Here are some DIY links you can peruse 'til Flyleft responds. I'm trying to talk my daughter into letting us make her one. I don't really want to buy the one she wants from PB for $400..

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Stuff

www.upholsterystudio.com
They have kits and instructions and a VHS tape.
No connection to the company - just found their customer service very helpful. Phone #763 712-5450 order a catalog
I bought the kit, but haven't finished it - not because it is hard - just too many things got in the way.
Hope this helps

Hey walkin -- I'm *far* from an expert on this--people here helped me on the one I've done. I bought a kit of the precut wood and MDF parts, complete with screws and such, truth be told, just because I didn't want to have to do all the measuring and cutting--sometimes I hit "tilt" and have to take the easy way out. The kit was from eBay.

We did buy better foam, however, than the kit came with. And we also wrapped it. Probably way overdoing it.

It wasn't hard at all, in fact rather enjoyable in an instant-gratification kind of way (esp. since I didn't have to do the cutting :))--we did do two rows of staples, alternating spaces kind of like sewing stitches, because the fabric seemed to pull between the stitches so I wanted it anchored completely. We didn't edge it with wood, but we could--we just did a simple rectangle which extends 24" above the surface of the mattress (we have a high mattress--if you were to purchase the same set and not have as high a mattress setup, it would be taller unless you cut it down).

We love the simple lines. It would be easy to put wood around this if we chose to, or to make a slipcover for it down the line.

Wow, you all, thank you so much -- that's terrifically helpful. Fly, if you have a pic of yours around, could I take a peek?

After posting that, I fell in love with this very expensive leather headboard (see below) -- actually, what I really like is the bed, although I don't think DH will go for it. Wonder whether I could make myself a leather one?

Here is a link that might be useful: club bed (look at the Newhouse, too, Fly, you'll drool)

walkin_yesindeed- someone posted a while back that they had made a headboard from a door by adding two by twos on the sides. See link below. I purchased a headboard and footboard at a thrift shop which weren't complete. They're missing the rails and a portion from the sides. I am going to use the headboard by attaching some wood to the ends to be able to screw it into the bed frame below. Anyway I did notice on my headboard it has two square sections where I could easily put padding in if I wanted a padded headboard and would still have some wood surrounding it like you are describing.

I was thinking you might be able to find a door at a thrift or antique store which has a similar configuration and you could use it for your headboard, pad the middle part with the leather you are wanting, and still have the wood section surrounding it. Here is my headboard sitting in the garage waiting in patiently in my project line.

Can't wait to see what you end of doing, please keep us posted.

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Door Turned into Headboard

Those are beautiful, walkin. Just beautiful.

But you know, honestly, I really like the fabric headboard I made better--it's amazing radiant material (and I'm just not good at posting pics, unfortunately--I have to say it)...I'm going to make a bedskirt to cover the metal frame, though, of the same material -- I've got it, it's just awaiting its turn in the queue. If I could have my druthers, I'd probably buy a walnut frame instead. THAT would be worth it. Reclaimed or locally downed black walnut, of course :) but we just don't have the $$. Although I always wonder about hitting my shins. If there's a way to do it, I would find it. So the bedskirt over a metal frame keeps me safe and costs less, too. Of course it will be tailored and clean-lined :)

here is mine that I built. All said and done I'd say about $50 invested in it. Took probably 4 hours or so.

a href="http://photobucket.com"; target="_blank">{{!gwi}}

Mrstan

Perfect!

Can you provide me with information on how you made your headboard? My project this month is to finally put together a guest br. Yours is exactly the style I am interested in. It's the next step after WT which I am now up to and will be attempting as a DYI drape project.
Thanks

Wow, more wonderful ideas -- thank you all so much! Love that door, springvillegardens, and I remember that thread. My house is more "transitional/modern," less traditional, but it's a great look.

Mrstan, I'd love the info as well -- did you do that tufting yourself? And the frame too?

Fly, how nice to be able to say that you like your headboard better than the pricey stuff, good for you! Now I'm *really* curious to see it (but no pressure, I'm horrible w/pics on this board as well!). Do you have a link to the folks you ordered your kit from? And could you describe your fabric for me? Did you do pattern, or just a single color?

All, despite coveting leather, I'm thinking microsuede or something easily spot-cleaned: is that what you did? How did you choose your fabric?

Mr. Stan, that's *fabulous*. What material did you use? And did you do anything to create the lines ith the tufting besides put in buttons? It's so crisp! Now *that*s masterful work :). Mine was just stapling around a padded headboard. I also like the way the lamps echo the shape of the headboard frame. It took me more than a half hour--probably two hours with the padding, wrapping, and stapling.

The headboard is really simple, walkin, no tufting--the fabric is why I like it. It could be called a chenille, I guess, but it's got a definite nap and it's stitched with some unevennesses so that it almost looks like treebark or very vertically grained wood--very similar shades of brown/golden brown that the light plays off at different angles. Hm, now that I'm writing it, I guess it has the tones of black walnut :)

It was the kind of it I have linked to below, just a different shape (really just a rectangle) and iirc it only cost $50.

Here is a link that might be useful: way too expensive, not the right shape--but the basic idea

bump, with hopes that mrstan (Mr. Stan? Mrs. Tan?) will chime back in and tell us all how s/he did it! Magothyrivergirl, I'm going to check out that kit. Thanks for the link (and Fly, you too!).

Bump again, but also, I am not finding any kits for under $180... that plus the material makes the idea of making my own seem silly, when I can buy a ready-made for $220 shipped! Any more comments on this?