$79.50 Headboard – Trash to Treasure

I am trying to catch up on a bunch of emails and questions.  I get asked all the time about my headboard and where I got it.  I have been trying to answer each one individually, but when I tell them it was a thrifted find and I painted it, then the next question is how did I paint it.  I have shared this tutorial several times in the past, but since I have had so many ask about it since seeing it in our new house, I think it is time to share it again.   $79.50 Trash to Treasure.

Painting My Headboard 

 

 

I think this proves you can take an ugly duckling and turn it into a swan.

 

This was the before. 

 I found it at Hotel Liquidators.  I liked the upholstery, black and gold in a classic pattern.  It is a gorgeous high quality fabric textured vinyl.

 The wood however was really orange and super ugly.

The price convinced me that I could paint it and make it fantastic.

                       Since it was 103 outside, I painted it in the house.

                 A light sanding to scuff it up, then a coat of flat black paint.

 After that dried I started distressing a little –
                 
                                     baby steps, just a little at a time.

  

                                               A little more distressing.

 Next I wiped on a coat of Minwax Walnut Stain.  It gave it a little shine and character to the black.  When you put stain over paint it takes quite a while to dry.  Give it a couple day to make sure it is really, really dry.

              It really needed more distressing, so this time I just went for it.

 

I wanted some more character to the color, so I took a red marker and put a few streaks in here and there. (Yes, just a red marker from my desk)

 After that, another coat of walnut stain to tone down the red and to give the raw distressed wood a walnut color.  The stain also gave it a soft sheen so I didn’t add any other top dressing.

 

As you move around the room and the light hits it in different ways you can see the red as a great subtle undertone.  This ties it in perfectly with the red in the mahogany dresser and nightstand.  You can see those makeovers here and here.

 It looks like it was painted several different colors over time and well worn.  

It is definitely the focal point of the bedroom 

It is so versatile, I can style the room with any color scheme.