Behind the scenes: Creating the Fabric Covered Headboard and Shiplap Accent Wall!

There are many ways to make an impact when decorating a room.  One of the best ways to do that is with the headboard and an accent wall. We knew we wanted to switch out the headboard, but we had to keep cost in mind.  We wanted a specific height so we knew building our own was the way to go.

THE HEADBOARD

To get the project finished in time for the big reveal, my dad came over and built the headboard!  Dustin did overtime at the Fire Station until around 4 pm that day and the reveal needed to happen that night since our schedules where full for the next several days.  My dad definitely saved the day! 

Above is a picture of the headboard upside down and assembled to make sure everything fits together.

Here is the link to create your very own headboard: Sarah M. Dorsey Designs.

Above is a shot of the back before we took off the sides so that I could cover it.

I went with this glue spray that I purchased at Walmart.  I sprayed the entire front of the board below and covered it with two rolls of Project foam.

I recommend getting the foam rolls at Walmart.  They were the cheapest I found.  I was nervous at first of adding two pieces of foam since I thought you might see the line in the center once the fabric once I covered it.  I think since I made sure that both pieces were pushed tight together and stuck down with the glue spray that they were fine.  I even added a little glue spray where the foam met up in the middle, just in case.  You can see below how I laid them on the board after spraying the glue.  I cut the foam with a sharp knife to cut to exact size.

I somehow missed taking a photo of laying the batting down on the ground and laying the foam board face down on the batting.  You can see that step in the link above.  Once I positioned it, I just got my nail gun and nailed all the way around.  I finished with trimming the batting as you can see on the top and left side.

I covered the headboard in a gray fabric the same way that I put the batting on.  Above is our buddy Dozer working with me on our last project together before he passed. :( We miss him every day and miss his curiosity in finding a way to be part of every project.  After he checked it out and made sure everything looked good, I was able to put the side panels on.

We covered the panels just like the headboard and followed the directions to assemble it back together.

Here is another look at the BEFORE...

Above you can see the previous headboard with scalloped edges.  I love the look of the clean lines headboard below.  With the shape of the new head board taking up more wall space on either side, it feels like it is so much taller, but it is only about a 6 inch difference.  

And AFTER...

Finishing off the headboard with some of the outdoor lighting softened everything up!

To ground the whole room we went with a Shiplap Accent Wall.

THE SHIPLAP ACCENT WALL

A shot of the wall before Dustin began the process.

Dustin got to work measuring and mapping out the accent wall to keep everything level as he went along.  

Below is the look before the Shiplap wall.

You can see how much of an impact the accent wall with the Shiplap makes compared to the before photo.  By adding three more baskets to the unit, it gives it a cleaner and more grounded look to the space.

I really think it makes a difference by changing out the headboard and adding woodwork to an accent wall.

What do you think of the changes, I'd love to hear your feedback below!

Thanks for stopping by!

What Pendant Lighting Would You Choose?

I think that lighting is one of the most impactful ways to make a statement in a room!  Just changing out or adding new lighting makes an enormous difference and can bring such a great deal of character to a bland space. 

I have been on the prowl for pendant lighting for our kitchen for quite a while now.  We currently have some recessed lighting in the kitchen, but that's about it, so since we have a long center island that slants into sort of an L shape, I thought it would be great to do some drop down pendants along that area.  Bringing down light mid level like that always gives off a more intimate glow.  With having the pendant and recessed lighting, I think it will really brighten up the space in the evening too!

I have come across some really great pendants, but here are a few of my most favorite ones...

Via

This type of lighting is very nautical and would fit right in at my house.  I love the shininess of the chrome and how it bounces the light around the room.

Imagine if you took out the lighting in this kitchen, go on, cover them with your hand ;-)  Doesn't it feel like it is missing a wow factor?   

Via

This kitchen is fantastic alone, but the lights just take it overboard!!!  I can't stop staring at these ones.  They would go great with the lighting that I have in the adjacent morning room.

                        These are the pottery barn Exeter 16-Jar Pendant Lights which you can find here.

Via

Another option is the glass globe lighting.  They would also match well with the morning room lighting I have.  Can you imagine what this room would feel like in the evening with these guys all lit up?  Ahhh relaxation! 

Now if I could just decide on brown or gray wood flooring I would be ahead of the game.  I am heading out to a model home today that is the same one as my house, but it is fully decorated, so I will bring back some pics and share them with you.  I may have to stop in at lumber liquidators to see some floor samples and get your feedback. 

