DIY Wood Headboard-with a little curve

So, in my past couple of posts, I've shown you one end of my office: My lamp/desk area, and my somewhat organized wall behind said desk So this go around, I'll be showing you the opposite.

In designing my new office, I knew that it had to have two uses. #1. obviously, an office. #2. A guest room. But how does one make both coexist? I guess you'll have to wait for my main office reveal post, now won't ya?  :) Sorry. Maybe if you have a really good imagination you can put all the pictures together and see how it looks before the reveal?

Anyway. As you all know, I'm really into headboards. I think I have like 4 or 5 just sitting around in the basement. Now that I say that, I guess the real question is, why don't I use one that I already have instead of building one? haha. Well, that wouldn't be much fun now would it? Exactly. Plus, none of my current headboards matched the style I wanted for this room. So of course I had to make one. I wanted something a little substantial...as substantial as you can get with one for a twin bed. I also wanted one to be rustic and a little time worn.

You can obviously get this by using reclaimed barn wood. But I'm a little short on that around here. So this is how I got this look using a few tools, some paint, and cedar planks you can get from the lumber store.
What you'll need:

• Cedar planks -7 (5.5" wide, however tall you want) -for a twin bed, more for any larger size
• Nail gun/Nails and hammer
• Butcher/Craft/Wrapping Paper
• Jigsaw
• Paint.

First off, I found the length that I needed for the bed, which was about 39 inches. Luckily this fit almost perfecting with 7 of the 5.5" wide cedar planks. You could make this wider if you want. I think it fits just right though. I laid out all the planks on a level surface and secured them together using two pieces of wood, cut to the correct length ( about 35 inches) with a nail gun. Nailed one on the top half, one on the bottom half.

Next is to create the shape for the headboard. I had a shape in mind, but nothing really concrete. So I just took some butcher paper -I got this at the craft store, they sell them in yards, or you can use something as easy as wrapper paper or that dollar store craft paper I used on my Christmas presents this year.

I marked the width that I needed, 39 inches, on one side. I then made a mark at the top of the paper in the middle at 19.5 inches. I then started from the middle and drew a nice little shape down to one of the edges. I made sure to add an arch because I wanted one (or half an arch in this case I guess) that's the only real concrete idea I had in my head at the time. I don't know how it happened, but this was one of those one shot wonders. I thought I was going to have to trace and re-trace shapes until I got one that didn't look silly. But no, luck was shining on me that day :)

Anyway. Once you draw half of it. Cut out the shape. Then fold it over at the middle line you marked. Now trace out the cut out shape onto the other half of the paper. This will make sure that it is symmetrical. Easy peasy? Now cut that piece out also.

Next, I lined the paper up on the wood. Made sure the middle was in the middle and each side ended at the same level. Measuring almost OCD like at ever step and movement I made :) I then just used a pencil to trace out the paper shape onto the wood.

Next, use your jigsaw to cut out the shape, following the line you just traced!

It didn't need it too much, but some of the edges were little rough, so I just sanded them out a bit.

Now time for paint! Yes, I paint in wherever I feel is appropriate. This time around? The room in which the headboard was going to go. Hey-at least I put paper on the wall and the sheet on the ground :) and I was contemplating using the jigsaw in here. So. Things could have been worse.

Anyway. I didn't want a stark white finish, as I said before, I wanted it to look a little worn...old...rustic. Like barn wood, but not as grimy as barn wood. Yes, I've seen some pretty nasty barn wood. I'm just sayin'.
So, in my painting technique, I missed spots on purpose and only did one coat. And I didn't care to do the bottom cuz it was going to be behind the bed. I gotta say, it was the easiest paint job I have ever done.

Using this technique, made it look like it was painted years and years ago and completely weathered. Perfect!

Well, and there you have it. I love how you can still see the knots and texture in the wood.

It just fits perfectly in this place. Total cost for the project was about $7. Oh Yeah!

I have learned throughout my DIY endeavors that cedar planks are somewhat of a building necessity for me. I mean, you can make tons of stuff out of these babies; and they are soooo cheap! I think one of these posts I'm going to do a round up of everything cedar plank. Whataya think? Anyway. This project just reminded me of how awesome they are, yet again :)

And here it is all illuminated by candlelight....I mean, incandescent light. haha. JK. Don't you love that lamp though? Say yes, or I'll hurt ya :) It was one of the biggest splurges in the room, but I did get it on sale for 75% off at Target. It cost about $17, not including the shade. I say splurge. Yes. I know. $17 big whoopin bucks. Not that bad. But when that is about 10% of your room budget on one silly lamp, its considered a splurge :)

Well, there you have it. An very easy and inexpensive way to add a little character to your bedroom!