it's not purely due to the skill but the love put into it! You two are amazing.

    Blessings. It's good to be here :)

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  46. I have eye-balled this headboard for awhile too....I like yours even better! Tell me, how is the headboard mounted? Is it simply hung on the wall, or is it attached to a bedframe somehow too?
    Thanks for sharing!
    ~Sarah

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    1. Sarah- We attached it to the wall. Our frame did not have anywhere for the headboard to mount. We simply put some heavy duty picture frame hangers up and that has worked well ;)

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  47. Wow! My Headboard too. I inserted the photo into AutoCAD, scaled to bed size and traced over. I was able to print out a portion of the drawing several months ago and trying to figure out how to cut it out. Saw you on Knock Off Decor. Thanks for sharing, now I can move forward.
    LaTonya

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  48. This is amazing but you definitely have to know how to use those tools to make one yourself. It doesn't seem to be easy the cutting part.

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    1. Monica- You are right! My husband is the tool guy....I'm just design and paint :)

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  49. My goodness that is beautiful! I loved reading about the process and seeing the comparison to the catalog headboard. The color you choose is perfect too.

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  50. Holy Cow. It is beautiful! Love, love the bird watching over the process.

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  51. THANK YOU, I have been trying to describe this bed to my boyfriend and then found your blog!!!!!! I want to make mine out of weathered barn wood , and I love the little bird idea, I have some out in my yard getting all rusty!!!!!! I thought about putting railheads on but now after seeing your bed, I might make mine out of good wood and weather the wood, might be sturdier, is yours a king?, it looks huge, absolutely love your style, perfection!!!!!!

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    1. Yes, it's a king size. Really easy to make! Thanks for reading :)

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  52. Dear Tricia,
    Your Ballard Knock off is beautiful! Not sure if I overlooked, but could you please tell me where you bought the little bird for the headboard? Thanks very much! Allison

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    1. Hi, Allison! The birdie was a Hobby Lobby find, but that was a few years ago now.

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Thanks so much for popping in. I appreciate all of your lovely comments...Tricia