I found the most expensive item needed to make a headboard was the foam. I made mine similar to NHB only we drilled holes in the plywood for buttons. Once is was upholstered, we decided not to use buttons but they can always be added. If you decided on buttons, I know there is a fabric store at the Berlin Mart in NJ that covers them reasonably. I also found their price the best for foam which they can custom cut. I know it's out of the way for you. Try 4th Street in Phila for materials. This is our Guest BR. We used a very tweedy fabric. Please ignore how the bed is made in this picture.

I have one from Room & Board, purchased several years ago (I'll link to the one I have -- the headboard extends 27-28 inches from the top of the mattress, which is 1 mattress, not a mattress+boxspring, because this is a platform bed w/metal slats). I don't like a lot of throw pillows on the bed, but I do love my 2 Euro shams there that coordinate with my comforter, and those shams give me a little more cushioning in the back when I'm sitting up using my laptop or reading. Plus, if I thought I'd stain them with anything, they're a layer of protection. But quite honestly, I don't think that's ever been an issue. If you think there might be, you can always spray a fabric protector on it (all over on the upholstered parts, not just the headboard). I'd also be smart about which fabric you chose -- even touching the samples will tell you which need to be baby'd and which are tougher. By the way, I use a vacuum cleaner tool to "dust" the fabric when I need to, so a light cotton upholstery probably would be a bad choice. Here is a link that might be useful: R&B's Ella bed

thanks to all of you for the kindness, replies and suggestions. I really thank you. So many of the headboards were lovely. I guess I wanted a tufted headboard because I thought it would make an elegant statement. it is for a guest bedroom. I'd like to ask if Shabby Chic is dated or is it still popular? I have funds to purchase some shabby chic furniture or I have a nice cherry dresser and i could look for some nice end tables to position near the bed and have more of a Southern Living look. Any thoughts on some good websites to review as far as those two looks? My home is basically a second home on the coast and I want to make it welcoming to friends and guests. I have the bare bones completed but need to look for rugs and panels/draperies as I have nothing absorbing the sound.... hard to carry on a conversation. I don't r need a lot of draperies as i have plantation shutters throughout the house. One lady told me about a site called www.curtainexchange. Has anyone ever had an experience with them? I hope it is okay to post that site. I just wondered if someone out there could help me. I am running out of steam making decisions. Thanks for reading the post .........and yes, like everyone else I am on a budget looking for something tasteful but yet won't break the bank. Again, thanks to all that replied. dixied

I like the first one because of its graceful lines. The second one seems over powering and the third a little unusual looking. We have a tufted one and haven't had a problem with staining but we don't use much on our hair and I've never noticed that our heads go up that far anyway. We do have a cat but after one try of scratching we firmly told her no and she hasn't done it since. I would look around on the internet a bit more before making a decision; there are so many sources our there. We got the one we wanted rather inexpensively and it's the perfect style, color and size for us. Please ignore the ugly chest and funky ivy over the window. This was in 2009, the chest and ivy are gone and we've added pale gold floor length curtains that are on the French door over the bed to control the light.