DIY Upholstered Headboard

Our lovely finished headboard

 

 

Ever since we moved into the new house, I have been searching for the perfect headboard. I have filed through online stores, bargain stores (TJ maxx, Ross) and even high end stores, just to dream a little. Scrolling through Restoration Hardware, I fell in love with this Gem! I knew Bryan would never agree to pay that amount for a bed, $1700 is a little steep for our price range :)

 

So, on to plan B, I started researching ways to make my own. On top of researching, I Googled tutorials about "how to" do it. It was coming off a lot easier than I thought it was going to be, I was definitely sold on the idea! Scrolling, and scrolling, and some more scrolling through Pinterest, I came across this beautiful Headboard. Sarah's design for her tufted-wingback headboard was perfect! A lot of my inspiration came from Sarah M. Dorsey and Restoration Hardware.

 In my vision, I wanted our headboard to be a little taller than some of the normal sized headboards. I also wanted it to be a little wider for my massive amount of pillows I'm "collecting". We left the measurements just wide enough for the frame to fit in between the arms of the headboard and wide enough for the 3 large white pillows :) With A LOT of help from the husband, here is how we made our headboard...

 

Supplies- For a Queen Size

 

1- 63" x 48" (1/2" plywood)

2- 1 x 4's

2- 1 x 6's

2- 2 x 6's 

Box of 4" screws

5 yards of fabric                    

Batting to cover the main piece and arms

28- 7/8" Aluminum Cover Buttons 

1" Foam to cover the plywood (took 2 of these)

Long Upholstering needle

Upholstering Thread

Spray Adhesive

Staple Gun and Staples

 

Plans for the Headboard:
Inspiration also from Sarah, my measurements are just a little different

 

Measurements for the entire headboard.                      



 

 

Braces for the backside 1/4's

 

 

Fabric Measurements

 

Button Hole Measurements

 

 

First Bryan cut the plywood to size 63" x 48"

 Then we cut the 1/4's to size, to frame the backside of the plywood


After framing out the plywood we screwed them into place



Colt decided to help Daddy measure out the holes to drill for the buttons
*Measurements above

Marks for the holes

 



Colt helping Daddy drill the holes

 

Bryan (and Colt) went ahead and put the arms together. Taking a 1 x 6 and a 2 x 6, he sandwiched them together with screws. *we will cover and attach these later

 

Now my turn, here I already attached the foam to the plywood. I laid it right side down on top of the fabric and batting.*Serrated knives are great for cutting foam :)

 

I then made my way around and stapled the batting and fabric to the plywood.

 

I cut out the template on the back of the button packaging and traced the 28 circles for the buttons. Some of the buttons needed a little glue, since these aren't heavy duty buttons.

 

While Bryan took a little break and watched TV, I threaded the buttons and threaded them though the holes. I didn't get a picture of how I threaded the buttons and I apologize :(. But I did double up the thread to make it stronger. When I started the Tufting, I started in the middle and enlisted Bryan's help again. As I pushed on the buttons from my side, Bryan pulled and stapled from the back side.     *(arrows) Don't forget to push those stray threads behind the buttons, don't cut them.

 

Here's a look at how he stapled the thread, doubling back a couple times.



 



Next, we took the fabric for the arms and laid it right side down, stapling it on the underside of the plywood. Then we brought in the arms (The 1 x 6 and 2 x 6) for each side. Bryan then screwed them into the side of the headboard, screwing into the 1 x 4's that braced the back. His job is now done :) Once the arms are attached it was my turn to finish covering the arms. Eeeek, almost done! It took me several tries to get the folds just the way I wanted, but it all worked.

 

 

Here's a look at how I folded the edges to make a smooth continuous front on the arms. I admit, it was a little tough for me. Practice makes perfect!

 

She's complete! *At the arrow you can seethe fabric folded over from the arm. We also had a little bit of fabric left over, but incorporated it into my mantle design. (coming soon)

 

A look at how it fits around the frame and mattress.

 

Here she is!!!



Bryan just had one more job and that was to help me put this baby into place! I was so excited to sleep in our bed that night and wake up to our beautiful headboard. Now all I need, is to finish my pillow collection and find the perfect white duvet. We hope ya'll enjoy our project, as much as we did. If you have any questions, just ask :) We would love to chat!

 

New Pillows!

New pillows from TJ maxx :)

 

Until next time...

Ciao!



 

 

 



 



Spaghetti Carbonara

Hey All!

Living in Europe has left us craving Italian, German, and all sorts of European cuisine! I am constantly trying to muster up recipes and activities to fulfill our cravings just a little longer!



One of the Husband's favorite Italian dishes is Spaghetti Carbonara. The first time I read it in the Italian menu, (in my very broken Italian) I was kind of skeptical. A mix of Italian cured ham, eggs, and pasta, was kind of throwing me for a loop. Reminded me a little bit of a breakfast dish :). But, being adventurous in the land of pasta, I decided to try it out. It was very yummy to say the least. A little on the heavy side, but so worth it! The cream sauce, egg, and pepper mixes perfectly together. Now, it would take me years and many Italian cooking classes to get the perfect pasta and sauce.

But, here's a look at an almost weekly favorite in our Casa!

First I cut the bacon into small strips and begin to fry them over medium heat in a large skillet. *Don't forget your splatter screen!



 
 



While the bacon is frying, I begin to boil the Linguine as directed on the package. While authentic Carbonara is done perfectly with homemade pasta, this will have to do :)



Once the bacon is done, I actually drain it, to remove all the grease that I can. Placing it back into the same skillet, I add the cream and salt/pepper to taste. Reduce the heat and let simmer until thickened.

 

 

 

While the cream is simmering, whisk together the eggs and parmesan cheese.

 

 

 



Once the cream sauce is thickened, add the pasta to the skillet and stir into the sauce















Make sure the pasta is completely coated in the sauce

 

 

Lastly, add in the egg and parmesan mixture to the skillet. Stir in the mixture until you see the egg begin to "scramble".

 

 

Serve immediately and top with your favorite garnish, such as parsley or red pepper for a little spice. For cheese lovers add a little extra parmesan. Don't forget your favorite bread!

 

Ingredients

8-10 Strips of thick-cut bacon
Linguine
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup Heavy whipping cream
2 eggs

Serves 4
1. Cut bacon into small strips, fry over medium heat in a large skillet
2. Cook linguine as directed on the package
3. Drain the grease from the bacon once it's done. Place back in same skillet
4. Add in cream and salt/pepper to taste. Reduce heat and simmer until it thickens.
5. Drain pasta and return to pot, until cream sauce is done
6. Whisk together eggs and parmesan in small bowl
7. Add pasta to completed cream sauce, cover completely
8. Add egg and parmesan mixture, cook to "scramble"
Serve Immediately

I hope ya'll enjoy this as much as we do!
Have a great week and I will see ya'll soon!

Ciao!



 



My Mary Kay®

Hey Ya'll!

Hope ya'll are ready for the weekend, Because it's here!

For my first makeup entry, I want give you a little peek into the new Mary Kay® lines, marykay @play™ and the Limited Edition Fairytales and Fantasy. I'm loving both lines with the Fairytales and Fantasy with their dreamy colors and perfect shades of pastels. The marykay @play™ gives a little edge to your everyday makeup routine and just makes me want to dance and be a little bold!

Lets dive into the dreamy shades of a storybook....

Kohl Eyeliner in Golden Illusion

I can NOT wait to try this out on my waterline!

 

Smoke & Shimmer Eye Wand in Amethyst Smoke

 

 

Smoke & Shimmer Eye Wand in Enchanted Mauve

 

 

When I did the color swatches on my hand the Eye Wands were very smooth and I think they are going to be great for smoking out the eyes. Enchanted Mauve is going to work great with just about any color, but I'm going to play with the Amethyst Smoke and see its potential :) Here's the swatches:

 

 

 



 

 

Now lets turn up the volume with some @play...

 

Eye Crayons

Top: Gold Mine

Bottom: Green Tea





I used the Gold Mine today as a base, on top I used the baked eye trio and the

Eye Crayon really made the colors pop!

 

Lip Crayons

Top: Toasted

Bottom: Candied Apple

 

 

 

 

Here are the swatches:

 

 

 

 

 Baked Eye Trio in On the Horizon

               

 

 As I stated above I tried out my first Eye Trio today and I have to say I really liked 2 out of the 3 colors. The cream and pinkish/plum color showed up really well, but the purple took a little work to show up. I just thought with it being the darkest shade, it would show up more than the others. I did wet my brush and there was a big difference. Great as an eyeliner! Here are the swatches:



 

 

 

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with both lines and can't wait to try out all the other shades! I will be making a tutorial on how I use these products, to make great looks. Keep an eye out! :)

Until next time!