A Continuation of a Lack-luster Transformation - Part 2

Dana
by Dana
7 Materials
$100
5 Days
Medium
I posted my first project on Hometalk on Nov 7 about transforming a lack-luster dresser into a diamond. This project is a continuation of that post in giving this young lady; what will eventually be, a cohesive looking bedroom set..on a beer budget. I talked with her mom and proposed creating a headboard and footboard. When I told her I could do it for about $100, she didn't believe me. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! I drew up the plans I had in my head and put to paper. This helped out a lot with the process. This projects took me 2 weekends to complete. Here's how I did it.
Step One:


I needed to figure out the width of a queen sized bed frame & mattress. Luckily, I have one. The bed frame measured 61”. I knew I wanted the headboard and footboard to be about 2” wider on each side. So, my total width would be 65”. With that measurement, I went to my local Habitat for Humanity Resale store to check out old doors. (I had seen projects like this on other DIY sites and wanted to give this a try). What I found were these two matching hollow core doors for $5 each. They are 81” wide and 30” tall (with the way I was going to be using them). They were in pretty good shape too; so I bought them. If you know anything about hollow core doors, most of the support is about the first 1-1 ½” around the edges. The middle is usually supported by what looks like box material. Using the plans I had drawn up, I knew the doors needed to be cut down to 65”. That’s a total of 16” off the width. But that was perfect for knowing that 8” needed to come off of each side. Easy – peasy! The harder part is you need to put support back into the holes. With the help of the hubs, we cut the doors to width of 65”. We took the cut off part that had the support in it, peeled away the “boxing” material to expose the support. Best part – it was the exact size we needed. We sanded the old glue off of the supports. Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures of this process.
Step Two:


I decided (as a surprise) to add sconces to the headboard. I went to my local Goodwill Thrift store and found two matching sconces with glass globes – all for $5 (50% off sale day). The sconces were gold. I taped up the light socket, roughed up the gold surface with sand paper and spray painted them Rustoleum’s 2x coverage in Metallic Oiled Bronze. They turned out beautiful! .
Sconces - after painting.


Step 3: Knowing I wanted sconces to each side, I measured where I wanted them located. Hubs drilled a hole in the front of the headboard to mount the sconce and ran the wiring. I wanted the plug end of the sconces to come out each side of the headboard so we could mount a switch for ease of turning them on and off. So, we drilled a hole in each of the supports so the wire could be fed through and come out each side. We loosely mounted the sconces and ran the wires. Hubs put on switches and we tested to be sure the worked. They did…PERFECTION I tell you!!
Step 4:


I wanted a look of raised panels on the headboard and footboard. I had purchased 1” flat trim pieces from my local Lowe’s for around $15 for 5 pieces. They were each about 6 feet long. I bought more than I actually needed just in case I messed up (remember – measure twice, cut once). I then planned out how tall and wide the “panels” would be – in this case, around 24 ½” wide. I eyeballed the height of the first one and just used that measurement for the rest. I cut the trim in flush cuts the sizes needed and staple pinned them on with a little bit of glue for extra adhesion. I followed this step for both boards.
Step 5:


Next, I filled all holes and gaps with wood filler and let it dry overnight. Next day, sanded everything flush and smooth. Tack clothed the dust off. Primed with a white paint I had on hand. Waited for that to dry, and followed up with painted both the same light gray color I used on the dresser. I applied two coats of paint for best coverage. Once all dry, I applied two coats of Polyurethane to protect everything and permantly mounted the sconces. Headboard is taking shape now.
This is the footbboard.
Step 6:


I decided it needed just one more thing…a top cap. This would make it look more finished and also provide a small shelf to place cute items on. I purchased two 3” wide MDF trim pieces. One for the headboard and one for the footboard. Cut each one to 65”. Lined one edge up with the back of the headboard where it would be flush and attached the cap with 1 ½” finishing nails into the support areas of the doors. Repeated same process for footboard. Filled in nail holes with wood filler, let it dry, sanded smooth. Then I primed, painted and sealed the cap.
Repeated cap shelf for footboard.
Step 7: Cut legs for the headboard from 2x4s; making them long enough for the bottom of the headboard to sit an inch or two below the top of the mattress. This measurement was about 57”. On the back of the headboard, I measured in 2” from each side (because this was the overhang). Placed the bed frame extender on the line and marked where the mounting plate would be. I then attached the 2x4 legs, lining them up where the mounting bracket would be and attached legs using 1 ½” drywall screws into the areas of the door frame supports. I didn't get pictures of this step. Lastly, drilled holes in the 2x4 legs were the legs attach to the mounting plate. I repeated the same process for the footboard. Pictures for this was accidentally deleted.


Also purchased were the lag bolts, washers and nuts to secure the headbaord and footboard to the bed frame.


Step 8:


As an extra bonus, I went to my local Dollar Tree and bought five pieces of foam core (an extra piece just in case) and five rolls of black ribbon. I cut the foam core to the inside dimensions of the raised panels. Purchased 3 ½ yards of hot pink fabric from JoAnn Fabrics (using a 60% off coupon - $6 for fabric – YAY!!). I made the hot pink inserts by laying down a piece of foam, covered with batting, then the fabric (cut 2” bigger than the foam core). Turned it over to the back. I pulled fabric a little to make it taut and just taped it down. Repeated all the way around and for each insert. Then I took the black ribbon and make a checkerboard design over the fabric. Again, I just taped the ribbon on the back. Next I found some plastic clear/diamond like jewels in my craft stash and decided to hot glue them on the intersecting links of the black ribbon for a special effect. I mounted the inserts into the panels using 4 upholstery tacks (also from my craft stash) in a silver finish. These hot pink panels can be removed easily if the young lady decides she wants a different color.


This project is a Christmas gift for the young lady. I hope she will love it. (Total project cost was $100 - including all supplies)
Suggested materials:
  • 2 matching hollow core doors   (Habitiat for Humanity Resale store)
  • Trim pieces, 2x4's, 3" wide MDF planks, nuts, bolts & washers   (Lowes)
  • Wood filler, paint, polyurethane, drywall screws   (had on hand)
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