The "Finished" Result

What truly makes you declare a project is finished? It seems, in my case and I'm sure in many others, that your spaces are an on-going evolution of who you are. I constantly finding myself adding something to a project which is almost certain to happen with my headboard as I'm still swirling with ideas.
If you recall, my headboard was originally planned on being two 18"x24" frames, then became a long and lean rectangular frame with a fun green floral printed gift wrap inside. I liked the gift wrap option, but it just didn't feel right. So I kept searching for inspiration and I found it (read about that here).

Silly me just realized that I never posted what I did or how I did it! D'oh! So here is the "finished" result...for now!

So how did I do it? Here's the (just about) step by step.

Allow shopping purchases to be evaluated by a DIY-sniffing dog.

Wait for approval...

I had to cover my windows with any available blankets/towels due to the amount of light they let in, much to the dismay of my dogs who love the above blanket.

Using a laser level and painters tape, tape a straight line where the top of the headboard will be

This was on the back of a mirror from Target, but a protractor or small ruler will work as well. I temporarily nailed it to the wall to allow me to create the cutout on the corner of the headboard

Start mid-tape

And swing the piece/ruler down, letting the pencil glide the way

You should have a nice curved line, if not perfect you can re-do or touch up by hand

Start painting the line with a small paint brush- careful around wires!

Paint the rest with a roller

Pay attention to the pup who couldn't be bothered to move while the bed moved a few feet

Admire said pup while waiting for the paint to dry between coats

So that's pretty much it though I am debating a few additions. I'd love to put some small wall mounted lights on each side (inside) of the headboard but I cannot rewire my apartment and my landlord will definitely not! Maybe I can find some small shelves to just put a candle on? What do you think?

Finally!

It seems that I have stumbled upon the end of my headboard saga! I've tried large frames, room dividers, pillows, and I'm sure a few other things I've forgotten about. While they all looked ok (I did like the wrapping paper a lot at first) I didn't love anything. Love a headboard? Eh, you get what I mean. So I began searching google again and I came up with some pretty headboards.

Tufted

Upholstery Tacks

Tufted, tacked and framed

Someone on YHL's facebook (what a valuable source of inspiration, input and knowledge!) suggested wall decals. Unfortunately, spending $40+ for swirly decals was not an option. Another option was decals of actual headboards, I found some beautiful options by Mina Javid, but again price (and size) factored into things. $40 for a headboard is a steal, but the sizes went from twin to queen. No full. Next! I kept on searching and while searching I did find some inspiration for something I could do myself.

Gorgeous!

This could work!

Although I absolutely adore the first painted/decal headboard, my hands aren't steady enough to paint that intricate design and I don't think it works for my room. The second, simpler, design was just begging me to try it. So I did...more on that later!

Have you ever gone an alternate route to the traditional headboard? What has worked, or not worked, for you?

It's a Wrap!

After posting here and around blog-land, I think I've come to a solution thanks to Sarah over at Frills for Thrills (via YHL's facebook)! Her suggestion was something she did in her very own guest bedroom.

Stunning, right?! Well, I really wanted to do something like this with what I already had, but after searching my two rooms I had nothing close. So, with a budget from my recent birthday money (and a few things to return) I headed over to Target. Where I found these 18x24" beauties on clearance for less than $5 each!

I snatched two of them, along with some gorgeous gift wrap for $3.49 and made my way home (after some more browsing and great clearance deals. Of course, as soon as I came home I quickly found 'something' I could've used without buying the Target frames. Hindsight is 20/20 they say.

I still was able to convince myself the frames were worth keeping, it wasn't very hard! Immediately one idea set off a chain reaction. The frame that was in the computer room (now the headboard frame) left an empty wall. Which will be filled up with the 14x14" frames I have above my tv stand currently. Those two frames, once moved, will have created an empty space above the tv. That's where the 18x24" frames come into play.

Enough stream of conscious rambling, here's the first stage of the final product!