04 September 2014

Master Bedroom Update: DIY DRAMA.


Well good morning you gorgeous gals, you! 

Today we're going to get into some real life. DIY doesn't always go to plan, and sometimes what you made just fails. And in this case, it failed on multiple levels!

Let's start with the positives...

We finally got to moving on painting our bedroom a lighter, more relaxed shade of grey. I'm in love with how bright and fresh it is! It's the perfect calming bedroom color. Before we painted, I threw together this inspiration board and created a makeup station, and it was time to start getting into the nitty-gritty of redecorating.



Jake and I can't paint without beer. So that's why there are cans everywhere. Excuse the mess please :)

After we painted, we decided to get started on the headboard, I mean, how hard could it be? It was 10391 degrees outside (exact temperature) so we set up shop in the living room...thus the reason we look like we're on an episode of hoarders. Let the fun begin..

You see, once upon a time, a young engaged couple bought their first house, and the Mrs. (that's me) wanted a fancy upholstered headboard, that just wasn't in the budget. So, said engaged couple set out to make their own, and it didn't turn out half bad. Read all about it here. (Please bare in mind that was before I actually blogged regularly so be prepared for awful photos) Since I don't know how to leave good enough alone, I decided that I wanted to un-upholster that headboard, cut it all up, and try again. Let's just say our second attempt wasn't as successful as the first.



We started by pulling off the upholstery and all of the buttons. Since it was tufted, it meant that there were still impressions from being pulled so tightly, so I bought an extra pack of batting to smooth it over.


I created a few templates to decide how deep we'd like to cut the edges, and traced them onto both sides.


Once decided, we cut the batting/foam off of the edge, and used our jigsaw to cut the edges off.


To make sure everything was even, we  thew it up against the wall. PHEW! Everything was looking good so far.
diy headboard

diy headboard

We smoothed the extra layer of batting over the headboard, as well as the fabric and just stapled away. This was still going pretty well. And then the trim happened.

dun. dun. dun.....
diy headboard

This shit is horrible. Its the hardest crap to work with, nearly impossible to attatch straight, and because our headboard was so thick with batting and foam, the nails would not go into the plywood underneath. After almost 2 hours of cursing, crying, and beer breaks, we finally looked at our handy work, and it was awful. Like a 5 year old did it.

So we took it off and tried again, this time, using tape and a level to try to make it even. It's still just as bad, y'all.

upholstered headboard

From the angle above it's not all that horrible...until you see the entire thing.

upholstered headboard

ha.ha.ha.hahahahahah! Excuse me while I catch my breath.  At this point, we've spent so much damn money trying to fix this headboard that we should have just bought a new bed all together. I need your help! I don't know how to fix this trim. At this point, i'm sort of thinking of removing the trim all together, (woo-hoo for 40 bucks down the drain) and tufting it again? I love the shape, and with the extra padding, at least the tufts would be nice and plush and deep. 

Any tips on how to work with nailhead trim? Did we just get  a bad batch?

Thanks for listening to the rambling, and for an advice you can give to help a sister out with her DIY Drama.

Until Next Time,
xo Kylie


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12 comments:

  1. I've had the same issue with nail heads! I'm not sure exactly how to do it other than it isn't mean to be in the middle of padding. I've used it twice once in the middle of a chair to tuft it (didn't work well) and once on the edge of a chair (and they stuck in great).

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  2. Was it the nail head where you nail every 5th or so nail? If so, it may just be that there is too much batting, which makes it too hard for the nails to stay in, thus creating ripples and bumps that won't allow for the line to be straight. Meaning, there's took much pressure on the nail strip from underneath.

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  3. I wish I was able to offer some advice, but I'm about as crafty as a newborn. I do love that grey! So pretty!

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    1. You're hilarious as always ;) The grey is so calming! I just can't wait for the entire room to come together! I feel like it's taking FOREVER!!

      xo,
      Kylie

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  5. It's funny you post this. I've actually been planning out my own DIY headboard (with tufting) and had been thinking about doing the exact same thing on the edges. Apparently I will not be trying that idea!! The only other thing I could think of to make them straight is to actually mark a straight line with a yardstick or whatever and a pencil (use whatever you used to cut out the corners to mark those?), you'd be able to cover up the pencil mark with the trim. Maybe press down with the straightedge to compress the foam/batting to make sure it's straight? I have no idea. But I'm damn interested to see what you end up doing! I actually don't think it looks all that bad - if it were me I'd definitely have another go at it!! :) Maybe if you do tuft it again (first), it'd be easier to get a straight line? Maybe put in the trim before stapling the excess fabric to the back? The trim would probably pop out though. Hm. I don't know. Dammit!

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your advice, Jamie! I think the problem is there is way too much cushion under the headboard, which makes the nailhead trim warp. Pain in the ass is what i'm saying! I am going to just leave it for now, and come back to it in the future, I need a DIY break! Thank you so much for coming by, hope you've had an excellent Monday!

      xo,
      Kylie

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    2. I just saw this video and you need to watch it right now!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mQmqUetQnY#t=124

      Totally shows you what you need to do to get the edge right!! :) hope it helps!!!

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    3. JAMIE! AHHH! I owe you! This tutorial was so helpful! I think it's clear that our board is too thick and thats why the nails are straight!

      Thank you thank you!


      xoxoo,
      K

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  6. Did you use the nailhead trim kit or are they all individual nails heads? The kit definitely makes life easier!!!!!!

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    1. It's the trim! I heard it made it easier too, but it was such a royal pain for us! Hopefully when I come back to it I will have refreshed eyes and be ready to make it perfect! Happy Monday, girl!

      xo,
      Kylie

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  7. I don't know, why don't you --on a different board-- to practice, cover your board with batting, put actual nails in the corners (don't tap in too deep, just a dent's worth) and then maybe try to glue the nail head on top? glue the nail head trim to each of the nails you put in the corners? Does this make sense??? I don't know, I'd probably just try it. Good luck.

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