DIY Beach House Headboard

I've been lusting after this Coastal Living headboard ever since we met on Pinterest/Elements of Style Blog. I had to have it. However my stereotypical Dutch family who commissioned me to redecorate our family beach house was not going to splurge on a big expensive headboard. Knowing this I had to create it all from scratch, which meant under $100! 

Copying the same lines as the photo, I used a ruler, pencil, and string to recreate the shape.

After a lot of research I found that the best way to upholster was to use an egg crate foam mattress topper (two twins on sale at Target for $7.97 each!) and put them egg side to egg side so the flat side faces out. We then stapled along the edges to keep it in place (some stayed, some didn't) and then wrapped a layer of batting around it to keep the foam in. This created a thick and cushy headboard.

I ventured off to a fabric store other than Joann's that specialized in upholstery fabric to ensure that it would last a long time. I needed to match this beachy blue and keep the fabric a soft linen. For around three yards it was $37.

Now it was time for the lovely details. The trim came from Joann's for $7 and the oversized 13/16" Brass finish nails came from Beaconfabric.com at a splurge of $42. The corners were a fun test of my folding capabilities, but I prevailed! I gently tucked a bit of the trim underneath itself and covered the overlap with a nail. Be careful as you're hammering the nails in. If you hit them too hard or too many times, you'll scratch off the finish. 

Voila! All UNDER $100!

It's Installed!!

 Now it's on to the rest of the room. Next project... painting!

February Favorites: Coral & Gold

Easy. Colorful. Glam.

White blazer with silk lining @ Nordstrom

Coral resort scarf @ Old Navy

Gold lap top case with white chevron vinyl sticker 

Layered necklaces

DIY glitter keys

Voluspa Crisp Champagne candle 

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Our house has quite a bit of beach house cottage "charm." The built-in distressed kitchen nook and front dutch door among other nautical flair make it truly unique. After endlessly craigslisting, we spotted this house and immediately fell in love with it not only for its distinctly quaint features, but also because we could squeeze 5 cars behind the house! If you’ve ever tried to find parking on the Newport peninsula, you would know that it is rather unheard of.

My latest addition to our rental beach house are these cute little glass vases. Being recent college grads, we tend to have quite a few people over and to enjoy our best friend “Chuck” along with the ever-so charming sale of the week bottled beer.

I simply love the concept of displaying the unexpected. Wine corks (even if they are Charles Shaw) can be beautiful when collected. Even beer bottle caps in an eloquent jar create a mash up of the boring and ordinary with the elegant and ornate. Our little corner ledge was crying out for the perfect decor. Even though we are moving come summer time, I know that I will keep these my entire life. The great thing about vases and keeping decorative ones in your kitchen is that you can adapt them to fit the season. Change out the corks and bottle caps for sea shells and sand with candles come summer time or take it to a practical function and store fruit, pasta, flour or any other baking supply. They are really something to play with while enhancing your personality and interests at the time.