Saturday 29 December 2007

Headboard Project

I think I mentioned a while back how much I love mantels, especially when they function as something other than a surround for a fireplace. My mom's had this wonderful white, worn mantel for a few years now. Since she moved back to Georgia it's been sitting in her shed because she wasn't sure what she wanted to do with it. Last time I was in town I told her I thought it would make a good headboard for one of the guest bedrooms, one that was sans headboard with just a lonely, bare wall behind the bed. I love this mantel and couldn't stand the thought of it wasting away in the dark, damp shed. It's a little odd for my mom to have a bed without a headboard of some sort in any room in her house, but for this room, she just hadn't decided what to do--shutters, picture, screen, shelf, mantel? So I asked her if I could try to make this mantel work as a headboard in the guest bedroom. She said I could so I lugged the mantel out of the shed and gave it a good cleaning. After that I cut some ticking fabric to back the open area (and I ironed it). Then I nailed the fabric to the back, pulling it taut as I went. Then we screwed the mantel to the wall, using four really sturdy, long screws. And there you have it--a mantel headboard!

10 comments:

Heidi said...

That is gorgeous! Is there padding behind the ticking or not? I love how you can put knick-knacks on the shelf!

Lisa & Alfie said...

Well done Leigh. Editorial worthy! The ticking is always a favorite of mine and just classic with primitives. I can see the creative juices are working even on vacation!
See ya, Lisa

Mitzi - Vintage Goodness said...

Wow, great work! It looks amazing. You are a better daughter than me, I would have said, since you aren't using that mantle why don't you load it up and bring it to my house so I can use it? ;)

For Love Of Home said...

Oh My Gosh that turned out so nice. I just love the patina of the wood and paint and the greenery really sets it off. Good Job!

Anonymous said...

I believe you mean to say you love
M-A-N-T-E-L-S???

The Feathered Nest said...

This turned out so good!!!! I love mantels as headboards and this one has the best patina. Happy New Year, Leigh!! xxoo, Dawn

Leigh said...

Yes, anonymous, I did mean to say mantels. Oops. When spell check doesn't point words like that out to me, I sometimes overlook them. Thanks for the spell check.

Leigh said...

Hi Heidi, no I didn't back the ticking with anything, although it probably would have been better if I had. The fabric has stayed in place so far, but still, it would have felt more comfortable with padding.

tongue in cheek said...

Perfectly put!

Denise Kiggan said...

Delightful. Waht a good idea. It always inspiring when items are re-purposed in such a pleasing way!