Materials:
1/8" Luan or masonite (featured project used a 4' x 8' sheet)
jigsaw
drill
bolts and nuts to attach headboard to bed frame
paint (base coat: Quill Pen 6B-1, lion's mane: Valencian 3-O-3 discontinued; lion's face: Hootenanny Green 2F-5, palm fronds: Kentucky Bluegrass 8F-5)
paintbrushes
mini paint rollers and trays
Steps:
- Copy desired design or draw it freehand. This lion came right from the comforter (it's always easier if you have something to look at while sketching). Keep safety in mind when planning design. You may need soften the edges of the mane if they are too sharp.
- Use a hand-held jigsaw to cut the shape out. Sand the edges to make sure there's nothing a child can get hurt on.
- Use latex paint to add color to the design. It may need two coats to really look vibrant. Or, prime the entire shape before you get started, and you may only need one good coat of paint.
- Mount the lion right to the metal frame of the bed by drilling holes at the appropriate height and attaching it with nuts and bolts. If it's too wobbly this way, attach the headboard to the wall using drywall screws. Touch-up the heads of the screws in the colors of the design, and push the bed up to it.Note: The featured headboard stuck out on one side of the bed far enough to have a nightstand sit in front of it. Try to incorporate other pieces in your room to make the headboard proportionate.
Headboard and Bed Sizing
Many people are unsure of how large to make projects, depending on the size of bed they wish to build. Headboards are generally made to extend two to four inches out from each side of a mattress (depending on personal preference and the amount of room space). If the headboard is to be attached to the wall, there is more flexibility for the width. If a headboard is to be attached to a metal bed frame, be sure that the headboard supports are placed correctly based on the width of your particular frame. For projects such as the platform bed, be sure to add at least four inches to the length of the mattress for the finished platform size.
Mattress Sizes :
Crib: 27" x 52"
Twin: 39" x 75"
Full: 54" x 75"
Queen: 60" x 80"
King: 76" x 80"
WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO
