Hi friends! Today I’m sharing a sign I made out of a thrift store headboard. The very best part is this headboard was only $3.49!! Score! They had about ten of them, probably donated by a nearby hotel that was doing some updating.
Here’s what I started with:
I immediately saw this as a sign. Here’s how it turned out:
Look familiar? If you’ve been following me a while, you may remember this headboard that I transformed very similarly:
I added hooks to this one to give it a purpose, but because I took this photo in my garden, people kept thinking it was a sign made for my garden! I thought it would be lovely just inside the door as a place to hang your coat. It sold at my last show.
I didn’t add hooks to this new version. With its shape, I imagine it hanging above a sideboard or above a bed, or even above a mantle. I wish I had a place for it. This will be heading to my booth.
I painted it in Annie Sloan’s graphite first since it was such a reddish stain. The paint was like sludge when I opened it, but I just kept adding water and mixing and it came right back. I almost threw it out! Then I painted it in DIY chalk paint in Cottage White (fitting).
I enlarged the letters and printed them in the reverse. Then cut them apart and worked out the layout until I was happy…
I used the transfer method I use most to transfer the letters, except this time I had a helper!
He really wanted to help. Not sure he’ll speak up so fast next time ha ha!
Then I painted the letters in with black acrylic paint. A good sanding and a coat of Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax and it’s almost done. I added these metal thingys for a little bit of interest:
I found them at Hobby Lobby. They were originally dark and had hooks hanging from the bottom, but I painted them and whacked the hooks off. 🙂
Here’s the tag…I love this place because if the items hang around long enough, the price drops and you know exactly when it will happen! This was hanging around a long time.
“The Cottage Inn” is Felix Titling font and “Bed and Breakfast” is done in Edwardian Script font.
I went back and picked up two more just like it. Maybe I’ll try something different with those. Any ideas??
Have a great weekend!
XO,
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ColleenB. ~ Texas says
That turned out great.
Wish I lived closer as I could use a headboard
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Colleen! If you lived closer I’d sell it you. 🙂
Maria says
Looks gorgeous!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Maria! 🙂
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Wowsie!!!! I love this. What a great score on the price. Super cute.
Kris
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kris! The price was fantastic. Have a great weekend! XO
Therese Wescott says
I always enjoy viewing your latest project. They are lovely and generate ideas, maybe someday I might even make something! The headboard would look great as the back of a bench. Thanks for the inspiration.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Therese! My mom suggested the bench idea also. I might consider that idea with one of the other two I picked up. 🙂
Jill says
Can you tell me what kind of paint bush you use to do such fine lettering? Do you use a special paint? Thanks
Christy K. James says
Hi Jill, I use a script brush which I found at Michaels. It is with all the brushes sold individually and has kind of a fat red end on it. 🙂
Sue Farmer says
Another great makeover Christy!! You have a great weekend too!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sue! XOXO
Lauren Shaver says
That is genius! I never would have thought of that. So creative!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lauren! I’m glad it turned out like I envisioned. That’s not always the case! XO
Pam says
First off….what an amazing price for the headboard! Great job. 2nd …it turned out beautifully!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Pam! It was a fantastic deal! XO
heather j says
This is beautiful! Excellent find:) that’s great your son helped out with it….makes it even more special…that’ll be a special memory later down the road:) Thanks for sharing!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather! And that is so true! He loves to be my little helper and at 12 years old, I know those days are numbered! XO
Terry says
Absolutely fabulous and how can you say no to that price?
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Terry! I know, right? I went and picked up two more, but I might need to make one more trip. Have a great weekend! XO
Bliss says
It’s awesome, I’m pinning it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Bliss! I appreciate the pin too! XO
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Love it! I remember the one you made last year and I have to confess I am one of those who thought it was a sign for your yard too. I don’t blame you for going back to pick up more – $3.49!!! Those would sell for around $25.00 at our local thrift stores. What about a chalkboard sign for over a coffee bar or buffet?
Christy K. James says
Ha ha! That’s funny! Many people thought that, and because the picture was taken in the front of my house I thought it would be funny if I really put that sign out there. My neighbors might start to wonder if we were renting rooms lol. I love the idea to paint one of the others with chalkboard paint!! Might just have to do that! Have a great weekend Miss Marie! XO
Shanna Gilbert says
What a transformation! So boring and brown and now it’s a beauty! Great job my dear!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much my sweet friend! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Sue says
Love it! Quite an imagination. Good for you!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sue! XO
Kelly says
This is fantastic! What a great way to reimagine furniture.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kelly! I thought it was fun. 😉
Tracie Merritt says
I didn’t read the other post but I was thinking turn one of those headboards into a cafe or coffee bar sign and put knobs, hooks etc. to hang mugs on . Hang over buffet and transform into coffee bar. Love your sign.
Christy K. James says
That is a fantastic idea! Thanks for weighing in! 🙂
Cami Graham says
Your style is to die for!!! I am a sucker for all things white – so it is pure eye candy here! Thanks for the inspiration.
http://www.tidbits-cami.com/
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Cami!!! 😀
Brenna@DomesticCharm says
This is so fantastic! I always see old headboards and walk right by. I won’t anymore! Thanks for the great inspiration!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Brenna! Headboards can be the perfect piece for a sign! 🙂
Robin All Things Heart and Home says
You’re amazing…period. xo
Christy K. James says
Ha ha you are too sweet. Thank you! Have a great weekend! XO
Funky Junk Interiors says
Wow! So beautifully done! Shared on my FB page today… thanks so much for linking up! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Donna! I really appreciate it! XOXO
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
I love it soooo much Christy!!! And guess what’s sitting in our garage and I’ve tried to sell it multiple times and can’t get rid of it??? A hotel headboard! I am soo doing this… Thanks for adding the links on how to transfer the wording on! Have a great week!
Christy K. James says
That’s too funny! Now you know what to do with it. If it had sold, you would be kicking yourself ha ha! 🙂
Andi says
I’d like to stay at your B&B…lemme know when you’re open for biz. 😛
xoxo
-andi
Christy K. James says
Come on, girl! We always have a vacancy for you. 🙂
Christina says
Christy this is BRILLIANT!!! I love this idea and the price for the piece can’t be beat!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Christina! This really was a steal. 🙂
Deena says
I would so buy that if I lived close to you. I have vaulted ceilings in my living/dining area and that would look so good. Darn it anyway!
Christy K. James says
And I would so sell it to you lol! Sounds like you have the perfect place for it! 🙂
Jen says
Great score & Great repurpose!
This baby is going to sell fast!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jen! I hope so. 🙂
Janet says
This is beautiful! I have another transfer technique for you to try……trace your letters onto tissue paper (I use pencil). Then position your tissue paper where you want it and trace again, using a fine or ultra fine Sharpie marker. The marker bleeds through the tissue leaving lines to paint.
Christy K. James says
Well aren’t you clever?? I love that idea! My hand doesn’t trace so well on smaller graphics, but this would be great for larger letters. Thanks for sharing! XO
Ange says
OMG that is great. Found you on Hometalk and I’m excited to sign up for your newsletters and see all of your other clever creations.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Ange! I’m thrilled to have you following along! 🙂
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
Wow – you are one of those fortunate people who can the treasure through the trash! This is so cute. I’ll be featuring your project at The Scoop on Monday night. Thank you for linking up!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Suzy!! I really appreciate it. 🙂
Suzan says
Oh that turned out just fabulous – I’d say I was going to copy you but you’d never – not in a million years find a headboard for that price around these here parts
( Montreal )
It’s just perfect though Christy – LOVE it ! ( and pinning now )
xox
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Suzan! 🙂 This was a rare find for our area too, and yesterday I went by the thrift store where I purchased this and they still had about 8 of them!!
Rose says
What a beautiful sign. Where are you using this?
I love how the letters look. I have never tried using transfer, is it difficult?
Have a wonderful day
Much love,
Rose
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rose! I have this for sale in my shop. Transferring the letters is a bit tedious, but pretty simple. Painting them in is another story. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! XO
Barb says
I love your signs.
and you ‘hand paint’ the letters? they are so perfect….
you must have a secret, or is it a ‘practice makes perfect thing? =)
blessings
Barb
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Barb! I have had a lot of practice, but the right brush helps. I use a script brush. 🙂
Barb says
thanks so much for your response.
blessings
suzan says
Another idea for the headboards.
Paint it off white and distress. Install old door knobs or other vintage pulls in a row. Write
Roses for Sale
$2 a Dozen
Tie dried roses bundles tied with satin ribbon onto one or two of the knobs/pulls.
I can even send a picture of the one I did.
Christy K. James says
Fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Lenore says
Hi! Love love this project! I was wondering , how did you attach the metal accessories to it? I have a similar one that fell and the hook broke off. They are heavy little things and I didn’t see screws in the screw holes. Did I miss them or did you use some kind of glue?
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lenore! I screwed them right on through the holes in the hangers. There is a close-up pic of that in the post. The screws are black so it might just look like two holes. 🙂