Enjoy your Monday :)

Repainting a Painting

We have been in debates as to wether or not to repaint my original painting that I did a few weeks ago.  Dustin said there was just something about it that didn't speak to him.  As I said before, he is not much of a complainer and just kinda' goes with the flow.  So, I thought I should give it another go and see what I can come up with. 

Here is the current painting...

I hopped on the internet to see what would inspire me and this is what I found...

Option #1

 

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I adore seahorses!  I think they are so cute, so I would love to be able to create something fun and whimsical.  Maybe a few sea horses gliding across the painting, hmm.

 Option  #2

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Option #3

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I have seen this amazing painting all over the internet in the last few months.  Just gorgeous and it has the colors of my living room.  The chartreuse, white, brown, and turquoise. 

 

 Option #4

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This is the type of painting that I usually create.  Very whimsical, swirls, scrolls, and circles.  So who knows, since it comes more natural to me, I may stick with what I paint best!

 

 Option #5

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 How awesome is this Octopus?  If I went with painting the octopus, mine would definitely be more abstract, working with more of the shapes and not the shading. Why?  Cause I couldn't even begin to paint something with this depth of character!  But this guy is definitely a Contender.  Dustin said the Octopus is more manly than the Oyster!

 

 

This one is not in the line up, but he looks just like our dog Dozer just chillin' on the beach, I couldn't pass up posting it ;-)

So, now I am heading outside to repaint my painting.  What Option do you think I went with?  Come back soon and see which one I picked! 

 

Coastal Beach Eye Candy

I have always been a huge fan of our local pottery stores here in Williamsburg, Va. They have been around a long time. I still remember when I was getting married, I went shopping at the Pottery with my mum for some household items. I found a serving set of two plates and a front door rug that said Go Away! My mum mentioned that I might be putting off a "don't visit me vibe" with only two plates and a not so kind friendly door mat. Well, I found a nicer doormat and a larger table service for guests, but I still have very fond memories of walking throughout the Pottery Stores.

Over the last several years, the Pottery dwindled down to fewer and fewer stores and I thought it would soon close down, but last year, right in the front of the Pottery, the old buildings came down and a brand new set of buildings went up. I had been told by my neighbor that they had all sorts of beachy type items in the new stores, so my daughter and I went in for a looksy and here are some of the things we found...

A little extra touch of coastal with the starfish on each side.

This pillow is right up my alley.  I am the one who always comes up with cornball phrases, so this is my kinda' pillow!

 I want one of these so bad, but for $40 bucks, I will hold out for TJMaxx to come to my rescue.

I think this pillow is the perfect touch of a "Coastal Beach" feel without going too overboard!  I like the horizontal striped fabric against the burlap fabric and then who could say no to the tiny shell detail on the bottom.  So cute!

Speakin' of cute.  Look at my trusty sidekick!  I wouldn't be surprised if one day she heads in to decorating homes.  She has an eye for it!  Lacey is holding a beautiful driftwoodish fish.  I think it's more like backyard sticks spray painted, but I still thought it was so cute!

What little girl would not love these guys hangin' around in her bedroom?  Or even for a little girls playroom, so sweet!

 

I am really contemplating getting one of these for my barnwood shelving that I am working on for my Morning Room.  I just have to be careful to not go to Beachy, no what I mean?

Now this is very nautical, but if you use this stuff sparingly to accent maybe a boys bedroom, then I think it brings the design of the room up another level.  As Emeril says, it would "kick it up a notch."

I love love love these!!!  They have grommet holes.  Navy, white, and red color scheme, yum!

 Here's a close up of the grommets, so cute!

This tin was so pretty, I just couldn't bring myself to pay $40 something dollars for it, ;(

How CUTE are these.  I have seen ones online with different herb names on them, but this is more to my liking.  I can picture something like these in my future mudroom.  I feel a DIY in my future ;)

Out of everything there, I walked away with these guys.  For $3 ea. I couldn't say no.  I thought about putting a hook in each one and using them in my first floor bath to hang my towels, but when I put them up on the wall it just didn't feel right.  We shall see where they end up.  I am thinking I need to go and get another one.  Everything is better in 3's!

Hope you enjoyed the Coastal, Nautical, and Beachy Inspiration!