Headboard Makeover for My Guest Room
About a week and a half ago, I was at the Ann Arbor ReUse Center wandering around looking for treasures when I stumbled upon this really cool wooden headboard for just $25. 
The wood was cracked and in terrible shape, but I knew that with a little bit of work it would be perfect in my guest room. I just loved the rounded spindles that looked like stacks of beads. I loaded it up in the back of my little hatchback and took it home.
As a first step I gave the headboard a good washing to get rid of all the dust and gunk that had accumulated on it over time. I patched a few large cracks and then used some grey spray paint primer to give it an even base. With a few light coats of red satin spray paint and a few days of drying, my headboard was ready for the guest room.
I chose the red because I thought it would stand out nicely against the pale blue walls and pick up some of the red in the vintage travel posters that I have across the room over the console table that I made from a Japanese chest.
I am so happy to finally have a headboard in the guest room. I think the final result is quite striking. I got some new grey sheets with a tiny, subtle geometric pattern, but now the bed needs some fun throw pillows and some art above it as a next step.
What do you think? Do you like the red or would you have gone with another color?
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 10:14AM | Posted by Lisa | 11 Comments | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article 
Reader Comments (11)
Hi Lisa,
I love it! You always stumble across the best finds. Your house is definitely going to be featuring "you". It's awesome! Keep up the great work!
What type of putty do you use to repair wood cracks?
Veronique
P.S. If you answer these posts, where can we view the replies?
Nice job, Lisa
I like all the rolls on the spindle headboard - you did an amazing restorative job. The red fits so nicely with all the other read accents.
Veronique- Thank you so much! You can use wood putty to fill in cracks and then sand it down. I respond to all of the comments in the comment feed. I try to answer the same day but if I am traveling it may take me a day or two but I will always answer. Many times I have my posts written and then set up to automatically post (especially when I am traveling) so just because you see new posts doesn't mean I have had a chance to reply yet. (But I will!)
Marilyn- Thank you!
Mary-Lou- Thank you! I think the red is fun, too!
You have a great eye for seeing potential beauty! I would have walked right past that headboard, but you showed that it could be transformed into something great. I love the red, by the way. It makes it look Asian in origin to me.
Agree with Sandy, such a great piece that I probably wouldn't have bothered with. The red is absolutely perfect!
I love the red. My favorite color!
You are right, too. It is very striking the way you pulled the red out of the posters
using the headboard. A very nice and inviting guest room ready for your guests!
You have an amazing ability to see potential in items. Without you this treasure would probably have ended up in the garbage. I love the red! It's perfect and after reading numerous posts about your remodeling efforts, I have a whole new appreciation for spray paint.
Sandy- Thank you! That is so sweet of you to say.
Hilary- Thank you! I am loving the red, too. I think it is really cheerful.
Kathy- Thank you! I hope that my guests like it. Red is one of my favorite colors.
Liza- Thank you! I am a spray paint addict. You can get such a nice finish without much effort. I can't even imagine how long it would have taken me to paint the headboard by hand with all the curvy spindles.
did u attach it to the bed or the wall
It is attached to the bed frame. Hope that helps!